About the job

Summary

Our work is at the heart of DCMS's ambitious digital agenda and a core part of its Ten Tech Priorities. Data is now the driving force of the world's modern economies. It fuels innovation in businesses large and small, and has been a lifeline during the global coronavirus pandemic.

The Data Policy directorate in DCMS sets policy for data’s use within the economy and society and our work is designed to harness the power of responsible data use to boost productivity, create new businesses and jobs, improve public services, support a fairer society, and drive scientific discovery. Getting this right will position the UK as the forerunner of the next wave of tech and scientific innovation. Government’s actions will deliver a world leading data economy, where data and data use are seen as opportunities to be embraced, with risks guarded against in a proportionate and targeted way. This is a fantastic opportunity to help lead the UK’s work to realise the benefits of responsible, data-driven innovation for our economy and society.

The directorate’s work is geared around delivery of the UK National Data Strategy and its key missions:

-Unlocking the value of data held across the economy

-Securing a pro-growth and trusted data regime

-Ensuring the security and resilience of the infrastructure on which data relies

-Championing the international flow of data and its use

Our ambitious programme of work over the next 12 months includes introducing primary legislation, delivering a suite of bilateral and multilateral international agreements, designing new and ambitious investment packages as well as a continued strengthening of the evidence base on which we are setting policy in what remains a novel and fast-moving area.

What we are looking for

DCMS is committed to creating an open, fair and diverse environment for all. Through our Diversity and Inclusion Strategy, our ambition is to be the most diverse and inclusive department in the UK Government by 2025.

We encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply for this role. We particularly welcome applications from BAME, disabled and underrepresented groups.

We have made a positive commitment to encouraging disabled applicants to apply for roles at DCMS and guarantee an interview to all DCS candidates who meet the minimum essential criteria for the role in line with the Disability Confident Scheme (DCS).

In all cases, we will select the best candidate for the role.

Job description

This Government sees data, and the use of data to drive growth, as one of its key priorities. The power of data in shaping real-world outcomes and the delivery of public services has only become more apparent through the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. On 9 September 2020 we published the National Data Strategy that sets out Government’s vision for data, and a series of actions and commitments to deliver that vision.

This team sits at the heart of the National Data Strategy delivering Mission 1, which involves improving data access, availability and use in the economy. We want data to be where it is needed, at the right time, in the right quality, for both businesses and the third sector. In November, we published a policy framework, which highlights that increasing evidence suggests the full value of data is not yet being realised by businesses and other organisations.

Building on the work done to date, this role will focus on developing a clear economic rationale for further government investment to support the delivery of the Mission One of the National Data Strategy, which focuses on unlocking the value of data held across the economy.

In this high profile, stretching role, you will be expected to be a leader in the Data Policy team and across the wider data directorate. You’ll be leading our work to build the evidence base for how government should intervene to improve data availability. You will be expected to collaborate thoughtfully with other analysts and policy officials across Government and in the Data Directorate.

Responsibilities

Some of your responsibilities will include:

-Using evidence based decision making to justify and prioritise the economic case for further government investment to unlock the value of data across the economy (Mission One of the National Data Strategy) including;

-Collaborating with data policy teams to prepare rigorous, robust and compelling business cases and Spending Review bids.

-Identifying and addressing evidence gaps to help develop the wider analytical team's existing evidence base.

-Identifying market failures, justifying the case for government intervention and highlighting the economic trade offs involved in decision making.

-Using your technical and analytical expertise to advise, analyse, commission and present evidence to drive data policy and strategy.

-Applying strategic thinking, intellectual curiosity and ability to make judgement on high profile complex policy issues.

-Quick turnaround requests for information, drawing on existing work and modelling.

-Working closely with HM Treasury and other key departments in the development of proposals.

You will need to demonstrate your skills and experience against the following criteria:

Essential Requirements

-Qualifications: 2:1 degree in Economics or MSc Economics (if you achieved a 2:2 in your undergraduate degree or studied another subject)

-Application of Knowledge: Proven aptitude in applied economics and the ability to translate economic analysis into practical real world solutions

-Developing Business Cases: Experience developing business cases in line with HMT 'Green Book' guidance

-Communicating and influencing: Strong communication skills and the ability to communicate technical analysis effectively to non-experts

-Experience of Public Sector Spending Processes: Have a clear understanding of how public sector spending processes (i.e. Spending Reviews or Budgets) are carried out.

-Seeing the big picture: Understand how your role fits within and supports political priorities and wider organisational objectives.

Desirable Skills

-Keen interest in policy making and applied economic analysis in shaping decision making

-Delivering at pace: Take responsibility for delivering timely and quality results with focus and drive.

Qualifications

2:1 degree in Economics or MSc Economics (if you achieved a 2:2 in your undergraduate degree or studied another subject)

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Seeing the Big Picture

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Application of knowledge (Economics)
• Analysis of data (Economics)