Senior Data Architect (UKSV)

Job summary

As a Senior Data Architect within UKSV, you will lead the design and implementation of data architectures underpinning the UK’s single provider of National Security Vetting (NSV). You will architect highly secure, privacy-centric data pipelines and risk-aggregation platforms that process sensitive background checks, financial histories, and cross-government intelligence. Your work will modernise the national security vetting infrastructure while safeguarding highly classified data assets. You’ll be responsible for defining the data strategy, architecture, data model and governance of the digital services in UKSV.

As a Senior Data Architect (DA), you’ll be responsible for the data architecture of the digital services within UKSV. You’ll communicate this to technical and non-technical audiences alike. As a Senior Data Architect, you will be responsible for the technical data design of systems and services.

Please note that all roles with UK Security Vetting are reserved posts and therefore open to UK nationals only. For full information on Eligibility, please refer to the attached Job Pack.

Job description

Your daily duties will include but not be limited to:

• Design architecture solutions and lead the work to design a data strategy in line with the long term objectives of the Cabinet Office and UKSV
• Design a data strategy
• Influence the design of data infrastructure that supports complex data analytics services
• Help maintain the integrity of the UKSV critical databases
• Develop an expert understanding of UKSV, tailoring offerings accordingly
• Consult and advise on digital delivery programmes, liaising with stakeholders and communicating architectural concepts clearly and accurately
• Support the adoption of the enterprise assets repository, establish a process to ensure data quality of the repository
• Support the business units with their digital roadmaps to improve conformance with architecture principles
• Form trusted relationships with external suppliers and technical stakeholders

Person specification

As a Senior Data Architect within UK Security Vetting, we are looking for people who have the following expertise and attributes:

• A data expert with an eye for data design and communication with data
• Curious and inquisitive with the ability to learn new technologies and spot trends
• A collaborative person who enjoys working with technical and non-technical people
• Someone who can use data and data models to innovate
• Hands on with data using SQL, XML and data analytics tools

Essential

• Experience of architecture design for example data infrastructure, data models, enterprise data management, reusable technology components and reference architectures
• Experience delivering modern data platforms (cloud/hybrid), data integration patterns, lakes/warehouses, and API-driven architectures
• Experience in defining technical governance principles, strategies and standards
• Hands on experience with SQL, XML and data analytics tools
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, able to explain difficult concepts to anyone who needs to understand
• Demonstrated ability to implement data classification frameworks, handling controls, and secure sharing mechanisms that scale across classification boundaries without compromising agility
• Strong working knowledge of Government Security frameworks e.g. - Secure by Design, NCSC Cloud Security Principles.

Desirable

• Technical architecture experience in public sector or similarly complex and regulated organisations
• Experience of legacy migration and re-platforming of digital services
• Interest in forming government best practices, standards and policies
• Experience in managing commercial suppliers to deliver digital services
• Knowledge of architecture or engineering framework, such as TOGAF, ITIL
• Proven experience designing and securing data architectures for both OFFICIAL and SECRET classified information, in line with the UK Government Security Classification Policy (GSCP)
• Working knowledge of different software delivery practices including agile delivery

Additional information:

A minimum 60% of your working time should be spent at your principal workplace. Although requirements to attend other locations for official business will also count towards this level of attendance.

Behaviours

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

• Changing and Improving
• Making Effective Decisions

Technical skills

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

• Communicating between technical/non technical, Communicating data, Data analysis/synthesis, Data governance, Data innovation, Data modelling, Data standards, Metadata, Problem and Strategic Management, Turning business problems into data design

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £59,207, Cabinet Office contributes £17,152 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).

• Learning and development tailored to your role.
• An environment with flexible working options.
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity.
• A Civil Service Pension which provides an attractive pension, benefits for dependants and employer contributions of 28.97%.
• A minimum of 25 days of paid annual leave, increasing by one day per year up to a maximum of 30.

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.

Application process

To assess experience you will be asked to providea 750 word Personal Statement and CV.You will also be asked to provide a 250-word statement on the Behaviours Changing and Improving and Making Effective Decisions.

Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

A Statement of Suitability should provide a summary of your skills and achievements to show that you have the relevant experience, skills and attributes required for the role. Please detail your experience relevant to the role and carefully consider the essential criteria listed in the person specification.

At the sift stage you will be assessed on the Behaviours and Experience elements of the Success Profiles.

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be undertaken using the Personal Statement. Candidates who pass this stage could advance to a full review or progress straight to the interview stage.

Selection process

At interview, you will be assessed on the Behaviours, Experience and Technicalelements of the Success Profiles.

The Behaviours being assessed are Changing and Improving and Making Effective Decisions.

Please refer to the Government Digital and Data Profession Capability Framework here then search for the role and grade you are applying for. Technical is the demonstration of specific professional skills, knowledge or qualifications which will be assessed at interview. We’ll be assessing your experience and specialist technical skills against the following skills defined in the Digital, Data and Technology Profession Capability Framework for Senior Data Architect.

• Communicating between the technical and non technical
• Communicating data
• Data analysis and synthesis
• Data governance (data architect)
• Data innovation
• Data modelling
• Data standards
• Metadata management
• Problem Management
• Strategic thinking
• Turning business problems into data design

Interviews will be held face-to-face in Glasgow and York. If you are not able to attend any of the available interview dates we may not be able to offer alternatives.

Expected timeline (subject to change)

Expected sift date – 12 November

Expected interview date/s – w/c 7 December

Your interview will either be conducted face to face or by video. You will be notified of the location if you are selected for interview.

Reasonable adjustments

If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:

• Contact Government Recruitment Service at: cabinetofficerecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
• Complete the ‘assistance required’ section in the ‘personal information’ page of your application form to provide information we should be aware of that will enable us to support you further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at an interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.

Further information

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'contact point for applicants' section.

Please note that this role requires SC clearance, which would normally need 5 years’ UK residency in the past 5 years. This is not an absolute requirement, but supplementary checks may be needed where individuals have not lived in the UK for that period. This may mean your security clearance (and therefore your appointment) will take longer or, in some cases, not be possible.

For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the Demystifying Vetting website.

Please note terms and conditions are attached. Please take time to read the document to determine how these may affect you.

Any move to Cabinet Office from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at: https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk.

A reserve list will be held for a period of 12 months, from which further appointments can be made.

If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out.

New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service/Disclosure Scotland on your behalf.

However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.

For further information on the Disclosure Scotland confidential checking service telephone: the Disclosure Scotland Helpline on 0870 609 6006 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email Info@disclosurescotland.co.uk

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.

A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5-year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

Please note terms and conditions are attached. Please take time to read the document to determine how these may affect you.

Feedback

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) criminal record check.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

Open to UK nationals only.

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.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

Job contact :

• Name : UKSV Resourcing Team
• Email : uksv-resourcingteam@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : cabinetofficerecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Further information

Appointment to the Civil Service is governed by the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles. If you feel that your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles, and wish to make a complaint, then in the first instance you should contact Government Recruitment Service by email at : cabinetofficerecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive, then you can contact the Civil Service Commission at info@csc.gov.uk. For further information on the Recruitment Principles and bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission, please visit their website at: https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/.

Attachments

2022-11-04 Cabinet Office Employee Offer Opens in new window (pdf, 344kB)2025-07-24 Cabinet Office Terms and Conditions - External Opens in new window (pdf, 82kB)487363 Senior Data Architect Job Pack Opens in new window (pptx, 9MB)