Data Analytics and Science Hub (DASH) – Innovation Lead
| Posting date: | 17 March 2025 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £41,220 to £49,020 per year |
| Additional salary information: | National £41,220-£45,400 London £44,500-£49,020 For details of our pay on appointment policy, please see below under the heading ‘Salary’. |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 31 March 2025 |
| Location: | Newcastle-upon-Tyne |
| Company: | Government Recruitment Service |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 393282/3 |
Summary
CAID, in partnership with Digital, Data Technology and Services (DDTS) is delivering the DASH programme to transform data science and analysis across the Defra group by delivering scalable, adaptable, future-ready and user-oriented services that nurture a highly skilled community of analysts and scientists.
CAID lead the community, capability and engagement elements and provide the data science expertise both within the programme and to support the analytical and science community. DDTS deliver the data and technology capabilities, primarily through the development and delivery of the DASH Platform, and its ongoing support and maintenance.
As the DASH Innovation Lead, you will play a pivotal role in driving the development and delivery of cutting-edge solutions while fostering a culture of innovation. This role combines innovation with strategic delivery, ensuring that DASH service developments are designed and developed effectively and delivered to align with user needs and organisational goals. You will leverage your expertise to identify and capitalise on emerging opportunities, working closely with DASH’s new AI incubator, and support robust governance frameworks and ethical practices to deliver impactful and sustainable outcomes.
You will collaborate with multidisciplinary teams both within DASH and across Defra group, providing data science capability expertise, enabling / building community data science capability, and ensuring the effective use of the DASH service to maximise impact.
We recognise the challenges that people with (multiple) protected characteristics may experience on the job market and in their career progression. We are fully committed to being an inclusive employer and ensuring equal opportunities. We are keen to make our workforce as diverse as possible, and we hope to attract applications from underrepresented groups.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is the UK government department responsible for safeguarding our natural environment, supporting our world-leading food and farming industry, and sustaining a thriving rural economy. Our broad remit means we play a major role in people's day-to-day life, from the food we eat, and the air we breathe, to the water we drink.
As Innovation Lead, you will be expected to:
Horizon Scanning
- Coordinate the identification and research into emerging technologies and methodologies to address strategic challenges and opportunities in the user community.
- Work collaboratively with subject matter experts from diverse disciplines to shape and refine a comprehensive use case strategy for advancing development and driving innovation.
- Foster partnerships with academia, industry, and other government departments to co-create innovative solutions.
Strategic Discovery and Planning
- Develop and drive a roadmap for development, ensuring alignment with organisational priorities and the wider government strategy.
- Make recommendations in balancing innovation with operational delivery, ensuring a pragmatic approach to achieving project outcomes.
- Lead user validation processes, including research, testing, and stakeholder feedback to ensure the accuracy and value of solutions.
- Establish reusable AI frameworks, such as MLOps pipelines and AI models to accelerate future project development.
- Collaborate with the DASH Capability Lead to integrate governance frameworks, ethical standards and assurance processes into delivery.
- Promote responsible AI practices by addressing risks, bias and transparency in the development of AI solutions.
Stakeholder Management and Collaboration
- Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including government officials, private sector leaders, and academic experts.
- Facilitate effective collaboration across cross-functional teams, fostering inclusivity and shared ownership of project goals.
- Act as a thought leader and advocate for innovation, particularly AI innovation in DASH, collaborating within and outside the organisation, influencing policy and strategy discussions.
- Share lessons learned and best practices to enhance organisational capability, fostering further development.
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