SHSCT Senior Data Scientist - Band 8A

Job details

• Branch: Southern HSC Trust area (SHSCT)
• Location: Bannvale-Glendale
• Directorate: Planning Performance & Informatics
• Salary: Band 8a (£55,690 - £62,682 )
• Contract Type: Permanent
• Opening Date: 03/06/26
• Closes: Wed, 17 June 2026 @ 4:00 PM
• Interview Dates: To be confirmed

Notes

If you are submitting a manual application, please post it to: Recruitment Shared Services, Rosewood Villa, Longstone Hospital Site, 73 Loughgall Road, Armagh, BT61 7PR. Applications received after the advertised closing date/time cannot be considered, so please allow enough time for postage. “A waiting list may be created for similar posts that may arise while the waiting list is live, this may include temporary or part-time posts. This will be managed in line with the updated HSC waiting list principles effective from 1 April 2026”. Where a part-time waiting list is required, one part-time waiting list will be created- regardless of any specific hours advertised, this waiting list will cover all future vacancies where part-time posts arise. A part-time post is defined as any post that has less than 37.5 hours per week.” Please remember to save or print a copy of the job description before submitting your application, as it will not be accessible afterwards. Flexible Working We welcome flexible working requests from day one. All HSC organisations offer a range of flexible working options. The options available for this post will depend on the requirements of the role. Find out more about flexible working options on our website.

JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE

Senior Data Scientist

BAND

Band 8A

DIRECTORATE

Planning, Performance & Informatics

INITIAL LOCATION

Glendale Building, Bannvale Site, Gilford

REPORTS TO

Head of Information & Data Quality

ACCOUNTABLE TO

Assistant Director of Informatics

FLEXIBLE WORKING PROVISIONS AVAILABLE

Hybrid working – minimum 3 days onsite

JOB SUMMARY

The Senior Data Scientist will lead on the planning, engagement and delivery of analytical projects. The role will be responsible for the day to day management of the team, including personal development and workload management. As well as providing high quality information analysis through advanced statistical information skills in order to deliver actionable insight.

The Senior Data Scientist will assist the analytics team in all manner of deep-dive investigations, predictive data analytics and modelling, providing evidence for strategic and operational decisions, and supporting the Head of Information & Data Quality in shaping the future of Data Science within Southern Trust.

The role of the Senior Data Scientist will be

To provide comprehensive statistical insight into Southern Trust data.

To lead the translation of analytical findings into real-world processes and as such provide evidence for service redesign.

To lead projects to design, develop, test and validate intelligent modelling and predictive systems to improve information sharing and analysis.

Use mathematical, statistical and operational research techniques to effectively model and analyse a variety of statistical information, and make recommendations based on findings to improve operational, tactical and strategic business decisions.

Develop and refine data visualisation systems to present analytical results.

Make recommendations and determine impact of proposed strategic and operational changes using data-driven approaches.

To communicate findings to all levels of management and respond tactfully to challenge of assumptions and results.

To lead team projects and take accountability for the technical content and output.

To critically review models and analytical findings produced by the team and colleagues.

Work with external bodies and experts to validate new methodologies and proposed models.

Lead on collaborative academic projects and in writing applications for funding.

Undertake line management responsibilities for members of the team.

KEY DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES

Insight, Analytics and Modelling

The post holder will be required to

Produce modelled and statistical results for relevant stakeholders.

Lead projects and be responsible for the delivery of models that produce longer term forecasts to support population health planning.

Draw on advanced academic knowledge and extensive experience to continuously improve the methodologies used for predicting such forecast profiles and evaluate their accuracy and reliability over time.

Extract data from a variety of internal sources, supplementing this with information from a variety of external sources to aid in the interpretation of patterns in health service data.

Analyse and manipulate complex and extremely varied data from different databases, and consider the impact of data quality, information governance and GDPR.

Use specialist theoretical and practical knowledge and extensive analytics expertise to identify issues, good practice, trends and exceptions, as well as provide advice, make recommendations and propose solutions to influence changes in decision making.

Uncover stories told by the data and present findings weekly to senior managers across the organisation to inform planning.

Offer support, education and training to managers and other users in the interpretation and analysis of statistical results and modelled outputs, particularly where data is controversial or where different components of that data may conflict.

Continually review information requirements, adapting information and insight production in response to changes both within the department and within the organisation; identifying the need for new and additional information in line with these changes.

Represent the Business Intelligence team and lead on various projects/groups, providing detailed advice and specialist information surrounding statistics, analytics and modelling, and technical support.

Ensure all deadlines for data insight and modelling work are met by planning and organising work in response to continually changing priorities.

Research & Service Development

The post holder will be required to

Lead on data science projects within the Business Intelligence team.

Responsible for coordinating and progressing the research and development ambition of the Business Intelligence team.

Responsible for completing grant applications, or business cases, where appropriate.

Design action plans, as directed, based on detailed knowledge, data gathering and analysis in collaboration with key stakeholders.

Identify new opportunities and uses for data internally.

Be responsible for the continuous improvement of the Business Intelligence team.

Responsible for the testing of new models and decision support tool.

Communication and Information Management

The post holder will be required to

Understand the principles of the GPDR / Data Protection / Freedom of Information Acts and their application within Management Information and keep up to date with any changes. Apply this knowledge by ensuring that any information provided complies with the provisions of these Act.

Regularly report analytical updates, offer recommendations and communicate assurance to senior management and Executive team, using tact and diplomacy to influence decision making with evidence-based insight.

Accept challenge, and be able to respond sensitively and tactfully within high-pressure environments, including when presenting possibly contentious and complex information to Executives and external stakeholder.

Present detailed technical work and high-level organisational information to large audiences and lead technical discussions for multi-disciplinary and regional or national groups.

Present, interpret and demonstrate complicated statistical and analytical theories/models to large senior management groups to influence operational decisions.

Lead scoping phases for new projects, ensuring thorough and accurate capture of end user needs, capabilities and system limitations.

Liaise and negotiate with internal and external customers to meet information requirements in an efficient and cost effective way.

Use appropriate influencing skills when providing advice and support for internal and external customers in the use and interpretation of data, particularly where such data conflicts or does not support initial assumptions or expectations.

Use statistical and modelling techniques appropriate to the audience to present information and concisely communicate findings.

Drive a data and evidence-based culture across the organisation, adapting communications style to suit the various audiences and technical knowledge.

Use developed communication skills to motivate the team, offering mentorship and guiding development.

Promote the reputation of the Southern Trust Business Intelligence team.

Produce reports as required ensuring accountability and governance responsibilities are met.

Demonstrate a high level of communication skills including chairing of subgroup meetings, presentation, co-ordinate the development of annual reports and business cases

Provide written briefings and data storytelling as required.

Demonstrate competence with multiple communication channels such as video conferencing, teleconferencing and face to face meetings.

People Management & Development

The post holder will be required to

Have responsibility for recruitment of new staff through short listing, participation in assessment centres and interview panels.

Have line management responsibility for members of the Business Intelligence team, including mentoring and training, day to day management, allocation and prioritisation of work, appraisals and review of performance.

Be responsible for setting individual and team priorities, and escalating any concerns over project timeframes and workload to the Head of Information & Data Quality when necessary.

Develop and implement frameworks and processes to help deliver the long-term analytics strategy for the Southern Trust, including cross-directorate working and the leading of large-scale analytics projects.

Provide ad-hoc training and mentoring, and knowledge transfer to other team members in the PPI Directorate and across the wider Southern Trust.

Act as supervisor for team projects, having responsibility for the delivery, and accountability for the technical work of the Business Intelligence team members.

Train staff in the use of operational research, machine learning and statistical techniques both within and outside the department.

Take responsibility for his/her own performance and take action to address identified personal development areas.

Financial Responsibilities

Advise and contribute to budget management for the Directorate and ensure the effective use of all resources.

Responsible for authorising payments which will include staff travel claims, staff overtime and agency staff timesheets.

Help ensure with appropriate project management and change management control, that major projects are managed within budget and timescales.

Ensure specific areas of responsibility are delivered in line with commissioned activity and planned income, monitoring control of expenditure, improving value for money and ensuring continued service development.

HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

The Trust supports and promotes a culture of collective leadership where those who have responsibility for managing other staff:

Establish and promote a supportive, fair and open culture that encourages and enables all parts of the team to have clearly aligned goals and objectives, to meet the required performance standards and to achieve continuous improvement in the services they deliver.

Ensure access to skills and personal development through appropriate training and support.

Promote a culture of openness and honesty to enable shared learning.

Encourage and empower others in their team to achieve their goals and reach their full potential through regular supportive conversation and shared decision making.

Adhere to and promote Trust policy and procedure in all staffing matters, participating as appropriate in a way which underpins Trust values.

RAISING CONCERNS - RESPONSIBILITIES

The post holder will promote and support effective team working, fostering a culture of openness and transparency.

The post holder will ensure that they take all concerns raised with them seriously and act in accordance with the Trust’s ‘Your Right to Raise a Concern (Whistleblowing)’ policy and their professional code of conduct, where applicable.

The post holder will, in the event of a concern being raised with them, ensure that it is managed correctly under the Trust’s ‘Your Right to Raise a Concern (Whistleblowing)’ policy and ensure feedback/learning is communicated at individual, team and organisational level.

EMERGENCY PLANNING & BUSINESS CONTINUITY RESPONSIBILITIES

To work proactively with the Trust’s Emergency planner and other internal and external stakeholders to develop appropriate emergency response and business continuity plans to ensure the service can maintain a state of emergency preparedness to respond safely and effectively to a range of threats, hazards and disruption.

PERSONAL AND PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES (PPI)

Lead on and be responsible for the co-ordination of the Trust’s PPI Strategy within the Division or other sphere of responsibility. This will include supporting active engagement with user groups and the voluntary and independent sectors in the design and delivery of services.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

The post holder will be required to

Ensure the Trust’s policy on equality of opportunity is promoted through his/her own actions and those of any staff for whom he/she has responsibility.

Co-operate fully with the implementation of the Trust's Health and Safety arrangements, reporting any accidents/incidents/equipment defects to his/her manager, and maintaining a clean, uncluttered and safe environment for patients/clients, members of the public and staff.

Adhere at all times to all Trust policies/codes of conduct, including for example

Smoke Free policy

IT Security Policy and Code of Conduct

standards of attendance, appearance and behaviour

Contribute to ensuring the highest standards of environmental cleanliness within your designated area of work.

Co-operate fully with regard to Trust policies and procedures relating to infection prevention and control.

All employees of the Trust are legally responsible for all records held, created or used as part of their business within the Trust including patients/clients, corporate and administrative records whether paper-based or electronic and also including emails. All such records are public records and are accessible to the general public, with limited exceptions, under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 the Environmental Information Regulations 2004, the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. Employees are required to be conversant with the Trust’s policy and procedures on records management and to seek advice if in doubt.

Take responsibility for his/her own ongoing learning and development, in order to maximise his/her potential and continue to meet the demands of the post.

Represent the Trust’s commitment to providing the highest possible standard of service to patients/clients and members of the public, by treating all those with whom he/she comes into contact in the course of work, in a pleasant, courteous and respectful manner.

This Job Description will be subject to review in the light of changing circumstances and is not intended to be rigid and inflexible but should be regarded as providing guidelines within which the individual works. Other duties of a similar nature and appropriate to the grade may be assigned from time to time.

It is a standard condition that all Trust staff may be required to serve at any location within the Trust's area, as needs of the service demand.

Dec’25

PERSONNEL SPECIFICATION

JOB TITLE AND BAND Senior Data Scientist

Band 8A

DEPARTMENT / DIRECTORATE Planning, Performance & Informatics

SALARY As per HSCNI Pay scales 2025/26

HOURS 37.5 Hours per week

Notes to applicants

You must clearly demonstrate on your application form under each question, how you meet the required criteria as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. You should clearly demonstrate this for both the essential and desirable criteria.

Shortlisting will be carried out on the basis of the essential criteria set out in Section 1 below, using the information provided by you on your application form. Please note the Trust reserves the right to use any desirable criteria outlined in Section 3 at shortlisting. You must clearly demonstrate on your application form how you meet the desirable criteria.

Proof of qualifications and/or professional registration will be required if an offer of employment is made – if you are unable to provide this, the offer may be withdrawn.

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA

SECTION 1: The following are ESSENTIAL criteria which will initially be measured at shortlisting stage although may also be further explored during the interview/selection stage. You should therefore make it clear on your application form whether or not you meet these criteria. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. The stage in the process when the criteria will be measured is stated below.

Factor

Criteria

Method of Assessment

Experience and Qualifications

1a. A postgraduate degree in computer/data science with a strong machine learning component.

AND

3 years’ experience* working in an analytics environment.

OR

1b. Have at least 5 years’ experience* working in an analytics environment.

*The experience should include producing, analysing and interpreting data information in a work environment, with statistical evidence of underlying theory of data exploration, statistical inference, predictive analytics and making recommendations.

2. Proficiency in SQL, Python and/or R programming languages.

Shortlisting by Application Form

Experience

For a minimum of 2 years have worked with a diverse range of stakeholders, both internal and external to the organisation, to achieve successful outcomes.

Shortlisting & Interview

Experience

Successfully delivered a change management programme for a minimum of 2 years.

Shortlisting & Interview

Experience

Successfully demonstrate people management, governance and organisational skills for a minimum of 2 years.

Shortlisting & Interview

Other

Hold a current full driving licence which is valid for use in the UK and have access to a car on appointment. This criteria will be waived in the case of applicants whose disability prohibits driving but who have access to a form of transport approved by the Trust which will permit them to carry out the duties of the post.

Shortlisting by Application Form

SECTION 2: The following are ESSENTIAL criteria which will be measured during the interview/ selection stage:

Skills / Abilities

Excellent numerical and statistical skills.

Confidence in adapting to new software and programming languages.

Ability to manage / organise own workload and plan work according to changing priorities and deadlines.

Ability to scope, develop and tailor decision support tools to meet users specification and requirements.

Project management methodologies such as PRINCE2 or Agile.

Experience of data storytelling and teaching / showcasing the value data science techniques and approaches can add to an organisation.

Interview

DESIRABLE CRITERIA

SECTION 3: these will ONLY be used where it is necessary to introduce additional job related criteria to ensure files are manageable. You should therefore make it clear on your application form how you meet these criteria. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted

Factor

Criteria

Method of Assessment

Experience

1. Evidence of continued professional development in data science (or a related) field through short courses, certificates, and engagement in the data science community.

2. Practical experience with machine learning techniques, visualisation best practice, simulation, optimisation and advanced multivariate statistics.

Shortlisting by Application Form

Qualifications

Willing to undertake essential training/accreditation for the post within 1 year of appointment.

Shortlisting by Application Form

Candidates who are shortlisted for interview will need to demonstrate at interview that they have the required competencies to be effective in this demanding leadership role. The competencies concerned are set out in the NHS Healthcare Leadership Model, details of which can be found at http://www.leadershipacademy.nhs.uk/resources/healthcare-leadership-model. Particular attention will be given to the following dimensions:

Inspiring shared purpose

Leading with care

Evaluating information

Connecting our service

Sharing the vision

Engaging the team

Holding to account

Developing capability

Influencing for results.

As part of the Recruitment & Selection process it may be necessary for the Trust to carry out an Enhanced Disclosure Check through Access NI before any appointment to this post can be confirmed.

THE TRUST IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER

Successful applicants

may be required to attend for a Health Assessment

Can expect to be placed at the minimum point of the pay scale, although a higher starting salary, within the range of the pay band may be available if the person appointed has experience relevant & equivalent to the post. If the successful candidate is an existing HSC employee moving to a higher band, AfC Pay on Promotion will apply.

Are able to request Flexible Working from the 1st day of their employment. A number of flexible working provisions are offered by all HSC Organisations including Full-time working, Fixed working patterns, Part-time working, Flexi-time, Compressed/elongated hours, Average hours working patterns, Term-time working, Job-share or Homeworking for some or all of the working pattern, depending on the role being undertaken. Successful applicants are encouraged to discuss with their manager what Flexible Working provisions may be available in the role they are taking up, prior to commencing employment, to help them achieve a positive Work/Life Balance.

All staff are expected to display the HSC Values at all times