Head of Network & Infrastructure

UK Health Security Agency

Information:

This job is now closed

Job summary

Job title - Head of Network & Infrastructure

Profession- Workplace & Platforms

Directorate - Technology

Full Time equivalent - 37.5 hours

No of Roles - 1

Contract Type - Permanent

Location - Canary Wharf, Porton, Colindale or Home Working

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/Flexible Working / Hybrid Working/ Home Working/ Part Time/ Job Share

Grade & Salary - Grade 6 National banding - £65,302 - £75,129 per annum. Outer London - £67,288- £76,967 per annum. Inner London - £69,275 - £78,805 per annum

This role comes with a Market Pay Supplement of up to £15,000

New entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band.

Main duties of the job

  • Manages the security of the UKHSA's network and IT resources.
  • Manages resources to ensure adequate cover for both day-to-day BAU workload and project delivery.
  • Delivers robust, efficient and professional operational IT service to key stakeholders
  • Manages the infrastructure elements of the IT project pipeline and monitors on-going progress against plan to ensure delivery on time and within budget.
  • Maintains documentation of systems, maps and architectural diagrams, procedures, end user documentation and technical information.
  • Reviews and responds to out-of-hours critical alerts as required.
  • Manages the UKHSA's network equipment and services, servers (physical and virtual), network storage devices, network communications equipment.
  • Oversees the connectivity and services for UKHSA's Internet, VPN, and public cloud direct connect infrastructures, ensuring seamless access to general online resources and facilitating dedicated interconnections to the UKHSA Cloud Platform's hyperscale platforms, such as AWS and Azure
  • Leads the transition from MPLS to SD-WAN technologies and champions the adoption of VPN-less zero trust network architectures

About us

To be responsible to the Deputy Director for Workplace and Platforms for effectively managing and developing the network and core infrastructure services in support of the strategic and operational business requirements of UKHSA.

Ensuring the security and optimum performance and resilience of the network and infrastructure services, leading the UKHSA's network modernisation with a focus on SD-WAN & SASE evolution, cloud networking modernisation & strategy. Drive the continuous improvement of physical and virtual networking capabilities for the UKHSA network services both on premise and on public cloud infrastructures. Provide technical leadership for the LAN and WAN/SDWAN functions incorporating the strategic development of Software Defined Networking (SDN) and Network Function Virtualisation (NFV). Lead the network automation strategy, designing and implementing automation capability for deployment/provisioning of the network, the UKHSA on-prem servers, and support the agency's multi-cloud strategy. Promote the use of IaC (infrastructure as code) and centralising configuration technologies to reduce the management overhead of the core infrastructure services.

Date posted

09 November 2023

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£65,302 to £75,129 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Job share, Flexible working, Home or remote working, Compressed hours

Reference number

UKHSA00870

Job locations

remote

remote

NW9 5EQ


Job description

Job responsibilities

  • Actively promotes the use of cloud-based infrastructure where appropriate supporting the agencies multi-cloud strategy
  • Ensures that relevant systems are in place to maintain effective communication within the Technology team, with stakeholders and with others across UKHSA.
  • Ensures that the organisations business and information systems are utilised for the benefit of the team, directorate and UKHSA.
  • Manages the assigned budgets in compliance with related policies and procedures.
  • Effectively manages project/business performance by planning, co-ordinating, delivering, evaluating and communicating as appropriate.
  • Actively learns and develops to stay up to date with developments in area of expertise and to meet the changing needs of the job, team and organisation by participating in appraisal and appropriate learning activities.
  • Encourages and supports the development of others, your team and the organisation by engaging in and contributing to UKHSA as a learning organisation and to its positive culture.
  • Represents the team and UKHSA in a professional and positive manner with both internal and external stakeholders and in doing so reflects the values of the organisation.
  • Supports the network requirements to transition from traditional data centre centric models to cloud-based operations, highlighting the journey of software-defined infrastructures as they align with contemporary cloud architectures.
  • Undertakes any other duties that may reasonably be required, and are commensurate with the grade of the job, in furtherance of the objectives of UKHSA.
  • Ensures compliance with the UKHSAs policies, procedures and contract of employment.

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.

Essential Criteria:

  • Educated to degree level or equivalent
  • ITIL certification
  • Project management
  • Health & safety awareness
  • Substantial experience of working in a similar role managing networks, network security and infrastructure
  • Experience of working as a part of a wider, multidisciplinary team in the delivery of projects
  • Ability to design technical solutions based upon business requirements
  • Extensive experience of Network and Firewalls Technologies , Virtualisation technologies, Clustering and Load Balancing, Windows Server, VMware
  • Experience in transitioning networking to cloud-aligned architectures (Secure Access Edge, SD-WAN).
  • Experience of delivering network modernisation in support of cloud adoption.
  • Able to work collaboratively and sustain effective working relationships with diverse colleagues, partners and clients
  • Able to organise their own work and time productively
  • Understands the qualities and processes of excellent people management
  • Understands the UKHSAs values and their application to this role
  • Has an appreciation of the work of the UKHSA and the contribution of this role

  • Committed to providing a high standard of work and continuous improvement
  • Appreciates the value of diversity
  • Has a proactive approach to addressing challenges
  • Committed to continued learning and supporting the learning of others
  • Willing to accept responsibility and opportunities appropriate for the role
  • Has a flexible approach to their role and to change

Desirable Criteria:

  • Security qualification
  • Security clearance
  • Experience of managing and developing people
  • Experience of implementing change
  • Experience with Azure VMware Solution (AVS) in cloud/data centre resilience architectures.
  • Able to influence at all levels
  • Understands the principles of leadership
  • Able to prioritise and plan the work of others
  • Able to coach and provide feedback to others
  • Has a good level of self awareness

Selection Process

You will be required to complete an application form. As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete a 750 word Personal Statement/Statement of Suitability explaining how you meet the essential criteria It should detail what you and your experience can bring to the role. Please note, only information provided within the stated word count will be considered.

You will 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.All applicants that progress to interview will be assessed on behaviours through Success Profiles and technical skills via a Teams interview.

You will be expected to deliver a 5-10 minute presentation, the topic will be decided at a later date

When assessing strengths, we want to find out whether you and the job role are a good fit. We will look at what you enjoy doing and what you do well and often. By ensuring that the role is the right fit for you, you are more likely to enjoy it and perform well.

The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be:

  • Leadership
  • Communicating and Influencing
  • Managing a Quality Service
  • Changing and Improving

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £65,302 UK Health Security Agency contributes £17,631 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

  • A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
  • 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.

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

Complaint process:

The law requires that selection for appointment to the Civil Service is on merit on the basis of fair and open competition as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's Recruitment Principles. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles, and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact UKHSA Public Accountability Unit via email: Complaints1@ukhsa.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Visit the Civil Service Commission website.

Contact Details Sophie.Rigney@reed.com

Job description

Job responsibilities

  • Actively promotes the use of cloud-based infrastructure where appropriate supporting the agencies multi-cloud strategy
  • Ensures that relevant systems are in place to maintain effective communication within the Technology team, with stakeholders and with others across UKHSA.
  • Ensures that the organisations business and information systems are utilised for the benefit of the team, directorate and UKHSA.
  • Manages the assigned budgets in compliance with related policies and procedures.
  • Effectively manages project/business performance by planning, co-ordinating, delivering, evaluating and communicating as appropriate.
  • Actively learns and develops to stay up to date with developments in area of expertise and to meet the changing needs of the job, team and organisation by participating in appraisal and appropriate learning activities.
  • Encourages and supports the development of others, your team and the organisation by engaging in and contributing to UKHSA as a learning organisation and to its positive culture.
  • Represents the team and UKHSA in a professional and positive manner with both internal and external stakeholders and in doing so reflects the values of the organisation.
  • Supports the network requirements to transition from traditional data centre centric models to cloud-based operations, highlighting the journey of software-defined infrastructures as they align with contemporary cloud architectures.
  • Undertakes any other duties that may reasonably be required, and are commensurate with the grade of the job, in furtherance of the objectives of UKHSA.
  • Ensures compliance with the UKHSAs policies, procedures and contract of employment.

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.

Essential Criteria:

  • Educated to degree level or equivalent
  • ITIL certification
  • Project management
  • Health & safety awareness
  • Substantial experience of working in a similar role managing networks, network security and infrastructure
  • Experience of working as a part of a wider, multidisciplinary team in the delivery of projects
  • Ability to design technical solutions based upon business requirements
  • Extensive experience of Network and Firewalls Technologies , Virtualisation technologies, Clustering and Load Balancing, Windows Server, VMware
  • Experience in transitioning networking to cloud-aligned architectures (Secure Access Edge, SD-WAN).
  • Experience of delivering network modernisation in support of cloud adoption.
  • Able to work collaboratively and sustain effective working relationships with diverse colleagues, partners and clients
  • Able to organise their own work and time productively
  • Understands the qualities and processes of excellent people management
  • Understands the UKHSAs values and their application to this role
  • Has an appreciation of the work of the UKHSA and the contribution of this role

  • Committed to providing a high standard of work and continuous improvement
  • Appreciates the value of diversity
  • Has a proactive approach to addressing challenges
  • Committed to continued learning and supporting the learning of others
  • Willing to accept responsibility and opportunities appropriate for the role
  • Has a flexible approach to their role and to change

Desirable Criteria:

  • Security qualification
  • Security clearance
  • Experience of managing and developing people
  • Experience of implementing change
  • Experience with Azure VMware Solution (AVS) in cloud/data centre resilience architectures.
  • Able to influence at all levels
  • Understands the principles of leadership
  • Able to prioritise and plan the work of others
  • Able to coach and provide feedback to others
  • Has a good level of self awareness

Selection Process

You will be required to complete an application form. As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete a 750 word Personal Statement/Statement of Suitability explaining how you meet the essential criteria It should detail what you and your experience can bring to the role. Please note, only information provided within the stated word count will be considered.

You will 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.All applicants that progress to interview will be assessed on behaviours through Success Profiles and technical skills via a Teams interview.

You will be expected to deliver a 5-10 minute presentation, the topic will be decided at a later date

When assessing strengths, we want to find out whether you and the job role are a good fit. We will look at what you enjoy doing and what you do well and often. By ensuring that the role is the right fit for you, you are more likely to enjoy it and perform well.

The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be:

  • Leadership
  • Communicating and Influencing
  • Managing a Quality Service
  • Changing and Improving

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £65,302 UK Health Security Agency contributes £17,631 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

  • A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
  • 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.

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

Complaint process:

The law requires that selection for appointment to the Civil Service is on merit on the basis of fair and open competition as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's Recruitment Principles. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles, and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact UKHSA Public Accountability Unit via email: Complaints1@ukhsa.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Visit the Civil Service Commission website.

Contact Details Sophie.Rigney@reed.com

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

  • Educated to degree level or equivalent
Person Specification

Experience

Essential

  • Educated to degree level or equivalent

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).

Employer details

Employer name

UK Health Security Agency

Address

remote

remote

NW9 5EQ


Employer's website

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-health-security-agency (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

UK Health Security Agency

Address

remote

remote

NW9 5EQ


Employer's website

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-health-security-agency (Opens in a new tab)

For questions about the job, contact:

lead recruiter

sophie rigney

sophie.rigney@reed.com

Date posted

09 November 2023

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£65,302 to £75,129 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Job share, Flexible working, Home or remote working, Compressed hours

Reference number

UKHSA00870

Job locations

remote

remote

NW9 5EQ


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

UK Health Security Agency's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)