About the job

Job summary

As our Enterprise Data Architect you will be responsible for leading the definition and implementation of the Enterprise data architecture across all business divisions. You will champion, refine and implement the data architecture strategy and will contribute to the definition and implementation of vital components of the overall technology strategy and other business strategies to support the business. You will ensure that the data definitions and data technology that is selected and used within the business meets the business needs and will be responsible for leading and identifying activities to determine and implement the strategic enterprise data requirements. You will make recommendations on the use of and development of data tools, models, and platforms to further improve and enhance the use of data across the whole organisation, ensuring that data solutions are well designed and optimised to assist the effective and efficient running of the business. Why join us? The UKHO is a data company specialising in global maritime and marine data and products, maintaining Safety of Life as Sea and supporting Defence customers. Data is the core of our business and the role of the Enterprise Data Architect is critical in ensuring that the UKHO implements best practice data management and governance as well as maximising the value of our data as we transition from our mixed analogue / digital estate to a purely digital business. One of the core activities for the Enterprise Data Architect will be to ensure that we implement and govern Master Data Management practices throughout the estate and utilise this knowledge to drive the technology transformation. Not only do we offer the opportunity to specialise in Geospatial data management we also have a commercial business that requires complex relationship management, sales and reporting capabilities.   Hybrid Working  Our team predominantly work from home, with occasional requirements to come into the office, dependent on business needs, however some of the team decide to work in the office more frequently and this is an option that is available. There will be a requirement to attend the office on your first working day to collect your security card and equipment. Please note our Policy on informal hybrid working (arrangements available as agreed with the line manager) applies within the UK, and does not extend to working overseas.

Job description

• Refine and implement the UKHO Data Architecture strategy.
• Work with senior stakeholders within the UKHO, MOD, industry leaders outside of the civil service and wider government to ensure that the Data Architecture strategy aligns with broader business, technical and government strategic aims.
• Champion data architecture across the UKHO and set the standards and ways of working for the data architecture community.
• Plan and lead the delivery of large and/or complicated/non-standard work packages, together with supporting Project Teams, attending meetings as a Subject Matter Expert, providing resource, and planning for project related tasks.
• Work with multiple business and technical stakeholders to provide leadership and guidance to identify data lineage, provenance, structure and value for data assets
• Lead the data community, providing technical leadership, coaching, and mentoring of the team, promoting knowledge sharing and adoption of good practice, assigning tasks and monitoring progress.
• Gather, review, and analyse complex business and user requirements to enable effective solution designs
• Provide expertise and technical input into projects, to help design the most appropriate systems with regard to data, its security, resilience, and availability.
• Provide governance of all data architectural and design elements within a solution, identifying and escalating any significant risks or issues and helping to mitigate and manage these.

Person specification

You will have significant experience and knowledge within the data architecture domain of Information Technology and will be able to communicate complex ideas clearly and succinctly. You’ll provide inspiration and guidance and will have direct and indirect influence on the work of others.

You will have experience of working within the DAMA-DMBOK framework, especially in the areas of data governance, data architecture, data modelling and metadata management.

You’ll have a high level of analytical and interpretation skills, frequently involving complex and unique situations, from which multiple courses of action need to be evaluated. The decisions reached can have significant consequences and often involve high risks and high costs, requiring careful analysis and good judgement.

You will have strong leadership and collaboration skills, combined with good judgement, to determine an optimal solution that will balance the different viewpoints and diverse needs of the various senior stakeholders.

Additional Information: 

Whilst we welcome applications from those seeking part time work, please note, that there is a business requirement for the successful candidate to work a minimum of 30 hours per week 

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £57,686, UK Hydrographic Office contributes £15,575 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 Technical skills.

How to Apply:  

Please upload of your CV and answer the 3 questions below by clicking "Apply Now" at the bottom of this page  

Timeline:  

• Advert Closes for applications: 19/03/2024
• Shortlisting: 20/03/2024
• Interviews: 03/04/2024

We will try to meet the dates set out in the advert. There may be occasions when these dates change. 

Sift/Shortlist Criteria:  

All applications are processed anonymously. You will be short-listed against the following criteria: 

Experience: 

• Experience of working as a senior data architect (Lead criteria) - assessed via your CV

We will also ask you to:

• Outline your experience of development and utilisation of data models
• Provide an example of a successful piece of work you led, including the challenges faced and how you overcame them?
• Describe a situation where you had to effectively communicate complex ideas to diverse stakeholders. How did you ensure clarity and understanding?

Interview Criteria:  

You will be interviewed against the following criteria: 

Civil Service Behaviours: 

• Communicating and Influencing
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Working Together

Experience/Technical Skills:   

• Development of data models
• Utilisation of data modelling tools

See here for further information: Success Profiles - Civil Service Behaviours (publishing.service.gov.uk)  

Interview Process

• Single Stage Interview via TEAMS. You will be contacted to book a suitable slot if you are shortlisted (see our Candidate Pack for further information) 
• Interview will be with a panel of no more than 4 people and will last approx. 45 mins 

Onboarding Checks:  

In the event you are offered a role with us, you will be required to go through Basic Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) checks which will include Employment and Right to Work Checks. You will also need to apply for SC (Security Clearance), but you may be able to start your role before gaining this. Please see our attached Candidate Pack for further details and Terms.

Please note, we are unable to offer visa sponsorship. 
 

Residency Requirements:

SC – non reserved: This is a Ministry of Defence non-reserved post and although open to UK, British Commonwealth and European Economic Area nationals, successful applicants will require a security clearance (SC) and therefore need to have resided in the UK for a minimum of 12 consecutive months within the last 5 years 

Eligibility 

Due to the secure nature of our work, there may be eligibility restrictions if you hold dual nationality or are not a British Citizen. We will consider each application on a case-by-case basis. We will ask you in our application form to confirm your place of birth and details of any dual or previous nationalities. 

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 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.