Primary Purpose

Data Architecture is part of Enterprise Architecture, and is aligned to Business Architecture. Data Architects design how the data will be stored, consumed, integrated and managed using consistent data entities. They work with Solution Architects to ensure that the optimum technical solution is produced for the project.


Key Responsibilities

The Data Architect will work in a team developing the DDTS Data Architecture Framework which supports projects and programmes.
The Data Architect:
*designs data models and other artefacts and helps solution and enterprise architects to interpret business needs
*makes sure that their respective teams are working to the standards set for the organisation by the chief data architect
*Ensure that the design of end to end business and IT services and changes are consistent and conformant with strategy, architectural principles and standards and are supportable, sustainable, appropriately governed and deliverable
*works with commercial colleagues to provide input to tender materials and conduct supplier and product evaluation
*contributes to and follows the Defra Data Architecture Framework and supporting data repositories using SPARX EA and SharePoint
*supports assurance from the Head of Data Architecture on behalf of project, as part of peer review for architectural governance
*Works with Data and Information teams to provide support for their Data Management Framework
They will:
*Be accountable for the Data Architecture deliverables
*Ensure that artefacts meet the standards of those described in the Data Architecture Framework
*provide advice to project teams and oversee the management of the full data life-cycle
*have responsibility for making sure that the organisation's systems are designed in accordance with the data architecture framework
*Work with the existing team to deliver a consistent data architecture approach across Defra an its agencies
*Produce data management templates where none exist
*Support the technical domain architects on development of technology patterns and standards


Essential Capabilities

1.Able to produce data models at conceptual, logical and physical level and appropriate toolsets for producing them
2.Must be experienced in Sparx Enterprise Architecture tool
3.Able to reverse engineer a data model from a live system. Understands industry recognised data modelling patterns and standards.
4.Able to communicate effectively across organisational, technical and political boundaries, understanding the context.
5.Makes complex and technical information and language simple and accessible for non-technical audiences.
6.Is able to advocate and communicate what the Data Architecture team does to create trust and authenticity, and can respond to challenge.
7.Develops and sets data standards for an organisation. Communicates the business benefit of data standards, championing and governing those standards across the organisation.
8.Understands a variety of metadata management tools. Designs and maintains the appropriate metadata repositories to enable the organisation to understand their data assets
9.Works with business and technology stakeholders to translate business problems into data designs. Creates optimal designs through iterative processes, aligning user needs with organisational objectives and system requirements


Desirable capabilities

1.Translates data into valuable insights that inform decisions.
2.Involves teams in analytics and synthesis to increase consensus and challenge assumptions. Identifies and utilises the most appropriate analytical techniques.
3.Has an understanding of analytical tools and is numerate.
4.Is aware of and keeps up to date with advances in digital analytics tools and data manipulation products. Collects, collates, cleanses, synthesises and interprets data to derive meaningful and actionable insights.



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