Head of Data and Information Access Services

The Data and Information team within DDTS is looking for an enthusiastic leader to deliver and manage the access to Defra’s vast range of data and information available to users across the Defra group and beyond. Users range from scientists to analysts, decision makers, operational service owners and managers and externally users come from the public, voluntary and private sector and the public.

The Head of Data and Information Access Service is a crucial role for Defra to meet statutory and cross government requirements for open access to Defra’s data and information. You will be responsible for the acquisition, curation, cataloguing, sharing and publishing of data and information through our data access services. Defra's data and information access services include library services, earth observation and geospatial data services and Defra's externally facing data services platform ensuring Defra groups’ own data and information is made as open as possible.

You will lead the transformation of the data services platform to a modern service aligned with cross government initiatives such as the marketplace, engage with stakeholder across the Defra Group to make data available that meet user needs, acquire data from external sources if not available for free, liaise with other government departments and agencies to lead on Defra’s open data access policy.

**Person specification**

**Responsibilities**
- Providing library services to Defra, Animal Plant and Health Agency and Natural England as well as other Defra group organisations on a call-off basis.
- Leading on Defra’s open data and sharing strategy which includes the INSPIRE Regulations, and long-term geospatial strategy. Set standards and policies where necessary and support teams in adopting these.
- Engaging with other government departments to ensure that Defra needs are understood in the development of UK Government data and information policy and strategy relevant to D&I Access.
- Providing the strategic oversight as executive for the successful delivery of two projects for replacing and modernising the Data Services Platform and the Library Management Service.
- Acquire data & information resources for customer organisations and ensure they are shared across the Defra Group and are well managed to reduce the costs associated with licencing content from commercial sources.
- Enable the exploitation of data across the Defra Group by making them as widely available in ready to use form, working with data owners to meet the Data QFAIR (Quality, findable, accessible, interoperable and reusable) principles.
- Lead a multidisciplinary team of 15 permanent staff featuring DDAT and KIM SMEs to deliver project and data and information services fostering a positive and productive team culture.

**Skills and Experience**
- Managing multidisciplinary teams of data and information specialists in an agile delivery and continuous service improvement environment.
- Managing suppliers and providing strategic oversight in delivering technical Data and Information Services in accordance with contractual terms and conditions.
- Excellent stakeholder engagement and influencing skills, taking a collaborative approach and working at ease with a range of senior internal and external stakeholders to represent the needs of your organisation or team and deliver effective outcomes in high-profile and innovative data-enabled transformation
- Inspiring leadership, with the ability to provide direction in a high pressure and fast paced environment, harnessing the talents of people and creating an inclusive, ambitious, outward-facing and professional work environment.
- Working in partnership with policy, digital delivery and operational delivery colleagues, plus the wider range of disciplines such as communications, commercial and finance, to build and support thriving, effective multi-disciplinary teams to deliver services
- Experience in project management and service delivery and you have successfully led data projects and/or service improvement initiatives across complex organisations.

**Job Types**: Full-time, Permanent

**Salary**: £59,341.00-£72,349.00 per year

**Benefits**:

- Additional leave
- Casual dress
- Cycle to work scheme
- Flexitime
- Sick pay
- Work from home

Schedule:

- Flexitime

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Warrington, WA4 1HT

Reference ID: 272036

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