About the job

Job summary

Defra is the UK government department responsible for safeguarding our natural environment, supporting our world-leading food and farming industry, and sustaining a thriving rural economy. Our broad remit means we play a major role in people's day-to-day life, from the food we eat, and the air we breathe, to the water we drink.

Digital, Data and Technology Services (DDTS) is the trusted team for digital across the entire Defra Group.

We have around 1,200 colleagues across DDTS and our ambition is to make it easier and faster than ever for people to interact with Defra. If you are ready to drive innovation and push boundaries, we want to hear from you. Join us and together we will create a great place for living, and a green and healthy future for all.

Find out more about DDTS:

Defra digital, data and technology blog

LinkedIn 

Defra Jobs 

Job description

Digital sustainability (or sustainable ICT) is an area of rapidly growing interest. ICT and digital services are increasingly held up as a key component of any solution to the global climate crisis and associated targets and goals. These include the UK government’s commitment to net zero carbon by 2050, the Greening Government Commitments 2020-2025, the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the 25 Year Environment Plan.

Defra (through our Chief Digital and Information Officer) are the Senior Responsible Owner and Policy owner for digital sustainability across government.  The DDTS Digital Sustainability Team are responsible for developing and implementing digital sustainability strategy and policies, for reporting data on sustainable ICT progress, for leading cross government work on digital sustainability, for harnessing insight and innovation from suppliers and industry stakeholders, and for supporting Defra’s Chief Digital Information Officer (CDIO). We’re subject matter experts on digital sustainability, and it’s our role to be champions in this space.

As a Digital Sustainability Data Specialist, you’ll lead on the collation, analysis and publication of digital sustainability data from both within Defra, and more widely across Government. You’ll also support the Digital Sustainability team's reporting outputs, build relationships with suppliers and stakeholders, and get involved with DDTS sustainable procurement.

This role is a fantastic opportunity for someone who wants to combine an existing digital, data and technology skillset with a passion for the environment, climate and sustainability. In our team, your work will have a direct and tangible impact to Defra’s policy outcomes and the wider global digital sustainability agenda.

If you're interested in working for our Digital Sustainability team, we intend to be advertising another similar vacancy soon. It will be at SEO level, but with more focus on projects, procurements, strategy and policy. So do keep an eye out!

Person specification

Responsibilities

As our sustainability data specialist, you will lead on a range of operationally focussed activities – working both independently, and collaboratively with the wider team.

Responsibilities will include:

• Collating sustainability data, from across Government using the STAR (sustainable technology assurance and reporting) community. As part of this, you will have the opportunity to drive new approaches to data collection from all Government and/or DDTS suppliers.

• Analysis and synthesis of sustainability data, using a range of analytical techniques (this will primarily involve the use of MS Excel and Power BI dashboards). You will be required to present clear findings that can be understood by technical and non-technical audiences, and support the wider teams reporting outputs.

• Management and governance of data, deciding if data is accurate and fit for purpose, preparing and cleansing datasets, understanding safe and secure methods of storing data.  As part of this you will understand data governance and how it works in relation to other organisational governance structures.
  
  
• Building relationships with DDTS suppliers and external stakeholders, through regular engagement and liaison (including the acquisition and review of sustainability data from suppliers).
  
  
• Supporting with DDTS procurement activities, including sustainability assessments and inputs to ITTs, ITFTs (tender evaluation stages). This will also include providing support to project teams on calculating carbon emissions and carbon reporting.

• Acting as an ambassador, champion, and spokesperson on ICT Sustainability. Building knowledge and expertise on digital sustainability, in the context of the full breadth of environmental, social, commercial and governance issues. You will be encouraged and supported to participate in continued professional development and training pathways aligned to digital sustainability.

Skills and experience

• Demonstrable experience managing, assuring and analysing data. Comfortable with using quantitative data, adept at working with datasets containing large volumes of raw data.

• Experience of conducting data analysis and an ability to present data in a compelling way (including use of data visualisations with tools such as Excel and Power BI).

• Proven written and verbal communication skills, with an ability to communicate and influence with impact through a range of media, to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

• Excellent organisational skills, with an understanding of data governance and management (including accessing and storing large datasets in a safe and secure way).

• Awareness of government sustainability targets (E.g. UN Sustainable Development Goals, UK Government 25 Year Environment Plan, UK Government Greening Government Commitments).

• Awareness of the 3 pillars of sustainability (social, economic and environment) and an understanding of key principles and processes such a circular economy and waste hierarchy. 

Selection process

The Civil Service marks each element of the selection process on a merit basis. You can visit the gov.uk website for further information on the Civil Service rating scale.

Ensure you have tailored your CV and Personal Statement to the 'responsibilities' and 'skills and experience' section of the job advert by providing examples on how you are suitable for the role. We would recommend using the STAR method. 

For further information on STAR, you can check out our hints and tips document.

Application

As part of the application process, you will be assessed on your experience and will be asked to complete:

• A CV
• A 750-word personal statement: "Referring to the 'responsibilities' and 'skills and experience' sections of the job advert, please demonstrate how you are suitable for the role by providing relevant examples."

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

Sift

Sift will begin shortly after the advert closes.

Should there be a large number of applications, an initial sift will be conducted using your personal statement.

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

Interview

If successful at sift stage, you will be invited to interview where you will be assessed on the Behaviours listed below. As part of the interview, there will be an assessment related to data analysis and presentation which will be sent to you on the day of the interview. 

Interviews will be held towards the end of February. Please note that these may be subject to change.

Interviews will be held virtually on Microsoft Teams.

For further information on Success Profiles, please use the links below and watch our videos on Defra Jobs.

Behaviours

Experience

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £39,439, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs contributes £10,648 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.

For further information on the selection process for this role, please refer to the person specification section of the job advert.

Near miss

Candidates who are judged to be a near miss at interview may be considered for other positions in Defra which may be at a lower grade, but have a potential skills match.

Reserve list

A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.

Salary

New entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band. The internal roles rules apply to existing Civil Servants, i.e. level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive 10% increase. Either case is determined by whichever is the highest.

Location

Our main Defra DDTS hubs are in York, Warrington, Newcastle, Reading and Bristol.

Please also be aware that space within the London office is restricted and it may not be possible to be based in this location.

As part of the pre-employment process, successful candidate(s) will be able to agree a contractual workplace from those locations listed in this advert. The agreed contractual workplace is then the substantive and permanent place of work for the successful candidate(s).

Where the location is 'National' the successful appointee should discuss and agree an appropriate contractual location in line with both Defra’s location policy and site capacity, prior to proceeding with pre-employment processes.

Successful applicants currently employed by the hiring Defra organisation for this post may choose to remain in their current contractual location or may choose to change contractual location to one of those listed above. This should be discussed and agreed prior to proceeding with pre-employment processes.

The agreed amount of time spent at a workplace for this post will reflect the requirement for Civil Servants to spend at least 60% of their working time in an organisation workplace with the option to work the remaining time flexibly from home. Working time spent at a workplace may include time spent at other organisational locations including field-based operational locations, together with supplier, customer or partner locations. This is a non-contractual agreement which is consistent with common Civil Service expectations.

Travel costs to non-contractual workplaces will be subject to departmental travel and subsistence policies. Travel costs to contractual workplaces are the responsibility of the employee.

Defra includes the core department, APHA, RPA, Cefas and VMD.

London Location / Higher Security Clearance

Please be aware the levels of national security clearance are changing which may impact on the level needed for this role by the time of appointment. All efforts will be made to keep candidates informed of any changes and what that will mean in terms of vetting criteria. For more information please See our vetting charter.

To work from 2 Marsham Street, London, you will require the higher level of counter-terrorist check (CTC) clearance. Therefore, confirmation of appointment to the advertised post will be dependent upon successful CTC clearance being confirmed as part of pre-employment checks.  

Visa sponsorship statement

Please take note that Defra does not hold a UK Visa & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker License sponsor and are unable to sponsor any individuals for Skilled Worker Sponsorship.

Reasonable adjustment

If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:

• Contact Government Recruitment Service (GRS) via DefraRecruitment.GRS@CabinetOffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
• Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a language service professional.

Accessibility

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

Criminal Record Check

If successful and transferring from another government department, a criminal record check maybe carried out.

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstance 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-Employment.Checks@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.

Internal fraud database check

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.

Childcare Vouchers

Any move to Defra from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk

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.