Data Governance Analyst in Antrim

Primary Location: Antrim-Antrim-Antrim Board Centre. Other Locations: Antrim-Belfast-Belfast Office, Down-Dundonald-Dundonald Office, Armagh-Armagh-Armagh Office, Tyrone-Omagh-Omagh Office.

Contract Type: Fixed-Term (May be subject to extension or reduced for any valid reason). Duration of Contract/Contract End Date: 1 March 2027 to cover a period of maternity leave. Status: Full-Time. Hours per Week: 36 hours per week. Working Pattern: Monday to Friday. Grade/Scale: Assistant Principal Officer | NJC pts 37 - 40 | £48,226 - £51,356 per annum. Additional Allowance(s): Not Applicable.

Additional Information: Base location to be discussed and agreed with the Data Analytics and Insights Manager. As the role carries regional responsibility, travel across EANI sites will be required in order to attend meetings, participate in projects and fulfil the full range of duties and responsibilities. A percentage of off-site working may be required.

Job Description

Reports to: Data Governance Manager. Responsible for: This is a new role and the post-holder is challenged with providing support to EA by implementing data governance solutions to better understand and optimise collected data in public education to build better workflows that turn information into knowledge and faster, better decision making.

The role will involve working closely with the Insights Centre of Excellence team members and Heads of Service to ensure successful delivery and support Project Managers with data governance processes and standards and how these can best be used to streamline work delivery.

To succeed in this role, you will have strong analytical and communication skills with the ability to collect, organize, analyse, and disseminate information, paying attention to detail and accuracy and tailoring communication to stakeholders’ needs.

Job Purpose

• Evaluate EA’s data governance processes within project scope and identify areas for improvement, developing and creating solutions and plans that are productive, efficient and provide value for money.
• Make recommendations in data management developments that will step-change business efficiency and improve the quality, trustworthiness and safety of EA data.
• Develop or improve data governance policies and standards to ensure efficient information use, data quality and appropriate security for EA.
• Use data governance and analysis tools to identify trends and support schools and EA in the better decision-making process.
• Support data literacy training and development.
• Provide data governance related advice, support and guidance to Directorates.

Responsibilities

Technical

• Interpret data, analyze results using statistical techniques and provide ongoing reports.
• Develop and implement data governance processes and data management competencies (such as data quality, metadata management, master data management) that optimize the safety, value and quality of data throughout the data life cycle.
• Identify opportunities and make recommendations to improve the trustworthiness of data throughout the organisation.
• Identify areas of potential security failure in datasets appropriate to content and user accesses, support corrective steps and validate solutions.
• Work with management to minimize data risks.
• Work with subject matter experts to develop the rules, policies and guidance needed to safeguard the organisation’s data assets.
• Support data literacy training and development.
• Work with management to prioritize business and information needs.
• Locate and define new process improvement opportunities.
• Assist in measuring data maturity across different domains and describe the benefits of potential improvements.

Managerial

• Work with the Data Analytics and Insights Manager to establish, maintain and communicate a clear and compelling strategic direction for the Insights Centre of Excellence.
• Direct and manage their strand of the Data Strategy in accordance with EA’s strategic direction, relevant legislation, industry best practice and other public sector policies and guidance.
• Line Manage employees assigned to support the Insights Centre of Excellence – project support.
• Ensure that employees within the Insights Centre of Excellence are provided with clear structure, strategies, policies and processes for their system/service are implemented while maintaining the high standards of the Authority and any future challenges.
• Ensure that employees within the Insights Centre of Excellence are provided with clear structure, roles and responsibilities and are supported to work in an integrated way.
• Manage the risk profile of their projects and provide the Senior Project Manager with early warning on all assurance matters.
• Ensure all deliverables within their function are managed scope-effectively, time-and cost-efficiently.
• Work closely with the Data Analytics and Insights Manager to ensure that all project deliverables conform to the PM framework.
• Develop clear and complete documentation and technical records of work done to create solid project and programme legacy documents for audit or future review.

Cultural

• Promote the corporate vision, values and culture of EA as a single regional organisation, in all processes linked to maintenance, development and implementation of their element of project assignment.
• Deliver/Manage service budget in accordance with financial policy and procedures.
• Ensure that systems/services meet the needs and standards expected of a leading public service organisation.
• Establish effective, accountable and rigorous quality assurance systems to achieve the highest possible standards of performance, focusing on maintaining the needs of internal and external customers.
• Foster a culture that supports achievement of the authority’s Strategic Plan by role modelling core values and leadership behaviours to staff.
• Investigate all complaints/adverse incidents within their areas of responsibilities where outcomes are below expected standards.
• Encourage a data informed culture that enables effective decision making at all levels.

This job description will be subject to review in light of changing circumstances and is not intended to be rigid and inflexible but should be regarded as providing guidelines within which the individual works. Other duties of a similar nature and appropriate to the grade may be assigned from time to time.

In accordance with Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act (1998), the post-holder is expected to promote good relations, equality of opportunity and pay due regard for equality legislation at all times.

Person Specification

Notes to Job Applicants

• You must clearly demonstrate on your application form under each question, how, and to what extent you meet the required criteria as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted.
• You should clearly demonstrate this for both the essential and desirable criteria, where relevant.
• The stage in the process when the criteria will be measured is outlined in the table below.
• Shortlisting will be carried out on the basis of the essential criteria set out in Section 1 below, using the information provided by you on your application form.
• Please note that the Selection Panel reserves the right to shortlist only those applicants that it believes most strongly meet the criteria for the role.
• In the event of an excessive number of applications, the Selection Panel also reserves the right to apply any desirable criteria as outlined in Section 3 at shortlisting, in which case these will be applied in the order listed.

Section 1 - Essential Criteria

• Hold a bachelor’s degree (QCF Level 6) or an equivalent or higher qualification in an area related to the role e.g. Science, Technology, Engineering, ICT, Statistics, Mathematics, Physics, or Business and have two years’ relevant experience OR Have five years’ relevant experience. Relevant experience is defined as: Experience of working in the field of Data Governance, collaborating with a wide range of key stakeholders.
• Demonstrable experience of working to deadlines and controlling multiple projects to deliver high quality outcomes.
• Demonstrable experience of problem-solving skills, analysing, modelling, visualising, interpreting, and presenting data to make a substantial difference to the success of an organisation.
• Demonstrable experience of documenting data management processes.
• Demonstrable experience of supporting data governance to be understood at all levels throughout organisational programmes and projects.
• Demonstrable experience using Power BI.

Other

• Work may occasionally be required outside of standard working hours.
• The successful candidate will be required to have access to a suitable vehicle (appropriately maintained and insured for Education Authority business) that will enable them to carry out the mobility requirements of the post in an efficient and effective manner and thus meet this essential criterion; OR be able to provide sufficient information on the application form that will satisfy the employer that he/she has access to an appropriate alternative form of transport that will enable them to carry out the mobility requirements of the post in an efficient and effective manner and thus meet this essential criterion.

Section 2 - Essential Criteria

• Ability to analyse business information and to apply innovation and initiative in solving problems.
• Ability to communicate effectively and to establish and maintain productive working relationships with internal and external stakeholders at a range of levels.
• Ability to work to tight deadlines and prioritise workload.
• Demonstrable commitment to continuous personal and professional development.

Values Orientation

• Evidence of how your experience and approach to work reflect EA’s ethos and values.

Section 3 - Desirable Criteria

• Demonstrable experience of master data management.
• Demonstrable experience of statistical methodologies and data analysis techniques.

Our Values

Through the selection process we will also seek evidence that the personal values of candidates align with those of the EA. This will include evidence of commitment to equality and excellence in service delivery. These reflect our aim which is to meet the needs of all our children and young people equally, removing barriers to learning and ensuring equality of access to excellent education services so that every child can develop to his or her full potential.

Disclosure of Criminal Background

The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (Northern Ireland) Order 2007 defines working directly with children or young people or in specified places as ‘regulated activity’. In the event that you are recommended for appointed to a post that involves ‘regulated activity’, the Education Authority will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure of Criminal Background. Please note that you WILL be expected to meet the cost of an Enhanced Disclosure Certificate. Details of how to make payment will be sent to you at the pre-employment stage.

Further information can be accessed at NI Direct or the Department of Justice.