Contents Location About the job Benefits Things you need to know Apply and further information Location Croydon 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 UKs 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 theyre 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 Youll 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 Alongside your salary of £64,300, Home Office contributes £18,627 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides. Youll 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 Kings 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 This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Experience and Technical skills. 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 Panels 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 C heck 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.grscabinetoffice.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.grscabinetoffice.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 Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window). See our vetting charter (opens in a new window). People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) 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) (opens in a new window) 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 (opens in a new window) Working for the Civil Service The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) 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 (opens in a new window). 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 (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window). Apply and further information This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative. 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 : AC Recruitment Email : ACRecruitmenthomeoffice.gov.uk Recruitment team Email : HOrecruitment.grscabinetoffice.gov.uk Further information If you feel that your application has not been treated in accordance with the recruitment principles, and wish to make a complaint, then you should contact in the first instance HORecruitment.GRScabinetoffice.gov.uk If you are not satisfied with the response that you receive, then you can contact the Civil Service Commission. Attachments candidate_information_v11_August_2024 Opens in new window (pdf, 363kB) PFA Candidate Pack Opens in new window (docx, 89kB) Framework Version 8 SFIA Opens in new window (pdf, 1483kB) Pre-employment Checking - Document Requirements (V14) 12-08-2024 Opens in new window (pdf, 464kB) Share this page Print Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn GMail