Senior Adviser – Data Management

Fixed term until 31 March 2025
About us
The Local Government Association (LGA) is the national membership body for local authorities. We work on behalf of our member councils to support, promote and improve local government. We are a politically led, cross-party organisation that works on behalf of councils to ensure local government has a strong, credible voice with national government. We influence and set the political agenda on the issues that matter to councils to help them deliver local solutions to national problems. We also provide councils with the tools and resources to respond to challenges present and emerging, and support improvement across the sector.

About the role
The Research and Information Team is looking for someone who can provide bespoke technical support for LG Inform, the Local Government Association’s (LGA) data benchmarking tool for councils, and other data tools within the organisation. It will require a person who has knowledge and experience of designing or implementing data architecture, and who can advise on data standards, data schemas and meta data.
The successful post-holder will be a key part of the team that manages and delivers the LG Inform programme, but will also support a range of other data tools used within the organisation. Being part of a team which is increasingly important to the LGA, you will have the opportunity to manage contractors, collaborate with colleagues, engage with council data leads, and build relationships with other external stakeholders.
The post is based in the Research and Information Team, and is a fixed-term appointment until 31 March 2025. There may be the possibility of an extension.
The post is office-based, with opportunities for home-working. This will be in line with the LGA’s flexible working policy, where currently staff have to attend our Westminster office a minimum of two days a week.
About you
You will enjoy all things data, and so welcome the idea of a job that incorporates both the technical skills of managing data, but also getting involved in defining improvements, managing contractors to deliver work, contributing ideas and practical support for the LGA’s use of data, working with colleagues to improve data, and even undertaking data analysis or data preparation.
It’s essential that you can provide technical advice and support on data architecture, data flow and data structure within our data tools; and advise where appropriate on data standards, data schemas, meta data and data governance and quality. But you will also have experience of managing the delivery of workstreams to ensure that agreed activities are delivered effectively and efficiently, and are focused on the objectives and budget.
The job description and person specification for the post is below.
You must have the right to work in the UK, the LGA are unfortunately unable to offer sponsorship visas. Evidence for the right to work in the UK will be requested at the interview stage.
To apply
If you would like to be considered for the role, please complete the online form before the closing date, and include a supporting statement detailing why you are interested, and the demonstrable skills and competencies you would bring to the role against the following headings:

Technical data skills (designing, specifying, implementing and managing data systems, including data infrastructure and architecture; and understanding of data flow, structure, standards, schemas and meta data)
Managing projects or workstreams successfully
Writing and communication skills
Experience of managing and motivating others, for example, colleagues and/or external contractors
Other relevant skills/experience.

We use anonymous recruitment, which is the practice of hiding candidates’ identities. This process involves removing any identifying information from candidates’ applications which includes names.
Closing Date: 4 November 2024 Interview Date: 18 November 2024: interviews will be held virtually At the LGA we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. Our recruitment decisions are based on fair, open competition, with appointment on merit. The LGA are proud to have been awarded ‘Disability Confident Leader’ status. If you require a reasonable adjustment, which is a change to the format or conditions of the recruitment process to accommodate any disability-related needs you may have, please contact us via recruitment@local.gov.uk.

Our benefits

LGA annual leave entitlement is 29 days, rising to 31 days after three years’ service and to 33 days after five years’ service, plus all UK public holidays (pro rata for fixed term and part time contracts).
Flexible and agile working – office-based staff are required to work in the LGA’s London office two days per week as a minimum, subject to business need and this may vary significantly between different roles and from week to week.
Future development – face-to-face and virtual courses are scheduled in line with developmental goals
The LGA offers 24/7 access to a free, confidential employee assistance programme managed by Health Assured. This service is also available for dependants.
Family-friendly policies.

For more of LGA’s benefits and working with us, please view our webpage https://www.local.gov.uk/benefits-and-working-lga.
Our values and behaviours
Our values and behaviours are there to give us an understanding of who we are as an organisation and who we want to be. They are a framework to help us understand:

how we work with each other
how we work with our members and stakeholders
our expectations for ourselves and each other.

Our values are:
Inclusive – we ensure that our work is inclusive of all voices.
Ambitious – we are ambitious for councils and their communities and are committed to striving for excellence in all that we do to support our colleagues, our membership and the sector to deliver the best possible outcomes.
Collaborative – we bring together the expertise and skills needed, working as one team.