G7 Architecture Lead

Job summary

Cabinet Office supports the Prime Minister and ensures the smooth running of government - from developing policy, to modernising public services. We welcome talented people from all backgrounds with the skills and the commitment to build a career in the Civil Service.

This role offers an unparalleled opportunity to work at the very heart of government. The Public Sector Fraud Authority is the central hub of the Government’s Counter Fraud Function and is internationally recognised as a world-leader in tackling fraud and corruption in the public sector. Right now, fraud represents a cost to the government which is estimated at £33bn-£58bn per year.

Please note

Recruitment campaigns for the Public Sector Fraud Authority (PSFA) are continuing as usual, but candidates should be aware that following the Government’s announcement on the changes to some civil service departments, roles will be subject to the machinery of government move of the PSFA to DWP. We will provide more information on any potential or future impact this will have on office locations and other elements if you are selected to interview. This work remains of high importance to the civil service, and we thank you for your continued interest.

Job description

This role sits within the Data Analytics Service Team in the Public Sector Fraud Authority. You will be working as a Technical Architect to advance how the government uses data & technology to find fraud within the public sector. You will support the engagement with government agencies to support them in identifying where data analysis could be applied to their business processes to most effectively counter residual fraud risks.

The team works closely with a range of stakeholders; helping agencies fully map the data processes underpinning their schemes, identifying the information and analytics gaps that are the root cause of suspected fraud risks and advising on analysis and products to address residual fraud risks. You will lead on architecting new solutions: bringing your knowledge of cloud, productionised machine learning and generative AI, and DevOps best practices to the team’s work. You will support and guide more junior members of our multidisciplinary team in our delivery, manage relationships with stakeholders to safeguard that delivery, and present any findings, outputs and recommendations to senior stakeholders. The role will sit within a team of data scientists, data engineers, delivery managers and business analysts.

Responsibilities

The jobholder’s key responsibilities will be to:

• Leading the technical design of systems and services, justifying and communicating design decisions within our Azure based platform
• Assure external services and system quality, ensuring the technical work fits into the broader digital strategy for government; and defend those decisions to the governance structures in the Cabinet Office such as the Technical Design Authority.
• Maintain a close working relationship with the architecture lead of the azure platform to identify and deal with issues effectively.
• Providing technical support and guidance to junior members of our multidisciplinary team
• Present findings, outputs and recommendations to stakeholders, managing sensitivities in the results and maintaining good relationships with these stakeholders to facilitate future work.
• Deliver projects and applications through the traditional software development lifecycle whilst gaining assurance from assurance boards such as the technical design authority.
• Work effectively with a range of stakeholders, within and outside of Government, on collaborative projects and to promote the work of the team
• Maintain your own professional development and build a strong supportive and inclusive culture across the team.

Person specification

Essential criteria:

• Professional experience using cloud computing services such as Azure or AWS
• Providing technical support and guidance to junior members of our multidisciplinary team
• Professional experience working within a data science, data analytics or similar team to deliver data science and AI solutions
• Understanding of architecture frameworks, architectural patterns and producing HLD and LLD documentation
• Professional experience of working in a team that uses project delivery methodologies - preferably agile and scrum working

It will be beneficial for applicants to have:

• Professional experience deploying and using large language models provided by cloud computing services
• Strong knowledge of identity, authentication, authorisation and cloud security controls such as Azure AD and Entra ID
• Experience working with internal government governance panels, such as Technical Design Authority, Architecture Review board, Full Service Assessment board.
• Experience with model explain ability and consideration of ethical outcomes of machine learning models and generative AI
• Understanding of the legal and governance issues with using personal data and machine learning models, including but not limited to GDPR and Data Privacy Impact Assessments.

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

Up to date accreditation in technical architecture on a cloud computing service, preferably Azure Solutions Architect Expert but other acceptable forms include AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional and Google Cloud Certified Professional Cloud Architect

Behaviours

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

• Changing and Improving

Technical skills

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

• We'll assess your technical ability during the selection process with:Technical Architect - Scenario Exercise provided on the day
• Technical Architect – Experience

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £59,207, Cabinet Office contributes £17,152 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

• 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 provide a CV and a 500-word Statement of Suitability.

Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

The Statement of Suitability should be aligned to and demonstrate how you meet the skills and experience set out in the essential criteria in the Person specification.

Note: In the event of high application volumes - Cabinet Office will sift on the following skill:

Technical Architect experience from the CV

Selection process

Behaviours

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

• Changing and Improving

Technical

We'll assess your technical ability during the selection process with:

• Technical Architect - Scenario Exercise provided on the day
• Technical Architect – Experience

Expected timeline (subject to change)

Expected sift date – TBC

Expected interview date/s – TBC

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 at: cabinetofficerecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

Complete the ‘assistance required’ section in the ‘personal information’ page of your application form to provide information we should be aware of that will enable us to support you further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at an interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional. Additionally, please provide information if you believe you qualify for extra time at the interview (see https://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/ for further information)

Security

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 security check.

See our vetting charter.

People working with government assets must complete basic personnel security standard checks.

Further information

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

Please note that this role requires SC clearance, which would normally need 5 years UK residency in the past 5 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.

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/Disclosure Scotland 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.

For further information on the Disclosure Scotland confidential checking service telephone: the Disclosure Scotland Helpline on 0870 609 6006 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email Info@disclosurescotland.co.uk

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

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. Determine your eligibility at: https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk

A reserve list will be held for a period of 12 months, from which further appointments can be made.

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.

Feedback

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

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) 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 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.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

Job contact :

• Name : Mani Begum
• Email : mani.begum@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 Terms and Conditions - External 2025-02-20 Opens in new window (docx, 83kB)Cabinet Office Employee Offer Opens in new window (pdf, 302kB)