G6 Head of Data Capabilities

The COBR Directorate protects the UK from crises. Our work is varied, fast paced and always interesting. We work across the emergency management cycle, including to prepare for and resolve crises, learn lessons and make effective decisions. We also work on complex policy and delivery, leading from the centre of government to make the UK more resilient.

Senior role leading the development of the National Situation Centre's data science and geospatial data science capabilities.

Key Responsibilities

• Providing functional, professional data science leadership to SitCen's data scientists
• Providing line management to SitCen's G7-led Data Science, Response Data, Biothreats and Geospatial teams
• Ensuring the efficiency and effectiveness of the SitCen's analytical coding, and the quality and consistency of the SitCen's analytical codebase, by setting the standards, processes, packages and tooling used in development and overseeing the implementation of these processes and standards by SitCen's data scientists
• Building and maintaining data pipelines, including in SitCen's Colab framework, including: developing; testing; documenting; and deploying python code in-line with SitCen's processes and standards
• Leading the development of SitCen's geospatial data science, including near real-time geospatial reporting and, acting as senior analytical point of contact for our ArcGIS platform including: defining requirements for future development of the platform; adding and maintaining data layers within ArcGIS Portal; and working with SitCen's OS embed to ensure data held in our geospatial database is stored, accessed and managed appropriately
• On a voluntary basis, serve as G6 Duty Chief of Staff on the SitCen crisis response rota, overseeing delivery of analytical briefing products into COBR

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)

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

Application process

As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV and a 500 word (maximum) personal statement providing examples of how your skills and experience match those in the Person specification and Essential criteria.

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be undertaken using the Personal Statement

Selection process

During the interview we will assess you against these behaviours:

• Leadership
• Managing a Quality Service
• Delivering at Pace

Expected timeline (subject to change)

Expected sift date – w/c 19th October 2026

Expected interview date/s – w/c 26th October 2026

Interview location - 70 Whitehall, London SW1A 2AS

Further Information

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

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; for further information visit the Childcare Choices website.

Reasonable Adjustment

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 via cabinetofficerecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

Complete the ‘Assistance required’ section in the ‘Additional requirements’ page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need 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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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

Please note that this role requires DV clearance, which would normally need 10 years’ UK residency in the past 10 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.

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

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