Duty Infrastructure Engineer

Job summary

The COBR technology team supports Ministers and senior decision makers through the management of infrastructure, data, voice, IT, LAN, WAN, Telecommunications and Audio-Visual systems at various locations within the UK. This post provides a challenging and exciting opportunity to work at the centre of the Government’s crisis management arrangements.

The Duty Infrastructure Engineer role is responsible for providing all aspects of technical infrastructure, security, and systems support to the crisis management apparatus in business as usual and operational activations. Staff work alongside teams from other departments on the delivery of business-critical IT, Audio Visual, Voice, Data and Telecommunications projects to ensure that the Crisis Management facilities are maintained at a high level of operational readiness.

They operate on a shift basis (for which an appropriate allowance is payable).

Job description

Responsibilities include:

• Managing and providing technical support to COBR (may include deployment to other locations in the UK), troubleshooting issues and managing daily operational requirements alongside system testing and upgrades.
• Be the first point of contact, leading on efforts to restore unserviceable AV and ICT Services by investigating and carrying out fault finding on systems or equipment.
• Maintaining physical, information and technical security in line with agreed procedures.
• Undertaking effective equipment lifecycle management.
• Leading on specific workstreams to support technical projects that enhance the COBR capability.
• Leading on technical components of acceptance testing in line with continuous improvement activity.
• Undertaking effective shift handover / takeover to ensure information/taskings are shared effectively.

Person specification

Essential

• Existing Developed Vetting (DV) clearance level
• Proven technical experience of working on ICT, telecommunications or audio-visual systems.
• The role requires staff to have a high degree of autonomy including working out of hours with only emergency access to supervision or support.
• Ability to prioritise activities and adjusting workload within a pressured, fast moving environment.

Desirable

• Experience working shift patterns.
• Experience of delivering technical services within high security environments.

Technical Experience

• Minimum BTEC National or equivalent Level 3 qualification in (electrical, electronic, ICT, Telecommunications or similar engineering discipline)

or

• Formal on-the-job training (with an emphasis on self-identification of technical knowledge gaps and seeking ways to address these), preferably through a recognised apprenticeship scheme with a formal qualification (equivalent to a BTEC National)

IET or equivalent Professional Registration - Engineering Technician (Eng. Tech) preferred

Professional Registration as an Incorporated or Chartered Engineer, or be able to achieve within 12 months.

Additional information:

Cabinet Office policy is that a minimum 60% of your working time should be spent at your principal workplace. For some roles, due to their nature and the business need, this may be up to 100%. Requirements to attend other locations for official business will also count towards this level of attendance.

Qualifications

Technical Experience

Minimum BTEC National or equivalent Level 3 qualification in (electrical, electronic, ICT, Telecommunications or similar engineering discipline)

or

Formal on-the-job training (with an emphasis on self-identification of technical knowledge gaps and seeking ways to address these), preferably through a recognised apprenticeship scheme with a formal qualification (equivalent to a BTEC National)

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Changing and Improving
• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Ethernet Cable Diagnostics | Troubleshooting.
• Audio Visual System - Configuration & Fault Finding
• Basic Network Setup and Configuration
• Video Conferencing - On Premise & Cloud based solutions

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £47,670, Cabinet Office contributes £13,809 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 which provides an attractive pension, benefits for dependants and employer contributions of 28.97%.
• A minimum of 25 days of paid annual leave, increasing by one day per year up to a maximum of 30.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

Application process

As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete a CV and personal statement. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

Please provide a personal statement of no more than 500 words outlining how you meet the essential criteria with reference to the person specification above clearly outlining how you meet the requirements, with evidence from your career, professional and personal development.

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the personal statement. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview.

Selection process

Candidates who are successful at sift will be invited to an initial interview where they will be assessed on technical skills and experience.

Successful candidates will then be invited to a second interview where they will be assessed on behaviours and strengths.

Expected timeline (subject to change)
Expected sift date – [date or w/c]
Expected interview date/s – [date or w/c]
Interview location - Your interview will either be conducted face to face or by video. You will be notified of the location if you are selected for interview.

Reasonable adjustments
If a person with disabilities is put 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 cabinetofficerecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.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.

Further Information

Any move to Cabinet 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; for further information visit the Childcare Choices website.

If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out.

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.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.

Nationality Requirements: Please note that this role requires candidates to hold sole UK nationality. (ie. candidates must be a UK national and not hold any other nationality; must not be dual nationals)

Security Clearance Requirements: Please note that this role requires DV clearance, which would normally need 10 years UK residency in the past 10 years. This is not an absolute requirement, but supplementary checks may be needed where individuals have not lived in the UK for that period. This may mean your security clearance (and therefore your appointment) will take longer or, in some cases, not be possible.

For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the Demystifying Vetting website.

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.

A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.

This role is full time only. Applicants who wish to work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying.

Please note terms and conditions are attached. Please take time to read the document to determine how these may affect you.

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 developed vetting (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

Open to UK nationals only.

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 theCivil 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 : Rob Fishenden
• Email : rob.fishenden@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : cabinetofficerecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Further information

Appointment to the Civil Service is governed by the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles. If you feel that your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles, and wish to make a complaint, then in the first instance you should contact Government Recruitment Service by email at : cabinetofficerecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive, then you can contact the Civil Service Commission at info@csc.gov.uk. For further information on the Recruitment Principles and bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission, please visit their website at: https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk.

Attachments

Cabinet Office Employee Offer (1) Opens in new window (pdf, 302kB)Cabinet Office Terms and Conditions - External 2025-02-20 Opens in new window (docx, 83kB)