About the job

Job summary

The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) are the public sector’s property valuation experts and advisers. Our work is vital to the collection of over £60 billion of revenue which goes back into communities, touching every citizen and every business across England and Wales. 

We have a vision to be a world-leading provider of public sector valuations. Developing and implementing the next generation of the VOA Data Strategy is key to the success of this ambition. As such this role provides you with a fantastic opportunity to shape and drive data culture and data maturity across the organisation.

Data and information is crucial to the VOA. It’s at the heart of what we do, the use of data is woven into the operation of the business throughout. The utilisation of effective analysis and information use within front line operational services and policy areas has been growing over a number of years. The need to expand our data maturity across the lifecycle of our enterprise-wide data is now crucial to being able to maximise the trust, confidence and value in our property data.

You will work to oversee establishing, maintaining and governing principles, standards and policies on information and data across VOA, while ensuring that new ways of working are integrated into teams across the entire organisation. This is a leadership role that requires organisation-wide strategic thinking.

Job description

Head of Data Strategy – Role Overview

The Information, Data and Analysis Directorate has a vision of unleashing innovation in VOA with Information exploited responsibly; with Data design applied purposefully; and with creative Analysis to make decisions. Your role will be pivotal in making our vision a reality through creating a next generation ambitious Data Strategy that drives VOA in becoming a world-leading provider of public sector valuations.

Our work is fundamental to helping the Agency operate efficiently and effectively, both now and as we look towards our longer-term ambitions. As the Head of Data Strategy, you will bring together all aspects of knowledge and information management, information law and data strategy.

“I am proud to lead a team of passionate, talented, and committed professionals and I am passionate to make ID&A even better place to work where people enjoy their work and can bring themselves in.  ID&A is a highly knowledgeable and, above all, very friendly directorate comprising of 107 members across analytical, data, and other professions, based in various locations across the country. The teams within ID&A take care to create a welcoming, supporting environment for colleagues from a wide range of socioeconomic, professional and educational backgrounds. We put a particular focus on learning and development, career development, supporting each other to overcome challenges, learn new skills and creating a culture where innovation is a norm. If you are a strategic thinker with experience of creating and delivering organisation-wide strategies I want to hear from you. As we are currently in the process of developing the next generation Data strategy, we can provide you with a unique opportunity to shape, change and drive data culture across VOA and provide an excellent experience that’ll enhance your future career prospects and skills development” Tetyana Mykhaylyk, Director of Information, Data & Analysis

Head of Data Strategy – Key responsibilities

Own the development and delivery of our next generation Data Strategy with the support of your wider team.  

• Obtain strong engagement, commitment and support from all levels of management on data vision and strategy. 
• Develop and implement appropriate data governance. 
• Drive forward wider promotion of the Data Strategy within VOA, ensuring this is embedded effectively. 
• Overseeing the development and delivery of the Data Strategy Implementation plan, including the Data Maturity programme. 
• Lead on collaboration across Government Data and KIM communities for VOA by working collaboratively on active initiatives with cross government data communities such as the Data Standards Authority, Integrated Data Programme Data Quality Hub, and GKIM Leaders developing strong relationships with these partners and learning from their experience. 

 Provide strategic direction to the Data Strategy, Management & Disclosure Team. 

• Champion data and information governance.
• Develop the Team’s capability and line management of 3-4 Team Leaders (wider team is 17 colleagues in total).
• Be the Head of Profession for Knowledge & Information Management (KIM) building recognition among senior VOA members of the expertise and value of KIM professionals. 
• Own the agency’s data sharing process, ensuring data is only released where legally able and fitting with other priorities and support cross-government initiatives. 
• Ensure policy, training and guidance is in place, up-to-date and understood so VOA use its data and information effectively and lawfully and can evidence that Form part of the wider ID&A Senior Leadership Team and deputise when needed for Director of ID&A. 

Person specification

Essential Criteria

• The ability to set strategic direction, engage internal and external stakeholders, motivating them to embrace change.
• A track record of shaping and executing a strategic data vision into deliverable operational plans, innovative solutions, and measurable service improvements, with buy-in and engagement across an organisation.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills, not only when presenting on expert subject matter but also when seeking to influence stakeholders, briefing senior management and motivating staff.
• Proven experience in transforming an organisation’s data capability.
• Great people skills, with the ability to build productive working relationships across a wide range of colleagues and partners -including through simplifying complexity and aligning data strategy to business outcomes.
• A visible, enabling leadership style, championing inclusion and collaboration and promoting a high-performance culture.
• Strong understanding of data trends and experience of enhancing data maturity within a fast paced, dynamic delivery organisation.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £67,238, Valuation Office Agency contributes £18,154 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.

If you can meet our person requirements above, we are keen to hear from you.

To apply for this post, you must complete an online application with the following:

• A CV setting out your Job History and Previous skills and experiences.
• A Personal Statement (maximum 1000 words), please outline your suitability for the role. Please pay particular attention to the ‘Essential Criteria’ outlined in the advert when providing your answer.

Sift- 5th - 7th June 2024

• We will assess you on your CV and Personal Statement.

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the two Lead Criteria which are:  

• The ability to set strategic direction, engage internal and external stakeholders, motivating them to embrace change.
• A track record of shaping and executing a strategic data vision into deliverable operational plans, innovative solutions, and measurable service improvements, with buy-in and engagement across an organisation.

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

If successful at sift stage you will be invited to take part in a Staff Engagement Exercise between 19th and 21st June 2024. This will take place virtually.

Interviews - 28th June - 1st July 2024. Please note these dates are provisional and may be subject to change. These will be confirmed should you be invited to interview.

Interviews are currently taking place using Microsoft Teams Video. We will provide more detail if you are shortlisted for interview. 

• We will assess you on the Behaviours listed in the job description, technical questions and an in-tray exercise.

At the interview, the panel can then probe further and ask applicants to provide further specific examples that show how they best demonstrate their skills.

The interview will include an in-tray exercise based on examples of the work you might be expected to carry out in the role. The exercise will assess Communicating and Influencing and Seeing the Big Picture behaviours.

More details will be provided at interview stage.

Application Hints and Tips

For more information on Success Profiles, tips on how to write a successful application and find out more about what’s involved in the application process please visit About the application process , Civil Service Careers (civil-service-careers.gov.uk).

Further Information

Please note the official Internal Job Title for this role is Head of Data Strategy, Management & Disclosure.

As part of the application process, you will be asked to tell us which of the locations available you can work in. You will be able to specify up to 3 options. Due to the way the CS Jobs system is set up, when choosing your preferred locations, you will find that the Wembley & Canary Wharf locations will not appear on the list of options. Should you wish to choose Wembley as a location then please select Harlesden. Should you wish to choose Canary Wharf as a location then please select Tower Hamlets.

Any move to VOA 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

The VOA is an office-based organisation that supports flexible working. By default, everyone in the VOA is a hybrid worker with options to work in the office, at home or out and about, depending on the work they’re doing that day and where it’s best done.

VOA employees only:  If you are currently in receipt of DTA as a result of a VOA office closure/restructure and it is agreed for you to take up this role in your current location, you may continue to receive DTA for the remainder of the period you can claim for.  Please check with the Vacancy Holder on preferred locations for this role before you apply.

Pre-employment Checks

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.

If you would require a Certificate of Sponsorship from the VOA to undertake this role, please contact resourcingteam@voa.gov.uk before submitting your application.

Reasonable Adjustment

We want to make sure no one is put at a disadvantage during our recruitment process because of a disability, condition, or impairment. To assist you with this, we will reduce or remove any barriers where possible and provide additional support where appropriate.

If you need a reasonable adjustment or a change to be made so that you can make your application,

• Please click here for more information: Reasonable Adjustments , Civil Service Careers (civil-service-careers.gov.uk)
• Contact voarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible.
• 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.

Terms & Conditions

 Voluntary terms apply.

 Reserve Lists

If we have more successful candidates than available vacancies, we will hold a 6-month reserve list. 

During that time, we may use the list to fill the same, or similar roles with closely matching essential criteria, without further testing of merit. Any appointments from the Reserve list will be made in strict merit order.

Applying

All applications for these vacancies must be made online. There are limited exceptions to this. Paper applications will only be considered if you have a disability that will prevent you from applying online. If this is the case, please email voarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Once you have submitted your application it cannot be amended; only submit your application when you have completely finished and answered all the relevant questions.

Please note that late applications will not be accepted.

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

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

Concerns/Complaints

The Valuation Office Agency’s recruitment processes are underpinned by the Civil Service Commissioner’s Recruitment Principles, which outlines that selection for appointment is made on merit based on fair and open competition.

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the values in the Civil Service Code and/or if you feel the recruitment has been conducted in such a way that conflicts with the Civil Service Commissioner’s Recruitment Principles, you may make a complaint, by contacting the Central Recruitment Team at the following address: resourcingteam@voa.gov.uk.

If you are not content with the outcome of your complaint you have the right to complain to the Civil Service Commissioners.

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.