About the job

Job summary

Our priorities

Optimise public R&D investment to support areas of relative UK strength and increase the level of private R&D to make our economy the most innovative in the world.

Promote a diverse research and innovation system that connects discovery to new companies, growth and jobs – including by delivering world-class physical and digital infrastructure (such as gigabit broadband), making the UK the best place to start and grow a technology business and developing and attracting top talent.

Put public services – including the NHS and schools – at the forefront of innovation, championing new ways of working and the development of in-house STEM capability to improve outcomes for people.

Strengthen international collaboration on science and technology in line with the Integrated Review, and ensure our researchers are able to continue to work with leading scientists in Europe and around the world.

Deliver legislative and regulatory reforms to drive competition and promote innovation, including the Data Protection and Digital Information Bill, the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumer Bill and our pro-innovation approach to regulating AI.

Our Inclusive Environment

We have an inclusive culture which makes the Department a brilliant place to work where our people feel valued and can be their authentic selves. We value difference and diversity, not only because we believe it is the right thing to do, but because it helps us be more innovative.

We offer flexible working benefits, employee well-being support and a great pension. We are fortunate to have a range of staff networks and are proud to be a Disability Confident Leader employer. We support talented people from all backgrounds to build a career and thrive.

We welcome applications from anyone who shares our commitment to inclusion and fully support candidates with a disability or long-term condition who require adjustments in our recruitment process. 

We regularly run events where you can find out more about the department and tips for the application process. You can sign up for upcoming events here: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/departmentforsciencetechnologyandinnovation?

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

Please note that DSIT are currently reviewing our terms and conditions and pay arrangements following Machinery of Government changes and as part of the outstanding August 2023 pay award.  Please be aware that there may be changes to the terms and conditions and pay ranges listed in this advert ahead of you starting in post. Any changes would be implemented in early 2024.

Job description

This role will be pivotal to enable DSIT to deliver on its ambitions to position the UK at the forefront of global scientific and technological advancement.

You will provide the strategic leadership to ensure the department can access the data it needs to achieve outcomes in an efficient, streamlined way and the governance function to ensure data is maintained, shared and acquired legally, securely, and ethically.

You will provide the strategic framework for the department to acquire data needed to achieve outcomes in a strategic, streamlined way and the governance function to ensure data is shared and acquired legally, securely, and ethically.

You will recruit and lead a team of 6, dedicated to driving improvements in the department’s use of data. You will be responsible for setting the vision, shaping the team and developing the strategy.

The role will report into the Deputy Director for Data and Advanced Analytics who will provide support and risk ownership, but you will be the senior leader for data strategy and governance in the department.

The role would be suitable for someone comfortable operating with a high level of autonomy and confident bringing their own subject matter expertise to a problem space, taking responsibility for designing solutions pragmatically in a complex stakeholder environment.

This is an exciting opportunity to shape your own team and design a strategy for delivery – with a large amount of exposure to senior stakeholders.

As well as establishing the team, this role will play a crucial liaison role between several other teams, in both the department and Integrated Corporate Services (ICS) – a shared service which supports both DSIT and DESNZ with various corporate functions, including digital services and a shared Data Protection Officer (DPO) function.

Strong relationships with these teams will be one of the major foundations for the new team to be successful and so we are looking for an excellent communicator and team player for this leadership role – an exceptional individual with a proven track record of building relationships.

This role presents an exciting opportunity to design and build a function from scratch, we are looking for a proactive, positive individual who is excited to shape something new as part of a collaborative team.

You will be the senior data governance expert in the department but the role is much broader than that, requiring an individual with a creative vision for how to shape the way the department uses and manages data to ensure that DSIT becomes a data confident department.

You will lead the development and implementation of data governance in the department, with a key (initial) focus on the needs of the analysis function. You will help establish critical areas of our data governance framework so that evidence-based policy making has the strongest foundations possible.

You will design the operating model for the team and design the future strategy, with a clear road-map for how to scale operations up to support the entire organisation.

Specifically, you will:

• Lead a multi-grade data strategy and governance function, setting direction and ensuring structure and resource supports demand.
• Take an active leadership role to promote better use of data in the department, inspiring and educating to build a positive data culture across DSIT.
  
• Ensure that data across the department is acquired and ingested in a way that enables and streamlines analysis, monitoring & evaluation and statistical reporting.
  
• Develop a clear road-map and plan for consistent data strategy, principles, policies and frameworks.
  
• Represent the department 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.
  
• Develop a strategy for data quality in the department.
  
• Work with the DD for Data and Advanced Analytics to manage the department’s budget for data acquisition.
  
• 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.

We recommend reaching out to the vacancy holder for a conversation and more information about the role before submitting an application.

Person specification

Skills and experience

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

Essential criteria

• A proven track record of leading high-performing teams, building capability and nurturing a culture of transparency, inclusivity and well-being.
  
• Experience developing and delivering strategic approaches to improve the use of data as a strategic asset in a complex environment.
  
• 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.
  
• Relevant data governance expertise.
  
• Passionate about the DSIT mission.

Desirable criteria

• Experience working closely with analysts.
  
• Strong and confident grasp of the potential of structured or unstructured data.
  
• DAMA or similar industry-recognised data management qualification, or equivalent experience.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £61,580, Department for Science, Innovation & Technology contributes £16,626 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, Ability 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 14/02/2024. 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 a behavioural statement. 

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 the behavioural statement, CV, and personal statement.

In the event of a large number of applicants, applications will be sifted on the personal statement.

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 12/02/2024

Interview dates: w/c 26/02/2024

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 and 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.