About the job

Job summary

A part of the Cabinet Office, the Central Digital and Data Office leads the digital, data and technology (DDaT) function for government. We put the right conditions in place to achieve digital, data and technology transformation at scale by working with departments, and other government functions like commercial, project delivery and security professionals.

We are responsible for:

• delivering the Cross-Government Digital and Data Strategy for 2022 - 2025
• digital, Data and Technology Strategy and Standards, like the Technology Code of Practice, the Service Standard and Open Standards
• cross-government DDaT performance and assurance, including Spend Controls
• DDaT Capability Development, including the Government Digital and Data Capability Framework

In the Chief Technology Officer directorate we are responsible across central Government and in the wider Public Sector:

• building diverse technical leadership
• enabling technology business units to manage technology well and having zero legacy
• 100% deployment on hyperscale cloud platforms
• most advanced, lowest footprint digital workplace
• outstanding levels of developer performance and satisfaction
• automated, augmented, assisted public sector with AI & Automation
• protection against advanced security threats
• strategic partnerships with technology vendors with world-leading value
• coherent Enterprise Architecture for Government

Job description

As part of the CDDO leadership team, you would have the unique opportunity to work closely with committed purpose-driven civil service leaders from across the 32,000 strong Digital & Data function to lead an ambitious transformation programme that has the potential to make the UK a better place for us all. 

The Chief Engineer will develop the core strategy for government and work with departments to align strategies across government through:

• building and inspiring a diverse team of experts, and mentoring and coaching aspiring engineers and engineers
• working with departments, developing and publishing practical, useful respected technical guidance across all technology domains
• building collaborative communities and leading the thinking of technologists across government
• researching new technologies, determining their potential and defining practical strategies for adoption
• engaging with industry to build partnerships, gaining new insights and expertise, and influencing roadmaps
• making the case for investment in common capabilities and transformational technologies
• playing a key role in delivering the commitments made in our 2025 roadmap, Transforming for a Digital Future, particularly addressing legacy technology risk, enabling the reuse of common technology services, and introducing new technologies.

Person specification

We’re interested in people who have:

• a deep and broad understanding and experience of building IT systems and the technologies that underpin them
• key skills in the areas of cloud and modern computing 
• a proven track record in delivering large, high profile projects and programmes in an agile environment and managing large capital budgets
• a full range of influencing skills including negotiation, persuasion, representation and co-ordination across interested stakeholders (media, tech press, think tanks etc)
• the ability to create and evolve an enterprise's guiding principles and business architecture, including organisation structure, process architecture, supporting information, applications, and technology to facilitate the evolution of the enterprise to its desired state
• the ability to build strong relationships with stakeholders and external partners, working with them proactively to solve problems, lead and drive business outcomes. Key stakeholders to include: Permanent Secretaries, Chief Operating Officers, Chief Information Officers and Chief Technology Officers
• experience in driving innovation ideas into Proofs of Concept for evaluation- securing stakeholder support and funding
• an understanding of leading technology practices, including product management, Agile, DevOps and Site Reliability Engineering

Benefits

The benefits of working at CDDO

There are many benefits including:

• flexible hybrid working with flexi-time and the option to work part-time or condensed hours
• a Civil Service Pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
• 25 days of annual leave, increasing by a day each year up to a maximum of 30 days 
• an extra day off for The Kings birthday
• an in-year bonus scheme to recognise high performance
• career progression and coaching, including a training budget for personal development
• paid volunteering leave 
• a focus on wellbeing with access to an employee assistance programme
• job satisfaction from making government services easier to use and more inclusive for people across the UK
• advances on pay, including for travel season tickets
• death in service benefits
• cycle to work scheme and facilities
• access to children's holiday play schemes across different locations in central London
• access to an employee discounts scheme
• 10 learning days per year
• volunteering opportunities (5 special leave days per year)
• access to a suite of learning activities through Civil Service learning

CDDO offers hybrid working for all employees. This means that everyone does some working from home and also spends some time in their local office. You’ll agree to your hybrid working arrangement with your line manager in line with your preferences and business needs.

Any move to the Central Digital and Data 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. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk

Things you need to know

Selection process details

The standard selection process for roles at CDDO consists of:

Application process

You will receive an acknowledgment of your application through the online process. The interview panel will then assess your application, selecting those with the best fit against the person specification. Failure to address any or all of these points may affect your application. 

Information required

To apply there are two elements to the​ application​ process which all candidates are required to provide:

• an up to date and relevant CV setting out your career history with responsibilities and achievements
• a personal statement (no longer than 1 page of A4, font 12)  explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities, and experience meet the criteria in the person specification. Please be as specific as possible and provide examples to support your statement.

Whilst we value the use of AI technology to enhance our daily work, we also value the personal touch and urge applicants to write cover letters without the use of AI to emphasise their own unique experiences

Shortlisted candidates 

Shortlisted candidates who are selected for interview will be required to:

• attend a virtual staff engagement exercise to assess their leadership and engagement skills.  Further guidance on what to expect will be provided to all candidates  in advance of the exercise
• attend an informal virtual chat with a member of the leadership team to learn more about the role and organization. This is not part of the formal assessment process.
• complete a 30-minute scenario exercise on the day of the interview. The exercise will be emailed  to candidates ahead of the interview to prepare in advance
• attend a 1 hour interview. Candidates will be expected to present to the interview their responses to the scenario exercise and answer a selection of behavoural questions

Recruitment timeline

 

Date	Description
Tuesday 23rd  April (11:55 pm)	Closing date
Expected to take place in May	Virtual staff engagement exercise
Expected to take place in May	Informal chat with a member of the leadership
Expected to take place in May	Scenario exercise & final panel interview

Every effort will be made to keep to the timelines but dates are subject to change 

In the Civil Service, we use Success Profiles to evaluate your skills and ability. This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job, increases performance and improves diversity and inclusivity. We’ll be assessing your technical abilities, skills, experience and behaviours that are relevant to this role.

For this role we’ll be assessing you against the following Civil Service Behaviours:

• seeing the big picture 
• making effective decisions
• leadership
• communicating and influencing
• working together

Candidates that do not pass the interview but have demonstrated an acceptable standard may be considered for similar roles at a lower grade.

A reserve list will be held for a period of 12 months, from which further appointments can be made.

We are an equal-opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability status.

Please note that this role requires SC clearance, which would normally need 5 years’ UK residency in the past 5 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.

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 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.

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.