Head of Data and Assurance

On behalf of the MOD, we are looking for a Head of Data and Assurance (Inside IR35) for a 12 Month hybrid contract based 1 or 2 days per week in Salisbury or Portsmouth.

Head of Data and Assurance

Note: SC Clearance is an essential requirement for this role, as a minimum you must be willing & eligible to undergo checks. Please note, due to the exceptional requirements of this position, (and speed at which we require a postholder in situ), preference may be given to candidates who meet all of the essential criteria and hold active security clearance

This role will be responsible for defining the cross Dstl data purpose and delivering a compelling vision and long-term strategy for data within Dstl. Guiding and assuring the business to realise this strategy in line with future S&T and business capability requirements and the aspirations of the Data Strategy for Defence.

The role will deliver thought leadership in data across the enterprise and cohere internal and external data relationships to help realise Dstl's overall strategic aims where they are dependent on data expertise. This role will be held to account by the Dstl CIO and MOD Chief Data Officer and will ensure Dstl is well positioned to contribute to and benefit from wider government data initiatives as required. It is key that this role leverages strategic external partnerships across industry and academia and influences the data and S&T digital landscape in the UK to deliver impact for Dstl and Defence.

In this role you will:
. Define the Dstl Data purpose, vision, strategy and associated policy, process and practices. Lead the creation (and assure the implementation and ongoing relevance) of the organization's data with the Dstl Chief Information Officer, and with direction from the Dstl Executive.
. Establish, lead and futureproof the Data system(s) requirement ensuring an agile, future focussed delivery model with a clear long term strategic vision that recognises the complex and uncertain nature of data.
. Manage assurance of Dstl's data holdings in line with regulatory, statutory, departmental and contractual requirements.
. Design the data governance function of Dstl providing governance, policy, assurance, access to data management specialist training and in depth technical support to upskill the organisation as a whole over time and in line with current best practice leveraging cross department skills.
. Build and maintain external partnerships with government, academia and industry to understand and embed data best practice and leverage external capability to enhance Dstl's ability to deliver data impact within the complex and highly uncertain defence and security domain, understand and deliver the 'art of the possible' and thought leadership to give organisational and delivery advantage in collaboration with other key functions (Mission Partner Engagement, Delivery Partner Engagement and Dstl Digital).
. Represent Dstl as the local data domain owner across all relevant data domains in line with MOD CDO policy, reporting to MOD CDO, and representing Dstl in data at the most senior levels across MOD and wider government. Advise relevant stakeholders such as the Dstl Executive on Data capability, governance, policy and interoperability. Reporting required assurance products to MOD CIO via Dstl CIO.

Technical Skills

Essential
. Excellent leadership and coaching
. Exceptional Communication and storytelling in all potential media including oral, written and visual.
. Influencing senior leadership
. Creative and critical thinking, and outstanding analytical and problem-solving abilities:
. Teamwork and Collaboration
. Strategic and Systems Thinking
. Exceptional networking skills across government, academia and industry
. DAMA accreditation at associate level or above, or the capacity to reach accreditation within six months

Desirable
. Experience ensuring Data compliance and knowledge of relevant regulatory frameworks
. Technical understanding of Data Science and AI
. Technical understanding of Data engineering

Experience

Essential
. Senior leadership, governance and/or assurance experience within the data domain
. Influencing and developing relationships across all grades, both internally and externally
. Working within ambiguity, to offer innovative solutions
. Experience of creating a culture that is trusting, collaborative, innovative, diverse and inclusive
. Proven experience in defining and communicating a clear vision that aligns with organisational goals, inspiring teams and stakeholders to take action.
. Demonstrated ability to translate strategic vision into actionable goals and initiatives for a department or team
. Experience in fostering teamwork within a department and cross-functional collaboration with other departments or external partners.

Desirable
. Developing and implementing appropriate governance and assurance structures
. Delivering complex strategic solutions under uncertainty
. Influencing at the highest levels of government
. Harnessing sources of technical excellence from appropriate sources, both internal and external.
. Setting a compelling vision and engaging the enthusiasm of staff to excel and to embrace change
. Evidence of application focussed subject matter expertise within the data domain or in complementary science domains, such as AI, Data Analytics

Please be aware that this role can only be worked within the UK and not Overseas.

In applying for this role, you acknowledge the following "this role falls in scope of the Off Payroll Working in the Public Sector legislation. Any rates of payment quoted will reflect the gross rate per day for the assignment and will be subject to appropriate taxes and statutory costs. As such the payment to the intermediary and your income resulting from this contract will be different.