Power Platform Data Engineer

Carlisle, Crewe, Exeter, Leeds, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Reading, Workington, York

Job Summary

This is a brilliant time to join RPA, our organisation is growing and we’re at the heart of delivering the Government’s agricultural transition, making a real difference to the environment and rural economy. We are moving at pace to become a truly data and intelligence-led organisation, embedding digital tools that empower our colleagues, improve services for customers, and support better decision-making. Our Data and innovation Business Area is a multidisciplinary team that brings together Data Engineers, Analysts, Architects, Geospatial Specialists and a national Field Team. We are uniquely placed to use data and digital tools to support high-impact outcomes for the agricultural community, driving improvements in environmental management, rural policy delivery, and animal welfare. We are investing heavily in Power Platform technologies (Power BI, Power Apps, Power Automate) to create accessible, scalable and innovative solutions that transform how data is captured, shared and understood. This role is an exciting opportunity to help shape and deliver those solutions, enabling colleagues across RPA to harness data more effectively and supporting the organisation’s transition towards smarter, more automated services. At RPA we are proud of our open, supportive culture and commitment to personal development. New colleagues consistently tell us how welcoming and collaborative our teams are. We invest in people, provide structured learning opportunities, and create space for you to grow your skills. Further information can be found on the Rural Payments Agency website Rural Payments Agency - GOV.UK

Job Description

As a Data Engineer (Power Platform) you will play a key role in designing, building, and supporting data solutions that make it easier for colleagues and customers to access, analyse, and use data effectively. Working with Power BI, Power Apps and Power Automate, you will design repeatable, user-friendly solutions that improve processes, enhance reporting, and reduce manual effort across the organisation.

You Will:

• Work closely with business users to translate requirements into effective Power Platform solutions.
• Build and maintain Power BI Dataflows that are accurate, accessible and impactful.
• Design Power Automate flows that streamline business processes, reduce duplication, and increase efficiency.
• Develop and maintain Power Apps pipelines to capture, validate, and share data across teams.
• Support the creation of reusable data models that feed into Power Platform solutions.
• Document solutions clearly and share knowledge across the wider data engineering team.
• Champion good practices such as robust testing, peer review, and user-centred design.
• Share expertise across the organisation to grow our Power Platform capability.
• Have strong problem-solving skills, including root cause analysis and resolution.
• Work alongside others to ensure the stability, robustness and resilience of the products you build, and support affecting changes to those products where necessary.
• Have curiosity, self-motivation and enthusiasm for understanding and learning the latest data engineering practices, tools, and trends.
• Have a willingness to step outside of your comfort zone and grow.
• Above all, you will be proactive and motivated to make a difference, continuously looking for opportunities to innovate, improve, and help the organisation get more from its data.

Responsibilities

• Design and deliver Power BI Dataflows and data models that provide a clear foundation for analytical and MI development.
• Create and maintain Power Automate workflows to automate manual processes.
• Develop user-friendly Power Apps for capturing and managing data.
• Engage with stakeholders to gather requirements and deliver solutions that meet their needs.
• Support data quality by embedding validation, testing and monitoring into your solutions.

As a Data Engineer (Power Platform) you will play a key role in designing, building, and supporting data solutions that make it easier for colleagues and customers to access, analyse, and use data effectively. Working with Power BI, Power Apps and Power Automate, you will design repeatable, user-friendly solutions that improve processes, enhance reporting, and reduce manual effort across the organisation.

Responsibilities

• Design and deliver Power BI Dataflows and data models that provide a clear foundation for analytical and MI development.
• Create and maintain Power Automate workflows to automate manual processes.
• Develop user-friendly Power Apps for capturing and managing data.
• Engage with stakeholders to gather requirements and deliver solutions that meet their needs.
• Support data quality by embedding validation, testing and monitoring into your solutions.

Person specification

This is a good opportunity to join a fast paced and developing data engineering team. We would encourage applicants from IT & analytical backgrounds who want to further develop their programming skills. Structured training will be provided to support this.

Essential Criteria

You must be able to demonstrate the following skills and experience

• Experience building data solutions using Power Platform tools (Power BI, Power Apps, Power Automate).
• Strong understanding of data modelling, transformation and integration (e.g. Power Query, DAX, APIs, connectors).
• Experience connecting Power Platform tools to a range of sources, including SQL databases, data warehouses or data lakes, flat files and APIs.
• Ability to translate business requirements into effective technical solutions.
• Experience of testing, validating, and troubleshooting Power Platform solutions.
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to explain technical processes to non-technical colleagues.
• Proactive approach, adaptable when priorities change, and a collaborative team player.
• Interest in learning new tools and approaches in the wider Microsoft ecosystem (e.g. Fabric, Azure Data services).

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Changing and Improving
• Managing a Quality Service

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

• Changing and Improving

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Experience building data solutions using Power Platform tools (Power BI, Power Apps, Power Automate).

Alongside your salary of £34,765, Rural Payments Agency contributes £10,071 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Learning and development tailored to your role

An environment with flexible working options

A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity

A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

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.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths, Experience and Technical skills.

Application Process

As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete the following:

• A 750-word personal statement demonstrating how you meet the person specification and essential criteria detailed in the advert
• A 250 word statement on the behaviour Changing & Improving

Sift

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the Personal Statement. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to interview.

Interview

If successful at application stage, you will be invited to interview where you will be assessed on Behaviours, Strengths and Technical Skills. The following Behaviours will be assessed at interview:

• Changing & Improving
• Managing a Quality Service

A practical coding exercise will be provided during the interview for you to complete and will assess Experience building data solutions using Power Platform tools (Power BI, Power Apps, Power Automate).

Interviews are anticipated to take place week commencing 26 January 2026

Interviews will take place via MS Teams. Sift and interview dates to be confirmed.

Location

As part of the pre-employment process for this post, successful candidate(s) will be able to agree a contractual workplace from those locations listed in this advert. The agreed contractual workplace is then the substantive and permanent place of work for the successful candidate(s) Where the location is ‘National’ the successful appointee should discuss and agree an appropriate contractual location in line with both RPA’s location policy and site capacity, prior to proceeding with pre-employment processes. Successful applicants currently employed by the hiring Defra Group organisation for this post may choose to remain in their current contractual location or may choose to change contractual location to one of those listed above. This should be discussed and agreed prior to proceeding with pre-employment processes. The agreed amount of time spent at a workplace for this post will reflect the requirement for Civil Servants to spend at least 60% of their working time in an organisation workplace with the option to work the remaining time flexibly from home. Working time spent at a workplace may include time spent at other organisational locations including field-based operational locations, together with supplier, customer or partner locations. This is a non-contractual agreement which is consistent with common Civil Service expectations. Travel costs to non-contractual workplaces will be subject to departmental travel and subsistence policies. Travel costs to contractual workplaces are the responsibility of the employee. The successful candidate is required to carry out all their duties from a UK location, and cannot do so from an overseas location at any time. Defra includes the core department, APHA, RPA, Cefas and VMD.

Salary

New entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band.

Reserve List

A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.

Childcare Vouchers

Any move to RPA from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare; for further information visit the Childcare Choices website.

Near Miss Candidates

Candidates who are judged to be a near miss at interview may be considered for other positions in RPA which may be at a lower grade but have a potential skills match.

Merit Lists

Where more than one location is advertised, candidates will be appointed in merit order for each location. You will be asked to state your location preference on your application.

Criminal Record Check

If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out. In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.

Internal Fraud Database Check

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment. A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

Reasonable Adjustment

If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes. If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should: Contact Government Recruitment Service via defrarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs. Complete the ‘Assistance required’ section in the ‘Additional requirements’ page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.

Accessibility

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.

Visa Sponsorship Statement

Please take note that Defra does not hold a UK Visa & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker License sponsor and are unable to sponsor any individuals for Skilled Worker Sponsorship.

Feedback

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths, Experience and Technical skills.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard checks.

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard checks.

Nationality requirements

This Job Is Broadly Open To The Following Groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements.

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants. We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles. The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants. We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles. The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

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 Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative. The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction.

Read more about prison leaver recruitment.

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job Contact : Name : RPA Recruitment Email : rparecruitmentadmin@rpa.gov.uk

Recruitment team Email : DefraRecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Further information

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact Government Recruitment Services via email: defrarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission.