Job responsibilities
UKHSA mission is challenging, innovative and in the spotlight. To achieve our objectives effectively and fairly, we commit to representing modern Britain and all its diversity. UKHSA recognises that diversity of background and life experience brings different insights, creates challenge and encourages change and innovation. This in turn produces more accountable and trusted public services and better decisions; better because they are more attuned to the needs and interests of all our communities. Differences of thought and outlook are not only respected but expected. We want all our employees to feel that they can be themselves at work and that they are valued.
Data Operations
The UKHSA Data Operations Directorate provides strategic leadership and oversight for developing and managing a common and bespoke suite of performant, modern, secure, data and analytical tools, services, platforms and applications, ensuring access to high quality data and analytics services, internally and externally.
Main duties of the job
You will work in the Data Engineering and Enablement Division that reports into the Data Operations Directorate. Its an exciting time to join as we seek to create leading Health Protection data capabilities that enable data scientists and data analysts to develop insights that inform public health decisions with resilience platforms and curated data assets.
The core activities of Engineering and Enablement include the ingestion of data sources, building data pipelines, curated data views and data capabilities fused from data, models and software that enable the exploitation of data by analysts, data scientists and MI teams.
You will lead a number of engineering squads along with other Heads Of Engineering in the Data Engineering and Enablement Division and reports to the Deputy Director of Engineering and Enablement.
As Head of Data Engineering you will lead a multi-functional delivery team, to deliver robust data ingestion services to support data analysts, reporters and data scientists for a variety of stakeholders, data scientists and engineers. You will inspire best practice for data products and services within your team.
You will manage the capabilities developed through agile methodologies, alongside the teams scrum master and operate to defined priorities set by the Data Operations prioritisation front door process. You will build and manage a data engineering capability as part of a world class data operations function, by providing technical leadership and career development for the community. You will work with other senior members of the business to identify, plan, develop and deliver data services.
You will be responsible for managing the delivery of engineering commitments to time, cost and quality constraints, and building a community of engineers through the adoption of consistent and forward-looking engineering practices and methods.
You will be responsible for development, review, maintenance and improvement of the engineering standards covering the engineering development lifecycle and remit, including but not limited to documentation of data, code and capability, coding and release standards.
The role holder will need to have strong collaboration, influencing and communication skills to engage a wide range of stakeholders to ensure the data capabilities enable the creation of actionable insights to support Health Protection.
The role will provide leadership to the people forming the Engineering squads, maintaining strong morale and providing a clear and compelling guiding framework for their day-to-day activities. A central part of the role will be the development of team members and team capabilities including the establishment of an Engineering Community of Practice.
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 and Surveillance processes and workflows, so that it can be exploited with maximum efficiency and efficacy.
Experience of capability leadership – You can encourage and develop a diverse community of people. You promote the business and its objective. You are a role model of the behaviours and standards expected of an experienced member of a civil service.
Communication skills (data) – You can mediate between people and mend relationships, communicating with stakeholders at all levels. You know how to manage stakeholders expectations and facilitate discussions across high risk or complexity or under constrained timescales. You can speak and represent the community to large audiences inside and outside of government. (Relevant skill level: expert)
Data analysis and synthesis – You understand and can help teams apply a range of techniques for data profiling; source system analysis from complex multiple-source; bring multiple data sources together in a conformed model for analysis. (Relevant skill level: practitioner)
Data development process – You know how to establish enterprise-scale data integration procedures across the data development life cycle and ensure that teams adhere to these. You can manage resources to ensure that data services work effectively at an enterprise level. (Relevant skill level: expert)
Data innovation – You can investigate emerging trends in data-related approaches, performing horizon-scanning for the organisation and introducing innovative ways of working. (Relevant skill level: expert)
Data integration design – You can establish standards and you keep abreast of best practice in industry and across government. You know how to keep those standards up to date and ensure adherence to them. (Relevant skill level: expert)
Data modelling – You understand the concepts and principles of data modelling and can produce, maintain and update relevant data models for specific business needs. You know how to reverse-engineer data models from a live system. (Relevant skill level: working)
Metadata management – You understand how metadata repositories can support different areas of the business. You can promote and communicate the value of metadata repositories. You know how to set up robust governance processes to keep repositories up to date. (Relevant skill level: expert)
Problem resolution (data) – You can anticipate problems and know how to prevent them. You understand how problems fit into the larger picture. You can identify and describe problems and help others to describe them. You know how to build problem-solving capabilities in others. (Relevant skill level: expert)
Programming and build (data engineering) – You can set team-based standards for programming tools and techniques and can select appropriate development methods. You can advise on the application of standards and methods and ensure compliance. You can take technical responsibility for all stages and/or iterations in a software development project, providing method-specific technical advice and guidance to project stakeholders. (Relevant skill level: expert)
Technical understanding (data engineering) – You can predict and advise on future technology changes that present opportunities for a product or programme. (Relevant skill level: expert)
Testing – You can review requirements, specifications and define test conditions. You can identify issues and risks associated with work while being able to analyse and report test activities and results. (Relevant skill level: working)
SelectionProcess
You will be required to completean application form. As part of the application process, you will be asked tocomplete a 750 word Personal Statement/Statement of Suitability explaining howyou meet the essential criteria It should detail what you and your experiencecan bring to the role. Please note, only information provided within the statedword count will be considered.
You will be asked to provide information within the Employer/ Activityhistory section of the application form. This is equivalent to the informationyou would provide on a CV, setting out your career history. This will be usedin sifting process and will be scored.
We suggest using the STAR (situation,task, action, result) method to demonstrate real-life examples for thespecified behaviours.
Applicants will be sifted on theirEmployer/Activity History, their Personal Statement and the four successprofile behaviours.All applicants that progress to interview will be assessed on behavioursthrough Success Profiles and technical skills via a Teams interview
You will be expected to deliver a 5-10 minute presentation, the topicwill be decided at a later date
When assessing strengths, we want to find out whether you and the jobrole are a good fit. We will look at what you enjoy doing and what you do welland often. By ensuring that the role is the right fit for you, you are morelikely to enjoy it and perform well.
The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be:
Changing & Improving
Managing a Quality Service
Delivering at Pace
Seeing the bigger picture
Leadership
Benefits
A CivilService pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
- Learning anddevelopment tailored to your role
Anenvironment with flexible working options
A culture encouraginginclusion and diversity
Range ofhealth and wellbeing support
