Data Ethics Lead (Ref: 1090)

We’re recruiting for a Data Ethics Lead here at the Ministry of Justice (MoJ), to be part of our warm and collaborative Data Improvement Team, within the Data Directorate
This role aligns against Data Ethicist from the Government Digital and Data Framework.
We are passionate about improving justice outcomes through innovative research,
data and analysis. In the Data Directorate, we provide high quality data and analysis
helping to ensure strategic, policy, finance, corporate and operational decisions are
based on robust evidence.
We create a culture in which people are empowered with the data and information to
make excellent decisions; using cutting edge tools, techniques and collaboration;
putting evidence at the heart of the justice system
We launched our data strategy for MoJ and are working on improvements across data governance, architecture, literacy, culture, dissemination and linking. You can read more about the Data Strategy in this blog post.
As a Data Ethics Lead, you’ll enable teams across the MoJ to understand Data Ethics and implement best practice in their work. You’ll lead on the strategy for the department’s newly developed MoJ AI & Data Science Ethics Framework, leading a small team to roll out adoption of the framework in new business areas and ensuring that there is continuous improvement of our framework and toolkit.
You’ll be the subject matter expert for Data Ethics across the directorate and help stakeholders, developers, policy-makers, and decision-makers understand what is required to enable responsible research and innovation for the ethical use of AI and Data across a range of areas., + Enabling others to implement Data Ethics best practice in their work (for instance by providing training, advising data science teams or demonstrating how to apply ethical principles in practice using the MoJ AI & Data Science Ethics Framework).
+ Communicating effectively to explain and raise awareness of Data Ethics issues, and to listen to, convene, advise and mediate between various parts of the organisation
+ Help people to ask questions, express concerns and discuss ethical dilemmas
+ Expand our current data ethics offering, advising on additional areas for focus, prioritisation and establishing a centre of excellence model.
If this feels like an exciting challenge, something you are enthusiastic about, and want to join our team please read on and apply!, We will assess your Experience, Technical Skills and the following Behaviours during the assessment process:
+ Changing and Improving
+ Seeing the Bigger Picture
+ Working Together
+ Communicating and influencing
A diverse panel will review your application against the Person Specification above.
Successful candidates who meet the required standard will then be invited to a 1-hour panel interview held via video conference.
If you are invited to interview, you may be asked to give a presentation or do a task. Further details will be provided to shortlisted candidates.
Should we receive a high volume of applications, a pre-sift based on understanding of data ethics concepts will be conducted before the sift.
Should you be unsuccessful in the role that you have applied for but demonstrate the capability for a role at a lower level, we reserve the right to discuss this opportunity with you and offer you the position without needing a further application.
A reserve list may be held for up to 12 months, from which further appointments may be made.
Terms & Conditions
Please review our Terms & Conditions which set out how we recruit and provide further information related to the role and salary arrangements.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact recruitment@digital.justice.gov.uk, We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
+ Changing and Improving
+ Seeing the Big Picture
+ Working Together
+ Communicating and Influencing

Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
+ Knowledgeable about data techniques (e.g., machine learning, NLP, data visualization, statistical modeling) and capable of engaging with data science experts on topics like bias minimization and data quality., This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.
https://justicejobs.tal.net/vx/candidate/cms/About%20the%20MOJ
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
+ 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) (opens in a new window)
+ 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
Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

+ Strong understanding of data ethics concepts, with practical knowledge of ethical frameworks and tools/processes.
+ Confident leader, able to inspire teams and present effectively to senior leadership and ministers.
+ Strategic thinker with experience influencing the direction of work and a background in social sciences or humanities (e.g., anthropology, economics, sociology, philosophy, psychology, race theory).
+ Ability to communicate between technical and non-technical audiences, translating complex concepts for broader understanding.
+ Professionally curious, staying up-to-date with research and academic developments in data ethics, applying exemplar models to promote ethical data product development.
+ Knowledgeable about data techniques (e.g., machine learning, NLP, data visualization, statistical modeling) and capable of engaging with data science experts on topics like bias minimization and data quality.
+ Demonstrated ability to evaluate and challenge assumptions in data science projects, ensuring high-quality, ethical outcomes.
Willingness to be assessed against the requirements for BPSS clearance
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.

+ 37 hours per week and flexible working options including working from home, working part-time, job sharing, or working compressed hours.
+ A £1k per person learning budget is in place to support all our people, with access to best in class conferences and seminars, accreditation with professional bodies, fully funded vocational programmes and e-learning platforms
+ Staff have 10% time to dedicate to develop & grow
+ Generous civil service pension based on defined benefit scheme, with employer contributions of 28.97% from April 1st 2024 (Contribution Rates)
+ 25 days leave (plus bank holidays) and 1 privilege day usually taken around the Kings’ birthday. 5 additional days of leave once you have reached 5 years of service.
+ Compassionate maternity, adoption, and shared parental leave policies, with up to 26 weeks leave at full pay, 13 weeks with partial pay, and 13 weeks further leave. And maternity support/paternity leave at full pay for 2 weeks, too!
+ Wellbeing support including access to the Calm app.
+ Bike loans up to £2500 and secure bike parking (subject to availability and location)
+ Season ticket loans, childcare vouchers and eye-care vouchers.
+ 5 days volunteering paid leave.
+ Free membership to BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT.
+ Some offices may have a subsidised onsite Gym., Alongside your salary of £56,532, Ministry of Justice contributes £16,377 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
+ Access to learning and development
+ A working environment that supports a range of flexible working options to enhance your work life balance
+ A working culture which encourages inclusion and diversity
+ A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
+ Annual Leave
+ Public Holidays
+ Season Ticket Advance
For more information about the recruitment process, benefits and allowances and answers to general queries, please click the below link which will direct you to our Candidate Information Page.
Link: https://justicejobs.tal.net/vx/candidate/cms/About%20the%20MOJ