Lead Technologist
Central Digital and Data Office
Apply before 11:55 pm on Sunday 3rd November 2024
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About the job
Job summary
The Central Digital and Data (CDDO) office drives digital transformation for the UK Government and Public Sector. We are currently a part of the Cabinet Office and will soon be transitioning to The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology to form the new digital centre of Government. The new digital centre will bring together experts in data, digital and AI from the Government Digital Service (GDS), Central Digital and Data Office (CDDO) and Incubator for AI (i.AI).
We will drive forward the digital changes needed to overhaul the British public’s experience of interacting with the government, so it becomes personalised, convenient, and saves people time. We are the partner and standard bearer for government departments as we support them to use technology across areas like energy, health, policing, and education.
We are responsible for:
- Delivering the Cross-Government Digital and Data Strategy for 2022 - 2025
- Government Digital and Data Strategy and Standards, like the Technology Code of Practice, the Service Standard and Open Standards
- Cross-government Digital and Data performance and assurance, including Spend Controls
- Government Digital and Data Capability Development, including the Government Digital and Data pay framework
Job description
The Lead Technologists in CDDO’s CTO function exist to make building great technology easier in the UK Public Sector. In this role you can help central and local government, the NHS, Police, as well as 400+ agencies and other bodies. By setting strategies, principles, standards and identifying best practice, as well as supporting the adoption and embedding of these into the public sector, you’ll help your 100,000+ digital and data colleagues in these organisations deliver transformational change.
Our teams are currently focussed on Artificial Intelligence, Engineering Excellence, Cloud & Platforms, Technology Management and Digital Workplace, making these easier for organisations of all sizes, identifying opportunities and managing the aggregate risks of these technologies to UK Government.
You will be aligned to a Grade 6 Principal Technologist who will mentor and support you as well as set you challenging tasks to further your team’s objectives.
As Lead Technologist you will be supporting a product team including principal technologists, engagement leads and a delivery manager to:
- undertake research, input into and shape a 10-year intent and strategy for the field you are aligned to, and support colleagues in gaining cross-government endorsement for this
- work with stakeholders to shape government digital strategy, translating complex technical concepts into straightforward language to influence strategic decision makers. This includes drafting strategy papers, guidance, and delivering presentations to senior stakeholders and ministers.
- identify and or develop existing principles, standards and best practice and promote them, or form and lead a group of technologists from across UK Public Sector to create these
- work with vendors to maximise their offer to UK Public Sector, and with Crown Commercial Service in commercial engagements with vendors
- build a network of peers across UK Public Sector to regularly engage with
- promote your work through content written for GOV.UK, speaking engagements and hosting community events
- help upskill others in CDDO and DSIT in your specialist area
The above list of job duties is not exclusive or exhaustive and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.
Person specification
This role requires:
- you should be excited about thinking long-term and helping deliver technology-related change
- you must have a technical background and be able to use this experience to build credibility with others, evaluate proposals and decide an execution approach
- you have strong written and verbal communication skills, and are able to translate complex concepts into straightforward language with ease
- you should have some experience working with technology suppliers
- you should be comfortable presenting to senior stakeholders, both technical (e.g. Principal government digital and data professionals) and non-technical (including SCS and ministers)
- learning should be embedded in the way you approach your working week, and you should be keen to share your learning with those around you
Technical skills
- you should be at the top skill levels in your Digital & Data specialism, most likely from the Architecture, Data, IT Operations or Software Development groups
- you should hold or be working towards relevant industry certifications for your technical specialism.
Benefits
The benefits of working at CDDO
There are many benefits including:
- flexible hybrid working with flexi-time and the option to work part-time or condensed hours
- a Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
- 25 days of annual leave, increasing by a day each year up to a maximum of 30 days
- an extra day off for The King’s birthday
- an in-year bonus scheme to recognise high performance
- career progression and coaching, including a training budget for personal development
- paid volunteering leave
- a focus on wellbeing with access to an employee assistance programme
- job satisfaction from making government services easier to use and more inclusive for people across the UK
- advances on pay, including for travel season tickets
- death in service benefits
- cycle to work scheme and facilities
- access to children's holiday play schemes across different locations in central London
- access to an employee discounts scheme
- 10 learning days per year
- volunteering opportunities (5 special leave days per year)
- access to a suite of learning activities through Civil Service learning
CDDO offers hybrid working for all employees. This means that everyone does some working from home and also spends some time in their local office. You’ll agree to your hybrid working arrangement with your line manager in line with your preferences and business needs.
Any move to the Central Digital and Data Office 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. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk
Things you need to know
Selection process details
The standard selection process for roles at CDDO consists of:
- a simple application screening process - We only ask for a CV and for you to answer 3 application questions
- a 60 minute interview - we will assess you against the behaviours listed as well as your ability, strengths, experience, technical/specialist skills. Candidates invited to the interview will be asked to give a short presentation. Full details of the presentation will be made available to all shortlisted candidates at a later date.
Whilst we value the use of AI technology to enhance our daily work, we also value the personal touch and urge applicants to write responses without the use of AI to emphasise their own unique experiences.
Depending on how many applications we get, there might also be an extra stage before the video interview, for example a phone interview or a technical exercise.
In the event we receive a high volume of applications, we will conduct the initial sift against the lead criteria which is:
- Describe a time when you used your technical background to keep your organisation’s work aligned to strategic priorities. Use “I” rather than “we” language, and you should use the STAR format.
Please note that this role requires SC clearance, which would normally need 5 years’ UK residency in the past 5 years. This is not an absolute requirement, but supplementary checks may be needed where individuals have not lived in the UK for that period. This may mean your security clearance (and therefore your appointment) will take longer or, in some cases, not be possible.
In the Civil Service, we use Success Profiles to evaluate your skills and ability. This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job, increases performance and improves diversity and inclusivity. We’ll be assessing your technical abilities, skills, experience and behaviours that are relevant to this role.
For this role we’ll be assessing you against the following Civil Service Behaviours:
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Communicating and influencing
- Working Together
- Making Effective Decisions
We’ll also be assessing your experience and specialist technical skills against the following skills defined in the Government Digital and Data Profession Capability Framework for the (equivalent) Technical Architect role:
- Architect for the whole context
- Architecture communication
- Community collaboration
- Making architectural decisions
- Strategy design
- Technical design throughout the life cycle
Recruitment Timelines
Role closes - 3rd November 20204
Sift completion: 7th November
Panel interviews: week commencing 18th November 2024
Candidates that do not pass the interview but have demonstrated an acceptable standard may be considered for similar roles at a lower grade.
A reserve list will be held for a period of 12 months, from which further appointments can be made.
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.
You may be aware that there are plans for the Government Digital Service (GDS) & the Central Digital & Data Office (CDDO) to move into the Department of Science, Innovation & Technology (DSIT). This move is to bring together the digital transformation of public services into one core department. The move itself will offer huge opportunities whilst allowing DSIT to lead the way and drive forward the new Government's digital agenda.
As the announcement is relatively new, we are awaiting more detailed information. Therefore, we encourage you to apply for this role, and will keep you informed with updated information throughout the application process.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
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Working for the Civil Service
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
Diversity and Inclusion
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : gds-recruitment@digital.cabinet-office.gov.uk
- Email : gds-recruitment@digital.cabinet-office.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : gds-recruitment@digital.cabinet-office.gov.uk
Further information
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive you can contact the Civil Service Commission by email:
info@csc.gov.uk Or in writing: Civil Service Commission, Room G/8 1 Horse Guards Road, London, SW1A 2HQ.
