About the job

Job summary

A part of the Cabinet Office, the Central Digital and Data Office leads the digital, data and technology (DDaT) function for government. We put the right conditions in place to achieve digital, data and technology transformation at scale by working with departments, and other government functions like commercial, project delivery and security professionals.

We are responsible for:

• Digital, Data and Technology Strategy and Standards, like the cross-government digital and data strategy, Transforming for a Digital Future: Government's 2022-25 Roadmap for Digital and Data, the Technology Code of Practice, the Service Standard and Open Standards
• Cross-government DDaT performance and assurance, including Spend Controls
• DDaT Capability Development, including the Government Digital and Data Capability Framework

You will sit in the central analytical team that is responsible for supporting the rest of the organisation. The team consists of ~20 Data Scientists, Data Analysts, Data Engineers, and wider analysts. 

Job description

You will draw from an extensive background of experience in core data engineering. Your skills will enable and deliver data and analytical solutions on our analytics and data platforms. You will be able to act as a senior technical expert in all aspects of delivery and be prepared to provide leadership and guidance to small project teams/resources in a collaborative way.

You will develop and maintain the technology infrastructure that is integrating new and existing sources of data into Data Analytics, so that it can be exploited with maximum efficiency and efficacy. Key skills required include: data engineering, data architecture, data analysis, security architecture, DevOps and business partnering.

Key Responsibilities:

• Programming and build – You can design, write and iterate code from prototype to production-ready. You understand security, accessibility and version control. You can use a range of coding tools and languages. You can develop code that self-generates documentation that supports Data Scientists and Data Analysts.
  
  
• Technical understanding – You know about the specific technologies that underpin your ability to deliver the responsibilities and tasks of the role. You can apply the required breadth and depth of technical knowledge.
  
  
• Testing – You can plan, design, manage, execute and report tests, using appropriate tools and techniques. You know how to ensure that risks associated with deployment are adequately understood and documented
• Infrastructure Management:

Programming and Code Development:

• design, write, and iterate code from prototype to production-ready.
• prioritise security, accessibility, and version control in code development.
• proficient in a range of coding tools and languages.
• develop code that self-generates documentation for Data Scientists and Data Analysts.

Technical Understanding:

• in-depth knowledge of specific technologies essential for role responsibilities.
• apply required breadth and depth of technical knowledge in tasks.

Person specification

We’re interested in people who have: 

• extensive knowledge/experience (5+ years) using Python, SQL and AWS
• hands on ETL development experience utilising AWS S3, Glue, Lambdas, Athena, Sage maker
• experience in writing robust data pipeline code that can run unattended, including data validation, manipulation, merging, joining and at times visualisation
• analytical skill set with an ability to understand data requirements and support the development of data solutions
• an ability to troubleshoot and solve numerical and technical problems
• experience with supporting design of data models / data flows as well as Github, git, pull requests, CI and code review
• an ability to work as part of a team to develop and deliver end-to-end data warehouse solutions
• excellent communication and facilitation skills evidenced through verbal and written means to a wide range of stakeholders

Benefits

The benefits of working at CDDO

There are many benefits including:

• flexible hybrid working with flexi-time and the option to work part-time or condensed hours
• a Civil Service Pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
• 25 days of annual leave, increasing by a day each year up to a maximum of 30 days 
• an extra day off for The King’s birthday
• an in-year bonus scheme to recognise high performance
• career progression and coaching, including a training budget for personal development
• paid volunteering leave 
• a focus on wellbeing with access to an employee assistance programme
• job satisfaction from making government services easier to use and more inclusive for people across the UK
• advances on pay, including for travel season tickets
• death in service benefits
• cycle to work scheme and facilities
• access to children's holiday play schemes across different locations in central London
• access to an employee discounts scheme
• 10 learning days per year
• volunteering opportunities (5 special leave days per year)
• access to a suite of learning activities through Civil Service learning

CDDO offers hybrid working for all employees. This means that everyone does some working from home and also spends some time in their local office. You’ll agree to your hybrid working arrangement with your line manager in line with your preferences and business needs.

Any move to the Central Digital and Data 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

Things you need to know

Selection process details

The standard selection process for roles at CDDO consists of:

• a simple application screening process - We only ask for a CV and cover letter of up to 750 words. Important tip - please ensure that your cover letter includes how you meet the skills and experience listed in the “person specification” section above
• a 60-minute video interview

In the event we receive a high number of applications, we will conduct an initial sift on the lead criteria which is: 

• Extensive knowledge/experience (5+ years) using Python, SQL and AWS

Depending on how many applications we get, there might also be an extra stage before the video interview, for example a phone interview or a technical exercise.

In the Civil Service, we use Success Profiles to evaluate your skills and ability. This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job, increases performance and improves diversity and inclusivity. We’ll be assessing your technical abilities, skills, experience and behaviours that are relevant to this role.

For this role we’ll be assessing you against the following Civil Service Behaviours: 

• changing and improving
• managing a quality service
• delivering at pace

We’ll also be assessing your experience and specialist technical skills against the following skills defined in the Digital, Data and Technology Profession Capability Framework for the G7 Data Engineer role

Candidates that do not pass the interview but have demonstrated an acceptable standard may be considered for similar roles at a lower grade.

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

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability status.

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.