UK Ministry of Defence
DDaT- Head of People Data and Insight
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Bristol, Corsham, London, other Defence location by negotiation, with hybrid working subject to business need.
Job Summary
We are looking for a Grade 6 Head of Data and Insights to shape how the People Function uses data to improve decisions, services and transformation outcomes across Defence. You will set direction for People data architecture, strengthen data governance, lead trusted insight, and work with senior stakeholders across Defence to make People data easier to find, understand, use and trust. This is an opportunity to build a lasting data and insight capability that supports modern, evidence-led People services for Defence.
This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.
Job Description
The People Digital, Data, and Technology (DDaT) team is a small enabling team at the heart of the People Function. It provides strategic leadership on digital, data and technology, coheres demand for People products and services, and provides expert advice, guidance, and assurance so that services align with strategic intent and appropriate standards.
The People Function is modernising services and platforms across Defence. This requires a step change in how People data is governed, architected, analysed, and communicated so that leaders can make better, faster and more evidence-based decisions.
The Defence People data ecosystem is complex. Data is held across multiple systems, programmes, functions, and services. Without strong Data and Insights leadership, there is a risk of inconsistent standards, duplicated effort, poor data quality, weaker insight, and reduced confidence in decisions.
The Head of Data and Insights will work across the Defence People portfolio, including major transformation activity. At Grade 6, the role is expected to lead through authority and influence, set direction, build capability, assure data-related decisions, and represent People data interests across Defence and wider government where required.
This is a strategic leadership, governance, and assurance role. It is not a substitute for programme-level data delivery, analytical ownership, or supplier accountability.
Main duties
- Set the vision and direction for the People Function’s use of data, data architecture and insight, aligned to the People strategy, digital strategy, and wider Defence Data Strategy.
- Coherently bring together cross-Defence People data strategies, standards and plans so that activity across the Function is joined up, reusable and aligned to enterprise outcomes.
- Champion data architecture by collaborating and communicating at senior levels across Defence, wider government and, where appropriate, industry.
- Define, maintain, and govern common People data standards, metadata expectations, assurance routes, data architecture patterns, and ways of working.
- Assure data at project, portfolio, and enterprise level, ensuring People systems and services are designed in accordance with enterprise data architecture and data governance requirements.
- Provide expert advice to project teams and oversee the management of the full data product lifecycle, from data definition and quality through to analysis, visualisation, publication, and continuous improvement.
- Guide the development of trusted data analysis and insight products that help senior leaders understand workforce, service, and transformation issues, including risks, opportunities, options, and decisions.
- Strengthen data quality assurance, validation, linkage, and metadata management so that People data is easier to find, understand, use, and trust.
- Influence governance forums by presenting clear advice on data risk, design trade-offs, standards compliance, analytical confidence, delivery implications, options, impacts, and recommendations.
- Build effective senior relationships across Defence Reform Areas (including the Military Commands), Defence People communities, Defence Business Services, Defence Digital & Data, delivery partners, and suppliers, while strengthening internal cyber capability and reducing avoidable reliance on external consultancy.
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Person specification
You should consider applying if you can show strong evidence that you can:
- Lead data, insight, architecture or governance activity in a complex organisation.
- Set direction for data strategy, standards, governance and insight across organisational boundaries.
- Improve data quality, consistency and trust so leaders can make evidence-based decisions.
- Turn complex business problems into practical data or insight approaches.
- Provide clear assurance, advice and constructive challenge on data risks and decisions.
- Influence senior stakeholders, delivery teams and suppliers to improve data outcomes.
- Explain complex data, analytical or architectural issues clearly to technical and non-technical audiences.
This role will suit someone who combines senior data leadership, sound judgement, clear communication and constructive challenge.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Leadership
- Communicating and Influencing
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Strategic thinking and leadership - Set the direction for People data and insight, building coherence across organisational boundaries and improving consistency across the Function. Government Digital and Data Profession Capability Framework
- Communicating between technical and non-technical - Translate complex data, architecture, and analytical issues into clear advice for senior leaders, delivery teams, and suppliers. Government Digital and Data Profession Capability Framework
- Data governance - Align data governance with wider governance and assure important data risks through proportionate assurance mechanisms. Government Digital and Data Profession Capability Framework
- Data standards and data architecture - Develop, communicate, and govern People data standards and ensure systems align to enterprise data architecture.
Benefits
Alongside your salary of £72,840, Ministry of Defence contributes £21,101 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).
- Learning and development tailored to your role
- An environment with flexible working options
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
- A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
- Further details about benefits are available on Discover My Benefits
Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and working from home as part of a non-contractual hybrid working arrangement. All office-based employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in office, subject to site capacity and any required workplace adjustments. Requirements to attend other locations for official business, or work in another MOD workplace, will also count towards this level of office attendance. Applicants can request further information regarding how this and other flexible working arrangements may work in their team from the Vacancy Holder (see advert for contact details). Defence Business Services cannot respond to any questions about working arrangements.
The post does not offer relocation expenses.
External recruits who join the MOD who are new to the Civil Service will be subject to a six-month probation period.
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Please Note: Expenses incurred for travel to interviews will not be reimbursed.
Please be advised that the Department is conducting a review of all pay related allowances which could impact on those allowances that the post currently being advertised attracts.
Any move to MOD 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 Ministry of Defence is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for its staff which includes educating them on the benefits of not smoking, protecting them from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke and supporting those who want to give up smoking. Under the Smoke-Free Working Environment policy, Smoking and the use of all tobacco products (including combustible and chewing tobacco products) will not be permitted anywhere in the Defence working environment however some exemptions are in place, please refer to local guidance. The policy is Whole Force and includes all Defence personnel, contractors, visitors and other non-MOD personnel. All applicants seeking, considering, or accepting employment with the Ministry of Defence should be aware of this policy and that it is already in place at a number of Defence Establishments.
MOD Recruitment Satisfaction Survey – We may contact you regarding your experience to help us improve our customer satisfaction. The survey is voluntary and anonymous. You may however be given the opportunity to provide additional information to help us improve our service which includes the collection of some personal data as defined by the United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR). The MOD Privacy Policy Notice sets out how we will use your personal data and your rights.
Artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.
To apply, please upload your CV in the relevant section on the Civil Service Jobs application section, ensuring it clearly demonstrates how you meet the essential criteria outlined in the person specification. You must also submit a statement of suitability (maximum 1,000 words) providing evidence of how you meet these criteria.
Please find a link to our video, which gives you helpful tips and guidance, on the CS Jobs application process: How to apply for roles on Civil Service Jobs
At sift, candidates will be assessed against their CV and Personal Statement and the following:
Behaviours:
- Leadership
- Communicating and Influencing
In the event of a high volume of applications, an initial sift will be based on the Behaviours (Leadership, Communicating and Influencing) only. Where the required standard for these behaviours are met, you will continue to be sifted on the remaining criteria'
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