Head of Data Platform

The head of data platform provides strategic leadership for all CPS data assets. This role involves developing a self-service proposition for data analysis, enabling the CPS to forecast and report on developments in the criminal justice system, while ensuring the highest standard of data privacy and security.
Leading a team of data architects and engineers, you will collaborate with your fellow heads of profession to run the technical governance of the directorate. You will do this by contributing to Service Standard assessments, the Technical Design Authority and setting the strategic direction of the directorate through the shaping objectives and key results.
Your responsibilities include -
+ You will provide strategic leadership and management of the CPS data platform, ensuring it meets user needs and industry best practices.
+ You will develop and oversee a self-service data analysis system, balancing business as usual requests, major incidents and strategic projects.
+ Participate in IT governance, ensuring systems are secure by design and are continuously improved to meet user needs.
+ You will ensure data analysis is conducted with privacy and security, managing suppliers and ensuring return on investment.
+ You will deliver mission-critical infrastructure services available 24/7, meeting legal process requirements and public expectations.

Person specification
Applicants must be aged 16 before starting in the role, start dates would be expected to be 8-12 weeks after the closing date of this advert.
Please note that as part of this role you will be expected to undertake direct line management responsibilities.
You must be able to meet the essential technical skills detailed below to be eligible to apply for this role:
Communicating between the technical and non-technical:
+ You can listen to the needs of technical and business stakeholders, and interpret them
+ You can effectively manage stakeholder expectations
+ You can manage active and reactive communication
+ You can support or host difficult discussions within the team or with diverse senior stakeholders
Data innovation:
+ You can investigate emerging trends in data-related approaches, perform horizon-scanning for the organisation and introduce innovative ways of working
Data development process:
+ You can establish enterprise-scale data integration procedures across the data development life cycle, and ensure that teams adhere to them
+ You can manage resources to ensure that data services work effectively at an enterprise level

Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
+ Communicating and Influencing
+ Managing a Quality Service, Please note, you will be asked to undertake an assessment as part of the recruitment process for this role, details of which will be provided immediately prior to your interview.
Personal Statement
You will be asked to complete a personal statement of no more than 750 words setting out how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience, match the requirements as detailed in the Candidate Pack. You will also need to address the essential technical skills for this role, detailed in the behaviours section of the candidate pack, which are;
Communicating between the technical and non-technical:
+ You can listen to the needs of technical and business stakeholders, and interpret them
+ You can effectively manage stakeholder expectations
+ You can manage active and reactive communication
+ You can support or host difficult discussions within the team or with diverse senior stakeholders
Data innovation:
+ You can investigate emerging trends in data-related approaches, perform horizon-scanning for the organisation and introduce innovative ways of working
Data development process:
+ You can establish enterprise-scale data integration procedures across the data development life cycle, and ensure that teams adhere to them
+ You can manage resources to ensure that data services work effectively at an enterprise level
Behaviours
You will also be asked to complete statements of no more than 250 words per behaviour, setting out how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience demonstrate the following core behaviours for this role.
1. Communicating and Influencing (Lead Behaviour)
2. Managing a Quality Service
In addition you will need to demonstrate the CPS or Civil Service Values.
Please note, the panel has the right to assess the lead behaviour ‘Communicating and Influencing’ first. If the standard on this behaviour isn’t met, the other behaviours won’t be considered and your application won’t progress. The panel also has the right to raise the minimum standard pass mark.
Please note, the panel may also refer to the lead behaviour at the interview stage to determine merit order.
CV
You will not be required to upload your CV however, when submitting your application there is a ‘CV section.’ You will be required to provide information regarding your employment/academic history for the past 3 years.
Please note that it is the candidate’s responsibility to provide the specified application information in the requested format to ensure that they are considered for the post.
Please note, if you are unable to cover 3 years through employment/ academic, a character reference will be required for clearance purposes.
Strengths
Please note, strengths will be tested at interview stage, the strengths being tested will not be shared in advance of the interview.
Use of AI
Candidates must ensure that their applications, including personal statements and behaviour examples, are truthful and factually accurate. Please note, that plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experience of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own.
Other
This is a full-time post. However, requests for flexible, part-time working and job share will be considered, considering at all times the operational needs of the Department.
Clearance Required
The successful applicant will be required to secure SC clearance.
If successfully appointed, you will be asked to complete the National Security Vetting Form
The job you are applying for is covered by Article 3(a) of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975, consequently Section 4(2) of that Act does not apply.
For the reasons outlined above you are required to disclose all previous convictions and cautions, including spent convictions. Failure to make a full declaration will result in the withdrawal of an offer of employment if our checks reveal convictions that have not been disclosed.
To be cleared to SC clearance level the candidate has to be able to meet the residency requirement as per Cabinet Office guidance. They are as follows for CPS.
SC – 3 years within the last 5 years
Waiting List
Candidates who are recommended by the selection panel but not appointed to the current vacancy will be placed on a waiting list for 12 months and may be offered another post, should any further vacancies for a Head of Data Platform arise in their chosen location. CPS may also approach candidates on the waiting list to fill other roles requiring similar knowledge and experience, including in other locations.
Feedback
Feedback will not be provided until the vacancy is complete, please note that written feedback will not be provided for candidates who do not pass the application stage.
Fair Processing Notice (FPN)
From April 2018, the CPS will provide a Fair Processing Notice (FPN) to all new applicants after they have been successful at interview. These candidates will be informed that, as one aspect of pre-employment screening, their personal details – name, National Insurance Number and date of birth - will be checked against the Internal Fraud Database (IFD) and that anyone included on the IFD will be refused employment unless they can demonstrate exceptional circumstances., 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 security check (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).
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)

Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) 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 (opens in a new window).
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.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion
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 (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

CPS is passionate about ensuring that we are a top performing organisation and a great place to work. We are committed to be an equal opportunities employer and creating a culture where everyone can bring their whole self to work and individuality is truly appreciated.
We want to ensure our employees can thrive at work and home, and offer a range of support to achieve a balance. This includes flexibility of working hours, flexibility to support caring responsibilities and a flexible approach to deployment. We offer a hybrid working policy. From September 2024, you must spend at least 40% of your contracted hours over a four-week period at court, in an office or another official workplace depending on business need and the kind of work you're doing.
This culture of inclusion is underpinned by our staff networks covering Disability, Faith and Belief, LGBTQI+, Race, Social Mobility alongside our Mental Health First Aiders Programme and Wellbeing Sessions.
CPS commits to offer its employees the following experience
+ Impactful, purposeful work – making a difference to your local communities
+ The ability to learn and grow, with access to the right opportunities and resources
+ To care about your wellbeing
+ To feel valued, trusted and included
We also offer the following range of benefits:
+ Civil Service Pension
+ Access to employee savings
+ Cycle2Work scheme
+ 25 days leave, rising to 30 days after 5 years’ service.
+ 1 extra privilege day entitlement to mark the King’s Birthday.
+ Competitive maternity, paternity and parental leave
+ Flexible working and a family friendly approach to work.
+ Childcare vouchers unless already registered with the Government Tax Free Childcare Scheme
Diversity at the Crown Prosecution Service is about inclusion, embracing differences and ensuring our workforce truly reflects the communities we serve. We want you to feel that you belong and can thrive, whatever your background, identity or culture. As a Disability Confident employer, we're happy to support requests for reasonable adjustments and improve your recruitment experience. If you'd like any reasonable adjustments made to our recruitment process, let us know within your application or contact Sophie.Cosgrove@CPS.gov.uk
The CPS also has a range of development programmes to support all aspiring, new and experienced managers with developing the skills, behaviours and knowledge to build their confidence and capability. Our Manager Induction Programme is mandatory for all managers appointed from April 2024. This is a fantastic opportunity to arm all our new CPS managers with the tools required to perform effectively in their roles.

Alongside your salary of £71,420, Crown Prosecution Service contributes £20,690 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.