Technical Operations Manager

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.

Job description

This is a specialist technical post. The Technical Operations Manager leads a team of infrastructure engineers who are responsible for overseeing the provision of technology systems and services for COBR and its fall-back sites.The postholder requires engineering qualifications, alongside experience of leading technical teams ideally within high classification environments. This post constitutes a key leadership role in maintaining the operation of COBR.

Key responsibilities:

• Lead the team of COBR Infrastructure Engineers in the delivery of all maintenance and fault resolution within the COBR Complex.
• Provide oversight and support for escalated technical issues impacting operations.
• Oversee configuration control and the co-ordination of technical accreditation audits of the COBR network and ICT systems in line with security policy including delivery of annual penetration testing.
• Represent the technical team in directorate prioritisation and strategy development.
• Develop, implement, and oversee robust strategies for identifying, assessing, and mitigating technical risks.
• Take responsibility for the effective management of technical expenditure, regularly reporting on financial performance.

Person specification

Essential

• Experience of managing a team of technicians, with evidence of handling sensitive issues, providing clarity and communicating with confidence.
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with key stakeholders; ICT, digital, estates, and security teams.
• Proven technical experience of working on ICT, telecommunications or audio-visual systems.
• Prioritising activities and adjusting workload within a pressured, fast moving environment and handling issues relating to team resilience.

Desirable

• Experience working within high security environments within the UK government.
• Existing DV security clearance

Technical Experience , Skills

• Minimum of a National Qualification Framework Level 4 qualification and advanced/ higher apprenticeship in a relevant discipline (Electrical, electronic, ICT, Telecommunications or similar engineering discipline), or equivalent in role experience / formal on the job training, preferably through a nationally recognised engineering scheme.
• 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.

Behaviours

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

• Changing and Improving
• Making Effective Decisions
• Managing a Quality Service

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £62,988, Cabinet Office contributes £18,247 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, Strengths and Experience.

Application process

As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV, Behaviour Statements and Personal Statement up to 750 words outlining how you meet the criteria with reference to the person specification above and drawing on evidence from your career, professional and personal development.

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

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be undertaken using the lead behaviour, changing and improving.

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 interview where they will be assessed on behaviours and strengths.

A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments across the COBR Technical Team can be made. Candidates who are not successful for the advertised grade but meet the required standard for a lower grade may be offered an alternative role at that lower level.

Expected timeline (subject to change)
Expected sift date – [w/c 18 May]
Expected interview date/s – [w/c 1 June]

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.

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.

Reasonable Adjustment

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.

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 : Liz Critchley
• Email : liz.critchley@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)