Data Manager (CR3117)
Role details
Job location
Tech stack
Job description
You will liaise with both external and internal data source providers, interrogate data across a range of systems, and work with relevant data teams to extract data for analysis. In addition, you will develop and enhance data and associated IT systems in line with APHA-wide initiatives. This role will primarily focus on the bTB area, with opportunities to work across other disease areas as well., You will join a small data team that manages data systems on a range of science portfolios including bTB, TSE, Salmonella, and AI. In particular, your tasks will be:
- The development and delivery of data capture solutions for new data and the enhancement of existing systems. This will involve utilising specialist development, extraction and analysis of software. Solutions should ensure all aspects of data quality are maximised and be accompanied by appropriate documentation.
- The extraction of data from existing databases for a wide variety of stakeholders (both internal and external). Ensuring the accurate and timely delivery of data requests either directly to the requestor or to other APHA analysts.
- Disease data curation This will involve assisting with the process by which Epidemiological data are created and updated and ensuring data quality. Identifying and implementing areas for improvement, particularly regarding performance.
- Liaising with Stakeholders, both internal and external, over their specific data requests. Ensuring that all individual requests conform to General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
- The provision of consultancy to stakeholders regarding disease data primarily bTB and may include other disease specialities.
- Involvement in the wider initiatives that will impact on data systems e.g. contributing to the UK Livestock Information System by making required adaptations to DSG systems
- The involvement in major IT infrastructure changes which will impact the teams ability to deliver their goals.
- Proactively adopting innovative technologies consistent with the departmental policies to drive efficiency, reduce manual workload, and support continuous improvement.
Responsibilities
The post holder will be expected to:
- Line or functionally manage staff within the team.
- Successful delivery of scientific data-based tasks/projects.
- Reporting project outputs such as routine reports, data requests, oral presentations at meetings, provision of data for publication purposes and providing updates to various stakeholders.
- Management of related data systems and supporting documentation.
- Utilising your strong interpersonal skills, to establish good working relationships with colleagues, internal and external customers and wider stakeholders.
- A good understanding and application of GDPR and data confidentiality.
- Communicate the outputs of your work via excellent written and oral communication skills., * Experience of interrogating large complex data systems using modern reporting tools., As part of the pre-employment process, successful candidate(s) will work from Weybridge. This contractual workplace is then the substantive and permanent place of work for the successful candidate(s).
Periodic travel within the UK and Europe may be required to attend training courses, conferences and scientific meetings.
Out of hours work may be required. When overtime or out-of-hours work is required, APHA Management reserves the right to change overtime patterns to meet requirements. You may be eligible for overtime payments and where overtime is approved you will receive appropriate payment.
The post is part-time (3 days (22.2 hours) a week). This will be a fixed term appointment for a two-year period.
The successful candidate is required to carry out all their duties from a UK location and cannot work from an overseas location for any prolonged period of time. Please take note that Defra does not hold a UK Visa & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker License sponsor and are unable to sponsor any individuals for Skilled Worker Sponsorship.
Workplace arrangements
The agreed amount of time spent at a workplace for this post will reflect the requirement for Civil Servants to spend at least 60% of their working time in an organisation workplace with the option to work the remaining time flexibly from home. Working time spent at a workplace may include time spent at other organisational locations for meetings for example. Travel costs to non-contractual workplaces will be subject to departmental travel and subsistence policies. Travel costs to contractual workplaces are the responsibility of the employee. The base location for this post is Weybridge., We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Managing a Quality Service
- Delivering at Pace
- Communicating and Influencing, * A CV-style application submitted through an online tool accessed through the Civil Service Jobs website. There is no requirement to upload your personal CV.
- A 500-word Personal Statement of how you match the details in the Personal Specification the written evidence you provide must relate to your own experiences. We encourage you to use the full word allowance of the Personal Statement but not to exceed it
- A 250-word Behaviour Statement for Managing a Quality Service. Please use the STAR technique (Situation Task, Action, Result) to provide evidence of the Behaviour in your application.
- A 250- word Technical Statement giving details against the requirements as stated in the Technical Skills section.
CV Guidance
Your CV should consist of your career history, including any key achievements and your main responsibilities in each role and be no longer than 2 pages. Your CV will be used to provide further context on your Personal Statement and scored against the essential criteria.
Personal Statement Guidance
When completing your Personal Statement, please read and understand the Person Specification thoroughly, as this is what your written evidence will be assessed against. Please ensure you evidence the key personal qualities and experiences that align with the criteria. Consider the Job Description and look to demonstrate how your previous experience may align with the expectations and be applicable to the role. The written evidence you provide must relate to your own experiences. Your layout is entirely your preference; you may choose narrative, bullets, etc.
Scoring for all criteria of the application is from 1 to 7 A score of 4 and above in each area will progress to interview unless there is a large number of applications. In this instance, an initial sift will be conducted using the Personal Statement. The panel may agree a benchmark score higher than 4 with a rationale for the decision. Any candidates applying under the Disability Confident Scheme who scores 4 or above on all of the criteria will be offered an interview. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to interview.
For further guidance and information on how to construct your application (CV style application, Personal Statement and Behaviours), you are encouraged to visit the Civil Service Careers website. How to write your CV , Civil Service Careers, The role is part-time, working 22.2 hours across 3 days per week . There is flexibility regarding the working pattern, and this will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate.
Childcare Vouchers
Any move to Defra 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; for further information visit the Childcare Choices website.
Loan and Fixed Term Appointments
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., This is a Fixed-term Appointment as a Data manager in the Epidemiological Sciences Department at Weybridge site. This post will therefore begin from the successful candidate's start date and end in 2028.
This post is not permanent. It is time limited due to a fixed funding period or as part of a specific project. The fixed term will end when the funding or the project expires.
Vetting
For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the Demystifying Vetting website.
Please be aware the levels of national security clearance are changing which may impact on the level needed for this role by the time of appointment. All efforts will be made to keep candidates informed of any changes and what that will mean in terms of vetting criteria. For more information please See our vetting charter Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is counter-terrorist check .
See our vetting charter . People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks., * 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
Requirements
- Experience of data validation and data quality assurance processes.
- Experience of communicating scientific/technical outputs to customers, stakeholders and colleagues with variable technical expertise.
- Competent in using Microsoft VS2022 for developing SSIS solutions.
- Competent in using Microsoft SSMS, MS Access, and MS Office 365 applications.
- Understanding of data security and data protection requirements, including GDPR compliance.
Technical ability
Applying technical knowledge we require you to have an understanding and experience of data handling and extraction from large data systems through platforms such as SQL and MS Access and can demonstrate this, preferably in the context of a scientific environment., A degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subject or equivalent experience as detailed in the Person Specification., The Weybridge site is a strategically important national asset due to its role as a reference laboratory supporting the Governments response to national emergencies including disease outbreaks. For this reason all postholders based on the APHA Weybridge site must hold a valid Counter Terrorist Check (CTC) security clearance or above. It is up to each person applying for a post at APHA Weybridge to ensure they meet the residency criteria. Applicants must be currently resident in the UK & have at least three years continuous UK residency in order to start the mandatory Counter Terrorist Check that is a required to work at the APHA Weybridge site where the team and work is situated. If you cannot meet this criteria CTC clearance will not be possible as this is part of pre-employment checks before taking up the post., This vacancy is using Success Profiles , and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills., * Technical skills outlined in the advert following the Success Profiles: Technical - GOV.UK framework. These will be evaluated during the interview through a structured set of questions.
- Behaviours (Delivering at pace, Communicating and Influencing) The Behaviour criteria outlined in the Success Profiles: Civil Service behaviours - GOV.UK framework for HEO. Please use the STAR technique (Situation Task, Action, Result) to provide evidence of the Behaviours in your interview.
- You will also be required to give a 10 minute presentation, with slides, followed by 5 minutes for Q&A. This will be assessed under technical skills. The presentation brief will be provided a week before the interview.
Benefits & conditions
Pulled from the full job description
- Childcare
- Annual leave
- Employee discount
- Company pension, Alongside your salary of £38,795, Animal and Plant Health Agency contributes £11,238 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides ., Further benefits offered also include:
- A minimum of 25 days of paid annual leave, increasing by 1 day per year up to a maximum of 30.
- An extensive range of learning & professional development opportunities tailored to your role.
- Access to a range of retail, travel and lifestyle employee discounts.
- Staff bonuses and recognition, salary sacrifice benefit options, and an employee discount scheme.
- Three days special leave with pay, per year, for volunteering (pro-rata for part time employees).
- Making it work for you - With so many flexible options, most people can find a work schedule to suit their circumstances.
- We also have a social committee who run team building and fun events at the Weybridge site.
These are just a few of our benefits we offer. To find out the full range of what we offer refer to the Information Pack attached for more detail.
Learning and Development
Everyone in APHA is supported to develop their skills and capabilities. When you join the Directorate, you will be welcomed into your new team through an induction programme that will provide you with helpful information on the civil service, our work and our policies. Your line manager will also work with you to establish your priorities for the year, developing a performance, learning and development plan tailored to you and your role. This can include a variety of courses, Apprenticeships, paid Masters and PhD and on-the-job training specific to your role.
In return for your dedication, we will support your ongoing personal development through appropriate training. Inclusion, support and the development of our people matter to us. We aim to support the career and personal wellbeing of everyone in APHA., Existing Civil Servants moving on level transfer will retain their current salary or move onto the pay range minimum, whichever is the higher.
Visa Sponsorship Statement
Please take note that Defra does not hold a UK Visa & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker License sponsor and are unable to sponsor any individuals for Skilled Worker Sponsorship.
Criminal Record Check
If successful and transferring from another Government Department, a criminal record check may be 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 circumstances 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-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.ukstating the job reference number in the subject heading.
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.