Smart Data Research UK: Senior Data Policy Manager

Location: Swindon - Hybrid

Hours: Full-time/0.8 FTE role

Interview: w/c 11^th December

Start: 26^th February 

Smart Data Research UK

This is an exciting opportunity to work at the forefront of UK science and technology. UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is investing £59.3m in Smart Data Research UK (SDR UK) – an ambitious programme to unlock, organise and champion safe access to smart data.  

Smart data is made whenever we engage with the digital world – when we buy something, ‘like’ something, or get directions. If used for scientific research, smart data can help us understand important social challenges – from preventing diseases to tackling climate change.  

About the role 

Smart data offer a powerful opportunity to understand society, improve lives, and sustainably grow our economy. In order to deliver a step change in the use of such data, SDR UK must safeguard public trust and navigate both day-to-day legal complexities and the dynamics of the international data policy landscape. 

ESRC is seeking a Senior Data Policy Manager to manage internal and external facing policy concerns for the programme. In this role, you will enable us to provide leadership and coordination across the programme on matters pertaining to ethics and responsible data governance, and you will help our leadership team stay informed about emerging policy issues. 

Key Responsibilities  

You will engage with national and international data policy developments, keeping the team informed of key issues and connected to relevant conversations. You will also manage the provision of cross-programme data governance and ethical and legal support, including, where relevant, scoping and commissioning external advice and services. 

• Develop and maintain an up-to-date understanding of the external policy, legislative and ethical landscape relevant to SDR UK.
• Lead the scoping and drafting a programme of ethical and legal resource to support Smart Data Research UK and its user communities, considering the requirements of the programme and community and options for resourcing.
• Lead our effort to develop an overall ethical framework that aligns with relevant policies across UKRI and the wider landscape while accounting for the distinct challenges raised by the new data sources and methods we unlock for research.  
• Convene advisory groups to help inform the development and delivery of Smart Data Research UKs ethical and legal programme. 

This is not a comprehensive list, and we may require you to undertake other duties within the Strategic Hub commensurate with the level of responsibility of this post.   

Essential  

• A strong understanding of data sharing and research use with regard to one of these three areas: ethics, legal practice including data sharing agreements, government data protection and data sharing legislation; or a demonstrated translatable understanding
• The demonstrable ability to develop knowledge quickly in all three areas listed above.
• A proven record of building effective working relationships both internal and external
• Experience of scoping new project ideas, engaging stakeholders to ensure requirements are understood
• Sophisticated analytical, problem-solving and decision-making skills and ability to think strategically
• Project management including experience of multi-tasking, prioritising and matrix managing 

UKRI can offer:

• - Flexible Working
• - 30 days annual leave + Public Holidays
• - Access to Civil Service Pension Scheme
• - Various everyday discounts through our dedicated provider

For more information and to apply, please visit our Careers Pages.

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