About the job

Job summary

Do you want to be at the heart of real Defence issues and play a key role in the United Kingdom’s (UK) national security?

Established in April 2016, the Defence Nuclear Organisation (DNO) delivers nuclear capability to deter threats and protect our nation.

The DNO oversees all defence nuclear business (excluding operations) and is responsible for providing nuclear deterrence; sponsoring the Defence Nuclear Enterprise (DNE) (is the partnership of organisations that operate, maintain, renew and sustain the UK’s nuclear deterrent); and advising on UK nuclear policy, planning and international co-operation on nuclear matters.

The UK’s independent nuclear deterrent has existed for over 60 years to deter the most extreme threats to our national security and way of life, and that of our NATO Allies. To ensure that we have a credible and capable nuclear deterrent for as long as the security situation requires, we are building four new nuclear armed submarines – known as the Dreadnought Class – and replacing our nuclear warheads. These renewal programmes will utilise world-leading technology and are a showcase in science and engineering, highlighting the prowess of British industry. 

Here at DNO we strongly believe that diversity and inclusion is not only the right thing to do but is also essential for a thriving and successful organisation. We know that diverse teams bring a wide range of perspectives, experiences and ideas, which lead to better decision-making, creativity and innovation. We have a culture where differences are celebrated and our people feel supported, included and empowered. Join us and be part of an organisation that truly values diversity and inclusion and makes a positive impact on the world.

The Enterprise Portfolio Team Works across the Defence Nuclear Enterprise (DNE) to create the Enterprise Portfolio view of the respective sub-portfolios. Ensuring alignment with ‘best practice’ for portfolio delivery, driving coherence of P3M reporting and MI generation to support senior decision makers in making best for enterprise decisions. To achieve this, we need to maximise the use of numerous data sources, generated across multiple organisations and IT systems.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Job description

As a Data Architect, you’ll be responsible for defining the data architecture and data model for the DNE. You’ll negotiate, consult, and work collaboratively both within the DNO and across the DNE with colleagues in SDA, Navy, AWE and StratCom. Engaging and communicating with stakeholders to secure the buy in to deliver a solution across the DNE.

We are here to ensure the DNE Portfolio works efficiently and effectively to enable accurate analysis of the multiple high value programmes, delivered across several portfolios to understand what is best for the enterprise. Creating the conditions to enable the best information is delivered to senior Boards, to enable timely and informed decision making.

The Data Architect sets and delivers the vision for the organisation’s use of data as directed by the appropriate governance body. Whilst the initial focus will be on Portfolio, Programme and Project data, it is expected this will over time need to incorporate and link to other DNE and MOD data sources.

Responsibilities:

• Design data models (and metadata systems) and have a broad understanding of how each model fulfils the needs of the organisation.
• Be accountable for supporting and aligning to the organisation’s data strategy.
• Set the standards and ways of working for the data architecture community.
• Interpret an organisation’s needs.
• Be accountable for assuring data models at the level of a project or enterprise.
• Champion data architecture both internally and through collaborating and communicating at the most senior levels across government.
• Provide advice to project teams and oversee the management of the full data product life cycle.
• Be responsible for ensuring that the organisation’s systems are designed in accordance with the enterprise data architecture.
• Provide oversight and advice to other data architects who are designing and producing data artefacts.
• Design and support the management of data dictionaries.
• Make sure that your teams are working to the standards set for the organisation by the chief data architects.
• Work with technical architects to make sure that an organisation’s systems are designed in accordance with the appropriate data architecture.

Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and home-based working. This is a non-contractual arrangement where all employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in office, subject to capacity. Requirements to attend other locations for official business, or work in another MOD office will also count towards this level of attendance. Applicants can request further information regarding how this may work in their team from the Vacancy Holder (see advert for contact details).

Person specification

Essential Skills (as per the government Digital and Data Profession Capability Framework) Data architect - Government Digital and Data Profession Capability Framework (ddat-capability-framework.service.gov.uk)

• Communicating between the technical and non-technical (Practitioner)
• Communicating data (Practitioner)
• Data analysis and synthesis (Working)
• Data governance (Expert)
• Data innovation (Practitioner)
• Data modelling (Practitioner)
• Data standards (Expert)
• Metadata management (Practitioner)
• Problem management (Expert)
• Strategic thinking (Practitioner)
• Turning business problems into data design (Expert)

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £67,820, Ministry of Defence contributes £18,311 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.

This post is classed as ‘Reserved’ as per the Civil Service Nationality Rules. For further information please see the attached documents.

Candidates can apply online via the Civil Service Jobs website by completing the application form before the deadline shown. Apply using the Civil Service Jobs apply button, filling in all required details in all sections. Using the Success Profiles link for information on format and style, ensure you provide evidence for all Behaviours and Experience sections requested in the appropriate competency style.  

*Please note that not following the appropriate format will mean that you may be unable to reach the required grades for sift or interview* 

Candidates will be required to complete an online CV template to include job history, full details of education and qualifications and previous experiences and skills. Please also include any relevant responsibilities and achievements.

At sift, you will be assessed against the following Success Profiles Behaviours/Technical Skills:

• Changing and Improving 
• Working Together
• Seeing the bigger picture
• Leadership
• Communicating and Influencing

At interview, you will be assessed against the following Success Profiles Behaviours/Technical Skills: 

• Changing and Improving 
• Working Together 
• Seeing the bigger picture
• Leadership 
• Communicating and Influencing

If a large number of applications are received then the initial sift will be based on the behaviour Changing and Improving, CV and Personal Statement only. However, evidence should be provided against all behaviours requested.

Candidates who are found to meet an acceptable standard at interview but are not successful in one of the advertised posts may be considered for similar roles within the Business Unit.

The requirements for the role have been benchmarked and these will be used to sift all candidates, with those meeting the minimum requirements invited to interview.  
 
You have 250 words to answer each Behaviour (competency style). 

Interviews will be conducted over Microsoft Teams

Candidates invited to interview will be required to give a short presentation to test their technical skills relating to the Data Architect - Government Digital and Data Profession Capability Framework specified. Further details will be provided to shortlisted candidates in advance of the interviews.

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. There is a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. If you need to advise us that you need additional help or reasonable adjustments for the recruitment process, please contact: DBSCivPers-Resourcingteam3@mod.gov.uk .

As a result of the changes to the UK immigration rules which came into effect on 1 January 2021, the Ministry of Defence will only offer sponsorship for a skilled worker visa under the points based system, where a role has been deemed to be business critical.

The role currently being advertised has not been assessed as business critical and is therefore NOT open to applications from those who will require sponsorship under the points based system. Should you apply for this role and be found to require sponsorship, your application will be rejected and any provisional offer of employment withdrawn.

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

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is developed vetting (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

Open to UK nationals only.

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.