Senior Microsoft M365 Engineer

Job summary

At FCDO Services we protect the UK’s interests at home and overseas. We design and construct secure government buildings and 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 global mission we’re on. In our world, it all matters.

Job description

Our Technology and Operations team is at the forefront of digital solutions and services for FCDO and Government. They provide best in-class solutions for our clients, helping to shape and support a data driven future for UK 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 are on hand to support. Join them in this important role and you’ll have the opportunity to lead them on the next stage of our exciting journey.

Providing innovation to government partners

Delivering best-in-class solutions

Working at the cutting-edge of technology

It all matters

Deliver the Microsoft products and services that keep our global operation secure

When you join our highly professional and collaborative team, it will be your job to manage the configuration, deployment and optimisation of Microsoft 365 services, including Exchange Online, Teams, SharePoint, Entra ID, Purview and the wider Microsoft ecosystem, and ensure secure, scalable and well-governed solutions while implementing complex changes across our organisation. Leading important initiatives and delivering solutions aligned to enterprise collaboration, identity, security and productivity platforms, you will also address complex operational challenges while ensuring the stability, scalability and security of the Microsoft 365 services we use.

You will have a wide range of day-to-day responsibilities – these include identifying technical problems and incidents and managing their resolution, investigating repeat issues and helping to implement appropriate remedies, and documenting change requests to improve performance. Creating, reviewing and maintaining technical and functional documentation, you will be expected to provide specialist advice and assist other teams with the best technical solutions and process improvements. Additional tasks will include the mentoring of junior members of the team, the maintenance of your own professional development, and managing relationships with our customers.

Candidates should be aware that this role will involve shift work and a requirement to be on call for up to 7 days per calendar month to support the ‘out of hours’ delivery of services.

Develop your career and leadership skills as you help us achieve our vital mission

To be a success in this important role you must hold Microsoft 365 Administrator Expert (MS-102) certification, be qualified to Agile and ITIL Foundation level, and possess a Level 3 Information Communication Technician qualification, an equivalent IT Computer Science qualification or have plenty of relevant practical experience. We will also look for well developed experience of operating in a secure environment in a relevant role – this could, for example, have involved working with technologies in an enterprise setting.

It is important that you possess the ability to work confidently as a key member of a high-pressured, fast-paced team, and in addition to proven leaderships skills and experience of performance reporting, any knowledge of working in Government would be desirable. A practical understanding of Cloud platforms and appropriate certifications would be an advantage, as would strong numerical and analytical skills, and familiarity with working in a variety of ITIL environments.

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.

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 SC clearance. You can find out more about vetting at fcdoservicescareers.co.uk/how-to-apply/

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

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:

• Candidates must hold the Microsoft 365 Certified: Administrator Expert (MS-102) certification.
• Agile & ITIL Foundation level / relevant experience.
• Level 3 Information Communication Technician or equivalent level 3 qualification in IT Computer Science or relevant experience.
• Practitioner-level knowledge of hardware, software, and systems being supported
• Substantial experience in relevant roles, including technologies in an enterprise environment, and of working within a secure environment, e.g. MOD.
• Experience in a high-pressured, fast-paced team.

Qualifications

Candidates must hold the Microsoft 365 Certified: Administrator Expert (MS-102) certification.

Agile & ITIL Foundation level / relevant experience.

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

Additional Microsoft role-based certifications (Associate level or equivalent), e.g. MS-700, SC-300, AZ-104

Behaviours

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

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

Technical skills

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

• Candidates must hold the Microsoft 365 Certified: Administrator Expert (MS-102) certification
• Agile & ITIL Foundation level / relevant experience.
• Level 3 Information Communication Technician or equivalent level 3 qualification in IT Computer Science or relevant experience.
• Additional Microsoft role-based certifications (Associate level or equivalent), e.g. MS-700, SC-300, AZ-104
• Practitioner-level knowledge of hardware, software, and systems being supported
• Substantial experience in relevant roles, including technologies in an enterprise environment, and of working within a secure environment, e.g. MOD
• Experience in a high-pressured, fast-paced team.

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

• Candidates must hold the Microsoft 365 Certified: Administrator Expert (MS-102) certification
• Agile & ITIL Foundation level / relevant experience.
• Level 3 Information Communication Technician or equivalent level 3 qualification in IT Computer Science or relevant experience.
• Additional Microsoft role-based certifications (Associate level or equivalent), e.g. MS-700, SC-300, AZ-104
• Practitioner-level knowledge of hardware, software, and systems being supported
• Substantial experience in relevant roles, including technologies in an enterprise environment, and of working within a secure environment, e.g. MOD

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £48,801, FCDO Services contributes £14,137 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 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.

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 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 Senior Microsoft M365 Engineer Opens in new window (pdf, 1902kB)