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Digital Strategy Advisor - CDDO

Government Digital Services -

Full-time (Permanent)
The salary of this grade is £38,046 (National). Terms and conditions apply for internal Civil Servants
Published on
16 November 2022
Deadline
4 December 2022

Who we are

A part of the Cabinet Office, the Central Digital and Data Office leads the digital, data and technology (DDaT) function for government. We put the right conditions in place to achieve digital, data and technology transformation at scale by working with departments, and other government functions like commercial, project delivery and security professionals.

We are responsible for:

In the Strategy, Performance and Assurance directorate we are responsible for:

  • Mobilising all of His Majesty’s Government around a single Digital and Data strategy;
  • Making the processes and systems of His Majesty’s Government (such as how we fund and deliver digital services) fit for the digital age;
  • Ensuring Digital, Data and Technology is a world-class function that meets the needs of departmental, official and ministerial stakeholders;
  • Monitoring progress against the Digital and Data Strategy and identifying opportunities for improvement;
  • Ensuring His Majesty’s Government spend on Digital, Data and Technology aligns with our single cross-government strategy;
  • Managing day-to-day operations of the CDDO organisation, such as governance, portfolio management, finance, people and the executive private office for CDDO.

Our priorities are:

  • Delivering the Cross-Government Digital and Data Strategy for 2022 - 2025;
  • Leading the system reform agenda, a programme of work to address systemic issues that prevent digital transformation of HMG;
  • Transforming the DDaT function through better data and insight;
  • Sharpening the focus of DDaT Assurance and deployment of a new operating model;
  • Implementing the new CDDO organisational design and establishing business operations, portfolio management and governance for CDDO

What you'll do


As a Digital Strategy Advisor you'll:

  • Play a leading role in the development and communication of the vision and strategy for the DDaT function and CDDO, working closely with analytical colleagues to ensure all components make sense and fit together as part of an innovative, robust, holistic and compelling direction.
  • Contribute to discussions with senior officials and Ministers on the creation and delivery of Strategy and functional content.
  • Work with senior leadership to resolve difficult organisational challenges quickly and with confidence.
  • Represent CDDO in meetings across government both within the Cabinet Office and OGDs, managing strong relationships with stakeholders from all levels across government and with external influencers to secure delivery of strategic priorities.
  • Shape and craft a portfolio of strategy submissions and briefings for senior governance meetings and departmental commissions.
  • Support the other members of the Strategy and Analysis team and wider strategy community in CDDO.


Who you'll be


This role requires:

  • Excellent ability to translate complex and broad material into clear written and oral analysis and communications, including briefings and presentations; 
  • Ability to operate effectively in a fast paced, political and complex environment;
  • Able to credibly engage and build relationships with, influence and gain the confidence of senior leaders and external influencers;
  • Understanding of the interplay between business requirements, departmental need, operations and technical DDaT processes;
  • Skills in both quantitative and qualitative analysis.

Additional Information

 The standard selection process for roles at CDDO consists of:

  • An application screening process - Simply, hit apply.  We only ask for a Cover letter (up to 750 words) and a CV.  Important tip - please ensure that your cover letter includes how you meet the skills and experience listed in the “who you’ll be” section above.
  • An interview - We will asses you against the behaviours listed above, your experience and technical/specialist skill set 
  • A Presentation/Briefing Task at Interview

CDDO offers hybrid working for all employees. This means that everyone does some working from home/remote working and also spends some time in their local office. You will agree to your hybrid working arrangement with your line manager in line with your preferences and business needs. 

If we receive a high number of applications, we may decide to include an additional round (this would typically be a short telephone interview or assessment/exercise depending on the type of role).

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

Candidates that do not pass the interview, however, have demonstrated an acceptable standard will be considered for similar roles at a lower grade. 

Security level for the role; This role requires Security Clearance (SC). If further clearance is required in the future, you will be expected to complete this. Further details are outlined in Security vetting for employees.

The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. For further information see https://www.gov.uk/guidance/prison-leavers-project-improving-outcomes-for-prison-leavers


How you'll be assessed

In the Civil Service, we use our Success Profiles. For each role we advertise we consider what you will need to demonstrate to be successful. This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job, drives up performance and improves diversity and inclusivity. We will be looking at your experience, career history and achievements that are relevant to the specific job role. We may assess your ability, strength, experience, technical/specialist skills and behaviours.

For this role the following behaviours are the most relevant:

delivering at pace
seeing the big picture
communicating and influencing
working together

Things you need to know

You can find out about the application process and practical details like our office locations on the things you need to know page.

Equal Opportunities 

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity in our organisation. You can find out more about our commitment to diversity and inclusion and read our equal opportunities statement on our Diversity and Inclusion page.

Redeployment Interview Scheme

Civil Service employees (including Senior Civil Servants and Crown Arms Length Bodies) who are at risk of redundancy and who meet the minimum selection criteria in the job specification are guaranteed to progress to the next stage of the recruitment processSelection will be on merit and at-risk candidates will be able to self-identify during the application stage,

For all guaranteed interview schemes, there may be exceptions made on reasons of time/resource for high-volume recruitment where the vacancy manager may decide to select the candidates who best meet the minimum criteria rather than all of those that meet the minimum criteria.

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