Head of Data Governance

Save the Children International has an exciting opportunity for a Head, Data Governance to join our global team.

Team and Job Purpose

Across all sectors, AI, Data and Digital are critical enablers that help organisations deliver better quality work, based on sound decision making and driving efficiency. This is as important if not more critical in the development sector where every $ counts towards supporting the needs of children. There are many systems and tools across the organisation that are used to generate, store and communicate data and information as well as pockets of capabilities and process that is focused on driving continuous improvement. Alongside this and based on this rich data landscape, Digital Programming or ICT4D (information and communication technology for development) is the application of technology for the delivery of programmes for children. Technology can range from bespoke for a specific purpose, or a standard off the shelf digital tool or application. It may be deployed in the field as part of a program delivery (front office) or form part of the program development cycle (back office). Similarly, it could also focus on an enabling technology required to allow further digital developments e.g. connectivity, infrastructure changes etc. Bringing these together and maximising benefit from evolving AI technologies to support programme delivery, data and analytics, operational delivery etc. in a single unit, drives quality delivery and ensures a fully joined up approach. 

To ensure we focus our resource and capabilities in the best way to maximise value, a fit for purpose strategy based on our overarching global strategy is key, enabling us to accelerate on priority areas and balance scale with local needs. 

Role purpose

This role is the business owner for the Data Governance topic. They will drive the requirements needed to ensure our data is accurate, reliable, timely, consistent, and useable, while ensuring business unit leaders are clear on what they can do with enterprise data as well as their respective accountabilities for data stewardship.

Data Governance is a critical component of Data and Analytics and is essential to ensure that our data is effectively gathered, stored, processed and exposed of consistently across our Architecture at an SCA level. 

Job Title: Head, Data Governance

Reports To: Data & Analytics

Work Pattern: Hybrid/Remote with flexible working options available 

Contract Length: Permanent

Grade: M4

Location: Any approved Save the Children International office location. For a full list of locations that Save the Children International can hire in, please visit: SCI Careers 

Time Zone (that the role holder must be available to work in): Any existing SCI office location

Salary: In accordance with our global compensation and benefits framework, location-specific salary scales and benefits will apply. For candidates based in the UK, we can offer circa £71,000 per annum

Right to Work: The successful candidate must possess the unrestricted right to work in their current or preferred location for the duration of employment.

Language Requirements: English

International Travel Requirements: Yes, up to 10% 

Budget Responsibility: None

People Management Responsibility: Number of people managed in total: 2

Manager of a team: Yes

Team Manager (manager of multiple teams): No

Principal Accountabilities

• Lead and oversee data governance processes, ensuring all key business stakeholders are engaged and supported in understanding and utilising our data infrastructure effectively
• Establish and maintain clear expectations for business functions regarding their data governance responsibilities, including maintaining data definitions and ensuring data quality
• Structure and streamline data availability, ensuring that business users have clear and accessible information to make informed decisions
• Chair and manage key forums such as the Product Owners Forum and the Analytics Community of Practice to foster collaboration and shared learning across the organisation
• Take business ownership of cross-functional data products, ensuring that reporting and analytics tools meet the needs of all stakeholders while maintaining data integrity
• Collaborate closely with IT to ensure seamless integration of technical and business aspects of data management products and processes, promoting a unified and efficient approach

Experience and Skills

Essential

1. Data Governance Expertise: Extensive experience in leading implementation of data governance frameworks, data catalogues, metadata management, and data quality processes.
2. Data Quality Management: Significant experience in ensuring data integrity, accuracy, and consistency across systems.
3. Analytics and Reporting Tools: Extensive experience with various reporting and analytics tools, such as Tableau, Power BI, or SAS
4. Team Leadership: Ability to lead cross-functional teams, offering guidance and fostering a collaborative environment that aligns with SCI's values
5. Stakeholder Engagement: Proven experience in engaging and managing stakeholders from diverse business functions effectively
6. Facilitation: Experience in chairing forums of key technical stakeholders, encouraging shared learning and solutions. Capable of translating complex technical information to actionable, clear summary information
7. Technical-Non-Technical Integration: Ability to work closely with IT to ensure seamless integration of technical and business aspects in data management processes
8. Strategic Vision: Ability to think strategically about data governance on a global scale, setting ambitious and challenging goals for the team. Encourages and applies new and innovative solutions to drive data governance and management efforts

Desirable

• Non-profit sector knowledge/experience

Education and Qualifications

• Experience managing data governance initiatives in large organizations
• Educated to degree level or equivalent work experience

Working at Save the Children International

Save the Children is the world's leading organisation for children, employing ~25,000 staff. We save children's lives. We fight for their rights. We help them fulfil their potential. Through our work in 116 countries, we put the most deprived and marginalised children first.

We know that great people make a great organisation, and that our employees play a crucial role in helping us achieve our ambitions for children. We value our people and offer a meaningful and rewarding career, along with a collaborative and inclusive environment where ambition, creativity, and integrity are highly valued.

The work here is challenging but is also immensely rewarding. At Save the Children, you will be in good company, working with talented, like-minded individuals who are determined to ensure that all children survive, learn, and are protected. Your contribution will help ensure children's voices are heard at the highest levels, and that we achieve our global strategy, Ambition for Children 2030, and reach every last child.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Equal Opportunities

DEI is core to our vision, values and global strategy. Save the Children is committed to creating a truly diverse, equitable and inclusive organisation, and one which will support us in our vision to ensure every child attains the right to survival, protection, development, and participation.

We are committed to equal employment opportunities, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, race, colour, ethnic origin, nationality, disability, marital or civil partnership status, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, caring or parental responsibilities, age, or beliefs and religion. We are committed to diversifying our staff to better represent the communities we serve and actively welcome underrepresented groups to apply.

Reasonable adjustments will be made should any candidate invited to interview require this.

Application Information

Please attach a copy of your CV and cover letter with your application. A full copy of the role profile can be found here via the job listing. It is recommended that you save a copy of the role profile as it will no longer be available after the advert closes.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and the job advert may be closed earlier than advertised subject to the volume of suitable applicants. Please submit your application at your earliest convenience to avoid disappointment.

Due to the high volume of applications we receive, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Candidates who are successfully shortlisted should expect to hear from us within 2 weeks of the advert deadline.

Our recruitment process:

1. Application review by our recruiting team based on your CV and cover letter
2. Two-stage competency-based interviews with the hiring team
3. Some recruitment may include an additional assessment or case study stage, or a third stage interview
4. If successful, you will receive a conditional offer of employment, followed by your contract subject to passing background checks

We need to keep children and adults safe so our selection process includes rigorous background checks and reflects our commitment to the protection of children and adults from abuse. All employees are expected to carry out their duties in accordance with our Code of Conduct and all policies and procedures relating to Anti-harassment, Health and Safety, Safeguarding, and DEI and Equal Opportunities.

Save the Children does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.