The Data Access Services team within Digital, Data, Technology and Security is looking for an enthusiastic leader to deliver and manage access to Defra’s vast range of data and information. This role is crucial for meeting statutory and cross-government requirements for open access to Defra’s data.
As the Head of Data Access Services, you will be responsible for the acquisition, curation, cataloguing, sharing, and publishing of data through our data access services. These services include earth observation, geospatial data services, and Defra's externally facing data services platform. You will drive the continued improvement of the data services platform, engage with collaborators across the Defra Group, acquire data from external sources, and liaise with other government departments to deliver Defra’s open data access policy.
Please note this post requires Counter Terrorist Check clearance. To gain CTC clearance, applicants will usually need to have been a UK resident for a minimum of 3 years. If this requirement is not met, the individual will not be able to progress their application further.
Interviews for this role will be held face to face in London. The successful candidate will need to be based at one of our DDTS hubs, which are in Bristol, Warrington, Newcastle, Reading, and York. Candidates can be based in London though this is dependent on there being office space.
Person Specification
Responsibilities
1. Set the strategic direction and drive the delivery of data access services, managing associated costs and ensuring underpinning technologies are well managed.
2. Lead on Defra’s Geospatial Technology strategy, liaising with wider Defra Group Arms-Length bodies and across government.
3. Engage with other government departments to ensure Defra’s needs are understood in the development of UK Government data policy and strategy.
4. Provide strategic oversight for the successful delivery of projects such as replacing and modernising the MAGIC Platform and implementing the Geospatial Data and Technology Roadmap.
5. Acquire data resources for customer organisations and ensure they are well managed to reduce licensing costs.
6. Enable the exploitation of data across the Defra Group by making it widely available in a ready-to-use form, working with data owners to meet Data QFAIR rules.
7. Lead a multidisciplinary team of 10 permanent staff, fostering a positive and productive team culture.
Skills & Experience
1. Proven experience in managing multidisciplinary teams of data specialists in an agile delivery and continuous service improvement environment.
2. Experience in managing suppliers and providing strategic oversight in delivering technical Data Services in accordance with contractual terms and conditions.
3. Excellent engagement and influencing skills, with the ability to collaborate with a range of senior internal and external partners.
4. Inspiring leadership skills, with the ability to provide direction in a high-pressure and fast-paced environment.
5. Experience working in partnership with policy, digital delivery, and operational delivery colleagues, as well as other disciplines such as communications, commercial, and finance.
6. Subject matter expertise and a passion for data management and sharing, with the ability to translate this into high-quality service.
7. Experience in project management and service delivery, with a track record of successfully leading data projects and/or service improvement initiatives across complex organisations.
8. Proven ability to lead and implement geospatial technology strategies within an organisation.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: £65,430.00-£79,160.00 per year
Benefits:
* Additional leave
* Canteen
* Casual dress
* Cycle to work scheme
* Employee discount
* Flexitime
* Health & wellbeing programme
* Sick pay
* Work from home
Schedule:
* Monday to Friday
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Newcastle Upon Tyne
Reference ID: 385635
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