Data Acquisition Lead

The NHS Counter Fraud Authority (NHSCFA) is the national body responsible for all matters relating to the prevention, detection and investigation of economic crime across the NHS. Further information about our work and annual plan for delivering this is available on our website.

The Data Acquisition Lead manages the timely acquisition and sourcing of data suitable for counter fraud analysis within the NHSCFA's analytical and data science function. The role necessitates developing a comprehensive understanding of the NHSCFA's data requirements and developing and enacting the basis in which they can be met through a) developing access to data within a sound governance framework and b) their incorporation and utilisation within developed data pipelines. Developing relationships, both within the NHSCFA and across our wider stakeholders, is central to this role in order to develop and formally agree dataflows with key partners and work collaboratively with the various disciplines within each portfolio of work being undertaken to support their implementation.

The post holder will be required to have a NPPV2.

This is a Fixed Term contract until 31st March 2026.

Potential applicants can contact David Dixon at for an informal chat if you have any questions regarding the role.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy before the advertised closing date should we receive a significant number of applications.

Interviews will be held on 24th March 2025.

Main duties of the job

1. Lead, devise and deliver the acquisition of data sets required for counter fraud activities.
2. Develop and maintain a comprehensive data acquisition register that supports the data acquisition process through a problem-centric approach.
3. Utilise expertise in data management, analytics and stakeholder engagement and management to facilitate and secure datasets and/or data pipeline partnerships across the NHS.
4. Actively work with project managers, functions and workstreams to define detailed and problem-centric data requirements for delivery of the advanced analytical portfolio across the full range of the counter fraud remit within the NHS.
5. Work in partnership with the Enabling Support Programme Manager, Data Scientists, Data Science SME and domain specialists across the full portfolio of work to submit requests for data, whilst ensuring they are both appropriate and fit for purpose.

About us

We have offices based in Coventry, Newcastle and London and offer flexible, hybrid, office and home-based working. In addition to the advertised salary working in the London area will attract High-Cost Area Supplement where appropriate. The NHSCFA values and respects the diversity of its employees and aims to recruit a workforce which reflects our diverse communities. We welcome applications irrespective of people's age, disability, gender, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or other personal circumstances. We have policies and procedures in place to ensure that all applicants are treated fairly and consistently at every stage of the recruitment process, including an invitation to the first stage of the selection process and consideration of reasonable adjustments for people who have a disability. If you are applying to undertake this role on a secondment basis you should have agreement to being released from your current role in principle, prior to submitting an application form.The NHSCFA does not hold a sponsor licence in respect of skilled worker visas and so is unable to employ candidates requiring sponsorship.

Job responsibilities

1. Develop and maintain the appropriate governance processes in support of the above, including (but not limited to) the development of Data Sharing Agreements, Memorandums of Understanding, Privacy Impacts Assessments etc.
2. Work with Data Engineers to incorporate data transference, data pipelines and ETL procedures into the acquisition process.
3. Ensure timelines for data acquisition are managed and clear and are communicated to all internal and external stakeholders.
4. Manage systems and processes for monitoring progress against all data submission within this remit, including review of programme and performance milestone and benefits delivery, escalation of risks and issues and targeting of mitigating action.

Person SpecificationKnowledge and Experience

• Advanced theoretical & practical knowledge of data analytics and machine learning, acquired through specialist training or experience in an appropriate field.
• Knowledge of data, its use and application within NHS or other complex organisation.
• Demonstrable experience in ETL processes and developing data shares.
• Stakeholder management and negotiation leading to securing digital and data assets for counter fraud purposes.
• Recent and ongoing continuous professional and personal development action and activity.
• Experience of Data Engineering and determining appropriate and efficient data pipelines that clean, transform, and present granular and aggregated data from disparate sources.
• Detailed knowledge of Data Protection, legislation and directions that support the provision of data for counter fraud purposes.
• Relevant project and performance management experience in a large and complex organisation.
• Experience of producing/delivering management reports and presentations on performance-related issues - focused programmes and portfolio work.
• Developed knowledge of Analytics and Data Science.
• Knowledge of the appropriate governance and legislation regarding data sharing between parties.
• Alteryx foundational core accreditation (or equivalent working knowledge of Alteryx Designer).
• Experience in project negotiation implementation and management.
• Management experience relevant to a data-centric role within a counter fraud setting.

Specialist Knowledge/Skill

• Excellent analytic, numerical, and critical reasoning skills.
• Practical experience involving the understanding of data structures, types database awareness and the practices of managing data efficiently.
• Highly capable of effective problem solving.
• Can evidence innovative and strategic thinking ability.
• Ability to prioritise tasks and make sense of conflicting demands and ensure work is delivered to tight deadlines utilising efficiently all available resources.
• Ability to influence stakeholders and manage successful acquisition of strategic data assets.
• Able to translate strategic goals into effective and achievable operational plans and capable of monitoring their progress and outcomes.
• Highly developed negotiating and influencing skills.
• Able to assess risks, anticipate difficulties and successfully address them.
• Able to handle detail in strategic plans and make informed decisions and judgements.
• Current broad knowledge of the contemporary data science environment concerning data science, machine learning and artificial intelligence.
• A robust understanding of data and development of efficient data pipelines.

Qualifications

• Educated to degree level in relevant discipline.
• Experience in a demonstrably similar role. (for the purposes of this job description, equivalent experience would be engagement across a similarly sized team within a similarly complex organisation, successfully providing the necessary drive, technical knowledge, leadership and direction in a related field of data acquisition and access).

Communication Skills

• Advanced written and verbal communication skills, including the presentation of complex information, writing, and presenting corporate reports, option appraisals on service provision, presentations, and other documentation to both internal and external stakeholders.
• Proven computer literacy in the use of business/office software packages including MS Excel, MS Access, MS Word, MS PowerPoint, MS Project.
• Able to communicate understanding of data structure and types to technical and non-technical experts.
• Politically astute with knowledge of national and regional decision making and influencing bodies.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

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