About the job

Job summary

At DSIT, we’re all about cementing the UK’s position as a Science and Tech superpower. Our mission is driving stronger growth, better jobs and bold discoveries. We’re the Department investing in today to secure future economic growth.

To help us get there, our Science and Technology Framework lays out the roadmap for everything we do, giving us a clear plan up to 2030. Together with stakeholders from across government and the SciTech sector we are: 

• Backing UK science, technology and innovation, boosting investment in our most exciting technologies and sectors of the future, to grow the economy and create high paid-jobs.
• Tackling global challenges through international influence and partnerships to secure our future and security.
• Improving lives by championing responsible innovation in the digital economy and public services.

We want DSIT to be the best place to work in government and central to this is our set of core values – think big, value people, create connections, cultivate curiosity. We created these together in our first months as a department and they guide how we work: helping us make decisions, informing our behaviour and interactions.  

From delivering the Online Safety Act 2023 and hosting the world’s first inaugural AI Safety Summit to boosting investment in R&D and Life Sciences, we have already achieved so much since we were created. But this is only the beginning and being a department for innovation, we’re excited to see what the future holds.

Our Inclusive Environment

We offer flexible working benefits, employee well-being support and a great pension. We are enormously proud to be a Disability Confident Leader employer. We support candidates with adjustments throughout our recruitment process. Information about disability confidence and just some examples of the adjustments that you can request can be found in the reasonable adjustment section below.

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 and the Civil Service D&I Strategy.

Find Out More

You can also follow our LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/dsitcareers/

Job description

Are you an ambitious, strategic thinker who wants to help shape how the UK government use data to advance science and technology? We are looking for a data leader with a passion for solving problems and inspiring change to lead the department’s first-generation Data Strategy.

This is a brand-new role created as we establish the Data Transformation team in the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT). It is an exciting opportunity to be a part of a team enabling DSIT to deliver on its ambitions to position the UK at the forefront of global scientific and technological advancement.

You will lead the development and implementation of the department’s Data Strategy, ensuring alignment with DSIT’s overall vision and goals.

You will lead a team working with stakeholders to identify data opportunities to achieve and enhance business outcomes and mitigate risks where necessary.

You will be visible across the department as a positive champion of change around data practices, enabling and supporting adoption of new policies.

This role will report into the Head of Data Strategy and Data Governance and work alongside the Data Acquisition Lead. You will have line management responsibility for a team of two but work with the Data Acquisition Lead to matrix manage a total of two-four roles to suit the needs of the team. 

You will collaborate with the Data Acquisition Lead in the development of a proportionate data governance framework so that evidence-based policy making has the strongest foundations possible.

You will contribute to the data strategy roadmap, translating the overall strategy into an implementation plan that can adapt to changing business priorities. 

As well as developing strong internal relationships, you will connect across government to ensure the department is up to date with central data initiatives e.g. National Data Strategy. 

The role would be suited to someone who enjoys collaborating across multi-disciplinary stakeholder groups, finding and championing opportunities for change and building confidence in others.

Person specification

Specifically you will:

• Lead development and implementation of the department’s data strategy.

• Take an active role to promote better use of data in the department, inspiring and educating to build a positive data culture across DSIT.

• Act as a partner to the business, understanding user needs and interpreting and translating technical data concepts into business language.

• Contribute to a clear road-map and plan for consistent data strategy, principles, policies and frameworks.

• Build strong relationships across the department as a visible, positive data change champion.

• Represent the team with internal and external senior leaders (on data strategy and governance).

• Work with other departments and groups such as the Central Digital and Data Office (CDDO) to understand the future data landscape in government and assess how to implement centrally designed plans and policies in DSIT.

• Work with the Digital team and other relevant teams to ensure we have the right systems and technical capabilities to manage data.

• Support and help drive forward efforts to reduce the risk of non-compliance with data protection legislation across the department through signposting and close working with data protection specialists.

• Support and enable colleagues across the department to understand their responsibilities with respect to data custodianship and ensure these responsibilities are resourced.

• Baseline and monitor effectiveness of data governance in the organisation, identifying opportunities for continuous improvement.

• Occasionally deputise for the Head of Data Strategy & Data Governance.

Skills and Experience 

The successful candidate must demonstrate the following key skills and experience:

Essential criteria

• Strong leadership skills with a focus on building capability and nurturing a culture of transparency, inclusivity and well-being.

• The ability to set direction (appropriate to the role level), engage stakeholders and motivate them to embrace change.

• Experience developing and delivering strategic approaches to improve delivery.

• Experience of successfully managing relationships, building trust and credibility, and working within complex governance arrangements to influence key stakeholders.

• Excellent verbal and written communications skills, including evidence of building support from stakeholders with less data experience.

• Awareness of the importance of data governance.

• Passionate about the DSIT mission.

Desirable criteria

• Experience developing and delivering strategic approaches to improve the use of data as an asset.

• Experience working closely with analysts.

• DAMA or similar industry-recognised data management training, qualification, or equivalent experience.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £52,320, Department for Science, Innovation & Technology contributes £14,126 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 and Experience.

After submission of the first stage of your application you will be invited to complete a Civil Service Verbal Test. If you successfully pass the test, you will be invited to complete the final stage of the application. 

Please complete the online tests as soon as possible (within 24-48 hours is recommended), the closing date for the tests is 23:55 on 07/07/2024. If you fail to complete the online test before the deadline your application will be withdrawn. Guidance for the test will be available when you are invited to take the test. The tests are administered online and accessed via the CS Jobs website.

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 provide evidence on how you meet the essential criteria in the job advert, please also include evidence for the desirable criteria if you have it.

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 lead behaviour statement (Leadership).

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 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 08/07/2024

Interview dates: w/c 22/07/2024

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 Science, Innovation and Technology 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

DSIT 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). 

DSIT cannot offer Visa sponsorship to candidates through this campaign.

DSIT 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.