Data, Insight and Information Governance Lead

Are you experienced in using data, insight and evidence to improve public services?

Can you bring organisations together to overcome barriers to data sharing and turn complex information into clear recommendations?

We are looking for a Data, Insight and Information Governance Lead to join the West Midlands Changing Futures Programme.

Changing Futures Phase 2 is a national programme funded by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government until March 2029. It aims to improve outcomes for adults experiencing multiple disadvantage, including homelessness, substance misuse, poor mental health, domestic abuse and involvement with the criminal justice system.

The West Midlands has been selected to deliver the programme for the first time, bringing together partners from housing, health, social care, local government, criminal justice and the voluntary sector to provide more joined-up, person-centred and trauma-informed support. The programme will focus on driving system change across Birmingham, Sandwell and Wolverhampton, helping services work more effectively together to improve outcomes for residents and reduce reliance on crisis-led interventions.

Based within the Office for Public Sector Innovation (OPSI), the Changing Futures team plays a key role in supporting public service reform through collaboration, innovation and learning. Working closely with colleagues and partners across the region, the team develops and shares insight, evidence and best practice to inform wider system change and improve outcomes for people facing complex challenges.

This is a regional role with the opportunity to shape how data, intelligence and evidence are used to understand need, improve outcomes and support wider public service reform.

You will act as the regional subject matter expert for data, insight and information governance. You will work across local government, health, housing, criminal justice and the voluntary and community sector to strengthen collaboration and make better use of information.

You will bring together data, lived experience and professional knowledge to support better decisions and system-wide learning.

This role is being advertised as a 2.5 year fixed term contract.

What you will be doing.

• Lead the development and implementation of the regional Data, Insight and Information Governance function for Changing Futures.

• Act as WMCA’s strategic lead for data, insight and information governance within the programme.
• Develop a shared regional approach to understanding need, outcomes, system pressures and repeat crisis demand.
• Champion the use of evidence and intelligence to support prevention, system reform and improved outcomes.
• Promote evidence-informed decision making across the programme.
• Influence regional approaches to data sharing and information governance, helping partners overcome barriers to collaboration.
• Build and maintain relationships with data, insight, research and information governance professionals across partner organisations.
• Establish and coordinate the regional Data, Insight and Information Governance Network.
• Bring together intelligence from multiple organisations to develop a richer understanding of multiple disadvantage.
• Identify barriers to data sharing and support partners to develop practical solutions and common approaches.
• Support the development of Information Sharing Agreements, Data Sharing Agreements and appropriate governance arrangements.
• Produce regional insight reports, dashboards, briefings and evidence summaries.
• Support the collection and interpretation of qualitative and quantitative evidence.
• Combine data, lived experience insight and practitioner knowledge to improve understanding of system performance and outcomes.
• Support the development of common reporting frameworks and shared outcome measures.
• Ensure data and intelligence inform programme governance, learning cycles and System Maturity Framework reviews.
• Act as a trusted advisor and critical friend to partners looking to strengthen analytical capability and information governance.
• Work closely with the Systems Change Lead and Lived Experience and Co-production Lead to bring different sources of evidence and insight together.
• Support commissioning of research, analysis and technical expertise where required.
• Manage budgets associated with data, insight and information governance activity and ensure value for money.
• Represent WMCA within regional and national networks relating to data, analytics and information governance.

What's essential.

You will have:

• Experience leading or influencing cross-organisational data, insight or intelligence initiatives involving multiple partners.
• Experience improving how organisations use data, evidence or intelligence to inform strategic decision making.
• Experience working with information governance, information sharing or data protection requirements in complex multi-agency environments.
• Experience analysing and interpreting complex data and communicating findings to different audiences.
• Experience facilitating collaboration between analysts, policymakers, operational services and senior leaders.
• Experience developing or implementing Information Sharing Agreements or Data Sharing Agreements.
• Experience of linked data, integrated datasets or multi-agency intelligence approaches.
• Experience developing dashboards, performance frameworks or outcomes measurement approaches.
• Strong understanding of information governance and data protection principles.
• A strong understanding of the opportunities and challenges associated with data sharing across public services.
• Understanding of multiple disadvantage and how it interacts with wider inequalities.
• Knowledge of quantitative and qualitative research methodologies.
• The ability to interpret complex information, identify meaningful insights and translate technical information into practical recommendations.
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to present complex information clearly.
• The ability to work across organisational boundaries and influence without direct authority.
• The ability to balance strategic thinking with practical delivery.
• An understanding of how data, insight and evidence can support prevention, public service reform and systems change.

Location.

The location for this role is Summer Lane, Birmingham with at least 2 days a week spent in the office.

How to apply.

Applying for a role with WMCA is straightforward. Follow these steps to get started.

Please note, we reserve the right to close any vacancy from further submissions when we have received sufficient applications from which to make a shortlist. Please apply without delay if you wish to be considered for this role.

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