Chief Data Office Officer
Job summary
As an Officer within the Chief Data Office (CDO), you will play an important role in helping the NCA manage, protect and govern its information and data assets. Working across a range of data protection, information governance, knowledge and information management, risk, assurance and compliance activities, you will support the Agency in meeting its legal and regulatory obligations whilst enabling the effective and responsible use of information.
The CDO is an integral part of the wider Digital, Data and Technology (DDaT) directorate. Together, we help shape the future of the NCA by ensuring information and data are managed effectively, ethically and in support of the Agency's mission to protect the public from serious and organised crime.
Important Note:
CDO offers a wide range of roles across the full range of information management functions. As part of a small number of the roles offered there will be some exposure to child sexual abuse and exploitation (CSAE) material. This will not include imagery as CDO does not have viewing rights to this. Some material will however include detailed written descriptions of indecent images, videos and offences against children.
It may be necessary for you to read investigation reports around the CSAE cases so that you can identify and discuss risk factors from the case in your written reports. Where it is proposed that you are posted to one of these roles we will discuss this in more detail with you prior to an appointment being made.
VIRTUAL EVENT
To find out more about the role and the application process we will be holding a virtual opening evening via MS Teams on Thursday 22nd October 2026 at 18:00.
This event is by invitation only.
To register, please click on the following link
Virtual Event - Chief Data Officer - Thursday 22nd October 2026
You will be asked for your name and email address.
Registration will close on Tuesday 20th October 2026 at 15:00.
You will not be able to register after this date and time.
Job description
As a member of the CDO, you will play an integral role in helping the NCA manage, protect and govern its information and data assets. Working across a wide range of functions, you will support the Agency's compliance with legislative, regulatory and organisational information management requirements, enabling the responsible use of data to protect the public from serious and organised crime.
Our work spans two key areas: Data Protection & Engagement and Information Governance. Depending on the team you join, you may support activities including data protection compliance, information sharing, data ethics, personal data breaches, data subject rights, information governance, information risk management, records and information management, audit and assurance, disclosure services, and the management of information throughout its lifecycle.
You may also contribute to the development of policies, standards and guidance; provide advice and support to business areas; help deliver training and engagement activities; support governance boards and panels; undertake assurance and audit activities; and assist with the implementation of information management controls and processes across the Agency.
All of our roles align with the Government Knowledge & Information Management Profession Framework and contribute to ensuring the Agency can confidently meet its legal, regulatory and operational responsibilities for information and data management.
This is an exciting time to join the NCA as we continue to develop our information management capabilities and expand our use of innovative technologies and data-driven approaches. Successful candidates will help ensure that information and data are managed effectively, ethically and in line with legislative requirements.
Our roles offer excellent opportunities for individuals with an interest in data protection, information governance, knowledge and information management, risk, audit, assurance and compliance who are looking to develop their professional skills and experience within a diverse and evolving environment.
Successful candidates should be willing to be flexible and support wider business objectives where required.
Person specification
- Understanding of information management, data protection and privacy principles: Has a sound understanding of information management and records management principles, together with relevant data protection and privacy requirements. Applies this knowledge to support compliance, manage risks, and provide informed advice on the effective governance, use and management of information and data.
- Good verbal and written communication skills: Able to communicate clearly and accurately in both written and verbal formats. Ensures information is presented in a way that is easy to understand, supporting effective collaboration and reporting.
- Ability to engage with stakeholders at all levels: Builds positive working relationships and communicates in a professional and approachable manner. Adapts communication style to suit different audiences across the Agency to achieve shared objectives.
- Experience of working in a fast-paced environment and meeting tight deadlines: Demonstrates ability to manage competing priorities and deliver tasks within agreed timeframes. Shows resilience and flexibility when responding to changing demands in a dynamic work setting.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Making Effective Decisions
- Seeing the Big Picture
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- An understanding of information management legislation and relevant data protection and privacy principles.
Benefits
Alongside your salary of £37,428, National Crime Agency contributes £10,842 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).New entrants to the NCA receive 26 days annual leave, rising to 31 on completion of 5 years continuous service, plus 8 bank holidays.
If qualifying criteria is met new joiners from UK Police Forces or the UK Intelligence Community (UKIC) will have service with those employers taken into account for continuous service purposes for annual leave entitlement only, this will be up to a maximum of 31 days leave (including 1 privilege day).
Other benefits include:
- Flexible working, including flexi-time, compressed hours and job sharing (in line with business requirements)
- Family friendly policies, notably above the statutory minimum
- Learning and Development opportunities
- Interest free loans and advances, including season tickets, childcare and rental deposits
- Housing schemes - Key Worker status
- Discounts and Savings with a wide variety of services including Cycle to Work, Smart Tech schemes, dental insurance, gym discounts and savings on everyday spending, available through the Reward Gateway , Edenred and Blue Light Card schemes.
- Staff support groups/networks
- Sports and social activities, including membership to the Civil Service Sports Council (CSSC)
Further information is available on the NCA Website.
Things you need to know
Artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.How we will assess you
Your application will be assessed against the following:Experience - This will be assessed:CV
Please include your full career history, training, qualifications, key responsibilities, and achievements. Explain any employment gaps in the last two years. Ensure all accreditation dates are accurate.
Details of what is expected within your CV are as follows: Please explain how your skills, knowledge, and experience meet the criteria set out in the Person Specification. Your CV should clearly outline your employment history, education, training, and professional development. Particular emphasis should be placed on demonstrating your understanding of information management legislation and applicable data protection and privacy principles.
Your CV should be font size 11, 2 pages only, any additional pages will not be considered. Please ensure no personal data is included in the CV to ensure anonymity during the sift stage.
In the event of a high volume of applications, a longlisting exercise may be undertaken. Candidates must achieve the minimum pass mark at the CV assessment stage to progress to the full sift, where the experience criteria will be assessed.
- Experience of using excellent verbal and written communication skills to build and maintain effective relationships with internal and/or external stakeholders
- Experience of managing and prioritising competing demands in line with department and agency Organisational requirements.
You will receive an acknowledgement once your application is submitted.
We aim to have sift completed and scores released within 10 working days of the closing date of the advert. For high volume campaigns this timeframe may be extended.
Scores will be provided but further feedback will not be available at this stage.
For guidance on the application process, visit:NCA Applying and Onboarding
Assessment 1
The format of this assessment will be Interview which will be tested on the criteria listed in the Success Profiles at Assessment section.
Additional assessment methods used alongside InterviewAs part of the assessment process Role Play will be required to assess the criteria outlined below:You will be provided with a work-based scenario 1hr prior to your interview. The panel, acting as stakeholders, will assess the behaviours of Making Effective Decisions and Seeing the Big Picture through your advice and recommendations.Success Profiles at Assessment
Behaviours- Making Effective Decisions
- Seeing the Big Picture
- An understanding of information management legislation and relevant data protection and privacy principles
If successful but no role is immediately available, you may be placed on a reserve list for 12 months.
Reserve lists can be used to fill similar role types across the Agency where the assessment criteria is considered a match by the recruitment team and the business area.
In the event of a tie at the assessment stage, available roles will be offered in merit order using the following order:
- Lead criteria (behaviours/technical/experience)
- If still tied, desirable criteria will be assessed (if advertised)
- If still tied, application sift scores will be used
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
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
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 theCivil 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.Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : central.recruitment@nca.gov.uk
- Email : central.recruitment@nca.gov.uk
- Telephone : central.recruitment@nca.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : central.recruitment@nca.gov.uk
Further information
If you believe your application has not been treated fairly, email: central.recruitment@nca.gov.uk(quoting the vacancy reference).If unresolved, you may escalate your complaint to the Civil Service Commission.
Salary range
- £37,428 per year