Lead Technical Architect, Home Office Biometrics
Home Office
Apply before 11:55 pm on Sunday 15th December 2024
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About the job
Job summary
The Digital Data and Technology (DDaT) profession enable the Home Office to keep the UK safe and secure. They do this by designing, building, and running the services that help people apply for visas or passports, support policing and counter-terrorism operations, and protect the UK’s borders.
Team members have specialised knowledge and a calling to build on it. We want the best people to come to the Home Office and work in the diverse roles and communities they’re passionate about. This is how we produce exceptional outcomes.
This is an exciting opportunity in Home Office Biometrics supporting; Police and Public Protection Technology (PPPT) portfolio, Homeland Security Group and Migration & Borders Technology Portfolio (MBTP). PPPT works in partnership with Police Forces, the Fire Service, agencies, and arms-length bodies of the Home Office, involved in law enforcement to cut crime and prevent abuse and exploitation. An increasing dependency on technology is at the heart of the ongoing reform and modernisation of the Police and Fire Service and its uses are varied. MBTP design, build and run the systems underpinning the immigration system, borders and passports.
Due to business requirements this post is available on a Full Time/Job Share/Flexible Working basis. Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and home-based working. Where this is the case, employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in the office. Queries can be raised to the address at the bottom of the advert.
We value diversity and inclusion and welcome applications from the widest diversity of backgrounds, cultures, and experiences. We encourage applications from women, people with disabilities and LGBT+ as they are currently under-represented in the Home Office at this grade level. Appointments will be made on merit based on fair and open competition.
Job description
As a Lead Technical Architect working in the biometric domain, you will assure services and system quality, making sure the technical work fits into the broader strategy for government. You will be responsible for leading the technical design of systems and services, including detailed plans for integration.
Architects in the biometrics domain work with customers, business analysts and operational users to design, implement and assure the biometric specialist elements of a solution. Biometric architects are engaged in the full engineering life cycle. They support the business analysts in the capture of business requirements, project managers in the development of business cases and the execution of delivery including the management of risk, they collaborate with the Quality Assurance and Test function to ensure robust test plans and execution.
Architects will be involved in some of the following areas of biometric specialist skills and should be interested in developing skills in these areas further:
- Biometric capture equipment and process design.
- Biometric accuracy testing.
- Biometric quality assessment specification and testing.
- Biometric standards covering capture, data exchange and quality assessment.
- Application of biometric technologies to verification, identification, intelligence and crime solving use cases.
Person specification
Your main day to day activities will be:
- Creating optimal technical designs for biometric systems through an iterative process, aligning such factors as the user need within the system requirements, security and organisational objectives.
- Supporting consumers in the optimal use of biometrics and the Home Office biometric services.
- Leading the design and review processes for new solution and services, evidencing the inclusion of ‘Secure by Design” in the technical designs you produce, oversee and approve.
- Developing and documenting the proposed technical design for the integration and implementation of any solution, working with and across other areas of DDaT and the business.
- Presenting recommendations for technologies or improvements to enhance systems to support project goals clearly to senior management, based on knowledge of IT and analysis of systems’ needs.
- Contributing to the overall technical strategy and biometrics road map for the department.
Essential skills
You’ll have a demonstrable passion for Technical Architecture, with the following skills or strong experience in:
- Evidencing strong technical leadership qualities, with a passion for delivering leading edge designs, and inspiring a culture of technical excellence and innovative solutions.
- Navigating the complex landscapes of technologies, 3rd party suppliers, internal and cross-government teams across multiple projects.
- Anticipating and advising on future technology that present opportunities for the product or programme.
- Managing and delivering complex technology solutions within time, cost and quality targets.
- Defining, owning and contributing to the technical roadmap and strategy.
- Demonstrating a detailed knowledge of technical requirements to implement, design and manage associated technologies.
SFIA capability framework
Skills for the Information Age (SFIA) is the technical framework that sets the standard capability and development of all [insert DDaT Cluster name] levels in the Home Office. This is a link to the capability framework: All skills A - Z English (sfia-online.org)
We use set SFIA technical skills to form our interview questions and we will assess you against these technical skills during the selection process.
SFIA levels of responsibility – Use the SFIA Levels of responsibility to understand what would be expected for each Technical Skill listed below.
SFIA Technical skills
The essential technical skills listed above are reflective of the Home Office Government Digital and Data Profession Career Framework. Please see below for the relevant skills required for your role.
Strategy & Architecture:
- Information Strategy
- Strategic Planning (ITSP) – Level 3
Advice & Guidance
- Consultancy (CNSL) – Level 4
- Specialist Advice (TECH) – Level 4
Business Strategy & Planning
- Innovation (INOV) – Level 3
- Enterprise and Business Architecture (STPL) – Level 3
Technical Strategy & Planning
- Solution Architecture (ARCH) – Level 5
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Strategic Planning (ITSP) – Level 3
- Consultancy (CNSL) – Level 4
- Specialist Advice (TECH) – Level 4
- Innovation (INOV) – Level 3
- Enterprise and Business Architecture (STPL) – Level 3
- Solution Architecture (ARCH) – Level 5
Benefits
You’ll also have access to the same benefits available to all civil servants in the Home Office:
- An in-year performance bonus scheme.
- A Civil Service pension with employer contribution rate of 28.97%, depending upon salary.
- 25 days annual leave on appointment, plus 8 days public holidays and 1 day for the King’s Birthday, rising further with service.
- Flexible working options to enable you to achieve the work life balance that right for you including.
- A capability & skills allowance reviewed annually.
- Training and development opportunities tailored to your role.
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity.
- Season ticket loans and rental deposit loans.
- Cycle to work and payroll giving.
- Employee discounts - including a huge number of retailers, Microsoft Home Use programme and gym membership.
- A variety of staff recognition schemes including thank you vouchers.
- Health and wellbeing initiatives including monthly mindfulness sessions.
- Staff support networks.
- Maternity, adoption or shared parental leave of up to 26 weeks full pay followed by 13 weeks of statutory pay and a further 13 weeks unpaid.
- Maternity and adoption support leave (paternity leave) of 2 weeks full pay.
- Up to five days paid leave for volunteering.
- Study leave and support for studying for a qualification or other accredited development relevant to your role.
You can find more information at Benefits - Home Office Careers.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a Personal Statement (1000 words) and a CV. Please note your personal statement should include all your relevant experience that relates to our essential skills criteria listed in the advert and role description. Use STAR format in your examples.
Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
Remove information that identifies you (for example your name, age or place of education) so that you will be judged on merit alone and not your personal background, circumstances, race or gender. (Do NOT include e-mail addresses or links to online profiles, resumés, or prior work, either personal or business. Active links or e-mail addresses will result in your application being rejected).
Please ensure that all examples provided in your application are taken directly from your own experience and that you describe the examples in your own words. All applications are screened for plagiarism, copying, and generating of examples/ answers from internet sources including Artificial intelligence. If detected, the application may be withdrawn from the process.
Further action, including disciplinary action, may be considered in such cases involving civil servants. Providing false or misleading information would be contrary to the core values of honesty and integrity expected of all civil servants.
Sift stage
The sift will be held on the Personal Statement and CV. Please read the Essential skills for this position carefully. We will only consider those who meet the listed requirements.
Interview stage
Candidates reaching the required standard will then be invited to attend a final interview. The interview will assess your Technical Skills (SFIA Framework) using technical-based questions. Candidates will also be required to prepare and deliver a 10-minute presentation. Further details will be provided if invited to interview.
Sift and interview dates
Sift will be conducted during the week commencing 16th December 2024
Interviews will be held week commencing 13th January 2025. (Subject to the Panel’s operational requirements/priorities)
Interviews will be conducted remotely via MS Teams.
We will try to meet the dates set out in the advert. There may be occasions when these dates will change. You will be provided with sufficient notice of the confirmed dates.
Further information
Reserve List
A reserve list of successful candidates will be kept for 12 months. Should another role become available within that period you may be offered this position.
Similar roles
Job offers to this post are made based on merit. We often have similar roles available at different grades. If a candidate is suitable for a similar role or a lower grade than they have applied for, we may offer the candidate that role without the need to go through a further selection process providing the role has the same competencies and essential skills.
Capability and Skills allowance
The advertised role is part of the Home Office Government Digital and Data Profession. This role has access to a Digital Capability-Based Allowance. Applicants who are successful at interview will be invited to complete a Capability and Skills Assessment post-interview. Any allowance awarded will be based on the assessment of your capability against the six skills advertised for this role. Please see the attached candidate pack for more information.
The allowance values are set by the Home Office, subject to remaining in a qualifying role, and are non-pensionable. This allowance is non-contractual, subject to an annual review and could be withdrawn at any time.
For both new entrants and existing civil servants, the total compensation offer is a combination of base salary and, if applicable, a capability-based allowance. New entrants to the Civil Service will start on the pay range minimum. For existing civil servants, our policies on level transfer and promotion will apply.
For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the following page https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/demystifying-vetting
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.
If you are invited to an interview, you will be required to bring documentation for the purposes of establishing your identity.
You will need to meet the nationality requirements for this role and obtain the necessary security clearance to take it up. For meaningful security checks to be carried out, individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time. Learn more on our website. Security Checks - Home Office Careers
Visa sponsorship
We do not sponsor individuals via Skilled Worker Sponsorship / Tier 2 (General) work visas.
Reasonable Adjustments
If a person with disabilities is 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 HOrecruitment.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
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the ‘Contact point for applicants’ section.
Feedback
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Nationality requirements
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 : AC Recruitment
- Email : ACRecruitment@homeoffice.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : HOrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Further information
