Job Description
Data Ethics Lead – Maternity Leave Cover
Location: National*
Closing Date: 1st April 2026
Interviews: Week commencing 13th April 2026 (this may be subject to change)
Grade: 7
(MoJ candidates who are on a specialist grade, will be able to retain this grade on lateral transfer)
Salary: London: £63,343 – £73,875 (which may include an allowance up to £10,532) National: £58,511 – £69,150 (which may include an allowance up to £10,639)
Working pattern: Full time, Part time, Flexible working
Contract Type: 12 Month Fixed Term Contract
Vacancy number: TBC
*We offer a hybrid working model, allowing for a balance between remote work and time spent in your local office. Office locations can be found ON THIS MAP
The Role
We’re recruiting for a Data Ethics Lead here at Justice Digital, to be part of our warm and collaborative team.
This role aligns against the Data Ethics Lead from the Government Digital and Data Framework
As the Data Ethics Lead, you will act as the organisation’s lead subject matter expert on data ethics, overseeing the delivery and continuous improvement of the MoJ AI & Data Science Ethics Framework.
You will lead engagement across multidisciplinary teams, provide expert guidance on ethical risks, and support compliance with MoJ governance processes throughout the data science and AI project lifecycle.
You will also manage a small team of three Data Ethicists, providing direction, professional development and pastoral support to ensure high‑quality, empathetic and reflective ethical practice.
To help picture your life at MoJ Justice Digital please take a look at our blog.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead the implementation, adoption and iteration of the MoJ AI & Data Science Ethics Framework across Justice Data and other priority business areas.
- Provide oversight and sign‑off at key governance stages, ensuring risk tiering and mandatory processes are applied consistently.
- Act as a trusted advisor to senior stakeholders by offering clear, authoritative advice on ethical risks and opportunities relating to data and AI.
- Promote a culture of responsible innovation and ethical awareness across teams and communities of practice.
- Provide day-to-day line management, coaching and professional development for three Data Ethicists, supporting workload planning, prioritisation, wellbeing and quality assurance across the team’s portfolio.
- Foster an inclusive, psychologically safe team environment that encourages open reflection and diverse perspectives.
- Co-lead the day-to-day operations of the Data Ethics and Literacy Hub alongside the G7 Data Literacy Lead.
- Serve as the organisation’s lead on data and AI ethics.
- Enable expert consultation to project teams, policy colleagues, analysts and product owners on ethical risks, mitigation strategies and compliance requirements.
- Lead and facilitate ethics workshops, bespoke training sessions and panel preparation.
- Ensure high‑quality, consistent ethics assessments, case studies, and governance documentation.
- Champion the adoption and value of ethical data and AI practice across MoJ, through clear communication, training sessions, written guidance and community activity.
- Support SEOs to strengthen and steward the Data Ethics Champions Network, enabling capacity-building across professional networks.
- Maintain trusted relationships with senior leaders, delivery teams, and cross‑government partners.
- Develop and improve tools, templates and resources that support self‑serve ethical reflection and governance compliance.
- Guide the evaluation and monitoring of the impact of the MoJ AI and Data Science Ethics Framework, contributing to programme‑level improvements and evidence of value.
- Contribute to MoJ and cross-government learning initiatives, including case study libraries, training materials and community of practice resources.
If this feels like an exciting challenge, something you are enthusiastic about, and want to join our team, please read on and apply!
Benefits
- 37 hours per week and flexible working options including working from home, working part-time, job sharing, or working compressed hours.
- A £1k per person learning budget is in place to support all our people, with access to best in class conferences and seminars, accreditation with professional bodies, fully funded vocational programmes and e-learning platforms
- Staff have 10% time to dedicate to develop & grow
- Generous civil service pension based on defined benefit scheme, with employer contributions of 28.97% from April 1st 2024 (Contribution Rates)
- 25 days leave (plus bank holidays) and 1 privilege day usually taken around the Kings’ birthday. 5 additional days of leave once you have reached 5 years of service.
- Compassionate maternity, adoption, and shared parental leave policies, with up to 26 weeks leave at full pay, 13 weeks with partial pay, and 13 weeks further leave. And maternity support/paternity leave at full pay for 2 weeks, too!
- Wellbeing support including access to the Calm app.
- Nurturing professional and interpersonal networks including those for Carers & Childcare, Gender Equality, PROUD and SPIRIT
- Bike loans up to £2500 and secure bike parking (subject to availability and location)
- Season ticket loans, childcare vouchers and eye-care vouchers.
- 5 days volunteering paid leave.
- Some offices may have a subsidised onsite Gym.
Person Specification
Essential:
- Experience leading or applying governance, assurance or risk processes in complex environments
Working knowledge of data and AI ethics principles, risks and mitigation approaches
Experience managing and developing people, supporting wellbeing, performance and professional growth
Ability to build relationships and influence stakeholders at all levels, including senior leadership
Willingness to be assessed against the requirements for BPSS clearance.
We welcome the unique contribution diverse applicants bring and do not discriminate based on culture, ethnicity, race, nationality or national origin, age, sex, gender identity or expression, religion or belief, disability status, sexual orientation, educational or social background or any other factor.
Our values are Purpose, Humanity Openness and Together. Find out more here about how we celebrate diversity and an inclusive culture in our workplace.
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service D&I Strategy.
How to Apply
Candidates must submit a CV and statement of suitability (750 words) which describes how you meet the requirements set out in the Person Specification above.
Application Guidance
Please access the following link for guidance on how to apply and how to complete a Personal Statement
In Justice Digital, we recruit using a combination of the Government Digital and Data Profession Capability and Success Profiles Frameworks. We will assess your Experience, Technical Skills and the following Behaviours during the assessment process:
- Communicating and influencing
- Managing a quality service
- Seeing the big picture
A diverse panel will review your application against the Person Specification above.
Successful candidates who meet the required standard will then be invited to a 1-hour panel interview held via video conference.
Should we receive a high volume of applications, a pre-sift will be conducted before the sift.
Should you be unsuccessful in the role that you have applied for but demonstrate the capability for a role at a lower level, we reserve the right to discuss this opportunity with you and offer you the position without needing a further application.
A reserve list may be held for up to 12 months, from which further appointments may be made.
Use of Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
Terms & Conditions
Please review our Terms and Conditions which set out how we recruit and provide further information related to the role and salary arrangements.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact digitalanddatarecruitment@justice.gov.uk
