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We are looking for a Director of Digital, Data and Technology (DDaT) to enable us to apply data driven innovation to our marine and freshwater science. We are committed to maximising our scientific influence to solve some of the world’s most pressing problems and we know we must harness the full power of data and technology to do so.

Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, and joining our Senior Leadership Team, you will lead our DDaT strategy, develop our newly formed DDaT directorate as a high performing, inclusive and supportive team, and engage the organisation to use our data, digital and technology capabilities as transformative assets.

Cefas is proud of a diverse and inclusive work environment, committed to fairness and the promotion of equality of opportunity for all. We know that having a range of experiences, backgrounds, ways of working and thinking, makes us a stronger organisation, better at reflecting the communities we serve. We embrace different views and experiences and value the fresh perspective that people from a variety of circumstances bring to the work we do. We welcome applications from candidates who have not previously worked for the Civil Service, mid- and late-career changers with transferable skills, people from all backgrounds and circumstances regardless of disability, gender, age, ethnicity, LGBT+ identity and socio-economic status.

Three priority objectives will be to:

Embed digital, data and technology transformation at the heart of Cefas science, evidence and advice:

Cefas plays an important role across government as provider of robust, innovative, applied science, in support of evidence-informed decision-making. To enable us to achieve this, you will promote new data collection technologies and facilitate the growth of modelling and data handing capabilities across Cefas. You will work across the organisation to identify and develop innovation opportunities using strong relationships with external partners, internal leaders and colleagues across disciplinary and managerial boundaries. A good working relationship will also be important with our Defra group colleagues, particularly those providing digital, data and technology services across the Department, to identify and deliver group-wide initiatives.

Build a culture of continuous improvement and technical learning, making Cefas data openly available by default:

The pace and scale of technological change and opportunity is substantial and, as our Head of Profession, you will build and champion our capabilities and behaviours to make the most of these opportunities and to always be seeking and delivering continuous improvements.

Immediate priorities include, but are not limited to, opportunities related to:

• autonomous technologies which are rapidly emerging both for application in the field and laboratory. The way that such data are collected by Cefas will continue to evolve and, with the development of a business case for a replacement research vessel in around 2033, there is a unique opportunity for a strategic focus on future autonomous technology needs. It will be necessary to assess where these can add most value so that we invest appropriately.
• maximising the benefits of our extensive existing and future data holdings, which are important national assets. We have made progress in implementing data governance, security standards and an Open by Default approach to our data. Balancing best practice industry standards for data management to fully utilise our data with partners will require effective and agile technical and people inputs to ensure we continually improve and deliver optimal performance.

Deliver innovative service performance and investment in people and technology:

You will work with our leading scientists, technologists and engineers, across disciplines, to agree and deliver our evolving DDaT service infrastructure and capability priorities. You will ensure that we are able to grow our services to realise new opportunities, such as: innovative next-generation science computing systems, which can handle large data volumes from disparate sources and new data formats; taking advantage of artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies; greater collaboration and international partnership working; as well as embedding and extending the use of cloud-based platforms for storing and analysing data.

You will work with our Senior Leadership Team to enhance our organisational DDaT capability by developing leading expertise and innovation, supporting DDaT development for everyone in Cefas, as well as succession planning and career progression for our technical DDaT colleagues.

Please consider this role if you have the passion to apply your Digital, Data and Technology enthusiasm, professionalism and sense of fun to really make a difference in securing a sustainable future for rivers, seas and the ocean.

Your responsibilities will include:

• shaping and providing our Digital, Data and Technology services for the future
  • responsible for developing Cefas’s DDaT strategy and operations to enable our Cefas strategy to 2030 and beyond;

• Digital, Data and Technology transformation
  • encourage and enable a step change in our DDaT capability and application to science problems of societal importance; enable our people to take managed risks so that we can push the boundaries of opportunity in applied marine science;

• Head of DDaT profession and technical services
  • lead and support your team (>50 FTE) of committed people to deliver technical excellence, innovation and service; ensure our DDaT assets are innovative, secure and always evolving to embrace future opportunities;

• role modelling and personal behaviours
  • embrace diversity and inclusion; ensure you build trust, earn respect and empower and develop those you lead, and others across the wider organisation;

• lead Cefas as a member of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT)
  • you will be a key advisor to the organisation in shaping and improving the organisation’s strategic and operational performance.

• Experience and appetite to lead DDaT related transformation including: developing, communicating and operationalising a strategic vision.
• A strong technical knowledge and quality ethic – experience of raising standards, building technical solutions and delivering high quality outcomes.
• Service focused people skills, that build: engaged, high-performing, diverse and inclusive teams. Establishing, and owning, key performance outcomes, a continuous improvement culture and developing key future capabilities.
• Ability to effect change and innovation at pace, managing several areas of work at one time, prioritising deadlines whilst managing competing requirements.
• Knowledge and understanding of government and industry standards, quality and security issues, including the ability to apply cyber security, data management best practice and business continuity principles.
• Effective communication and influencing skills, with an ability to build relationships with diverse groups and to deliver with, and through, others.

We expect all our senior leaders to be:

• Inspiring – about our work and its future
• Confident – in our engagement with others
• Empowering – to allow our teams to deliver.

• Generous annual leave entitlement – Cefas offers 25 days' annual leave on entry (rising to 30 days over first 5yrs) for full-time new entrants to the Civil Service. Employees receive 8 public holidays a year, plus an additional day to mark the King's birthday
• Access to learning and development tailored to your role
• A working environment that supports a range of flexible working options
• A working culture which encourages inclusion and diversity
• Eligible to join the Civil Service Pension scheme – more information can be found on the CSP website http://www.civilservicepensionscheme.org.uk/
• Staff recognition vouchers
• In-year award scheme

Job contact :

Name :
Cefas Resourcing
Email :
resourcing@cefas.co.uk

Recruitment team

Email :
defrarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk