Service Owner: Digital Preservation

The National Archives

Apply before 11:55 pm on Thursday 27th January 2022

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Reference number

179206

Salary

£62,000

Grade

Grade 6

Contract type

Permanent

Business area

TNA - Digital - Digital Archiving

Type of role

Digital
Senior leadership
Other

Working pattern

Flexible working, Full-time, Job share, Part-time

Number of posts

1

Location

Richmond upon Thames, London (region), TW9 4DU

About the job

Summary

About us:

Archives matter. Without records, we could not hold government to account, carry out pioneering research or learn from the past. Whether they are websites, the evidence heard by inquiries or the algorithms which support official decision-making, preserving our digital public records is vital.

The National Archives is the archive of UK Government and the courts and one of the world’s leading digital archives. We preserve and provide access to the UK’s public records. Our strategy sets out our ambition to be an inclusive, entrepreneurial and disruptive archive.

We have operated as a digital archive for over 20 years. Our technical platform includes innovative new services running alongside systems that are approaching retirement. We are seeking a talented individual to build and strengthen our team and lead the creation of our next generation of digital preservation services.

Job description

Full job description attached (see below).
 

Responsibilities

About the role:

In this role, your work will ensure that today’s digital public records survive for the benefit of future generations of citizens, researchers, policy makers and historians.

You will be accountable for our digital preservation service, developing our ability to accept and preserve growing volumes of digital records in increasingly complex formats. You will own and manage our portfolio of digital preservation tools (e.g. DROID, PRONOM, DiAGRAM), many of which are used by other archives and cultural institutions worldwide.

One of your first challenges in this role will be to replace our ageing digital preservation system and its supporting infrastructure to improve the performance and capacity of our core digital preservation service and maintain the long-term integrity and security of our digital archive.

About you:

You are a confident communicator with a deep understanding of digital preservation. You have a strong focus on delivery and are passionate about creating excellent digital products and services that meet user needs. Your enthusiasm will help you collaborate with, lead and inspire an expert team. You will enjoy challenging, research-led work which grows our capability as a digital archive and makes a positive contribution to the long term preservation of the UK’s digital public records.

Join us here in beautiful Kew, just 10 minutes’ walk from the Overground and Underground stations, and you can expect an excellent range of benefits. They include a pension, flexible hybrid working arrangements, discounts with local businesses (e.g. beauty salons and bars) and wellbeing resources (e.g. on-site therapists). We offer an on-site gym, restaurant, shop and staff bar (all subject to current Covid restrictions).

This is a full time post. However, requests for part-time working, flexible working and job share will be considered, taking into account at all times the operational needs of the Department. A combination of onsite and home working is available and applicants should be able to regularly travel to our Kew site.

SC-level Security Clearance or willingness to obtain SC clearance is mandatory for this role and requires that you have lived in the UK for the last 3 years. The length of required residency may depend on individual circumstances.

We are an equal opportunities employer welcoming applications from all sections of the community and from people of diverse ages, experience and backgrounds, including people with disabilities. We are keen to explore the widest possible pool of talent for all our roles.

How to apply:

To submit your application please click the 'Apply now' button on this page. You will be asked to write a personal statement and upload your CV. In your personal statement please explain, using examples, how you meet the essential criteria below. You may draw on knowledge, skills, abilities, experience gained from paid work, domestic responsibilities, education, leisure interests and voluntary activities. Please note selection for interview will largely be based on the information you provide in this section so please make full use of the 1250 word count.

Essential criteria:

• A deep understanding of the evolving principles and practice of digital preservation with the demonstrable ability to research, design and implement robust strategies for active management of a range of digital preservation risks.
• Strong leadership skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate others, negotiate buy-in, lead innovative thinking and take a strategic view, translating vision into prioritised deliverable goals.
• An excellent ability to handle complexity. You will be able to understand complex problems and identify and implement strategic solutions, including leading technical research to support future service development and overcoming operational, policy and technology constraints to deliver a successful service.
• Experience of managing budgets and resources, including developing business cases to secure funding; accurate planning and reporting; prioritising spending in line with strategic intent; and owning and managing contracts for technology services.
• Excellent prioritisation skills, able to understand stakeholders and their needs based on evidence and work under pressure to meet user and business needs, manage expectations and handle competing priorities.
• Able to apply an Agile approach to rapid delivery of working, user-focused digital products and services, working closely with operational and product delivery teams and digital specialists in a fast paced, evolving environment.
• Strong negotiation and interpersonal skills, with the confidence and ability to manage with firmness, sensitivity and diplomacy.
• Excellent communication and networking skills, with the presence and confidence to represent The National Archives nationally and internationally to build relationships and networks with a range of audiences, including at senior levels.

Desirable criteria:
• A strong track record of publishing and communicating your work and delivering impact through research.
• Expertise in Agile approaches, creating and evolving digital products and building and shaping multi-disciplinary teams, preferably gained in a Product Manager or Service Owner role.
• An understanding of product lifecycle with experience of managing a digital product or service through development and operational phases and into retirement.

Benefits

Generous benefits package, including pension, sports and social club facilities, onsite gym, discounted rates at our on-site cafe and opportunities for training and development.

Any move to The National Archives 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. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk;

Things you need to know

Security

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check.

See our vetting charter.

People working with government assets must complete basic personnel security standard checks.

Selection process details

Part of the interview process will require candidates to prepare a short presentation. Further details will be given to candidates if and when they are invited to an interview.

Reasonable adjustments:

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 The National Archives via careers@nationalarchives.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 interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional

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

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with settled or pre-settled status or who apply for either status by the deadline of the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service
• relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service
• certain family members of the relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals

Further information on nationality requirements

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles.

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Apply and further information

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Further information

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact The National Archives via email: careers@nationalarchives.gov.uk If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission at http://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/civil-service-recruitment/complaints/