Head of Architecture, Digital and Technology - Ofsted - G6

We are recruiting for a Head of Architecture to join our Digital and Technology team.

In this role you will lead the Digital and Technology Architecture team, ensuring that services are effective at meeting user need; consistent with the Government Service Standard; coherent in the context of the whole organisation; and deliver value for money. As a member of the Digital and Technology Leadership team, you will play a critical part in leading the design and delivery of Ofsted’s digital and technology services, working collaboratively with colleagues, and developing a network of partners across Ofsted and other public-sector organisations.

As the Head of Architecture you will be accountable for setting design principles, developing the target reference architecture and roadmaps to move from the as-is to the target state, and ensuring the appropriate design governance processes and forums are in place.

You’ll be making a huge impact and be at the heart of supporting the development and delivery of a range of digital and technology solutions that help transform Ofsted’s processes, systems, and a real difference in how we adapt and excel in the digital and technology age.

This is a fantastic opportunity to further your experience in Ofsted’s well-established team. The post holder will work with high-achieving professionals at all levels, surrounded by a friendly and supportive team. They will have access to amazing benefits, such as flexible working hours, the Civil Service Pension Scheme, and 32.5 days annual leave + 8 bank holidays. We offer a hybrid working model, so you may also choose to spend a proportion of time working from home.

Apply now and help shape the future of digital technology at Ofsted.

Job description

Please refer to the job specification further information.

Person specification

Please refer to the job specification further information.

Behaviours

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

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together

Technical skills

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

• Experience and practical knowledge of common cloud platforms, patterns, and services, specifically Microsoft Azure. (Essential)
• Knowledge and experience of designing solutions with a focus on CI/CD Pipelines, Infrastructure as Code (IaC), DevOps Tooling, and Microservices architectures. (Essential)
• Experience of designing high-quality digital services which meet clearly defined user need; support strategy; and are affordable and deliverable. (Essential)
• Experience of leadership, motivation, and development of technical teams. (Essential)
• Demonstrable credibility with senior business and technical stakeholders. Ability to explain, persuade and influence. (Essential)
• Demonstrable commercial awareness in the context of procurement and supplier management. (Desirable)

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

• Experience and practical knowledge of common cloud platforms, patterns, and services, specifically Microsoft Azure. (Essential)
• Knowledge and experience of designing solutions with a focus on CI/CD Pipelines, Infrastructure as Code (IaC), DevOps Tooling, and Microservices architectures. (Essential)
• Experience of designing high-quality digital services which meet clearly defined user need; support strategy; and are affordable and deliverable. (Essential)

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £83,148, Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills contributes £24,087 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Full details of the benefits available can be found in our Ofsted Offer brochure.

Ofsted is devoted to equality, diversity and inclusion. Within our Ofsted Strategy 2023-2027 we have stated that we will improve the representation of under-represented groups across the organisation and publish our progress on this annually. We are always looking to expand on our diverse workforce by recruiting candidates from varied backgrounds and differing experiences. We are proud to be a Disability Confident – Leader, we continually engage with our 5 staff networks for protected characteristics, and highlight the work of our Equalities, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Group. We ensure all candidates are treated with fair and open competition, with all appointments being made on merit and we use our Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) to provide assurance to all candidates of this.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

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

Shortlisting:

The selection panel will assess your application based on your evidence you have provided against the essential criteria as set out in the advert and the person specification.

You will also be asked to provide information within the “Employer/Activity History” section of the application form. This information is equivalent to the information you would provide on a CV setting out your career history (this will be used in the sifting process).

In the event should we receive a high number of applications, an initial sift will be conducted on the lead criterion below. Applicants who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to interview and presentation.

• Knowledge and experience of designing solutions with a focus on CI/CD Pipelines, Infrastructure as Code (IaC), DevOps Tooling, and Microservices architectures.

Interview and Presentation:

The successful candidates will be invited to attend an interview and presentation at 23 Stephenson Street, Birmingham and/or Piccadilly Gate, Manchester. during the week commencing Monday 16 December 2024.

The question for the presentation will be sent to you in advance of your interview.

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

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.

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 the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).