The locations for this role are Newport and Fareham (Titchfield).
This role is aligned to ONS hybrid working principles, which are based on attending the office with purpose. The postholder will be expected to contribute to the organisation’s overall 40% office attendance, in line with business and role requirements.
The induction process for the role will be conducted in person.
Due to workforce controls you can only select Manchester / London / Darlington / Belfast / Edinburgh if you are an existing ONS employee contracted to that location. If you are not contracted at one of these sites, these options are not available to you.
Only existing ONS contractual homeworkers can select Homeworking.
Applicants who select a location they are not eligible for will be removed from the recruitment process and will not be considered for alternative locations.
Please refer to attachments for further terms and flexibilities.
Job Summary
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) is the largest producer of official statistics in the UK. We produce the numbers that matter – from economic data like the employment rate and size of the economy to population figures, migration statistics and measurements of our wellbeing.
We’re looking for content designers to join the Publishing Service, part of the Communications and Digital Publishing Directorate. We are the conduit for everything published on the ONS website – preparing statistical releases for publication, managing content changes and updates to different areas of the website and ensuring that everything we do meets user needs, house style and publishing standards. The team publishes high-profile content daily.
If you’re a graduate in a relevant field or have experience proofreading, editing and publishing content, this could be the perfect opportunity to progress your career. The ideal candidate will have a passion for proof-reading and building web pages, a keen eye for detail, and thrive in a fast-paced environment.
Job Description
As a content designer at the ONS, you will contribute to the work of the Publishing Service. You will proofread a wide range of content and publish it to the ONS website using our content management system (CMS).
You will work with statistical teams to ensure that their content meets user needs and is published on time, in line with our house style, quality and accessibility standards.
You will provide support throughout the publishing process and build relationships with colleagues across the organisation.
You will contribute to the development and delivery of our training and guidance. You may also complete content and process improvement tasks, under the direction of more senior colleagues, using evidence where appropriate.
Responsibilities
Preparing content for the website is the main focus of the role. Your main responsibilities will be:

• Proofreading statistical articles and other content
• Applying content and accessibility standards
• Building website content in the Content Management System (CMS).
  

Other Responsibilities Include:

• Developing strong relationships with internal stakeholders and collaborating with them to ensure all content is of a high quality and meets user needs
• Providing guidance on the publishing process and ensuring that all statistical content is delivered in accordance with the Code of Practice for Statistics
• Responding to queries from colleagues across the organisation through a shared inbox
• Supporting the development and delivery of training and guidance
• Working independently, with the direction of senior colleagues, to complete content and process improvement tasks, using evidence where appropriate.
  

As part of the Publishing service, when preparing publications, you will provide support to internal stakeholders within Service Level agreement (SLA) hours which are between 8.30am and 4.30pm. Occasionally, you will also be expected to provide late cover until 6.00pm or early publication cover from 6.45am.
Please Note:

• Due to the nature of the roles we are able to accept applications from those looking to work part time, but a minimum of 30 hours/4 days per week.
• Content designer roles at the ONS are referred to as junior content designer in the Government Digital and Data Framework. You can learn more about the content designer roles in the Government Digital and Data Profession Capability Framework on the Gov.uk website
  

As a content designer at the ONS, you will contribute to the work of the Publishing Service. You will proofread a wide range of content and publish it to the ONS website using our content management system (CMS).
You will work with statistical teams to ensure that their content meets user needs and is published on time, in line with our house style, quality and accessibility standards.
You will provide support throughout the publishing process and build relationships with colleagues across the organisation.
You will contribute to the development and delivery of our training and guidance. You may also complete content and process improvement tasks, under the direction of more senior colleagues, using evidence where appropriate.
Please Note:

• Due to the nature of the roles we are able to accept applications from those looking to work part time, but a minimum of 30 hours/4 days per week.
• Content designer roles at the ONS are referred to as junior content designer in the Government Digital and Data Framework. You can learn more about the content designer roles in the Government Digital and Data Profession Capability Framework on the Gov.uk website
  

Person specification
Essential Criteria:
Content management and architecture - Working
You Can:

• Document information that enables effective content life cycle management, for example, metadata 
• Organise complex information to support understanding and navigation using existing standards and systems for structure and hierarchy
• Use tools to manage and publish content, for example, content management systems
  

Design communication - Working
You Can:

• Clearly explain problems and ideas to others
• Clearly explain decisions to others using appropriate tools and methods
  

Designing for everyone - Awareness
You Can:

• Explain the importance of making government content and services inclusive, accessible and environmentally sustainable, and the value of standards and regulations
• Explain different access needs that users can have, and ways to meet them
• Ensure your work meets appropriate standards and guidance, for example, house style and accessibility regulations, with support
  

Designing strategically - Awareness
You Can:

• Explain the importance of aligning to the strategy of an organisation
• Describe how your work aligns to the wider goals and vision of your team
• Explain the value of using patterns and components when designing content and services
  

Designing together - Awareness
You Can:

• Explain different techniques for bringing together perspectives from multiple people
• Explain the importance of constructive feedback in your work
  

Evidence based design- Awareness
You Can:

• Explain how quantitative and qualitative evidence inform user-centred design
• Frame your ideas as proposals to be tested
• Identify common sources and types of data that inform user-centred design, such as web analytics and user interviews
  

Iterative design - Awareness
You Can:

• Describe the basics of iterative design principles, such as agile
• Explain how iteration supports user-centred design
• Describe ways to test ideas and gather feedback, and when to use them
• Create or contribute to simple mock-ups or drafts, using existing design patterns and components, with support
  

Leading design - Awareness
You Can:

• Explain the role of user-centred design in an organisation
• Describe typical leadership responsibilities in design
  

Technical Skills
As part of the assessment process, all EO content designer candidates will be required to complete a proofreading exercise to demonstrate their editorial skills and awareness of style standards.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together
• Managing a Quality Service
• Delivering at Pace
  

Alongside your salary of £28,138, Office for National Statistics contributes £8,151 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).
The Office for National Statistics is part of the Civil Service, and as such we share a number of key benefits with other departments, whilst also having our own unique offerings to support our valued colleagues across the organisation.
Whether you are hearing about us for the first time or already know a bit about our organisation, we hope that our careers site will give you a great insight into the benefits and facilities available to our colleagues, and our fantastic working culture.
 Inclusion & Accessibility
At ONS we are always looking to attract the very best people from the widest possible talent pool, and we are proud to be an inclusive, equal opportunities employer. As a Disability Confident Leader we’re committed to ensuring that all candidates are treated fairly throughout the recruitment process.
As part of our application process, you will be prompted to provide details of any reasonable adjustments to our recruitment process that you need. If you would like to discuss any reasonable adjustments before applying, please contact the recruitment team in the first instance.
If you would like an accessible version of any of the attachments or recruitment documents below or linked to in this advert, please contact the recruitment team who will be happy to assist.
Artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.
Security Clearance
For ONS the requirement for SC clearance is to have been present in the UK for 3 consecutive years immediately prior to applying and the department will consider eligibility by exception on a case-by-case basis. You will be asked to provide information regarding your UK residency during your application, and failure to provide this will result in your application being rejected.
If you are unsure that you meet the eligibility above, please read the information available on Gov.uk on this link, or contact the recruitment email on the advert before applying to discuss, as failure to meet the residency requirements will result in your security clearance application being rejected and any offer of employment being withdrawn.
At the point of SC application, you will need to provide or give access to the following evidence:

• Departmental or company records (personnel files, staff reports, sick leave reports and security records)
• UK criminal records covering both spent and unspent criminal records
• Your credit and financial history with a credit reference agency
• Security Services records
  

Visa Sponsorship
ONS is unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role. Applicants must have a valid right to work in the UK when employment commences. If you are currently in the UK on a time-limited visa, it must have at least 18 months remaining at the point of application.
Right To Work And Nationality Requirements
To work at ONS, applicants must meet the Civil Service nationality requirements, satisfy UK right to work requirements and, where applicable, meet the relevant security clearance requirements.
If you are unsure whether you meet the appropriate right to work or security clearance eligibility criteria, please refer to the guidance on Gov.uk or contact the recruitment email provided in the advert before applying. Failure to meet these requirements will result in your application being rejected and employment offers being withdrawn.
For full guidance in relation to the use of AI through the recruitment process, please read A candidate’s guide to artificial intelligence (AI) in recruitment
Please note that all campaigns may be subject to withdrawal at any stage if the internal resource position changes.
Application process
Number of stages: 3 stage process
Stage 1: Application
Stage 2: Technical skills assessment
Stage 3: Interview
Stage 1 – Application
The assessment process at the application stage will be based on your work history, skills, experience, CV, and personal statement. It is important that your application is tailored to highlight the skills, knowledge, and experience relevant to the role.
A personal statement is required at application stage, the maximum wordcount allowed is 1250, which should not be exceeded. You should provide evidence for each essential skill criterion listed in the person specification. As these criteria are scored, it is advisable to give clear examples for each one, including the impact of your actions, ideally utilising the STAR technique (Situation, Task, Action, Result).
Please note that Success Profiles Behaviour examples are not required at this stage of the application process.
When a high volume of applications are received, the sift pass mark may be adjusted. Candidates will be invited to interview based on their merit order, with those achieving the highest scores being prioritised. Applicants who score below the adjusted pass mark but still pass will be placed on hold and may be invited to interview at a later date.
Stage 2 – Technical skills assessment – referred to as “interview 1” on the Civil Service Jobs site
Candidates successful at sift will progress to the assessment stage, where you will be asked to complete a proof-reading exercise. You will be tasked with reviewing some content to demonstrate your proofreading and editing skills.
This will be done online using Microsoft Teams and/or Outlook.
Full details will be emailed across to candidates invited to this stage.
Candidates who pass this stage will progress to the next stage, which is an interview.
Stage 3 – Interview
If invited to interview, you will be assessed using techniques aligned with the Civil Service Success Profiles framework, covering all behaviours listed in the job advert and any required technical skills.
Interviews may be in person or via Microsoft Teams.
A reserve list may be held for a period up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made.
Important Dates

• Eligibility security clearance checks from 21/08/2026 - 28/08/2026. We will be sending you an e-mail with a form to fill out. Please check your junk e-mails for any correspondence.
• Sift will be conducted from 02/09/2026
• Stage 2 - Proof-reading exercise from 10/09/2026
• Stage 3 - Interviews will be conducted from 21/09/2026
  

For the full terms and conditions of the post, please see attachment.
Near Misses
We often have similar roles available at different grades. If a candidate is suitable for a similar role or a lower grade than they have applied for, we may offer the candidate that role without the need to go through a further selection process providing the role has the same behaviours and essential skills.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) criminal record check.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) criminal record check.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Nationality requirements
This Job Is Broadly Open To The Following Groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
  

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.
Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Contact point for applicants
Job Contact :

• Name : Government Digital and Data Recruitment
• Email : Government-Digital-and-Data-Recruitment@ons.gov.uk
  

Recruitment team

• Email : Government-Digital-and-Data-Recruitment@ons.gov.uk
  

Further information
If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact recruitment.complaints@ons.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission