QA Test Manager

Job summary

At FCDO Services, we protect the UK’s interests at home and overseas. We design and construct secure government buildings, courier diplomatic packages worldwide, safeguard government tech, and a whole lot more. Our work is as varied and vital as it gets, but we never lose sight of our people. Their skills, aspirations and growth mean as much as the mission we're on. In our world, it all matters.

Job description

Our Digital and Data technology team is at the forefront of digital innovation. They provide best-in-class solutions for our clients, helping to shape and support a data driven future for the UK’s government. Whether it’s creating bespoke, secure software, offering programme and application support or moving an entire embassy’s servers to a Cloud platform. No matter the task, they’re on hand to provide support. Now, you’ve got the opportunity to join them.

An inspirational coach and mentor with a challenging and enquiring mind, you’re committed to ensuring the products and services we offer to our customers are of the highest quality. Join us and you’ll have the opportunity to use all your skills as you work to support and enhance our global mission.

Providing innovation to government partners

Delivering best-in-class solutions

Working at the cutting-edge of technology

It all matters

Manage the test solutions that contribute to the success of our global mission

When you join us in this vital role it’ll be your task to define and implement test strategies that meet the relevant ISO standards, and use our business and operational requirements to construct test solutions for a range of more complex projects. You’ll be responsible for the improvement and optimisation of the tests we perform, and in addition to agreeing with stakeholders on proposed solutions, we’ll expect you to produce the required supporting documentation. You’ll also put your interpersonal skills to good use as you manage a team of testers and ensure their work is successful and signed off by the end user, and liaise with your colleagues to confirm that our defect management processes reflect operational priorities.

Use all your design, delivery and management skills

With a creative and analytical approach to your work, and excellent verbal and written communication skills, you’ll be capable of designing test models that meet all our requirements. With this in mind you should have well developed experience of using automation testing and defect tracking tools to manage and facilitate the following types of testing: functional, system integration, regression, non-functional, user acceptance and operational acceptance. You should hold Agile and ITIL Foundation level certification, advanced ISTQB certification, and basic knowledge of the SQL scripts used to interrogate databases. In addition, we’ll look for a good understanding of AWS, Azure and other MS programmes, and some knowledge of Virtual Machine management tools.

Discover the support you need to grow your career further

But we’re always looking to improve – just like you. That’s why when you join us, expect to receive a competitive salary, generous holiday entitlement and a Civil Service Pension. Along with this, you’ll also have access to training and other development opportunities to help grow your career with us. Our offices have an on-site gym, nursery, café, and restaurant, and we offer interest-free loans on season tickets and bikes to help you get there. It's a great set of benefits made to support all you do, and all you need.

Want to see your future team’s work in action? Step into our Virtual Embassy and select a guide to take you round to see how we deliver for government customers and how you could help. Explore the embassy now at virtual-embassy.fcdoservicescareers.co.u

Every single colleague must be security cleared before joining us. If you’re successful in your application, we’ll ask you to undergo our vetting process to achieve Developed Vetting (DV) clearance. This role is a reserved post and applications are only being accepted from single nationality candidates and not dual nationals. You can find out more about vetting on our website: https://www.fcdoservicescareers.co.uk/how-to-apply/

To find out more about our benefits and our organisation, please visit fcdoservicescareers.co.uk

Closing date: 01/11/2026

It takes a diverse team to protect a diverse world.

The vital work we do takes an incredible community of colleagues, with different skills, backgrounds, cultures and identities. We support every individual, so that you always know you’re welcome and valued. It’s what makes us a Disability Confident employer. And why we’re recognised as a ‘Carer Confident’ workplace. And it’s how you know you’re joining an inspiring, inclusive organisation.

Person specification

We are looking for people with:

• Agile & ITIL Foundation level / relevant experience
• ISTQB Certified Tester Advanced Level Test Management (CTAL-TM) v3.0 or equivalent test management certification or proven test management experience.
• Basic knowledge of SQL scripts used to interrogate databases
• Knowledge of Cloud infrastructure setup (AWS and Azure)
• Awareness of Virtual Machine management tools (e.g. VMWare)
• Knowledge of test management tools
• Awareness of non functional testing techniques

Qualifications

Agile & ITIL Foundation level / relevant experience

Level 3 Information Communication Technician or equivalent level 3 qualification in IT, Computer Science or relevant experience

ISTQB Certified Tester Advanced Level Test Management (CTAL-TM) v3.0 or equivalent test management certification or proven test management

Behaviours

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

• Managing a Quality Service
• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing

Technical skills

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

• Agile & ITIL Foundation level / relevant experience
• Level 3 Information Communication Technician or equivalent level 3 qualification in IT, Computer Science or relevant experience
• ISTQB Certified Tester Advanced Level Test Management (CTAL-TM) v3.0 or equivalent test management certification or proven test management experience
• Basic knowledge of SQL scripts used to interrogate databases
• Knowledge of Cloud infrastructure setup (AWS and Azure)
• Awareness of Virtual Machine management tools (e.g. VMWare)
• Knowledge of test management tools
• Awareness of non-functional testing techniques

We only ask for evidence of these technical skills on your application form:

• Agile & ITIL Foundation level / relevant experience
• Level 3 Information Communication Technician or equivalent level 3 qualification in IT, Computer Science or relevant experience
• ISTQB Certified Tester Advanced Level Test Management (CTAL-TM) v3.0 or equivalent test management certification or proven test management experience
• Knowledge of Cloud infrastructure setup (AWS and Azure)
• Knowledge of test management tools
• Awareness of non-functional testing techniques

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £51,241, FCDO Services contributes £14,844 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.
• Annual leave starting at 25 days.
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity.
• A Civil Service pension.
• Free shuttle bus available between central Milton Keynes and Hanslope Park
• 9 days per annum public and privilege days

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.

To apply for this role, you will be asked to provide your CV, a personal statement, and provide answers to some job specific/technical skills.

Your CV and personal statement will not form part of the assessment they will provide an insight into your work history and experience.

Your CV should include:

• no personal identifying details
• career history with key responsibilities
• achievements
• qualifications

Your personal statement should outline your interest in the role.

Candidates will only be sifted on answers provided to the technical/ job specific questions which are outlined in the application form.

Those that are successful will be invited to a MS Teams interview.

At the interview you will be asked a blend of questions on technical/job specific skills and behaviours.

Candidates who are judged to be close to meeting the criteria may be considered for other positions in FCDO Services which may be at a lower grade, but have a potential skills match.

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

Security

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.

Medical

Successful candidates will be expected to have a medical.

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 : FCDO Services Recruitment Team
• Email : Fcdoservices.recruitment@fcdo.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : Fcdoservices.recruitment@fcdo.gov.uk

Further information

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Civil Service Commission Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should contact FCDOServices.Recruitment@fcdo.gov.uk in the first instance.
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from FCDO Services, you can contact the Civil Service Commission. For more information, please visit their website.

Attachments

Candidate pack QA Test Manager Opens in new window (pdf, 2051kB)