Job Description

Post Title: Senior Data Engineer

Team: Digital and Data Solutions

Ref No: 2023120

Grade: S (SEO)

Type of appointment: Permanent

Location: Peterborough or Aberdeen

Salary: £38,320 + £5,000 depending on experience.                                       

An additional Recruitment and Retention Allowance (RRA) up to £5,000 per annum, pro rata, may be agreed. This allowance is discretionary and will depend on candidate's qualifications and experience.

This post will have a base in either Peterborough or Aberdeen.

JNCC has adopted a hybrid working approach, allowing colleagues to benefit from time in the office, with the flexibility also to work from home. Employees are expected to work from our office base for 1 – 2 days a month as a minimum, this will vary by team and the exact balance will depend on the nature of your role. We can provide more details at the interview and offer stages.

Who are JNCC?

Established in 1991, we’re the UK’s statutory advisor on issues affecting the natural environment across the UK and internationally. Our primary role is advising all four Governments of the UK. We also work with private sector organisations to support decision making on the sustainable use of marine waters and natural resources around the UK. JNCC is led by the Joint Committee, which brings together members from the nature conservation bodies for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and independent members appointed by the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs under an independent Chair. Support is provided to the Committee by approx. 300 people who bring together scientific and technical expertise, extensive knowledge of policy at global, European and national levels, and skills in working with other organisations. Staff are based in two main offices in Peterborough and Aberdeen.

Why JNCC?

We’re small enough (c.300 staff) that your voice is heard by everyone including the CEO, but big enough that we have all the skills, resources and people you’ll need to get the job done. All our staff are passionate about conservation and making a difference to the world we live in. We have a very flexible, inclusive and welcoming organisational culture. Our Executive Management provides employees with the freedom and tools you will need, and our friendly team will assist you in your role. 

JNCC is committed to maintaining employee health and wellbeing, whether it is physically, emotionally, financially or socially, and offers a range of benefits to support employees in this. Such benefits include the option to join the Civil Service Pension Scheme, professional and personal development opportunities as well as an exciting job in a unique environment. 

Hours of work:                     Full-time

Normal minimum hours of attendance for the post are 36 hours per week over a 5-day period, Monday to Friday.

Flexi time is available. This post may also be suitable for job share.

Annual Leave:

The annual leave allowance is 25 days per year, rising to 30 days per year after 5 years’ service. There are also 12 days public and privilege leave. Part-time staff will receive this on a pro rata basis.                  

Post background

Are you an experienced data practitioner who is passionate about the management, design and transformation of data? Are you looking for a role that will allow you to have a positive impact on biodiversity and nature at a UK level?

This exciting post will lead the data engineering function within JNCC’s Digital and Data Solutions Team (DDS). You will explore and lead data innovation opportunities with a focus on process automating data transformation across a range of delivery areas including generation of national reports, UK indicator production, data support on JNCC digital projects, and processing satellite imagery data to inform policy and operations. There will also be opportunities to enhance our scientific and corporate data processes and products. To deliver this work, applicants should be confident in establishing best practice for new tools and techniques, generating data pipelines, conducting robust quality assurance, and utilising simple and advanced analytical techniques.

You will manage the data engineering teamlet (five people) within DDS, including line management of three of these staff. This will include overseeing the team’s programme of work and identifying opportunities for the teamlet to add value across the organisation. You will champion good data practices and suitable solutions for JNCC and be comfortable coaching and mentoring others, with a keen eye for areas where the organisation could benefit from building additional skills.

Ultimately, we are looking for the post holder to be proactive and influential in establishing a lasting data culture. JNCC has a diverse delivery portfolio and the DDS team work across the organisation, so this post would be well suited to someone with a passion for digging into complex challenges and identifying innovative and tailored solutions.

Does this sound like you but you may need to develop in some areas? Don’t tune out now! Your application and interview (if selected) will be assessed on evidence you provide from your previous experiences. We understand that it can be tough to meet all the job specification criteria, so please don't be discouraged from applying if there are some knowledge gaps - JNCC is committed to being a learning organisation that supports staff development. We value diversity at JNCC and want to hear about the unique thing(s) you can bring to the role. 

Post Duties

Your main responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

• Technical leadership – Initiate, plan and lead DDS’ data activities. You will work with data specialists across the organisation to deliver on our reporting responsibilities, build lasting solutions for data processing, and identify and champion data services, technologies, and standards with internal and external stakeholders.   
• Innovation - Support the organisation in identifying area for improvement and advising on appropriate solutions, including automation and productionising.
• Problem solving - This post will support in investigating data issues, developing improvement plans and ensuring our data is fit for purpose and delivered effectively;
• Programme oversight – oversee and manage delivery plans for the data engineering teamlet, who contribute to a range of programmes of work across the organisation. This role will focus on scheduling existing programmes of work, scoping new work areas, and identifying opportunities for the data engineering function to add value to JNCC’s portfolio;
• Team leadership – the lead data engineer will lead a teamlet of five data engineers, with direct line management of three staff. You should be comfortable coaching and developing staff and identifying opportunities to build skills and knowledge in themselves and others.

Technical

To be a successful candidate you will be/have:

• Strong coding background in Python or R and strong SQL skills
• Experience in building data pipelines (ETL and/or analytical pipelines)
• Knowledge of or experience in working with spatial data and GIS Software applications.

While not a requirement, if you have experience in data management (lifecycle and governance) or experience with any particular data tools or systems, we would love to hear about it in your application.

Experience

To be a successful candidate you will have:

• Experience in handling and manipulating data from multiple sources, with proven programming skills.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to present to technical and non-technical audiences and lead discussions on data.
• Experience in identifying opportunities/challenges and working with technical and non-technical experts to define and prioritise user requirements (business analysis).
• While not a requirement, if you have experience of leading a team or individuals, including wellbeing, workload management, objective setting, performance review and staff development tell us about this.
•   Managing a Quality Service
•   Leadership
•   Making Effective Decisions
•   Changing and Improving

Behaviours

In the event that we receive a large volume of applications we reserve the right to conduct the sift based on the Lead Behaviour of Managing a Quality Service

Please see the CS Behaviours framework for more details at this grade:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/717275/CS_Behaviours_2018.pdf

Nationality requirements 

This job is broadly open to the following groups: 

• UK nationals 
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK 
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland 
• nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with settled or pre-settled status or who apply for either status by the deadline of the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) 
• relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service 
• relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service 
• certain family members of the relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals 

JNCC do not provide sponsorship.

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