Job Description

Details

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Reference number

394955
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Salary

54,416 - 68,344
Per annum, Pro rata
A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
GBP
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Job grade

Grade 7###

Contract type

Permanent###

Type of role

Information Technology###

Working pattern

Flexible working, Full-time, Job share, Part-time###

Number of jobs available

1

Contents

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Location About the job Benefits Things you need to know Apply and further information

Location

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Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, London -Canary Wharf (Core HQs)

About the job

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Job summary

The UKHSA Development and Operations team leads the digital transformation of UKHSA to make it a more data driven, customer focused, digital organisation. We do this by delivering services which meet and maintain the Government Digital Service (GDS) Digital by Default Service Standard (https://www.gov.uk/service-manual/digital-by-default).


Developers at UKHSA work collaboratively with 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.


As a Lead Python Developer for UKHSA, you will lead the delivery of design, development and maintenance of Python APIs, UIs and backend infrastructure to deliver UKHSA's objectives of transforming the heath expectations of all people in England.

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Working for your organisation

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.

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Job description

Lead the development and maintenance of UKHSA's portfolio of Python apps / UI / APIs Define the technical requirements for the implementation of new Python solutions Define the technical aspects of the Python application solution architecture, including the technology used, methodology followed, and devices/platforms targeted Prepare technical solution and architecture documents, work products and presentations Define Python security protocols, analytics and social channel integration Design and develop detailed Python architectures and interfaces to integrate with other APIs / apps / domains Take responsibility for the various non-functional aspects in Python application design and provide a solution to optimise performance, scalability etc Collaborate and work with technology and cloud service providers to ensure UKHSA derives the maximum benefit from any third-party service providers and that the right knowledge is transferred in-house Continuously seek to improve your own knowledge of work areas and embrace the agile framework of software delivery methodology Research and recommend proven open-source tools and platforms that will support the ongoing delivery of UKHSA's Python platform Enforce sound development practices and ensure the quality delivery of enterprise solutions Line management responsibility Take ownership of the solution from end to end, and be responsible for translating functional requirements into a solution ###

Person specification

You will provide expert Python technical knowledge throughout the design, build and test phases using test-driven development techniques across the full stack, from the back-end data sources to the UI. You will take the lead on overseeing software development during the full lifecycle of the various systems, including modern DevOps practices, and you also need to be familiar with the scrum agile delivery methodology and deliver software in short iterations with frequent releases without compromising code quality. You will liaise with key internal and external stakeholders and provide expert technical direction on software development best practices for mobile front-end and back-end environments. You will take ownership of projects and be motivated to take them through to production.


You will work with business and technology stakeholders to translate business problems into technical designs. You will collaborate with UI, connectivity and DevOps teams for building elegant solutions to complex problems.


The role requires good troubleshooting skills with an ability to identify locate and competently fix bugs and errors.


You will need a strong ability to collaborate with user researchers, sell and represent users internally and champion user research to focus on all users. This means an ability to understand users and identify them and their needs based on evidence. You should put users first, manage competing priorities and offer recommendations on the best tools and methods to be used.

Essential criteria -

You will be assessed on the below (15) essential criteria, which have been selected from the Document.

Educated to degree level in relevant subject such as computer science with core development element or equivalent level qualification or significant experience of working at a similar level in specialist area Experience of front-end software application development, including modern HTML, CSS and JavaScript Proficiency with at least one server-side programming language such as Python, modern PHP or C# Django (or Flask) in Rest Framework, ORM Containerization (Docker or Kubernetes) Cloud Environments (AWS / Azure) Experience of developing and consuming RESTful APIs and web services Experience with version control software (such as Git or Mercurial) and Git workflows (or equivalent) Knowledge of object-oriented concepts and design Patterns Ability to troubleshoot problems and competently identify and fix bugs and errors. Excellent ability to support users and systems Good knowledge and understanding of both SQL and NoSQL databases Experience in leading development teams to deliver key business capabilities Experience of leading the design of systems and interfacing to other systems using Service Oriented Architecture platforms Experience of the principles and practices of agile development and the project lifecycle, and agile tools such as Jira or Redmine An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships, both in terms of day-to-day working practices, but also in relation to management systems

Benefits

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Alongside your salary of 54,416, UK Health Security Agency contributes 15,764 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 A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

Things you need to know

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Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your Behaviours, Ability, Experience, and Technical skills.

Stage 1: Application & Sift

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed 15 essential criteria, and this will be in the form of a:

Application form ('Employer/ Activity history' section on the application) 1250 word Statement of Suitability.

This should outline how your skills, experience, and knowledge, provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.


The Application form and Statement of Suitability will be marked together.

Longlisting:

In the event of a large number of applications we will longlist into 3 piles of:

Meets all essential criteria Meets some essential criteria Meets no essential criteria

The following will be taken through to the next stage:

Meets all essential criteria

Shortlisting:

In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on the following:

Proficiency with at least one server-side programming language such as Python, modern PHP or C# Cloud Environments (AWS / Azure) Experience with version control software (such as Git or Mercurial) and Git workflows (or equivalent)


If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview and assessment


Please do not exceed 1250 words. We will not consider any words over and above this number.


Feedback will not be provided at this stage.


Please note you will not be able to upload your CV. You must complete the application form in as much detail as possible. Please do not email us your CV.

Stage 2: Interview

You will be invited to a (single) face to face interview at the Canary Wharf HQ.If face to face interviews are planned, in exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.


Behaviours, technical, experience, and ability will be tested at interview.


There will be a Technical coding Test which will form part of the interview process. This test will be sent prior to the interview to be completed within your own time. We will then review the test in the interview.


The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be:

Managing a Quality Service Making Effective Decisions Communicating and Influencing - Lead behaviour

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Eligibility Criteria - External

Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants).

Location

This role is being offered as hybrid working based at any of our Core HQ's. We offer great flexible working opportunities at UKHSA and operate using a hybrid working model where business needs allow. This provides us with greater flexibility about how and where we work, to get the best from our workforce. As a hybrid worker, you will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of your contractual working hours (approximately 3 days a week pro rata, (averaged over a month) working at one of UKHSA's core HQ's (Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, and London).

Security Clearance Level Requirement

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.


Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Basic Personnel Security Standard.

Reasonable Adjustments

The Civil Service is committed to making sure that our selection methods are fair to everyone. To help you during the recruitment process, we will consider any reasonable adjustments that could help you. An adjustment is a change to the recruitment process or an adjustment at work. This is separate to the Disability Confident Scheme. If you need an adjustment to be made at any point during the recruitment process you should contact the recruitment team in confidence as soon as possible to discuss your needs.


You can find out more information about reasonable adjustments across the Civil Service here: https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk/reasonable-adjustments/

International Police check

If you have spent more than 6 months abroad over the last 3 years you may need an International Police Check. This would not necessarily have to be in a single block, and it could be time accrued over that period.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Your application may be rejected and/or you may be subject to disciplinary action if evidence of plagiarism is detected. Examples of plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experience of others, or generated by artificial intelligence (AI), as your own.

Internal Fraud check

If successful for this role as one aspect of pre-employment screening, applicant's personal details - name, national insurance number and date of birth - will be checked against the Cabinet Office Internal Fraud Hub and anyone included on the database will be refused employment unless they can show exceptional circumstances. Currently this is only for External candidates to the Civil Service.

Careers website

Please visit our careers site for more information https://gov.uk/ukhsa/careers



Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.###

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
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) 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
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Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code 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 .
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.###

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 and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy .

Apply and further information

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The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).
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

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Job contact :

Name : Gurkamal Bhambra Email : gurkamal.bhambra@ukhsa.gov.uk
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Recruitment team

Email : gurkamal.bhambra@ukhsa.gov.uk ###

Further information

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: Complaints@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: https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk