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Celebrating Home Office Women in Tech - Gaynor's journey

Software Engineer, Gaynor's story


What I do  

My name is Gaynor and I’m a Software Test Engineer working on two projects in the Home Office. My role is to oversee the automation requirements within two projects, part of which involves testing to ensure the Gov.UK websites run successfully. 

My career journey 

My career started some time ago. Before joining the Home Office, I worked as a Personal Assistant for several years. It was during this time that I became interested in a new computer at work and found myself fixing the PC’s I owned. This is when I realised I had caught ‘the bug’, which seems fitting now I’m in ‘testing’.  

I was then put forward for a role by an agency working with the Home Office. I chose to work in the department because I was impressed by the organisation’s core values, found the work rewarding and I felt appreciated. There is also a diverse range of talented people with a wide range of skills and experience who are always willing to help.   

I volunteered to help with on-boarding new joiners and security clearance applications, and found I enjoyed the challenge. I secured the role of Client Security Manager, where I was happy to stay for another few years.   

One day, a colleague told me about a job being advertised for a Rules Engineer and I applied, slightly reluctantly because I didn’t have technical experience. I was delighted then to be called for an interview and subsequently offered the role. I maximised the learning and development opportunities offered by the Home Office and went on to pass foundation and advanced level qualifications in Oracle Policy Automation (OPA).  

Once the Home Office stopped using OPA, I secured a role as a Test Engineer in the Quality, Assurance and Testing (QAT) department. I have been in QAT ever since!  

Impactful work  

I have worked on several projects that I feel have made a real impact. For example, Gov.UK websites and applications that have made a huge difference in people’s lives. One of them, for instance, was set up and turned around in record time, which allowed Ukraine nationals to apply for visas to settle in the UK.  

Moreover, I worked on a project around the Future Borders and Immigration System (FBIS) visa routes. There were routes for applicants including students, skilled workers and  more. I was part of a team of Test Engineers who set up test data, added new code, reviewed, tested, and merged code into the main repository, which now forms part of the live process. 

Benefits of working in the Home Office  

The Home Office offers good salaries and flexible working, which is important for people with younger children or caring responsibilities. I have met colleagues along the way who have been able to agree working patterns to fit in with their personal lives, which is perfect for this modern age.  

The Home Office offers hybrid working, with a minimum of 40% office attendance and the chance to work remotely for the rest of the time. Job share opportunities are also available. Annual leave starts at 25 days per year, increasing by 1 day per year, up to 30 days after 5 years.  

As you can see from my career journey, the opportunities for career progression speak for themselves. I don’t think I would’ve had the chance to get into tech if I hadn’t joined the Home Office. The Home Office also runs several wellbeing initiatives, and there are always new interest groups forming.   

The Home Office is a great place to enhance your skills. It’s also a good place to meet new people, and I’ve always found colleagues to be welcoming and supportive.  

I would encourage women to consider applying for a QAT role in the Home Office. QAT provides assurance that services are being delivered to meet business needs. The department has consistently received Test Maturity Model Integrated (TMMi) awards, which are a worldwide standard for test process improvement. We currently have TMMI5, which is the highest standard.   

The QAT community puts people at the heart of their business and gives their staff the chance to start out or continue their technical journey and learn new skills.

Explore jobs at Home Office Digital, Data and Technology

Senior Technology Delivery Manager
Manchester

Who we are...The Home Office works to build a safe, fair and prosperous UK. We achieve this through our work on counter-terrorism, policing, fire, crime, drugs policy, immigration and passports. Every day, our teams across the UK and beyond deliver outcomes to improve citizens’ lives.To carry out our work effectively and fairly, we’re committed to representing the UK in all its diversity. There’s no one type of person working at the Home Office. Just like in wider society, everyone here’s different. We believe that different backgrounds, perspectives and voices add up to richer, fuller thinking that helps us deliver fairer, better outcomes.Our work is challenging, high profile and rewarding. Delivering it is a team effort, and we rely on talented people with a wide range of skills and experiences. We’re guided in what we do by our core values: compassion, respect, courage and collaboration.Why join Home Office Digital, Data and Technology?The Digital Data and Technology (DDaT) profession enables the Home Office to keep the UK safe and secure. Our teams do this by designing, building and developing the services that help people apply for visas or passports, support policing and counter-terrorism operations, and protect the UK’s borders.We are a friendly community of tech and digital teams who will support and challenge you to contribute. Our culture is inclusive, progressive and we value the unique contributions everyone makes. Our tech strategy is also clear: we work in agile product, user-centred teams with cloud native and interdisciplinary working as the focus. Digital inclusion, accessibility and forming a technical community across our departments are also key… this is how we strive to produce exceptional outcomes.Our main delivery centres are in Manchester, Sheffield, Croydon, Glasgow, and we also have offices in Southport, Westminster, Liverpool, west London and north London.The DDaT team in Manchester is based in Soapworks, one of the North West’s most iconic commercial regeneration projects. Located within the Media City boundary, 1½ miles from Manchester City Centre and a 2-minute walk from the Exchange Quay Metrolink stop, the office is well placed for an easy commute.Learn more about our work and our organisation.Our benefits...As well as offering the opportunity to make a real difference to people’s lives, a career with the Home Office comes with a range of amazing benefits.Take a closer look at the benefits on offer.Join us and make a difference...If you’re looking for an exciting digital career where you can make an impact, whilst using cutting edge tech to help develop and enhance products and services at the heart of government, we want to hear from you!You’ll find a supportive environment and opportunities to enhance your CV on projects that will help you stand out from the crowd. Take a look at the roles on offer.Interested in finding out more about life at the Home Office? Read our blogs to learn more about our people and the brilliant work they do.Follow us on LinkedIn and X (Twitter).

Home Office Digital, Data and Technology
Technology Delivery Manager
Manchester

Who we are...The Home Office works to build a safe, fair and prosperous UK. We achieve this through our work on counter-terrorism, policing, fire, crime, drugs policy, immigration and passports. Every day, our teams across the UK and beyond deliver outcomes to improve citizens’ lives.To carry out our work effectively and fairly, we’re committed to representing the UK in all its diversity. There’s no one type of person working at the Home Office. Just like in wider society, everyone here’s different. We believe that different backgrounds, perspectives and voices add up to richer, fuller thinking that helps us deliver fairer, better outcomes.Our work is challenging, high profile and rewarding. Delivering it is a team effort, and we rely on talented people with a wide range of skills and experiences. We’re guided in what we do by our core values: compassion, respect, courage and collaboration.Why join Home Office Digital, Data and Technology?The Digital Data and Technology (DDaT) profession enables the Home Office to keep the UK safe and secure. Our teams do this by designing, building and developing the services that help people apply for visas or passports, support policing and counter-terrorism operations, and protect the UK’s borders.We are a friendly community of tech and digital teams who will support and challenge you to contribute. Our culture is inclusive, progressive and we value the unique contributions everyone makes. Our tech strategy is also clear: we work in agile product, user-centred teams with cloud native and interdisciplinary working as the focus. Digital inclusion, accessibility and forming a technical community across our departments are also key… this is how we strive to produce exceptional outcomes.Our main delivery centres are in Manchester, Sheffield, Croydon, Glasgow, and we also have offices in Southport, Westminster, Liverpool, west London and north London.The DDaT team in Manchester is based in Soapworks, one of the North West’s most iconic commercial regeneration projects. Located within the Media City boundary, 1½ miles from Manchester City Centre and a 2-minute walk from the Exchange Quay Metrolink stop, the office is well placed for an easy commute.Learn more about our work and our organisation.Our benefits...As well as offering the opportunity to make a real difference to people’s lives, a career with the Home Office comes with a range of amazing benefits.Take a closer look at the benefits on offer.Join us and make a difference...If you’re looking for an exciting digital career where you can make an impact, whilst using cutting edge tech to help develop and enhance products and services at the heart of government, we want to hear from you!You’ll find a supportive environment and opportunities to enhance your CV on projects that will help you stand out from the crowd. Take a look at the roles on offer.Interested in finding out more about life at the Home Office? Read our blogs to learn more about our people and the brilliant work they do.Follow us on LinkedIn and X (Twitter).

Home Office Digital, Data and Technology
Technology Delivery Manager
Manchester

Who we are...The Home Office works to build a safe, fair and prosperous UK. We achieve this through our work on counter-terrorism, policing, fire, crime, drugs policy, immigration and passports. Every day, our teams across the UK and beyond deliver outcomes to improve citizens’ lives.To carry out our work effectively and fairly, we’re committed to representing the UK in all its diversity. There’s no one type of person working at the Home Office. Just like in wider society, everyone here’s different. We believe that different backgrounds, perspectives and voices add up to richer, fuller thinking that helps us deliver fairer, better outcomes.Our work is challenging, high profile and rewarding. Delivering it is a team effort, and we rely on talented people with a wide range of skills and experiences. We’re guided in what we do by our core values: compassion, respect, courage and collaboration.Why join Home Office Digital, Data and Technology?The Digital Data and Technology (DDaT) profession enables the Home Office to keep the UK safe and secure. Our teams do this by designing, building and developing the services that help people apply for visas or passports, support policing and counter-terrorism operations, and protect the UK’s borders.We are a friendly community of tech and digital teams who will support and challenge you to contribute. Our culture is inclusive, progressive and we value the unique contributions everyone makes. Our tech strategy is also clear: we work in agile product, user-centred teams with cloud native and interdisciplinary working as the focus. Digital inclusion, accessibility and forming a technical community across our departments are also key… this is how we strive to produce exceptional outcomes.Our main delivery centres are in Manchester, Sheffield, Croydon, Glasgow, and we also have offices in Southport, Westminster, Liverpool, west London and north London.The DDaT team in Manchester is based in Soapworks, one of the North West’s most iconic commercial regeneration projects. Located within the Media City boundary, 1½ miles from Manchester City Centre and a 2-minute walk from the Exchange Quay Metrolink stop, the office is well placed for an easy commute.Learn more about our work and our organisation.Our benefits...As well as offering the opportunity to make a real difference to people’s lives, a career with the Home Office comes with a range of amazing benefits.Take a closer look at the benefits on offer.Join us and make a difference...If you’re looking for an exciting digital career where you can make an impact, whilst using cutting edge tech to help develop and enhance products and services at the heart of government, we want to hear from you!You’ll find a supportive environment and opportunities to enhance your CV on projects that will help you stand out from the crowd. Take a look at the roles on offer.Interested in finding out more about life at the Home Office? Read our blogs to learn more about our people and the brilliant work they do.Follow us on LinkedIn and X (Twitter).

Home Office Digital, Data and Technology
Principal Technical Architect
Manchester

Who we are...The Home Office works to build a safe, fair and prosperous UK. We achieve this through our work on counter-terrorism, policing, fire, crime, drugs policy, immigration and passports. Every day, our teams across the UK and beyond deliver outcomes to improve citizens’ lives.To carry out our work effectively and fairly, we’re committed to representing the UK in all its diversity. There’s no one type of person working at the Home Office. Just like in wider society, everyone here’s different. We believe that different backgrounds, perspectives and voices add up to richer, fuller thinking that helps us deliver fairer, better outcomes.Our work is challenging, high profile and rewarding. Delivering it is a team effort, and we rely on talented people with a wide range of skills and experiences. We’re guided in what we do by our core values: compassion, respect, courage and collaboration.Why join Home Office Digital, Data and Technology?The Digital Data and Technology (DDaT) profession enables the Home Office to keep the UK safe and secure. Our teams do this by designing, building and developing the services that help people apply for visas or passports, support policing and counter-terrorism operations, and protect the UK’s borders.We are a friendly community of tech and digital teams who will support and challenge you to contribute. Our culture is inclusive, progressive and we value the unique contributions everyone makes. Our tech strategy is also clear: we work in agile product, user-centred teams with cloud native and interdisciplinary working as the focus. Digital inclusion, accessibility and forming a technical community across our departments are also key… this is how we strive to produce exceptional outcomes.Our main delivery centres are in Manchester, Sheffield, Croydon, Glasgow, and we also have offices in Southport, Westminster, Liverpool, west London and north London.The DDaT team in Manchester is based in Soapworks, one of the North West’s most iconic commercial regeneration projects. Located within the Media City boundary, 1½ miles from Manchester City Centre and a 2-minute walk from the Exchange Quay Metrolink stop, the office is well placed for an easy commute.Learn more about our work and our organisation.Our benefits...As well as offering the opportunity to make a real difference to people’s lives, a career with the Home Office comes with a range of amazing benefits.Take a closer look at the benefits on offer.Join us and make a difference...If you’re looking for an exciting digital career where you can make an impact, whilst using cutting edge tech to help develop and enhance products and services at the heart of government, we want to hear from you!You’ll find a supportive environment and opportunities to enhance your CV on projects that will help you stand out from the crowd. Take a look at the roles on offer.Interested in finding out more about life at the Home Office? Read our blogs to learn more about our people and the brilliant work they do.Follow us on LinkedIn and X (Twitter).

Home Office Digital, Data and Technology
Security Architect
Manchester

Who we are...The Home Office works to build a safe, fair and prosperous UK. We achieve this through our work on counter-terrorism, policing, fire, crime, drugs policy, immigration and passports. Every day, our teams across the UK and beyond deliver outcomes to improve citizens’ lives.To carry out our work effectively and fairly, we’re committed to representing the UK in all its diversity. There’s no one type of person working at the Home Office. Just like in wider society, everyone here’s different. We believe that different backgrounds, perspectives and voices add up to richer, fuller thinking that helps us deliver fairer, better outcomes.Our work is challenging, high profile and rewarding. Delivering it is a team effort, and we rely on talented people with a wide range of skills and experiences. We’re guided in what we do by our core values: compassion, respect, courage and collaboration.Why join Home Office Digital, Data and Technology?The Digital Data and Technology (DDaT) profession enables the Home Office to keep the UK safe and secure. Our teams do this by designing, building and developing the services that help people apply for visas or passports, support policing and counter-terrorism operations, and protect the UK’s borders.We are a friendly community of tech and digital teams who will support and challenge you to contribute. Our culture is inclusive, progressive and we value the unique contributions everyone makes. Our tech strategy is also clear: we work in agile product, user-centred teams with cloud native and interdisciplinary working as the focus. Digital inclusion, accessibility and forming a technical community across our departments are also key… this is how we strive to produce exceptional outcomes.Our main delivery centres are in Manchester, Sheffield, Croydon, Glasgow, and we also have offices in Southport, Westminster, Liverpool, west London and north London.The DDaT team in Manchester is based in Soapworks, one of the North West’s most iconic commercial regeneration projects. Located within the Media City boundary, 1½ miles from Manchester City Centre and a 2-minute walk from the Exchange Quay Metrolink stop, the office is well placed for an easy commute.Learn more about our work and our organisation.Our benefits...As well as offering the opportunity to make a real difference to people’s lives, a career with the Home Office comes with a range of amazing benefits.Take a closer look at the benefits on offer.Join us and make a difference...If you’re looking for an exciting digital career where you can make an impact, whilst using cutting edge tech to help develop and enhance products and services at the heart of government, we want to hear from you!You’ll find a supportive environment and opportunities to enhance your CV on projects that will help you stand out from the crowd. Take a look at the roles on offer.Interested in finding out more about life at the Home Office? Read our blogs to learn more about our people and the brilliant work they do.Follow us on LinkedIn and X (Twitter).

Home Office Digital, Data and Technology
Lead Security Architect
Manchester

Who we are...The Home Office works to build a safe, fair and prosperous UK. We achieve this through our work on counter-terrorism, policing, fire, crime, drugs policy, immigration and passports. Every day, our teams across the UK and beyond deliver outcomes to improve citizens’ lives.To carry out our work effectively and fairly, we’re committed to representing the UK in all its diversity. There’s no one type of person working at the Home Office. Just like in wider society, everyone here’s different. We believe that different backgrounds, perspectives and voices add up to richer, fuller thinking that helps us deliver fairer, better outcomes.Our work is challenging, high profile and rewarding. Delivering it is a team effort, and we rely on talented people with a wide range of skills and experiences. We’re guided in what we do by our core values: compassion, respect, courage and collaboration.Why join Home Office Digital, Data and Technology?The Digital Data and Technology (DDaT) profession enables the Home Office to keep the UK safe and secure. Our teams do this by designing, building and developing the services that help people apply for visas or passports, support policing and counter-terrorism operations, and protect the UK’s borders.We are a friendly community of tech and digital teams who will support and challenge you to contribute. Our culture is inclusive, progressive and we value the unique contributions everyone makes. Our tech strategy is also clear: we work in agile product, user-centred teams with cloud native and interdisciplinary working as the focus. Digital inclusion, accessibility and forming a technical community across our departments are also key… this is how we strive to produce exceptional outcomes.Our main delivery centres are in Manchester, Sheffield, Croydon, Glasgow, and we also have offices in Southport, Westminster, Liverpool, west London and north London.The DDaT team in Manchester is based in Soapworks, one of the North West’s most iconic commercial regeneration projects. Located within the Media City boundary, 1½ miles from Manchester City Centre and a 2-minute walk from the Exchange Quay Metrolink stop, the office is well placed for an easy commute.Learn more about our work and our organisation.Our benefits...As well as offering the opportunity to make a real difference to people’s lives, a career with the Home Office comes with a range of amazing benefits.Take a closer look at the benefits on offer.Join us and make a difference...If you’re looking for an exciting digital career where you can make an impact, whilst using cutting edge tech to help develop and enhance products and services at the heart of government, we want to hear from you!You’ll find a supportive environment and opportunities to enhance your CV on projects that will help you stand out from the crowd. Take a look at the roles on offer.Interested in finding out more about life at the Home Office? Read our blogs to learn more about our people and the brilliant work they do.Follow us on LinkedIn and X (Twitter).

Home Office Digital, Data and Technology

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