Data Architect

Independent Office for Police Conduct

Hybrid

Expires: Expiring in less than 2 weeks

Full time

£41,878 per year

Job summary

*This is a readvertised role. Previous applicants since December 2025 need not apply.

The Data Architect role focuses on data design, governance and strategic use of data rather than technical delivery. You will define data models, standards and structures, and work closely with the business to improve data collection, quality, consistency and insight. This is not a software engineering or platform‑build role.

Please see a link to the government profession that the role is aligned to Data architect - Government Digital and Data Profession Capability Framework though please note that IOPC Grades are distinct from Civil Service Grading & Pay.

As a Data Architect, you will be welcomed into our Digital, Data and Technology function within Finance and Corporate Resources. The IOPC is on a journey to develop its culture, perspectives, and ethos to support the organisation’s core outcomes, and this is your opportunity to enter into the varied world of IOPC Strategy and Impact, allowing you to develop your mindset and approaches to contribute to improving the police complaints system in England and Wales.

The Data Governance Team is part of the Digital, Data and Technology function within Data & Information department. These areas bring together teams responsible for Data Governance, Data Quality, Data Design & Architecture, Records Management, Insight and Analytics, as well as our technical ICT Teams. We operate nationally with team members across seven sites.

Job description

To support the wider deliverables of the Data Governance Team, and Data & Information Department
Help to define the principles, policies, processes and specifications for data architecture, including development of conceptual, logical and physical data models.
Assisting in the production of artefacts for data governance and assurance of data, including data glossaries, dictionaries, lineage mapping and domain data models.
Leading on Data Design improvement workstreams across the IOPC
Identify data that is of critical/significant importance to the IOPC, alongside other Information Management Teams, and support the design of processes to help manage that data
Provide training and mentorship to others around the organisation in relation to our data structures and methodologies

Please refer to the Job Description for full role responsibilities.

Person specification

A passion for data and the desire to create a data led culture and understanding how this can improve business performance.
Experience of designing new data repositories, sources and products at an enterprise level
Experience in leading on the evaluation and improvement of existing data repositories, sources and products
Experience producing conceptual/logical data models, using industry standard tools and techniques, and agreeing definitions with business stakeholders
Experience in setting data standards such as taxonomies, reference data, metadata and lineage
Strong stakeholder management with the ability to translate complex business requirements into scalable, interoperable, and flexible data models.
Ability to communicate in technical detail on topics of data lineage, data usage and data structures.
Knowledge of basic concepts of law and regulatory guidance/standards regarding data management and trends in data policy.
Experience of supporting substantial organisational transformation and change
Ability to organise, prioritise and manage conflicting information and support requests.
Ability to analyse and interpret a variety of structured and unstructured information sets to draw out the key issues or areas of interest.
Able to work flexibly and independently, including national travel, as part of a team based in separate locations
Advanced skills in the use of M365 and SharePoint based products

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £41,878, Independent Office for Police Conduct contributes £12,132 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

27.5 days paid annual leave (increasing with service to 32.5 days
The option to buy, sell, or carry over annual leave is reviewed each year and offered when possible
Voluntary Health Cash Plan provided by BHSF
Civil Service pension
Civil Service maternity leave package
PAM employee assistance programme
Access to Civil Service Sports Council (CSSC) membership
Cycle to work scheme
Opportunity to enjoy the latest home and electronics in a more affordable way provided by Vivup
Car Leasing Scheme
Staff Networks focussed on each of the protected characteristics - run for staff, by staff: Enable Network, Age Network, Welsh Network, Pride and LGBTQ+ Network, Sex and Family Network, Race, Religion and Belief Network
Learning and development tailored to your role.
An environment with flexible working options
A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity

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

For more information and to apply, please visit the IOPC recruitment portal.

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.

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

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).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

Salary range

£41,878 per year