Task and finish groups
This page outlines the task and finish groups which are currently active.
Task and finish groups work on achieving an aim within a set timeframe. Involvement is voluntary and fits alongside your substantive role. There are a range of task and finish groups available across the GSS and Analysis Function. Please use the website search function if the task and finish group you are interested in is not listed, or email GSSNet@statistics.gov.uk.
The outcomes of previous task and finish groups are available on the concluded task and finish groups page.
Purpose
We have established a Task and Finish group to support delivery of the Future Statistician initiative across the Government Statistical Service. The purpose of the group is to translate the Future Statistician vision into practical, actionable activity and to build shared understanding that supports embedding the vision across the GSS during 2026.
The group’s work will inform a one‑year-on progress report, due to be published in January 2027. We expect the group will continue beyond this initial phase in 2027, after having laid the foundations in 2026.
Responsibilities
There are two core strands of the task and finish group which will go hand-in-hand:
Communications and engagement
This strand aims to improve awareness, shared understanding and joined-up engagement around the Future Statistician. The tasks will be finalised by the group, but we expect these would include:
- unpacking what the Future Statistician means in practice for statisticians across different grades, roles and departments
- sourcing case studies on good practice in alignment with the Future Statistician
- identifying and strengthening connections across the GSS groups and networks to support communication and development activity for the Future Statistician
Learning and development
This strand aims to understand current capability and inform future learning priorities aligned to the Future Statistician. Activities are expected to include:
- baselining current skills, confidence levels and development priorities across the GSS in relation to the Future Statistician
- identifying priority areas for future development needed to realise the vision
- mapping existing learning opportunities that support the Future Statistician and identifying where new development activity may be required
What we’re looking for
We welcome people who are passionate about the future of the statistics profession and motivated by the Future Statistician vision. You should have:
- a willingness to commit to the Task and Finish group at least until January 2027, and ideally beyond the initial phase
- interest in, experience of, or desire to develop skills in communications and engagement, learning and development, and building relationships and connections across the GSS
Time commitment
The time required will vary depending on activity, time of the year and workload, but on average it will be about 1-2 hours per week.
We anticipate regular short check-ins:
- once every 4 weeks for the full task and finish group
- once every fortnight for the comms and engagement and learning and development strands
This task and finish group is led by Paul Matthews (Head of Profession at Scottish Government) and Justyna Owen (Statistician, Department for Work and Pensions).
Play a leading role in shaping the future of the GSS. This role offers a unique opportunity to influence the strategic direction of a cross‑government champion network, supporting improved statistical capability, collaboration, and impact across the Government Statistical Service.
Working closely with fellow network leads, you’ll help set priorities, champion innovation, and ensure the network remains relevant, inclusive, and effective. It’s a chance to raise your profile, build strong cross‑government relationships, and make a tangible difference to how statistics are developed and used.
Each champion sponsor role would be suitable for one sponsor or two co-sponsors at Grade 5 or Grade 6.
Responsibilities
In collaboration with the champion network leads, you will:
- agree and set the strategic direction for the network
- regularly review the network’s purpose and aims
- report to the GSS Heads of Profession once every 12 months on progress and to escalate issues
- promote the champion network’s agenda across government
Time commitment
The time commitment of this role will vary between networks and throughout the year. Indicative time commitments are as follows:
- half a day per quarter to attend network meetings
- between half a day and a day per month to discuss priorities, risks and issues with networks leads, provide targeted support on specific priority areas, and promote the network
- half a day per year to provide an update to GSS HoPs on progress, barriers and upcoming priorities
Apply for this opportunity
To receive the full specification, including detailed responsibilities and essential skills for the role, please email GSS@statistics.gov.uk.
Applications are open until 5pm on 5 June 2026.
The purpose of this task and finish group is to develop practical guidance on the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the production of Official Statistics, where there are currently gaps. This guidance will likely be hosted on the GSS Learning Hub and supported by a new seminar series aimed specifically at statisticians involved in the production of government statistics.
The guidance will be illustrated with developed case studies to demonstrate good practice, highlight risks and safeguards, and support practical implementation. The group will ensure that all guidance and case studies uphold statistical rigour and align with the Code of Practice for Statistics. The group will work in collaboration with the Analysis Function AI working group to ensure that work is coordinated.
Responsibilities
This group will feed into the work of the GSS AI Steering Group chaired by Rachel Skentelbery (Office for National Statistics). Timelines and duties will be decided in the initial stages of this group, based on emerging plans for guidance and knowledge sharing.
Members of this group will have opportunities to:
- develop guidance on the use of AI in the production of statistics
- commission and collate case studies demonstrating good practice for the use of AI
- plan seminars to promote the guidance
- collaborate with the Analysis Function AI Working group to ensure coordination and avoid duplication
What we’re looking for
Applicants should demonstrate any relevant interest or experience related to artificial intelligence or guidance creation.
Apply for this opportunity using the Microsoft Form – applications are open until 5pm on Friday 29 May 2026.
People Advisory Group (PAG) opportunities
The People Advisory Group have a range of task and finish groups which are accepting new members, listed below.
Further information about the People Advisory Group is available the PAG webpage.
Accredited GSS assessors fulfil a vital role in the GSS by helping to maintain standards and consistency, maintaining a sense of community across our profession, and providing the necessary skills and experience to assess technical statistical capability directly.
The GSS assessor task and finish group in 2025/26 investigated the demands placed on GSS accredited assessors and have identified opportunities to improve processes and manage untenable demands for assessors.
The GSS Assessor task and finish group in 2026/27 will be taking forward the implementation of these recommendations, which fall into 5 broad areas:
- application processes to reduce the sift burden
- recruitment processes and standards to define assessor requirements
- standards and consistency in interview processes, with the aim of streamlining
- scheduling and logistics
- accredited assessor management information
Time commitment
The work is taking place from June 2026 to February 2027. This will include a defined period to implement the recommendations, followed by evaluation of the impact. The time commitment will be around 1 to 2 hours per week.
Roles
The Task and finish group will be led by a member of the Career Framework steering group and will work closely with the GSS Recruitment team, who will be a member of the task and finish group.
Experience as a Government Statistician Group assessor is desirable.
This task and finish group will deliver a programme of work to review and update the Government Statistician Group (GSG) competency framework, drawing on recent insights from the Future Statistician report.
The GSG competency framework provides a clear set of technical skills and behaviours needed to uphold the professional standards within the GSG and to meet the strategic aims of the profession.
The GSG Competency framework was last refreshed in 2021. There has been considerable technological innovation since then, alongside the publication of other key strategic drivers such as the Code of Practice 3.0 and the GSS strategic vision.
It is important we have a modern GSG competency framework which equips statisticians with the relevant skills needed to keep pace with technological advances and modern data infrastructure, evolving strategic drivers, alongside statistical integrity.
The updated GSG competency framework will need to be embedded into updated processes for recruitment, badging, skills and learning and development.
The four broad phases of delivery will be:
- design and development
- consultation and ratification
- production of associated resources and guidance
- launch
Roles
The Task and Finish group requires a variety of roles such as competency framework design, communication, engagement, project management, and implementation.
The overall task and finish group will be led by a member of the SCS but there will be opportunities to lead elements of the wider programme.
No prerequisite skills are required. Please set out any relevant experience or interest in any of the specific roles required within your application.
Time commitment
The programme will be delivered in phases between June 2026 and February 2027. The time commitment will be around 2 hours per week, but this will vary across the time period and the phases of delivery.
One of the GSS learning and development (L&D) steering group priorities is to ensure all GSS members can access the support and training to enable them to progress in their careers, with continued improvement to the offer.
To improve awareness of the offering, this task and finish group will develop effective signposting of L&D routes, which have already been identified through a previous project.
The task and finish group will be led by a member of the L&D steering group, working closely with GSS Policy and Coordination team.
Time commitment
The work will take place in May to June 2026. The time commitment would be a maximum of around 1.5 days over this period.
The following task and finish groups are active but not currently recruiting new members:
- Regional recruitment
- Government Statistician Group badging standards
- Apprenticeship offer
Continuing opportunities
The following opportunities are ongoing groups with representation across the GSS. If you are interested in joining them, please email GSSNet@statistics.gov.uk.
The GSS Diversity and Inclusion group helps to embed diversity and inclusion across the GSS. Current priorities of the group include: The group welcome new members from a range of backgrounds and experiences who are enthusiastic about making the GSS more inclusive. Roles include: This work is ongoing.
This group aims to explore options to develop and fund a new platform for government statistics, by investigating the scaling up of existing and successful departmental sites as well as designing some elements from scratch.
This group currently has representation from multiple government departments, and welcomes new members. The group met regularly throughout 2025 and will draw together advice for the GSS Deputy Heads and other senior audiences.
GSS dissemination champions and presentation champions will likely be the first to hear about developments and will influence this work – if your department is not represented by a champion, please consider joining these networks.