5971 - Band B2+ (SEO) Location Data Ethics Lead - Geospatial Commission

About the role

This is a high profile role sitting within the Commission’s policy team, to lead on shaping the UK’s approach to location data ethics across the private and public sector. Areas of interest include balancing data access and privacy, user safety and security, principles of transparency and accountability.

This is an exciting opportunity to work on a dynamic, cross-cutting policy area, with keen interest from central government and our partners in shaping the UK’s digital future, in a way which maintains public trust.

You will work as part of a small team to shape the Government’s policy in this important space, producing analysis and advice that balances the opportunities and the potential risks that geospatial data presents. This will require extensive cross-government and external stakeholder engagement to develop policy positions in consideration of the wider context. Working with government partners, you will drive forward cutting-edge policy and develop primary evidence.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop the Government’s policy on location data ethics, working with relevant departments to understand the existing research and policy landscape, and identify opportunities.

• Produce analysis and advice on the ethical challenges presented by the private and public sector use of geospatial data, making recommendations on how these can be overcome in order to maximise the potential of location data for the public good. Lead on the development and publication of guidance.

• Oversee a new programme of public engagement research on the ethical use of location data. Work alongside partners and stakeholders to set direction and develop an open and inclusive approach to engaging with the public. 

• Develop and maintain working knowledge of the Commission’s wider policy agenda and contribute to the development of a range of policy issues across the wider team.

• Recognise the value of a diverse working environment and promote the Cabinet Office’s values - Respect, Trust and Collaborate - both internally and with partners.

Person specification

The ideal candidate would have relevant policy, academic, digital ethics or geospatial experience. It is not necessary to be an expert in all these areas, but an ability to learn quickly in a technical field will be important.

Essential 

• Public policy and/or social research experience, with success in analytical and strategic thinking to deliver evidence based outcomes. 

• A proactive approach to setting up and delivering to a clear and definable set of objectives.

• Experience working in highly collaborative environments where partnerships have been central to delivering.

• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, including the ability to communicate effectively across cultural, organisational, technical and political boundaries.

• A creative, thoughtful and practical approach to understanding and addressing policy challenges.

• Ability to understand the big picture, to identify and manage interactions and dependencies in a timely manner and to seek out future opportunities.

Desirable

• Knowledge of data ethics. 

• Stakeholder engagement experience.

• Experience working within or with UK Government departments.

• Experience of working with technical experts e.g. digital, science, data, technology, engineering.

Please note that this role requires CTC clearance, which would normally require 3 years’ UK residency in the past 3 years. This is not an absolute requirement but supplementary checks may be required where individuals have not lived in the UK for the required period. This may mean that your security clearance (and therefore your appointment) will take longer or, in some cases, not be possible.

We are living through an extraordinary period of technological evolution that is changing how we live, work and travel. Geospatial data - that is, data about location - is an increasingly valuable tool for businesses, public-sector organisations, and individuals, giving us new levels of insight and evidence about our place in the world. From the parcel ordered and delivered to you on the same day to the morning traffic alert that diverts you along a quicker driving route, geospatial data is increasingly powering the way we go about our daily lives.

There are many opportunities for citizens to benefit from location technology services, but there are also existing and emerging privacy, ethical (and security) considerations that need to be managed if the UK is to maximise the potential of location data. The use of movement data during the response to the Covid-19 pandemic has demonstrated the significant value it can bring in supporting the wellbeing of society. With this, the ethical challenges have become increasingly high profile, as individuals and governments around the world consider the appropriate use of technologies to monitor the spread of Covid-19.

This role represents an opportunity for the Geospatial Commission to develop evidence in a fast-moving policy area, to identify key ethical considerations and support private and public sector organisations to unlock the power of location data for the public good.

About the Geospatial Commission

The Geospatial Commission is an expert committee within the Cabinet Office. It is a multidisciplinary unit of analysts, policy professionals, project managers, and data specialists from a variety of backgrounds. We are diverse, have very high staff engagement levels, and have staff working from locations around the UK (with a base office in London).

The work of the Commission stretches across a broad range of sectors and cutting-edge technologies. The Chair of the Commission is Sir Andrew Dilnot and the Deputy Chair is Nigel Clifford. There are also four Independent Commissioners: Dame Kate Barker, Kru Desai, Edwina Dunn OBE, and Dr Steve Unger. 

For further information about the Geospatial Commission, please click here. 

About the Policy and International Team

The Geospatial Commission’s Policy and International function is made up of a diverse team of seven policy and data professionals responsible for the development of the UK’s geospatial policy and strategy. It does this by working across government, academia and the private sector, integrating a range of specialisms, expertise and evidence to create clear recommendations for action. The team maintains broad connections across the wider data policy landscape, including internationally, and promotes the UK’s geospatial interests at home and overseas.

If you wish to find out more information about this role, please contact Ruth Cookman (ruth.cookman@cabinetoffice.gov.uk).

Due to annual leave over Christmas, please get in touch before 18th December. 

This role is advertised nationally. Whilst applicants are not required to be based in London, occasional travel to London will be required. Travel to other sites may also occur from time to time, though it is not expected that this will be a routine part of the role.

Due to the high volume of applications received for Cabinet Office vacancies, we regret that feedback is only available - at the discretion of the vacancy manager - following the interview stage. Vacancy managers may sift on one lead behaviour at the application stage.

Terms, Conditions and Benefits

This is a Permanent appointment.

This role is based within the Cabinet Office at SEO £37,300 - £40,248 (National) £40,600 - £43,889 (London). Annual salary increases will depend upon individual performance and contribution to the organisation’s success. In addition there will be the opportunity to earn performance related bonuses. There is an expectation that successful applicants new to the Civil Service will join on the pay band minimum.

Existing civil servants can take up the post on loan from their parent department for the duration advertised. Those joining on level transfer will retain their current salary. Staff joining on promotion terms will receive up to a 10% increase of their current basic salary or the pay band minimum whichever is the greater. Staff joining on promotion will adopt the modernised terms and conditions of employment which came into force in 2013.

There is a choice of excellent pension schemes. More information about pension provisions can be found at www.civilservice.gov.uk/pensions

Flexible Working

Flexible working including job-share arrangements may be considered for this role.

Leave allowances

25 days' paid leave per annum rising to 30 days after five years service. In addition, full-time staff receive eight public holidays and the Queen’s Birthday privilege day as well as competitive maternity, paternity, parental and adoption leave.

Probation

Staff new to the Civil Service will be required to serve a six month probationary period.

Location

The post will be based nationally.

Relocation Costs

No relocation costs will be available.

Equality and Diversity

The Cabinet Office is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all staff. We will not discriminate on grounds of gender, gender identity, race, disability, sexual orientation, religion or belief, age, those with caring responsibilities, part time workers or any other factor irrelevant to a person’s work.

We encourage a diverse workforce and aim to provide a working environment where all staff at all levels are valued and respected, and where discrimination, bullying, promotion of negative stereotyping and harassment are not tolerated.

Assessment for recruitment, selection, appraisal, training and career progression purposes is based both on the individual’s ability and suitability for the work. We are committed to providing all staff with opportunities to maximise their skills and achieve their potential, offering flexible working arrangements wherever possible.

As public authorities departments have statutory duties placed on them that require them to promote equality of opportunity and eliminate unlawful discrimination. We expect all staff to assist the department in meeting these obligations. All staff should have due regard for the need to promote good relations between individuals from different groups and work towards achieving equality of opportunity for all.

Civil Service Code

All civil servants are subject to the provisions of the Civil Service Code (see Annex A) which details Civil Service values, standards of behaviour, rights and responsibilities. Go to http://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk for more information.

Childcare

We offer support with childcare and holiday play schemes costs by providing childcare vouchers for staff who meet the eligibility criteria. Current civil servants applying for Cabinet Office vacancies on or after 06 April 2018, may experience implications in continuing to claim childcare vouchers.

HMRC now offer a tax free childcare scheme for new entrants into the Cabinet Office. We also offer a holiday play scheme and the Cabinet Office contribute to the costs for staff who meet the eligibility criteria. Current civil servants applying for Cabinet Office vacancies on or September 2018 who are currently in receipt of childcare vouchers and not transferring on a TUPE or COSOP move will be unable to continue to claim childcare vouchers but may be eligible for the HMRC tax free childcare scheme.

Recruitment and Selection Process

Nationality

You must be a British Citizen, citizen of the British Commonwealth* an EC national or a national of specified Member States of the European Free Trade Area, together with certain members of their families. Certain Turkish nationals are also eligible to apply. In the first instance it is advisable to refer to the Civil Service Nationality Rules which can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rules If you have any further questions about nationality requirements, please contact the Recruitment Team at: corecruitment@cabinetoffice.gov.uk. (*Commonwealth citizens not yet in the UK, who have no right of abode in the UK and who do not have leave to enter the UK are ineligible to apply.)

Guaranteed Interview Scheme

The Cabinet Office is committed to the employment and career development of disabled people and will guarantee to interview anyone with a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.

Pre-appointment Checks

The successful candidate’s appointment will be subject to a series of checks including security, nationality, health and references before a formal offer of appointment is made. Subject to satisfactory completion of the pre-appointment checks, you will be invited to take up the post as soon as possible. The National Insurance numbers of successful applicants will be shared with the Ministry of Defence to aid the tracking of Armed Forces Reservist levels across government.

The Selection Process

Assessment at sift and interviews will be based on meeting any defined skill/qualification requirements along with a Success Profile element assessment, as detailed in the job advert. The Success Profile elements to be assessed will be outlined within the job advert. The Civil Service Success Profile Framework is publically available here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/success-profiles

We would generally expect answers to follow the STAR or CAR structure and encourage candidates to use this throughout their application.

Application/Interview Scoring System

The Cabinet Office adopts a scoring system of 1-7 for Behaviours, Ability, Technical and Experience.

7- The evidence provided wholly exceeds expectation at this level

6 - Substantial positive evidence; includes some evidence of exceeding expectations at this level

5 - Substantial positive evidence of the competency or behaviour

4 - Adequate positive evidence and any negative evidence would not cause concern

3 - Moderate positive evidence but some negative evidence demonstrated

2 - Limited positive evidence and/or mainly negative evidence demonstrated

1 - No positive evidence and/or substantial negative evidence demonstrated

Strengths will be assessed at interview on a 1-4 scale.

Civil Service Commission

Recruitment into the Civil Service is governed by the Civil Service Commission which has two key functions.

● To maintain the principle of selection for appointment to the Civil Service on merit on the basis of fair and open competition.

● To promote an understanding of the Civil Service Code which sets out the constitutional framework in which all civil servants work and the values they are expected to uphold, and to hear and determine appeals made under it. More detailed information can be found at on the Civil Service Commission website: http://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk

Complaints

The Department’s recruitment processes are underpinned by the requirement of selection for appointment based on merit, open and fair competition as outlined in the Civil Service Commissioners’ Recruitment Principles, details of which can be found at http://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should contact the Cabinet Office Recruitment Team, Human Resources, 4th Floor, 1 Horse Guards Road, London SW1A 2HQ or email corecruitment@cabinetoffice.gov.uk, in the first instance. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive you can further contact the Civil Service Commission at:

Email: civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk or in writing to:

Civil Service Commission

Room G/8

1 Horse Guards Road

London SW1A 2HQ