Data Governance Advisor

You will be joining the Data Directorate at an exciting time. Our team has some big ambitions. We want to improve services for end users and improve how new policies are developed and implemented through the effective use and reuse of data. A key part of that will be to establish and support the implementation of good data management practices across government. We need great people to make that happen.

As Data Governance Advisor you'll work alongside a team to:

• Deliver a package of work to enable good data quality management across the public sector
• Work with key partners to implement Data Quality Action Plan guidance and develop use cases
• Feed into Data Management minimum requirements to support the National Data Library
• Feed into a roadmap covering what is required for adoption of Data Quality Action Plans across government, and a plan for roll out working with key partners

This post will involve solving complex problems to deliver on the Government's commitments and build essential data foundations. You'll be working with colleagues from other government departments, as well as external partners, and challenging others to be ambitious in transforming the way data is used and shared across government to help deliver joined-up, trusted, public services that meet the needs of their users., The standard selection process for roles at GDS consists of:

• a simple application screening process - We only ask for a CV and cover letter of up to 750 words. Important tip - please ensure that your cover letter includes how you meet the skills and experience listed in the "person specification" section above
• a 60 minute video interview

Depending on how many applications we get, there might also be an extra stage before the video interview, for example a phone interview or a technical exercise.

Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

In the event we receive a high volume of applications, we will conduct the initial sift against the lead criteria which is: have experience of working on data strategy or policy development, with the ability to think creatively and see the bigger picture

In the Civil Service, we use Success Profiles to evaluate your skills and ability. This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job, increases performance and improves diversity and inclusivity. We'll be assessing your technical abilities, skills, experience and behaviours that are relevant to this role.

For this role we'll be assessing you against the following Civil Service Behaviours:

• working together
• leadership
• communicating and influencing
• delivering at pace

We'll also be assessing your experience and specialist technical skills against the following skills defined in the Government Digital and Data Capability Framework for the Data Governance Manager role:

• Data management
• Data standards
• Data lifecycle
• Data governance

Recruitment Timeline

Sift completion: 14/11/25

Panel interviews: Starting from 24/11/25

Candidates that do not pass the interview but have demonstrated an acceptable standard may be considered for similar roles at a lower grade.

A reserve list will be held for a period of 12 months, from which further appointments can be made.

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service D&I Strategy.

Sponsorship

DSIT cannot offer Visa sponsorship to candidates through this campaign. DSIT holds a Visa sponsorship licence but this can only be used for certain roles and this campaign does not qualify. Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment., * UK nationals

• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Do you have experience in Presentation skills?, * have experience working on significant pieces of work across the data lifecycle, with limited oversight/input

• have experience working on data strategy or policy development, with the ability to think creatively and see the bigger picture
• have experience working on data governance practices and implementing data governance frameworks, ideally with data quality experience
• are skilled and confident communicators - comfortable engaging with and challenging internal and external stakeholders, able to work independently to understand and balance competing demands from internal and external stakeholders, including the Permanent Secretary and Ministers.
• are able to deliver data management projects at pace and work in a complex environment
• are team players, with experience working as part of multi-skilled teams and with both technical and non-technical stakeholders, to successfully deliver on ambitious milestones, Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

£42,893 - £50,220, There are many benefits of working at GDS, including:

• flexible hybrid working with flexi-time and the option to work part-time or condensed hours
• a Civil Service Pension with an average employer contribution of 28.97%
• 25 days of annual leave, increasing by a day each year up to a maximum of 30 days
• an extra day off for the King's birthday
• an in-year bonus scheme to recognise high performance
• career progression and coaching, including a training budget for personal development
• paid volunteering leave
• a focus on wellbeing with access to an employee assistance programme
• job satisfaction from making government services easier to use and more inclusive for people across the UK
• advances on pay, including for travel season tickets
• death in service benefits
• cycle to work scheme and facilities
• access to an employee discounts scheme
• 10 learning days per year
• volunteering opportunities (5 special leave days per year)
• access to a suite of learning activities through Civil Service learning

Any move to Government Digital Service from another employer will mean you can no longer access 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

Office attendance The Department operates a discretionary hybrid working policy, which provides for a combination of working hours from your place of work and from your home in the UK. The current expectation for staff is to attend the office or non-home based location for 40-60% of the time over the accounting period. DSIT does not normally offer full home working (i.e. working at home); but we do offer a variety of flexible working options (including occasionally working from home).

The Government Digital Service (GDS) is the digital centre of government - we are responsible for setting, leading and delivering the vision for a modern digital government. Our priorities are to drive a modern digital government, by: * joining up public sector services * harnessing the power of AI for the public good * strengthening and extending our digital and data public infrastructure * elevating leadership and investing in talent * funding for outcomes and procuring for growth and innovation * committing to transparency and driving accountability We are home to the Incubator for Artificial Intelligence (I.AI), the world-leading GOV.UK and at the forefront of coordinating the UK's geospatial strategy and activity. We lead the Government Digital and Data function and champion the work of digital teams across government. We're part of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and employ more than 1,000 people all over the UK, with hubs in Manchester, London and Bristol. The Government Digital Service is where talent translates into impact. From your first day, you'll be working with some of the world's most highly-skilled digital professionals, all contributing their knowledge to make change on a national scale. Join us for rewarding work that makes a difference across the UK. You'll solve some of the nation's highest-priority digital challenges, helping millions of people access services they need.