Senior Data Strategy Advisor

The Data Strategy Team sits within the Information, Data and Analysis Directorate (ID&A) and works across the whole Agency to provide teams with a clear vision and direction for data.
This is an exciting time to join the team as we look to launch, publish, and implement the next generation of the VOA Data Strategy, a key delivery mechanism for other key Agency strategies. This next stage will involve engaging widely with colleagues across the Agency to embed the strategy. The role offers you the opportunity to work with senior leaders to gain their support and ensure that the strategy is meaningful and relevant for all staff to ensure it delivers success for the Agency.
This role offers a great opportunity to deliver a key strategy for the Agency to support the delivery of large transformative changes currently underway.
Senior Data Strategy Advisor – Key responsibilities
We are looking for an SEO Senior Data Strategy Advisor to be responsible for:
+ Supporting and in some cases leading the work to deliver the next generation VOA Data Strategy to make a tangible impact, including identifying opportunities and making evidence-based recommendations.
+ Delivering the annual Data Maturity Assessment for the Agency and using evidence gathered from the assessment to inform the development of the strategy.
+ Setting up and maintaining the strategy evaluation mechanisms and undertaking regular reporting on progress to inform colleagues, senior leaders and ExCom.
+ Providing advice and insight through reports and briefings to senior leaders and relevant boards on Data Strategy matters.
+ Supporting the development of Agency Data Governance by collaborating with stakeholders and advancing the policies and standards in place.
+ Identifying key stakeholders, engaging with them to develop effective relationships to enable collaborative working on data strategy development.
+ Contributing to the set up and running of data communities of practice and delivering change through data champions and business contacts.
+ Supporting development of Agency Data Skills through management of the Data Skills Hub and promoting participation in the annual One Big Thing initiative
+ Keeping informed of the wider government agenda for data strategy, looking to understand the likely implications for the strategy.
+ Being a team player and where necessary, supporting the wider Data, Strategy and Management and Disclosure teams.
+ Providing line management within a small team., A Personal Statement (maximum 750 words) Please outline your suitability for the role. Please pay particular attention to the ‘Essential Criteria’ and ‘Person Specification’ outlined in the advert when providing your answer.
Sift (06/11/24)
We will assess you on your CV and Personal Statement.
Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the CV. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to interview.
If you can meet our person requirements above, we are keen to hear from you.
Interviews (26/11/24) Please note these dates are provisional and may be subject to change. These will be confirmed should you be invited to interview.
Interviews are currently taking place using Microsoft Teams Video. We will provide more detail if you are shortlisted for interview.
We will assess you on the Behaviours listed in the job description, Strengths and a Presentation.
At the interview, the panel can then probe further and ask applicants to provide further specific examples that show how they best demonstrate their skills.
Behaviours
The distinguishing Behaviours (the required skills, knowledge and behaviours) for this role are set out in the Civil Service Behaviours Framework 2018 (Success Profiles - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)) and should be referred to when making this application.
You are required, under the Behaviours approach, to describe how you have dealt with a specific situation.
You must give evidence of your knowledge, skills and behaviours and how you have applied this, such as what you did or said and how you interacted with other people.
When you are giving your examples, do not spend too many words on description and background information. Avoid using general or unspecific statements. Instead say what the situation was, what you did what your thought process was and so on.
Presentation
You will also be required to conduct a 10 -minute presentation - Please outline your approach to delivering and embedding a new data strategy in an organisation and explain how you would overcome challenges you may face in achieving this?
Application Hints and Tips
For more information on Success Profiles, tips on how to write a successful application and find out more about what’s involved in the application process please visit About the application process , Civil Service Careers (civil-service-careers.gov.uk)
Further Information
Any move to VOA 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
The VOA is an office-based organisation that supports flexible working. By default, everyone in the VOA is a hybrid worker with options to work in the office, at home or out and about, depending on the work they’re doing that day and where it’s best done.
VOA employees only: If you are currently in receipt of DTA as a result of a VOA office closure/restructure and it is agreed for you to take up this role in your current location, you may continue to receive DTA for the remainder of the period you can claim for. Please check with the Vacancy Holder on preferred locations for this role before you apply.
If you would require a Certificate of Sponsorship from the VOA to undertake this role, please contact resourcingteam@voa.gov.uk before submitting your application.
Pre-employment Checks
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.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
Reasonable Adjustment
We want to make sure no one is put at a disadvantage during our recruitment process because of a disability, condition, or impairment. To assist you with this, we will reduce or remove any barriers where possible and provide additional support where appropriate.
If you need a reasonable adjustment or a change to be made so that you can make your application, please click here for more information:
Reasonable Adjustments , Civil Service Careers (civil-service-careers.gov.uk) and contact voarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible.
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.
Terms & Conditions
Voluntary terms apply.
Reserve Lists
If we have more successful candidates than available vacancies, we will hold a 3-month reserve list as standard.
During that time, we may use the list to fill the same, or similar roles with closely matching essential criteria, without further testing of merit. Any appointments from the Reserve list will be made in strict merit order.
Starting Work
The successful candidate will normally take up duty within one month from notification of successful completion of pre-employment checks.
Applying
All applications for these vacancies must be made online. There are limited exceptions to this. Paper applications will only be considered if you have a disability that will prevent you from applying online. If this is the case, please email voarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Once you have submitted your application it cannot be amended; only submit your application when you have completely finished and answered all the relevant questions.
Please note that late applications will not be accepted.
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.
Use of AI
You may utilise artificial intelligence (AI) tools and platforms to support you during the application process however, as with any application all information submitted must be factually accurate and all examples provided must be taken directly from your own experience. All presented information will be assessed at interview. Any applications where factual inaccuracy, plagiarism or copying of examples/answers from internet sources is detected will be withdrawn from the process. Further action, including disciplinary action, may be considered in such cases involving internal candidates.
Concerns/Complaints
The Valuation Office Agency’s recruitment processes are underpinned by the Civil Service Commissioner’s Recruitment Principles, which outlines that selection for appointment is made on merit based on fair and open competition.
If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the values in the Civil Service Code and/or if you feel the recruitment has been conducted in such a way that conflicts with the Civil Service Commissioner’s Recruitment Principles, you may make a complaint, by contacting the Central Recruitment Team at the following address: resourcingteam@voa.gov.uk
If you are not content with the outcome of your complaint you have the right to complain to the Civil Service Commissioners.
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)

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).

Apply and further information
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.
The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).
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Our Senior Data Strategy Advisor will demonstrate strong leadership and excellent communication and engagement skills. You will need to have the ability to lead by example and influence across key stakeholders and senior leaders to achieve the required buy-in to the strategy.
You will need to have high levels of resilience to flexibly respond to the changing priorities in this work area, delivering results whilst navigating and understanding the implications of complex dependencies.
Essential Requirements
+ Previous experience of working in or alongside strategy, transformation, or data and /or use of tools and techniques for strategy development from other roles.
+ Experience of leadership, with the ability to inspire and motivate a wide range of stakeholders.
+ Experience of developing high-quality products and written materials which can inform strategic decision-making.
+ Strong written and verbal communication skills, able to present on expert subject matter when seeking to influence non-expert stakeholders and communicate effectively with senior leaders.
+ Having the confidence and capability to engage and communicate with a range of stakeholders on the Data Strategy, looking to provide the best information to enable decisions to be made.
+ Experience of working with organisational assessment criteria such as maturity models.
+ Strong focus and organisational skills to enable effective planning, prioritisation and the ability to take the initiative for delivering a wide range of high-quality work to tight deadlines.
+ The ability to ensure activities reflect wider strategic and organisational priorities., + Leadership
+ Communicating and Influencing
+ Changing and Improving

The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) are the public sector’s property valuation experts and advisers with a vision to be a world-leading provider of public sector valuations. Our work is vital to the collection of over £60 billion of revenue which goes back into communities, touching every citizen and every business across England and Wales.
We champion the values of professionalism, integrity, respect and innovation. We are committed to providing a collaborative and supportive working environment that encourages every colleague to contribute, grow and excel together. With opportunities to drive your own development and growth, we empower our colleagues to succeed by ensuring support at every step of their career journey.

Alongside your salary of £40,185, Valuation Office Agency contributes £11,641 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
We offer a range of flexible working options, a generous leave allowance that starts at 25 days and goes up to 30 days after 5 years’ service and a Civil Service Pension with an average employer contribution of 28.97%.
+ Learning and development tailored to your role.
+ An environment with flexible working options.
+ Family friendly policies including 26 weeks full pay for maternity, adoption or shared parental leave.
+ Employee Assistance Programme offering comprehensive wellbeing support.
+ To learn more about the extensive benefits we can offer you as a VOA employee please download our Benefits Booklet: pdf (publishing.service.gov.uk)