Ofsted
Senior Data Engineer
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Job Summary
We are recruiting a Senior Data Engineer to join our Data and Insight team.
Senior Data Engineers work within a small BI development team. They are experienced technical professionals, with the breadth of experience necessary to tackle significant data challenges and deliver robust, effective solutions. Most of our development is carried out by our own dedicated team. When necessary, we supplement the team with contract staff who work in collaboration with our own people.
They develop and maintain a wide variety of databases, DataMart’s and reporting systems. They respond to requests for specific data and information, where that is not immediately available through another route.
They work in an environment that is predominantly centred around Microsoft SQL Server. Power BI and Excel are used as reporting tools; SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) and SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS) for data manipulation and ETL.
They enable the effective inspection and regulation of education and care providers, by ensuring data and information are accurate, efficiently produced and accessible. They support statistical and analytical colleagues by ensuring that the data they need are available when required and straightforward to use.
They work hard to build effective stakeholder relationships and ensure they understand the data they work with. Over time, they develop specific business knowledge and expertise in the areas of their own work. They are effective at influencing others, including data analysts, colleagues from Information Services (IS) and external suppliers.
They coach, support and collaborate with other members of the team, particularly data engineers and data analysts.
This is a fantastic opportunity to further your experience in Ofsted’s well-established team. The post holder will work with high-achieving professionals at all levels, surrounded by a friendly and supportive team. They will have access to amazing benefits, such as flexible working hours, the Civil Service Pension Scheme, and 32.5 days annual leave + 8 bank holidays. We offer a hybrid working model, so you may also choose to spend a proportion of time working from home.
Job Description
Please refer to the job specification for further information.
Person specification
Please refer to the job specification for further information.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Changing and Improving
- Working Together
- Delivering at Pace
- Managing a Quality Service
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Experience of designing, developing and testing medium to large-scale database and ETL solutions, which meet complex user needs and provide a high degree of data transformation and automation.
- Experience of using proactive problem-solving and troubleshooting skills in a data and technology environment.
- Experience of coaching and supporting colleagues, whilst working in a data and technology environment.
- Experience of actively managing the capacity and performance of database solutions. (Desirable)
- Experience of actively managing the capacity and performance of database solutions.
- Ability to clearly explain technical concepts at an appropriate level for a technical or non-technical audiences.
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We only ask for evidence of these technical skills on your application form:
- Experience of designing, developing and testing medium to large-scale database and ETL solutions, which meet complex user needs and provide a high degree of data transformation and automation.
- Experience of using proactive problem-solving and troubleshooting skills in a data and technology environment.
- Experience of coaching and supporting colleagues, whilst working in a data and technology environment.
Alongside your salary of £48,597, Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills contributes £14,078 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).
Full details of the benefits available can be found in our Ofsted Offer brochure.
Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.
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.
Application And Shortlisting
The selection panel will assess your application based on your evidence you have provided against the essential criteria as set out in the job specification.
Use the STAR model (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to present your evidence.
You will also be asked to provide information within the “Employer/Activity History” section of the application form. This information is equivalent to the information you would provide on a CV setting out your career history (this may be used in the sifting process).
Interview
Candidates who pass the benchmark at the shortlist stage will be invited to an interview where you will be assessed against a mixture of the Civil Service behaviours and on the technical/experience skills as detailed in the job specification.
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Interviews will be held during the week commencing 2 November 2026 at either 2 Rivergate, Bristol or remotely via Microsoft Teams.
The interview format will be confirmed closer to the interview date.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a standard (or equivalent) 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.
Contact point for applicants
Job Contact
Name : People Services Delivery Team
Email : jobs@ofsted.gov.uk
Telephone : 03000 131 487
Recruitment team
Email : jobs@ofsted.gov.uk
Further information
If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles, and you wish to make a complaint, you should email Ofsted recruitment at jobs@ofsted.gov.uk in the first instance. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission at: https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/recrutiment
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