Head of Data Adequacy

Job content

Location

Belfast, Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Manchester, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Nottingham

Summary

About the job

International data transfers underpin economic activity in every sector of our globalised and hyper connected digital economy. Enabling the free flow of data between UK businesses and international trading partners is absolutely fundamental to economic recovery post covid and will bring new opportunities for investment, innovation and trade. Data transfers also play a critical role in scientific research, public health, national security and the delivery of public services.

The UK Government can now exercise new sovereign powers over international data transfers. The UK’s exit from the EU presents the opportunity for the UK Government to be a leader in this space. We are designing and implementing pro-growth and pro-innovation policies to enhance the free flow of data, whilst upholding high data protection standards. Doing so will bring economic benefits and is also vitally important to the UK’s diplomatic and security partnerships.

The International Data Transfers team, in the DCMS Data Policy Directorate, is expanding to deliver on its objectives to engage internationally with strategic partners, assess countries for data ‘adequacy’, and reduce unnecessary barriers to inbound data flows to the UK. We are recruiting for a dynamic and thoughtful team leader that can steer the work related to data adequacy issues.

Applications are strongly welcomed from underrepresented groups.

Job Description

This role is at the heart of the UK Government’s ambition for the UK to be a global leader on data. Global data flows underpin innovation, investment, scientific progress and trade, especially in data intensive sectors like scientific research, financial services, and artificial intelligence.

You will lead the team delivering new UK data adequacy agreements and maintaining existing adequacy arrangements (including with the EU) to help data flow. Success will boost growth and productivity, and position the UK as an international hub for data-driven innovation. You will lead a high performing and expert team responsible for removing obstacles to international transfers of personal data while ensuring that the UK’s high privacy standards are maintained.

DCMS’ Secretary of State now has significant responsibilities for international data issues including the ability to make decisions about which jurisdictions have an ’adequate’ level of protections to permit unrestricted personal data transfers. This role is critical to support the Secretary of State exercise his new executive powers and requires close and frequent working with Ministers, industry and wider Whitehall. The role is at the forefront of DCMS’ international work, and is a unique opportunity to consolidate a new capability and strategy for the UK.

ResponsibilitiesIn This Role, Your Responsibilities Will Include

• Leading a high performing team of around 12 staff, ensuring equity and inclusion is at the heart of the team culture;
• Leading international data relationships with key overseas partners to make and adopt UK adequacy decisions that permit the unrestricted transfers of personal data between that jurisdiction and the UK;
• Working with a wide range of domestic and international stakeholders to develop innovative mechanisms to support international transfers of personal data in line with the UK’s national interests;
• Developing and securing cross-Whitehall buy-in to an ambitious programme of work;
• Identifying, securing and managing the necessary resources, including a significant legal budget, to deliver the programme of work;
• Being part of the Data Policy Directorate’s Senior Management Team, role modelling positive and inclusive leadership, driving corporate change and upholding our directorate values;
• You will also work in partnership with the Head of International Data Transfer Tools to design the longer-term international strategy, capability and structures required for data transfers. This may result in changes to the scope of this role in future.
  

The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate success in the following areas:

Essential Requirements

• Positive and Inclusive Leadership: Embed a culture of openness, respect, fair treatment and inclusion for all, and to get the best out of people. Track record of building diverse teams through inclusive behaviours and action.
• Seeing the Big Picture: Understand political, economic and security drivers at national and international levels; establishing a team’s role within Government and shaping the Department’s role and purpose outside of the EU.
• Making Effective Decisions: Develop priorities and options for Ministers considering a range of costs and benefits. Ensure close engagement with stakeholders.
• Delivering at Pace: Translate priorities into clear outcome-focused objectives and develop resilience in the team to deliver stretching objectives. Role model for delivery through efficiency and focus, being open to new ideas and challenges. Ensure tools and resources are available for individuals to fulfil their roles.
  

Desirable Requirements

• Experience of working impactfully with international partners and the national security community.
• Experience of analysing and communicating complex technical and legal concepts.
  

Behaviours

We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Leadership
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Delivering at Pace
• Making Effective Decisions
  

Benefits

You’ll receive over 30% of your total compensation package in benefits:

Flexible working arrangements and Flexi-time

26.5 days annual leave on entry increasing to 31.5 days after 5 years’ service.

Exceptional contributory pension scheme

5 days of paid leave for L&D

3 days of paid volunteering

Parental leave up to 9 months on FULL pay

Occupational sick pay

Brilliant and engaged staff networks to join including the LGBT+, BAME, Mental Health and Wellbeing and Women’s Network.

Access to one of the world’s largest learning and development platforms

Masterclasses and talks through the DCMS Academy

Season ticket loan, Cycle to work scheme and much more!

Things you need to know

Security

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.

People working with government assets must complete basic personnel security standard checks.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles , and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.

We encourage all candidates to apply for this role.

To apply for this post, you will need to submit the following documentation to us. This should be completed no later than 23:55 on 2nd August 2021 via the CS Jobs portal.

• A CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. Please ensure you have provided reasons for any gaps within the last two years.
• A Statement of Suitability (max 750 words) explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with particular reference to the criteria in the person specification.
  

The Anticipated Timetable Is As Follows

Please note that these dates are only indicative at this stage and could be subject to change.

Shortlisting - We aim to conduct sifts w/c 2nd August 2021.

Interview Dates - Interview dates will be conducted w/c 16th August 2021.

If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check maybe carried out

Existing Civil Servants and applicants from accredited NDPBs are eligible to apply, but will only be considered on loan basis (Civil Servants) or secondment (accredited NDPBs). Prior agreement to be released on a loan basis must be obtained before commencing the application process. In the case of Civil Servants, the terms of the loan will be agreed between the home and host department and the Civil Servant. This includes grade on return.

New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.

This role is full time only. Applicants who wish to work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying.

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service/Disclosure Scotland /Access NI 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 Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-Employment.Checks@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.

Any move to DCMS will mean you will no longer be able to carry on claiming childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk

A reserve list will be held for 6 months from which further appointments can be made.

The expectation within DCMS is that staff will normally remain in post for a minimum of 12 months for band C, 18 months for band B and 24 months for band A/AU and will not apply for DCMS roles on level transfer during that time

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 applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment. A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

Interviews are held remotely and successful candidates get to experience our bespoke remote on-boarding process. Although initially remotely, the role will be based at the location stated in this advert.

DCMS has a London and a National pay scale. For more information on this, including the circumstances in which each pay scale will apply, please see the candidate information pack.

Further information

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the ’contact point for applicants’ section.

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 Government Recruitment Service via slc.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as 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 you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Nationality Requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with settled or pre-settled status or who apply for either status by the deadline of the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service
• relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service
• certain family members of the relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals

Further information on nationality requirements

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code 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 .

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.