About the job

Job summary

Do you want a career where you can make a real difference? Do you want to work in a government department that is at the forefront of current policy making decisions that will impact the UK and beyond? If yes then a career at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) could be for you.  

Here at DESNZ we are securing the UK’s long term energy supply, bringing down energy bills and halving inflation. We are seizing the opportunities of Net Zero to lead the world in new green industries and encouraging greater energy efficiency across the UK. The work of the department has never been more timely or relevant, and by joining us you will be part of making that difference.  
 
Our work is varied, interesting and most importantly it's impactful. Our Values are interwoven into everything we do; we are Bold, we are Collaborative, we are Inclusive and we Learn. As a department we are committed to these values to build a culture where everyone can thrive.   

We offer great work benefits including a world-class pension, flexible working options and a career where your learning and development is taken seriously. We are fortunate to have a range of excellent staff networks and are proud to be a Disability Confident Leader employer. We will support talented people from all backgrounds to build a career and thrive. 

Find Out More 

We regularly run events where you can find out more about the department and tips for the application process. You can sign up for upcoming events here: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/departmentforenergysecurityandnetzero?  

You can also follow our LinkedIn Careers Page: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/desnz-careers/  

Please note DESNZ are currently reviewing our terms and conditions and pay arrangements following Machinery of Government changes and as part of the outstanding August 2023 pay award. Please be aware there may be changes to terms and conditions and pay ranges listed in this advert ahead of you starting in post.  

Job description

This is a fantastic opportunity to join an ambitious team of change agents that will play a critical role in the drive toward Net-Zero through ensuring that the department has a clear and consistent approach to how it uses data.

The role is part of the Data Strategy, Platforms & Governance (DSPG) Team in the new Department for Energy Security & Net Zero. The team is led by the Deputy Chief Data Officer based in the Analysis Directorate and reports up to the Director-level Data Governance Board, which spans the whole department.

The successful candidate will play a key role in the design and implementation of a new Data Governance Framework that will cover all corners of the department, ultimately ensuring that we collect the right data, process it effectively and use it to drive critical policy decisions on Energy Security and Net Zero. As Data Governance Manager, you will engage with a variety of users across policy and operations to understand their data requirements, design new data standards, provide guidance and advice regarding implementation of effective data management practices.

You will work as an integrator between business need, data domain experts and digital services, and will deliver a number of early exemplar projects, including the delivery of a department-wide data catalogue and suite of data governance products.

You will be joining a relatively new team and will play a key role in fostering a positive working culture based on trust, inclusivity and a proactive mentality. You will be a change agent in the department, advocating for the effective use of data to meet key policy priorities and continually spotting opportunities to innovate.

You will join a team where significant value is placed on your development and where you will have opportunities to learn, grow and progress.

Person specification

We are recruiting one SEO post, to work closely with the G7 Data Governance Lead and implement the principles of the DESNZ data strategy (currently in development).

The post-holder will:

• Deliver pilot projects that investigate specific data governance risks/opportunities, developing new products and guidance to tackle these.

• Develop a set of data principles and rules to be rolled out across the department and measured against for new business cases, products and services.

• Develop clear roles and responsibilities for data owners and local boards, developing training and engagement programmes to upskill staff.

• Work closely with partners in our platforms and architecture teams, creating and expanding the use of Data Catalogues to ensure DESNZ data is discoverable to users.

• Develop a Data Quality Management Framework based on DAMA principles.

• Develop a Data Sharing Playbook, with guidance, template agreements/contracts and objectives to support coherent data sharing between DESNZ and its key partners.

• Develop data ethics principles and toolkits to ensure the department is handling its data responsibly and conscientiously.

• Work closely with Digital and other parts of the department to co-design and drive the adoption of common data standards, ensuring that the data collected at the frontline meets downstream analytical needs.

• Design and deliver data governance training and upskilling for the wider business.

Skills and experience:

Our team exists to drive change in the organisation, and as such we are looking for proactive and organised people, who are comfortable working in ambiguity, are highly effective communicators, who can work at the interface of technical and non-technical stakeholders, and who are positive and resilient.

In return we will offer you an inclusive working environment that prioritises your well-being and flexes around your life, a culture of continuous learning that is comfortable with trying things that might not work, and a solution-oriented, glass half-full mentality where we focus on the positives and support one another to develop and grow.

While it is important that candidates have knowledge and experience of working with data, we are primarily looking for enthusiastic people with a positive attitude and a curious mindset. We are open to applications from a range of professional backgrounds so if you think this describes you, please apply.

Essential criteria:

• Experience of developing guidance, policies, frameworks or standards.

• Ability to identify data user needs and requirements and translate these into the design of new tools or systems.

• Experience of proactively managing own work-stream, persuading and influencing colleagues to adopt your recommended approach.

• Experience working with multidisciplinary teams, particularly acting as a translator between technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Desirable Criteria:

• Experience of developing and/or implementing common data governance processes e.g. data sharing, data catalogues, data roles and responsibilities and/or designing data standards.

• Experience of developing guidance, policies, frameworks or standards relating to the use of data.

• Experience conducting and implementing a data management approach (e.g. a data maturity assessment).

• Associate Certified Data Management Professional (CDMP) with the Data Management Association (DAMA), or equivalent.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £40,950, Department for Energy Security & Net Zero contributes £10,116 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths, Experience and Technical skills.

As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV, personal statement and behavioural statements.

Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

Please use your personal statement (in no more than 750 words) to set out how you meet the essential criteria, citing specific evidence from previous roles to support this.

Candidates will be sifted on behavioural statements, CV, and personal statement. 

In the event of a large number of applicants, applications will be sifted on the personal statement. 

Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview.

The interview will consist of behaviour, technical and strength-based questions. 

Interviewees will be asked to deliver a presentation; further details will be provided nearer the time. 

Sift and interview dates

Expected Timeline subject to change

Sift dates: w/c 20/05/2024

Interview dates: 27/05/2024

Interview Location: MS Teams.

Candidates are asked to note the above timetable, exercising flexibility through the recruitment and selection process.

Further Information

Reasonable Adjustment

We are proud to be a disability confident leader and we welcome applications from disabled candidates and candidates with long-term conditions.

We fully support adjustments throughout our recruitment process and we encourage candidates to discuss their adjustment needs by emailing the job contact which can be found under the contact point for applicants section.

We do not have an exhaustive list of adjustments that we support but just some examples include additional time to complete your application form, behaviour questions up to 72 hours prior to interview and having extra time at interview. 

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.

If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out.

New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.

A location based reserve list of successful candidates will be kept for 12 months. Should another role become available within that period you may be offered this position.

Please note terms and conditions are attached. Please take time to read the document to determine how these may affect you.

Any move to the Department for Energy, Security and Net Zero  from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk

DESNZ does not normally offer full home working (i.e. working at home); but we do offer a variety of flexible working options (including occasionally working from home). 

DESNZ cannot offer Visa sponsorship to candidates through this campaign.

DESNZ holds a Visa sponsorship licence but this can only be used for certain roles and this campaign does not qualify.

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service/Disclosure Scotland on your behalf.

However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading. 

For further information on the Disclosure Scotland confidential checking service telephone: the Disclosure Scotland Helpline on 0870 609 6006 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email Info@disclosurescotland.co.uk 

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment. 

A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

Feedback

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. 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.