Job summary
Job title - Solutions Architect
Profession- Solutions Architect
Directorate - Technology
Full Time equivalent - 37.5 hours
No of Roles - 1
Contract Type - Permanent
Location - Home Working or Office Hybrid
UKHSA offers hybrid working or home working for its employees - this means that whilst the role will be based in one of our UKHSA offices, there will be opportunities for an element of working from home. The balance between home and workplace working is to be agreed with the line manager, determined primarily by business need and in line with departmental policy. Some business travel will be required to other UKHSA offices.Please be aware that this role can only be worked from within the UK and not overseas. Relocation expenses are not available
Working Pattern - Full Time / Part Time / Job Share / Flexible Working / Hybrid Working
Grade & Salary - Grade 7. National banding - £49,592 - £58,769 per annum. Outer London -£51,494- £60,528 per annum. Inner London - £53,396 - £62,286 per annum.
This role comes with a Market Pay Supplement of up to £10,000
New entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band.
The internal roles rules apply to existing Civil Servants, i.e. level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive 10% increase. Either case is determined by whichever is the highest.
Main duties of the job
As key member of our Development and Operations Team, you'll work alongside engineers and product specialists and the broader architecture community within UKHSA.
By applying technology, data, and focussing on user needs, you'll provide architecture expertise to support designing solutions our users really need and want.
You'll be leading development of our acclaimed public services, with user needs at the heart of everything, helping us transform Government for the future. Working as part of a multi-disciplinary team, you'll be helping define how we do what we do and making sure that our systems are built to adapt rapidly.
About us
The UKHSA Development and Operations team leads the digital transformation of UKHSA to make it a more data driven, customer focused, digital organization. We do this by delivering services which meet and maintain the Government Service Standard (Service Standard - Service Manual - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Architects at UKHSA work collaboratively with developers and stakeholders such as Data Scientists and Public Health officials to deliver software which helps to drive forward the mission of the agency. We employ modern best practices to deliver projects quickly, safely, and cost-effectively.
Potential for a specialist pay allowance of up to £10,000 could be available depending on a capability assessment.
This role can be home working or office based in London.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Your role as Solution Architect will include:
- Developing Target Application Architecture(s) and Roadmaps
- Leadership in ensuring UKHSA can maximise development of reusable services, through consistency and standardisation, that span different business areas
- Engagement with stakeholders (at all levels, including Director level) to better understand business objectives and technology challenges to help ensure requirements are met in the design
- Recommending technology opportunities and innovations
- Applyingstrong communication and influencing skills to both technical and business stakeholders
- Building strong links for collaboration across other government departments to share best practice and insights
- Applying strong governance throughout the delivery, championing reuse, alignment to industry best practise, and helping to progress UKHSA Architecture standards and principles.
- Recognising common requirements, across programmes, to standardise and deliver common services/enterprise components wherever possible
Essential Criteria
- An experienced Architect, ideally with a track record ofleading on the architectural design of enterprise levelIT Solutions for UK Government
- Forward looking, with experience in developing Strategy, Roadmaps, Architectural Standards/Principles and Patterns
- Depth and Breadth of experience in the Business/Application services aspects. For example,
- Digital services
- Application components
- Document/Evidence Management, Identity Management and the leading technologies that deliver these components
- Architecting Cloud technologies on AWS and/or Azure
- Integration approaches, architecture, best practise, and technologies.
- Designing in compliance with Security Standards
- Experience of working effectively within a professional IT programme/project management environment and working collaboratively with suppliers, government partners and end users
- Leading on business problem definition, analysis & solution design activities
- Strong communication skills, listening to the needs of business and IT stakeholders
We pride ourselves as being an employer of choice, where Everyone Matters promoting equality of opportunity to actively encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce.
UKHSA ethos is to be an inclusive organisation for all our staff and stakeholders. To create, nurture and sustain an inclusive culture, where differences drive innovative solutions to meet the needs of our workforce and wider communities. We do this through celebrating and protecting differences by removing barriers and promoting equity and equality of opportunity for all.
Selection Process
This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Strengths
.
Stage 1: Application & SiftAs part of the application process, you will be asked to provide a Statement of Suitability in no more than 1200 words providing examples of how you meet the essential criteria. It should also detail what you and your experience can bring to the role.
This part of the selection process should outline how you consider your skills, experience and achievements, and provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with particular reference to the essential criteria outlined.
You will also be asked to provide information within the Employer/ Activity history section of the application form. This is equivalent to the information you would provide on a CV, setting out your career history. This will be used in sifting process and will be scored
If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview
Stage 2: Panel Interview
All applicants that progress to interview will be assessed on Behaviours and technical ability through Success Profiles. The interview will be conducted remotely via Microsoft Teams
The Behaviours being assessed at interview are:
Seeing the Bigger Picture
Making Effective Decisions
Working Together
Managing a Quality Service
There will be a technical exercise and presentation at interview
Benefits
- Alongside your salary of £49,592, UK Health Security Agency contributes £13,390 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
- Range of health and wellbeing support
Any move to UKHSA 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.
Reserve List:
Candidates who pass the interview criteria but are not offered a post will be kept on a reserve list for 12 months and may be contacted if similar roles become available.
If you are interviewed for the post and do not meet the required threshold for the specified grade, your application may be assessed against a similar, lower grade role and you may be offered the post should one be available.
DBS - People working with government systems must complete Basic Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) checks which includes a disclosure and barring security check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed for this role is BPSS however there may be a requirement for this role to be SC cleared and you should familiarise yourself with the criteria of security clearance.
This role is Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants. Appointments to roles within UKHSA will be made in accordance with the Civil Service nationality rules. These can be found athttps://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rulesThis job is broadly open to the following groups:
- UK nationals
- Nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- Nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- Nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with settled or pre-settled status or who apply for either status by the deadline of theEuropean Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
- Relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service
- Relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service
- Certain family members of the relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals
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 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.
Government baseline personnel security standard
Its important to note that there are currently exceptions to applications being considered if your conviction relates to any of the following:
- life sentences
- arson
- sexual offences
- hate and terror offences
Some departments will also consider the specific offence against the nature of the business, i.e., a conviction for fraud may rule you out for a finance role
Contact Details Sophie.Rigney@reed.com
Job description
Job responsibilities
Your role as Solution Architect will include:
- Developing Target Application Architecture(s) and Roadmaps
- Leadership in ensuring UKHSA can maximise development of reusable services, through consistency and standardisation, that span different business areas
- Engagement with stakeholders (at all levels, including Director level) to better understand business objectives and technology challenges to help ensure requirements are met in the design
- Recommending technology opportunities and innovations
- Applyingstrong communication and influencing skills to both technical and business stakeholders
- Building strong links for collaboration across other government departments to share best practice and insights
- Applying strong governance throughout the delivery, championing reuse, alignment to industry best practise, and helping to progress UKHSA Architecture standards and principles.
- Recognising common requirements, across programmes, to standardise and deliver common services/enterprise components wherever possible
Essential Criteria
- An experienced Architect, ideally with a track record ofleading on the architectural design of enterprise levelIT Solutions for UK Government
- Forward looking, with experience in developing Strategy, Roadmaps, Architectural Standards/Principles and Patterns
- Depth and Breadth of experience in the Business/Application services aspects. For example,
- Digital services
- Application components
- Document/Evidence Management, Identity Management and the leading technologies that deliver these components
- Architecting Cloud technologies on AWS and/or Azure
- Integration approaches, architecture, best practise, and technologies.
- Designing in compliance with Security Standards
- Experience of working effectively within a professional IT programme/project management environment and working collaboratively with suppliers, government partners and end users
- Leading on business problem definition, analysis & solution design activities
- Strong communication skills, listening to the needs of business and IT stakeholders
We pride ourselves as being an employer of choice, where Everyone Matters promoting equality of opportunity to actively encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce.
UKHSA ethos is to be an inclusive organisation for all our staff and stakeholders. To create, nurture and sustain an inclusive culture, where differences drive innovative solutions to meet the needs of our workforce and wider communities. We do this through celebrating and protecting differences by removing barriers and promoting equity and equality of opportunity for all.
Selection Process
This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Strengths
.
Stage 1: Application & SiftAs part of the application process, you will be asked to provide a Statement of Suitability in no more than 1200 words providing examples of how you meet the essential criteria. It should also detail what you and your experience can bring to the role.
This part of the selection process should outline how you consider your skills, experience and achievements, and provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with particular reference to the essential criteria outlined.
You will also be asked to provide information within the Employer/ Activity history section of the application form. This is equivalent to the information you would provide on a CV, setting out your career history. This will be used in sifting process and will be scored
If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview
Stage 2: Panel Interview
All applicants that progress to interview will be assessed on Behaviours and technical ability through Success Profiles. The interview will be conducted remotely via Microsoft Teams
The Behaviours being assessed at interview are:
Seeing the Bigger Picture
Making Effective Decisions
Working Together
Managing a Quality Service
There will be a technical exercise and presentation at interview
Benefits
- Alongside your salary of £49,592, UK Health Security Agency contributes £13,390 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
- Range of health and wellbeing support
Any move to UKHSA 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.
Reserve List:
Candidates who pass the interview criteria but are not offered a post will be kept on a reserve list for 12 months and may be contacted if similar roles become available.
If you are interviewed for the post and do not meet the required threshold for the specified grade, your application may be assessed against a similar, lower grade role and you may be offered the post should one be available.
DBS - People working with government systems must complete Basic Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) checks which includes a disclosure and barring security check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed for this role is BPSS however there may be a requirement for this role to be SC cleared and you should familiarise yourself with the criteria of security clearance.
This role is Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants. Appointments to roles within UKHSA will be made in accordance with the Civil Service nationality rules. These can be found athttps://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rulesThis job is broadly open to the following groups:
- UK nationals
- Nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- Nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- Nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with settled or pre-settled status or who apply for either status by the deadline of theEuropean Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
- Relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service
- Relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service
- Certain family members of the relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals
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 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.
Government baseline personnel security standard
Its important to note that there are currently exceptions to applications being considered if your conviction relates to any of the following:
- life sentences
- arson
- sexual offences
- hate and terror offences
Some departments will also consider the specific offence against the nature of the business, i.e., a conviction for fraud may rule you out for a finance role
Contact Details Sophie.Rigney@reed.com
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- oAn experienced Architect, ideally with a track record of leading on the architectural design of enterprise level IT Solutions for UK Government
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- oAn experienced Architect, ideally with a track record of leading on the architectural design of enterprise level IT Solutions for UK Government
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
