Lead Data Governance and Assurance Specialist at Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs, York/Remote, 6 Months, £Contract Rate

The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) is seeking an experienced Data Governance and Assurance specialist to lead delivery of a significant data maturity improvement programme.

The successful candidate will be responsible for delivering improvements arising from the organisation 's Data Maturity Assessment, reducing enterprise data risks, strengthening governance and assurance arrangements, supporting the scheduled September 2026 Assessment, and preparing the organisation for future formal maturity reassessment.

This is a hands-on delivery role requiring strong experience of data governance implementation, organisational change, assurance, risk management and stakeholder engagement across complex public sector environments.

You will be supported by your Colleagues in the Data, Technical Assurance and Information Team, the Digital Analysis Directorate, and across the MMO. There is also an active and engaged, cross-Defra Group, Data Maturity Community that shares knowledge, coordinates, and aligns artifacts and approaches between organisations.

As a Lead Data Governance and Assurance Specialist your main responsibilities will be:

• Leading delivery of the MMO Data Maturity Improvement Programme.
• Driving improvements in organisational data governance and maturity.
• Implementing governance frameworks, operating models and assurance controls.
• Establishing data ownership, stewardship and accountability arrangements.
• Delivering corrective actions associated with enterprise data risks.
• Improving visibility, control and management of critical data assets.
• Producing executive-level reporting, dashboards and assurance evidence.
• Facilitating governance forums and engaging with senior stakeholders.
• Supporting compliance with Defra Group data and information management requirements.
• Preparing the organisation for assessment, audit and assurance activities.
• Developing practical guidance, standards and processes to embed best practice.
• Supporting the September 2026 Data Maturity Assessment and future reassessments.

Essential Experience

• Extensive experience delivering enterprise-wide data governance programmes.
• Proven success improving organisational data maturity.
• Strong experience implementing governance frameworks and operating models.
• Experience establishing data ownership, stewardship and accountability models.
• Expertise in data risk management, assurance and compliance activities.
• Experience with data cataloguing, metadata management and/or data lineage solutions.
• Strong understanding of data quality, information management and data lifecycle practices.
• Experience engaging and influencing senior stakeholders across complex organisations.
• Ability to translate strategic objectives into practical delivery outcomes.

Desirable Experience

• Public sector, regulatory or Defra Group environments.
• Data maturity assessment frameworks.
• Information governance and data protection requirements.
• ICO Accountability Framework.
• Audit, assurance and risk review activities.

Please be aware that this role can only be worked within the UK and not Overseas.

Disability Confident 

As a member of the Disability Confident Scheme, Defra guarantees to interview all candidates who have a disability and who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of candidates who have a disability who meet all the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group. This scheme encourages candidates with a disability and/or neurodivergence to apply. In exceptional circumstances, we may also need to apply the desirable criteria in our shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.

Armed Forces Covenant / Commitment

Defra guarantees to interview veterans or spouses / partners of military personnel who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of ex-military candidates / military spouses or partners, who meet all of the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group. In exceptional circumstances, we may also need to apply the desirable criteria in our shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.

In applying for this role, you acknowledge the following this role falls in scope of the Off Payroll Working in the Public Sector legislation. Any rates of payment quoted will reflect the gross rate per day for the assignment and will be subject to appropriate taxes and statutory costs. As such the payment to the intermediary and your income resulting from this contract will be different.