About the job

Job summary

INDEX sits at the heart of the intelligence assessment community, building innovative digital capabilities to ensure our national security assessments can maintain our technological and analytical edge. We are seeking a motivated, dynamic and capable individual to join a growing and ambitious INDEX team. Candidates should be passionate about developing and delivering digital solutions to meet user needs and digital transformation in government. We are looking for people with the right approach, experience and willingness to learn. The INDEX team fosters a culture of innovation, champions accessibility and promotes inclusion and diversity.

Job description

About the JIO

The Joint Intelligence Organisation (JIO) primarily supports the Joint Intelligence Committee (JIC), the National Security Council (NSC), the Prime Minister and other key decision-makers by providing authoritative, robust all-source intelligence assessment on a vast range of national security and foreign policy priorities.

You can read more about working for the JIO in the information pack attached at the bottom of this advert.

The Information and Data Exchange (INDEX) is a digital initiative sponsored by the Joint Intelligence Organisation (JIO). INDEX is a digital service which enables analysts to quickly find relevant, high quality government reporting (analysis and assessment) and publicly available material (open source). INDEX optimises advanced analytics and cloud technology to enable people working across HMG to quickly identify relevant, high-quality data and information from within and external to government. We are looking for someone to champion data and information management from a digital perspective.

As INDEX Data Governance Manager, you will play a key role in shaping and steering the future of INDEX. You will lead on defining, implementing and managing data within the INDEX service. We are looking for someone with a head for data, and experience in data and information management, such as digital cataloguing, working with digital collections or electronic document and records management systems. The INDEX team values innovation: you will be empowered to set up new initiatives, develop new relationships and try new ideas which are aligned with the INDEX vision. You will work closely with user researchers, developers, and teams across government.  

The Role

The INDEX team aspires to have a proactive and proportionate approach to information management; ensuring availability, security controls, ownership, information quality and good information and data governance. You will lead on defining, implementing and managing data within the INDEX service. 

We are looking for someone who can demonstrate up-to-date knowledge of data governance theory, standard methodology and the practical considerations. You will be empowered to develop an end-to-end data governance framework (the processes, operational policies and standards needed to support good data management). You will work effectively with technical teams and other stakeholders to implement a data governance framework, and make recommendations to ensure compliance.

Key responsibilities include:

• Proactively identify and define data management improvements: Identify opportunities to improve data and information management, such as metadata management practices, data quality and trustworthiness of data. Document technical specifications and map the impact across the business. Make recommendations to the INDEX team and senior stakeholders, communicate the costs and benefits of change.
• Lead on the implementation of improvements, working closely with the INDEX team and cross government stakeholders: Lead the drive to continuously improve information and data quality. Work with the INDEX team and developer team to deliver improvements to INDEX metadata management. Implement government best practice, in line with frameworks and toolkits. Work with risk owners to inform risk based decisions relating to data and information management.
• Establish and maintain practical data governance solutions to support the INDEX service, throughout the data life cycle. Establish and maintain wider data management competencies within the INDEX service to meet the needs of the users within the government departments that use INDEX. Input into INDEX strategy meetings, governance boards and service assessments. Work within the INDEX team and users to minimise data risks and increase data literacy.
• Support INDEX innovation. Feed into discussions and projects to explore the use of Artificial Intelligence and Large Language Models within the INDEX service, including ethical and legal considerations. You can support data literacy development and training by enabling data consumers to understand what they can and cannot do with data.

This role is suitable for hybrid working in which an employee can work from home and attend the office as business requires. This is a voluntary, non-contractual arrangement and 70 Whitehall, London, will be your contractual place of work.

Person specification

Skills and Experience Required

We would welcome applications from those with experience across some or all of the following: (skills aligned with DDaT Data Governance Manager https://www.gov.uk/guidance/data-governance-manager):

• Data governance. You can demonstrate up-to-date knowledge of data governance theory, standard methodology and the practical considerations. You can develop an end-to-end data governance framework (the processes, operational policies and standards needed to support good data management). You can work effectively with technical teams and other stakeholders to implement a data governance framework, and make recommendations to ensure compliance. (Skill level: working)
• Communicating between the technical and non-technical. You can communicate effectively with technical and non-technical stakeholders. You can support and host discussions within a multidisciplinary team, with potentially difficult dynamics. You can be an advocate for the team externally, and can manage differing perspectives. (Skill level: working)
• Data innovation. You can understand the impact on the organisation of emerging trends in data tools, analysis techniques and data usage. (Skill level: working)
• Data life cycle. You can understand and apply data governance over a data life cycle, ensuring best practice at each phase. (Skill level: working)
• Data management. You can understand data governance and how it works in relation to other organisational governance structures. You can participate in or deliver the assurance of a service. (Skill level: working)
• Data maturity models. You can understand the different data maturity models available. You can measure data maturity across different domains, implement best practice and describe the benefits of potential improvements. (Skill level: working)
• Data regulation and ethics. You can apply relevant data and ethical frameworks and standards to your work. You can understand all aspects of data governance and use, ensuring these are maintained in-line with laws, regulations, codes of practice and ethical requirements. You can demonstrate an awareness of emerging best practice in areas such as data ethics, and an understanding of the changing landscape. (Skill level: working)
• Data standards. You can demonstrate an understanding of best practice data policies, processes and standards, and can implement them effectively. You can understand which standards need to be applied where. You can work effectively with subject matter experts to develop the rules, policies and guidance needed to safeguard the organisation’s data assets. You can work within a team to monitor how data policies and standards are applied and complied with, taking action where necessary. (Skill level: working)
• Enabling and informing risk-based decisions. You can work with risk owners to advise and give feedback. You can advise on risk impact and whether this is within risk tolerance. You can describe different risk methodologies and how these are applied, as well as the proportionality of risk. (Skill level: working)

We invest in upskilling our team members to enable them to thrive once they start working with us. As such, if you don’t quite match these desirable skills, don’t let it put you off applying as we will equip the successful candidate with them once you are in post.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £44,500, Cabinet Office contributes £12,015 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 asked to complete a name blank CV, 250 word Behavioural Statements and 500 word Personal Statement along with Technical skills. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

Your Personal Statement must outline your experience relevant to the role, including where you can demonstrate meeting the criteria listed for this position (500 words).

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the lead behaviour, Changing and Improving and the technical skills. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview.

Selection Process

Candidates successful at the application stage will be invited to a formal interview focused on the behaviours  and technical skill listed on the vacancy advert, this could either be face to face/online video interview. 

Further details will be shared to candidates if invited to proceed to this stage.

Sift and interview dates to be confirmed.

Further information

High-Side Evidence

Community colleagues wishing to submit evidence holding a higher classification are permitted to do so, although are requested to get in touch with the Recruitment Team on R28918 where they will be provided with appropriate instructions for doing so. The recruitment team must ensure that any supporting evidence submitted on alternative systems are redacted to remain compliant with name blind recruitment principles. Applications submitted directly to recruiting managers will not be considered.

Please note that this role requires SC clearance, which would normally require 5 years’ UK residency in the past 5 years. This is not an absolute requirement but supplementary checks may be required where individuals have not lived in the UK for the required period. This may mean that your security clearance (and therefore your appointment) will take longer or, in some cases, not be possible. Whilst this role can be undertaken with SC clearance, the successful candidate would be expected to undergo the DV clearance once in post. 

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

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

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

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

Prior agreement to be released on a loan basis must be obtained before commencing the application process. In the case of Civil Servants, the terms of the loan will be agreed between the home and host department and the Civil Servant. This includes grade on return.

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.

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.

Existing civil servants can take up the post on loan from their parent department for the duration advertised (permission from their parent department would need to be secured in order to take up the post). Those joining on level transfer will retain their current salary. Staff joining on promotion terms will receive up to a 10% increase of their current basic salary or the pay band minimum whichever is the greater. Staff joining on promotion will adopt the modernised terms and conditions of employment which came into force in 2013. 

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 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.

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

Open to UK nationals only.

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.