About the job

Job summary

This is an exciting role working in a unique organisation at the heart of Government. 

We are looking for someone ambitious, driven and passionate about data!

You will be joining a friendly team who are passionate in how we can use data in new and innovative ways to support decision making across Government.

The Head of Data will be responsible for leading the development and implementation of joined up data strategies that drive forward the Government's agenda to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of grant and commercial activity. They will be responsible for driving a step-change across government in grant and commercial data maturity. 

This role requires an experienced professional with good knowledge of all aspects of the data life cycle, and previous experience of leading complex data related change programmes.

Job description

The GCG Data & Analytical Services team provides data and analytical support to both the GGMF and the Government Commercial Function (GCF). We lead a broad range of analytical projects, from publishing official statistics to economic appraisal and evaluation.

This role leads our Data pillar, as well as leading a range of ad-hoc priority projects across the team.

The key responsibilities of this role include:

• Advising Ministers and Senior Officials on the data agenda for grants and commercial activity, and developing data solutions to meet Ministerial objectives.
• Delivering joined up data strategies that create a cohesive data ecosystem for grants and commercial activity, where data is fit for purpose and fully utilised to support delivery.
• Leading the implementation and maintenance of data governance across GCF and GGMF, to ensure the directorate is compliant with legislation and avoids legal and reputational risks.
• Leading the GGMF and GCF involvement in the HM Treasury Functional Convergence Programme, ensuring functional priorities and standards are reflected and influencing departments via Shared Services Clusters.
• Leading the data agenda across digital tools – developing sustainable data collection mechanisms, maintaining data standards and ensuring data interoperability across multiple digital tools such as the Government Grants Information System and the Find A Tender Service.
• Leading a core team of 5 staff of mixed grades and analytical specialisms, alongside supplier delivery teams – creating a positive culture for all.
• Leading contractor delivery teams and ensuring value for money for the taxpayer.
• Developing the skills and capability of core team to ensure they are equipped to succeed and have clear career paths.
• Actively engaging and maintaining a network of external stakeholders building confidence in the Cabinet Office’s reputation for delivering the Prime Minister's priorities.
• Leading regular engagement with departmental Senior Officials to drive data maturity and capability through improved use of data and analytical insight.

The post holder may be required to carry out other duties within the scope of the grade and within the limits of their skill, competence and training; the post holder may also occasionally be required to carry out responsibilities at a higher level.

Person specification

Essential Criteria: 

• Degree of minimum 2:1 in a numerate subject;
• You have the skills set out in the Digital, Data & Technology framework for a Data Governance Manager at Expert Level (see capability framework here, section 3);
• You have experience of leading complex data related change programmes, including driving cultural change across team; and improving data maturity within large, complex organisations;
• You have strong leadership skills, with a track record of building high-performing and inclusive teams;
• You have experience of engaging with and influencing stakeholders at all levels across government, both internally and externally, including building effective relationships with stakeholders who are often reluctant to engage;
• You can comfortably manage multiple projects at the same time, often with competing priorities, in fast paced environment;
• You have a track record of effective budget and resource management, including experience of managing external contractors to deliver value for money.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £64,700, Cabinet Office contributes £17,469 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, Experience and Technical skills.

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

• A name-blind (anonymous) CV which includes job history & skills and experience.
• A name-blind statement of suitability (500 words max).The statement of suitability should summarise the candidates suitability for the role in relation to the essential criteria in the job description. Please make your examples as relevant as possible to the role.
• 250 word behavioural statements

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be undertaken using the the lead behaviour only (Leadership). Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview.

During the interview you will be assessed in the listed Behaviours, your Technical Skills and Experiences.

Expected timeline (subject to change)

Expected sift date – W/C [18/12/2023]
Expected interview date/s – W/C [08/01/2024]
Interview location - Google Meet (formerly hangout)

Reasonable adjustments

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 via cabinetofficerecruitment.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.

Further information

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

Please note that this role requires SC clearance, which would normally need 5 years’ UK residency in the past 5 years. This is not an absolute requirement, but supplementary checks may be needed where individuals have not lived in the UK for that period. This may mean your security clearance (and therefore your appointment) will take longer or, in some cases, not be possible.

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

Any move to Cabinet Office 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 at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk

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

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

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

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 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.