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About the job
Job summary
We encourage job applications from a diverse range of applicants.
At DfE, we are proud of the commitment we make to diversity and inclusion and of the progress we have made. We have active & vibrant staff networks, special leave policies and workplace adjustments put in place for those who need them. We are continuing to build a diverse DfE, in an inclusive environment which nurtures and realises potential in all, at all levels.
Equality and Diversity – Department for Education
These are exciting times at the Department for Education. In 2023, we will continue to build services for all our users spanning all citizens in England.
Our diverse and inclusive culture reflects the society we live in. This helps us to achieve better outcomes for all our users.
Data Operations sits at the heart of the Data Directorate and is responsible for the end-to-end delivery of data products and services and that they are of high quality and providing the highest safeguarding to learners.
These support the directorate, wider department, and external stakeholders so that the sectors core data requirements are met to ensure that we can:
- Level up education standards so that children and young people in every part of the country are prepared with the knowledge, skills, and qualifications they need.
- Support the most disadvantaged and vulnerable children and young people through high-quality local services so that no one is left behind.
- Provide the best start in life through high-quality early education and childcare to raise standards and help parents to work.
You can read more about our strategy on the DfE digital and technology blog, by visiting our LinkedIn page, or by following us on Twitter @DfE_DigitalTech .
Job description
You will be a Senior Data Manager for learner identification.
Your main responsibility will be to ensure learners can be longitudinally identified across data that resides in the Department without the need for personal identifiable data.
You will:
- Ensure the quality of one or more data sets through daily management and quality checking of in scope data.
- Identify how the data has been stored, protected, and documented.
- Keep a record of data quality issues and initiate required actions such as data cleansing and data audits.
- Understand the data quality journey for datasets you are responsible for.
- Be responsible for engaging with users and dependent / interfacing teams to ensure requirements are met.
- Ensure robust processes are in place to enable quality assurance of data.
- Focus on not just the data, but on issues relating to its secure management.
- Manage the governance of data to ensure it is used and stored in a secure manner.
- Develop and maintain processes that enable data to be used confidently and securely.
- Consider the interest of all data users, including data subjects.
- Support the Lead Data Manager in developing standards, policies, and procedures.
- Be responsible for advising the Lead Data Manager on the impacts of change to the learner identification and associated data management approach.
- Evaluate risk to data quality and propose solutions.
Person specification
Essential and desirable criteria for applicants are outlined below:
Essential Criteria
- Experience in undertaking data quality and integrity processes and applying government, and/or industry standards and data policies.
- Demonstrable experience in understanding business and user requirements and assessing how well they are met.
- An inquisitive mindset with demonstrable experience in a data analysis or data quality role.
- Proven skills in successful data delivery and being part of a diverse team to ensure quality.
- Proven ability to identify improvements to data processes that increase the data quality of a given data set.
- Strong communication skills, with the ability to understand and communicate complex and technical information with confidence.
Desirable Criteria
- Understands the concepts, processes, and impacts of data matching, mastering and data linkage.
- Awareness of standards, frameworks, policies and processes surrounding data protection, governance and quality.
- Proficient in SQL (Advanced practitioner level).
- Experience of creating and executing SQL scripts in Azure DevOps and working with Continuous Integration (CI) / Continuous Deployment (CD) workflows more generally.
Desirable criteria will only be assessed in the event of a tie break situation to make an informed decision.
Behaviours
We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
Benefits
Applicants currently holding a permanent post in the Civil Service should note that, if successful, their salary on appointment would be determined by the Departments transfer / promotion policies.
As a member of the DfE, you will be entitled to join the highly competitive Civil Service Pension Scheme, which many experts agree is one of the most generous in the UK, with an average employer contribution of 27%.
You will have 25 days leave, increasing by 1 day every year to a maximum of 30 days after five years service. In addition, all staff receive the Kings Birthday privilege holiday and 8 days bank and public holidays.
We offer flexible working arrangements, such as job sharing, term-time working, flexi-time and compressed hours.
Most DfE employees will be working a hybrid pattern, spending at least 60% of their time in an office or work setting. Changes to these working arrangements are available in exceptional circumstances but must be agreed with the line manager and in line with the requirements of the role.
Travel to your primary office location will not be paid for by DfE, but costs for travel to an office which is not your main location will be covered.
As an organisation, which exists to support education and lifelong learning, we offer our staff excellent professional development opportunities.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
Application
To apply for this role, you will be required to provide a CV and Statement of Suitability (statement max word count 500 words). We will use your CV and statement to assess your suitability for the role against the essential criteria listed in the person specification section above.
To confirm, the maximum word count for the statement of suitability is 500 words. Please adhere to this limit as anything over 500 words will not be taken into account.
You will be required to provide 250 word examples demonstrating how you meet the Civil Service Behaviours listed above.
Desirable criteria will only be considered in the event of a tie, to make an informed decision.
Interview
At interview you will be asked questions to assess your experience in line with the essential criteria listed above and you will be asked questions around the behaviours listed in the advert.
Other Information
We reserve the right to raise the minimum pass mark in the event of a high volume or strong field of candidates.
Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK from the location options provided and not from overseas.
The government is committed to supporting apprenticeships, enabling people to learn and progress in a role whilst earning. We want to monitor the number of people who have completed apprenticeships who are now applying to progress further in their career and are asking this question to all candidates, on all vacancies. You will be asked a question as part of the application process about any previous apprenticeships you have completed. Your response to this question will not affect your application and it is not a requirement of the role to have completed a previous apprenticeship.
DfE cannot offer Visa sponsorship to candidates through this campaign. DfE holds a Visa sponsorship licence but this can only be used for certain roles and this campaign does not qualify.
If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check maybe carried out.
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstance some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Department of Education of your intention by emailing Pre-Employment.Checks.DFE@education.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
Department for Education do not cover the cost of travel to your interview/assessment unless otherwise stated.
A reserve list may be held for a period of 6 months from which further appointments can be made.
Candidates will be posted in merit order based upon location preference. Where more than one location is advertised you will be asked to state your preferred location.
New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.
Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicants details held on the IFD will be refused employment.
Terms and conditions of candidates transferring from ALBs and NDPBs
Bodies that are not accredited by the Civil Service Commission and are not able to advertise at Across Government on Civil Service jobs will be treated as external new starters and will come into DfE on modernised terms and conditions with a salary at the band minimum.
Bodies that are accredited by the Civil Service Commission but do not have civil service status will be offered modernised terms and will not have continuous service recognised for leave or sickness benefits. Salaries should be offered at band minimum, but there is some flexibility where this would cause a detriment to the individual.
Bodies that are accredited by the Civil Service Commission and do have Civil Service status will be treated as OGD transfers. Staff appointed on lateral transfer will move on to pre-modernised DfE terms (unless they were on modernised terms in their previous organisation). Staff appointed on promotion will move on to modernised DfE terms. Staff will transfer over on their existing salary (on lateral transfer) and any pay above the DfE pay band maximum will be paid as a mark time allowance. Staff moving on promotion will have their salaries calculated using the principles set out in the attached OGD transfer supplementary information.
Reasonable adjustment
If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes. If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:
Contact Department of Education via centralrecruitment.operations@education.gov.uk soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
Complete the Assistance required section in the Additional requirements page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if youre deaf, a Language Service Professional.
Any move to Department for Education (DfE) will mean you will no longer be able to carry on claiming 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/
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Nationality requirements
Working for the Civil Service
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).
Apply and further information
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Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Gary Connell
- Email : gary.connell@education.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : AdvertsRecruitment.DFE@education.gov.uk
Further information
