Contents Location About the job Benefits Things you need to know Apply and further information Location Manchester M5 3LZ, Sheffield S3 8NU About the job Job summary We are looking for people who are passionate about Engineering to join our community led team in Shared Applications Service (SAS). You will work in agile multidisciplinary teams with over 200 engineers in a modern cloud environment using the latest technologies. Our purpose as a team is to bring technical understanding in-house for over 600 Home Office applications. You could be creating and maintaining some of the most critical public services in the United Kingdom and transforming how we use data and technology to improve these. We are responsible for designing, building and supporting solutions to help people prove their identity or apply for visas. You could also be working on critical IT systems that support policing and counter terrorism, which helps protect UK borders. Job description The Lead Engineer will drive the technical delivery of their team, managing their workload and ensuring the right skills are available. You will be responsible for the work undertaken by your Developers and DevOps staff and will be expected to work with Seniors and Principals to ensure that services produced are best practice. You should have a solid technical background and will be able to apply these skills if required to provide guidance to your team. You will also maintain a broad perspective, monitoring technology developments such that you can support strategy formation. Along with the other Senior, Lead and Principal Engineers in your area, you will be responsible for ensuring that all technical approaches being used are appropriate, endorsed and will take part in planning with senior stakeholders, to make sure that product delivery and maintenance is on a firm basis. Your remit may be across the engineering function, but working closely with Architects and other professions. This role is not suitable for part-time working due to the nature of the role. Tools and Technologies we use: We are keen for Engineers to continue learning new technologies, we have a large range in the Home Office including: Backend: C#, Python Frontend: React, JavaScript, Typescript Data: PostgreSQL, Microsoft SQL Server, MongoDB DevOps: Kubernetes, Azure, Docker, Terraform, Azure DevOps Other: Azure OpenAI Studio, Power Platform, PowerBI What you will do Your main day to day responsibilities will be: leading the day-to-day activities of engineers in your team, ensuring everyone is working effectively and efficiently, reporting any impediments. coaching your team as well as supporting Continuous Professional Development (CPD) and encouraging formal professional qualifications. supporting capability build in your team and in the organisation. taking a hands-on role with engineering delivery when necessary, blending your leadership and technical tasks to achieve team objectives. ensuring appropriate methods are being used, as well as leading efforts to identify improved tools/technologies. Like many organisations we need to maintain our services 24/7, therefore, on occasions there may be a requirement to work out of hours, for which you will be paid an additional allowance. Person specification UK residency and security requirements - You need to have lived in the UK for the past 5 years. Essential criteria As a Lead Engineer you will have experience of: Leading an agile team to deliver in a dynamic environment, whilst managing stakeholders expectations and mitigating/escalating risks (Lead essential criteria). Oversight of technical designs produced by engineers and architects, ensuring that these are scalable, secure and fit for purpose. Providing technical expertise and ensuring best practice across the entire software development life cycle including use of tooling and CI/CD. Line management, task management and target setting for engineers in your team, including management of poor performance. Implementing training plans for engineers to meet the strategic goals of the organisation, whilst supporting capability build and recruitment activities. Initiating improvements to processes in the areas of security, sustainability, and quality of service. SFIA capability framework Skills for the Information Age (SFIA) is the technical framework that sets the standard capability and development of all engineering levels in the Home Office. This is a link to the capability framework: All skills AZ 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. Technical skills We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process: Systems development management (DLMG) - Level 4 Software design (SWDN) - Level 4 Programming/software development (PROG) - Level 3 Performance management (PEMT) - Level 3 Professional development (PDSV) - Level 4 Quality management (QUMG) - Level 4 Benefits Alongside your salary of £60,300, Home Office contributes £17,468 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides. Why work for us A highly competitive pension with an employer contribution of 28.97% 25 days annual leave on appointment rising 1 day per year up to 30 days, plus 8 days public holidays and 1 day for the Kings Birthday. Flexible working options to enable you to achieve the work life balance that is right for you including; Full time, part-time, flexi time, compressed hours and job sharing. A hybrid working model of a minimum 60% of your contracted hours in the workplace and 40% remote. Training and development opportunities tailored to your role, including access to technical and professional accreditations. Access to funded qualifications (subject to approval) A capability allowance reviewed annually. A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity. Enhanced parental leave schemes. Annual performance-based bonus and recognition awards. This link is to a short guide to employee benefits: Benefits - Home Office Careers Why join our Engineering Community in the Home Office? This is a huge opportunity to be a part of our growth journey and build your capability and expertise. Below is what you can expect from us as part of your role: Dedicated time for personal development and strong coaching/mentoring culture at all levels Engineers love to give back to others The ability to quickly progress and further yourself in your career with tailored career development plans to improve your capability Opportunity to learn new programming languages and technologies One of the largest technical estates within the UK and an opportunity to explore many different projects in a modern, agile digital environment An inclusive environment where everybody's thoughts and opinions are valued 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 CV and up to 1000 word personal statement. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form. Please note your CV and personal statement should include all relevant experience that relates to our essential skills criteria listed in the advert and role description. Use STAR format in your examples. 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 CV and Personal Statement. Please read the Essential skills for this position carefully. We will only consider those who meet the listed requirements. In the event of a high number of applications, we may conduct an initial sift on the lead essential criteria: Leading an agile team to deliver in a dynamic environment, whilst managing stakeholders expectations and mitigating/escalating risks. Candidates who pass the initial sift will be progressed to a full sift. 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) and experience using technical and experience-based questions. At the beginning of the interview, you will be assessed on your technical capability through a problem-solving exercise. We will provide you with the information in the interview and will be asked to share your screen with the panel, so you can discuss various aspects. Sift and interview dates Sift will be conducted week commencing 13th January 2025. Interviews will be held week commencing 27th 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. Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment. Further Information 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.grscabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading. We value diversity and inclusion and welcome applications from the widest diversity of backgrounds, cultures, and experiences. We particularly 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 on the basis of fair and open competition. 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. Applicants can raise any queries to the email address at the bottom of the advert. Please read the Essential skills for this position carefully. We will only consider those who meet the listed requirement. If you have previously made an unsuccessful application for a role with the same essential skills and are not able to demonstrate how you have developed these skills since your last application please reconsider applying as your application is unlikely to be successful. 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. UK residency and security requirements Please note that this role requires Security Check (SC) clearance, which would normally need 5 years UK residency in the past 5 years. However, in exceptional circumstances security clearance applications for candidates who have been present in the UK for at least 3 of last 5 years may be considered. Failure to meet this residency requirement will result in your security clearance application being rejected. For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the following page https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/demystifying-vetting Visa Sponsorship We are unable to sponsor any individuals via Skilled Worker Sponsorship / Tier 2 (General) work visas as we do not hold a UK Visa & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker License. Capability 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. Job offers to this post are made on the basis of 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. Working at the Home Office Every day, Home Office civil servants do brilliant work to develop and deliver policies and services that affect the lives of people across the country and beyond. To do this effectively and fairly, the Home Office is committed to representing modern Britain in all its diversity, and creating a welcoming, inclusive workplace where all our people are able to bring their whole selves to work and perform at their best. We are flexible, skilled, professional and diverse. We work to recruit and retain disabled staff and area Disability Confident Leader. We are proud to be one of the most ethnically diverse departments in the civil service. We are a Social Mobility Foundation top 75 employer. New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band. 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. For further information please see the attached notes for candidates which must be read before making an application. Existing Civil Servants should note that some of the Home Office terms and conditions of employment have changed. It is the candidates responsibility to ensure they are aware of the Terms and Conditions they will adopt should they be successful in application and should refer to the notes for candidates for further details. Transfer Terms: Voluntary. If you are invited to an interview you will be required to bring a range of documentation for the purposes of establishing identity and to aid any pre-employment checks. Please see the attached list of Home Office acceptable ID documents. Any move to the Home 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 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 are 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 : Heather Hawkins 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 Pack - Oct 2024 (1) Opens in new window (pdf, 184kB) candidate_information_v12_December_2024 Opens in new window (pdf, 658kB) Pre-employment Checking - Document Requirements (V14) 12-08-2024 Opens in new window (pdf, 464kB) Framework Version 8 SFIA Opens in new window (pdf, 1483kB) Share this page Print Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn GMail