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Report

Professionalising Whitehall: Responsibilities of the Head of Function for Digital, Data and Technology

How the current head of function for digital, data and technology role is working. 

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Civil service leaders continue to professionalise key government activities such as policy making, financial management and procurement by creating new cross-departmental functions. In this paper we examine the responsibilities of the head of function for digital, data and technology (DDaT).

Civil service leaders continue to professionalise key government activities such as policy making, financial management and procurement by creating new cross-departmental functions. The Institute for Government has supported these efforts, which will help the Government develop the specialist capabilities it needs to operate more effectively.

In this paper we examine the responsibilities of the head of function for digital, data and technology (DDaT). We recommend that the head of function should focus on spreading standards across government and the public sector; work more openly, including publishing an implementation plan providing targets for digital transformation; and become a member of the Civil Service Board.

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