Technical Architect Home Office Biometrics - HO - SEO

The Digital Data and Technology (DDaT) profession enable the Home Office to keep the UK safe and secure. They do this by designing, building, and running the services that help people apply for visas or passports, support policing and counter-terrorism operations, and protect the UK’s borders. 

Team members have specialised knowledge and a calling to build on it. We want the best people to come to the Home Office and work in the diverse roles and communities they’re passionate about. This is how we produce exceptional outcomes. 

Due to business requirements this post is available on a Full Time/Job Share/Flexible Working basis. Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and home-based working. Where this is the case, employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in the office. Queries can be raised to the address at the bottom of the advert. 

We value diversity and inclusion and welcome applications from the widest diversity of backgrounds, cultures, and experiences. We encourage applications from women, people with disabilities and LGBT+ as they are currently under-represented in the Home Office at this grade level. Appointments will be made on merit based on fair and open competition.

Job description

A Technical Architect is responsible for the design and build of Technical Architecture.

As a Technical Architect, you will undertake structured analysis of technical issues, translating this analysis into technical designs that describe a solution. You will be consulted on design and can provide design patterns. You will identify the deeper issues that need fixing and look for opportunities to collaborate and reuse components, communicating with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

You will be able to build effective partnerships with diverse teams across multiple locations and technologies.

Architects in Document Technology team support the Home Office departments that rely on electronic document security such as ePassports and identity cards. Architects will work with; the border systems (eGates, manual controls and specialist examiners), passport production systems, immigration systems (such as the Electronic Travel Authorization and EU Settlement schemes) and mobile identification app suppliers.

Due to business requirements this post is only available on a full time basis. Flexible working arrangements can be discussed with the vacancy holder if you are successful at interview.

Person specification

Your main day to day activities will be:

• Analysing existing systems to ensure they offer adequate security and meet the needs of the organisation.
• Recommending technologies or improvements to enhance systems to support document security project goals, based on the analysis of systems’ needs and requirements of the business.
• Inputting into the design and review processes for new document security solutions and services by developing and documenting the proposed technical design for the integration and implementation of the solution.
• Supporting the creation of detailed plans for the integration of new systems architecture into existing infrastructure.
• Managing the MasterList of trusted country signing certificates.
• Supporting and updating electronic document security inspection capabilities used by Border Force, National Document Fraud Unit and the Migration and Borders Technology Portfolio.
• Executing specialist document security testing and supporting test partners to conduct electronic document security testing,
• Analysing existing systems to ensure they offer adequate document security and meet the needs of the organisation.
• Understanding and adhering to governance and assurance processes.

Essential skills

You’ll have a demonstrable passion for Technical Architecture, with the following skills or some experience in:

• Designing quality services, with a strong technical ability and proven technical background.
• Striving for technical excellence and innovation solution design.
• Navigating the complex landscapes of technologies, 3rd party suppliers, internal and cross-government teams.
• Understanding of cryptography and PKI security.
• Understanding of a technical roadmap and strategy.
• Understanding of the technical requirements to implement, design and manage associated technologies.

SFIA capability framework 

Skills for the Information Age (SFIA) is the technical framework that sets the standard capability and development of all levels in the Home Office. This is a link to the capability framework:  All skills A - Z English (sfia-online.org) 

We use set SFIA technical skills to form our interview questions and we will assess you against these technical skills during the selection process. 

SFIA levels of responsibility – Use the SFIA Levels of responsibility to understand to understand what would be expected for each technical skill listed. Please see below for the relevant skills for your role:

SFIA Technical skills 

Strategy & Architecture:

• Strategy and Planning
  • Strategic Planning (ITSP) – Level 3
  • Innovation (INOV) – Level 3
  • Enterprise and Business Architecture (STPL) – Level 3
  • Solution Architecture (ARCH) – Level 3
• Advice & Guidance
  • Consultancy (CNSL) – Level 3
  • Specialist Advice (TECH) – Level 3

Behaviours

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

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Making Effective Decisions

Technical skills

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

• Innovation (INOV) – Level 3
• Solution Architecture (ARCH) – Level 3
• Specialist Advice (TECH) – Level 3
• Consultancy (CNSL) – Level 3