About the job

Job summary

The Opportunity

This is work of national importance. Join the Parliamentary Digital Service as a Senior Developer and what you do will make UK democracy function better, more efficiently and more transparently. And this couldn’t be more vital – you’ll be writing and maintaining systems that allow us to deliver better services to all Members of Parliament, and for the activities of the UK Parliament to be better scrutinised and understood by the public.

Among your other responsibilities, you’ll:

• write high-quality code and develop new software or evolve existing applications to meet internal and external customer needs
• peer-review code and ensure the highest standards and correct policies are followed in your work
• have a proactive and considered approach to technical debt, and strive for a culture of technical longevity over short-term gains
• deploy tactical decisions where necessary while keeping focused on long-term strategic goals and aiming to mitigate debt when possible
• work collaboratively with colleagues across disciplines including (but not limited to) test, DevOps, delivery, design, user research and performance analysis
• work with others to build a strong sense of requirements and ensure the work developed meets the needs of internal and external customers 

What You Need

You should also have:

• proven experience across C#, .NET Core and .NET Framework, web frameworks including MVC and Web API, SQL / SQL Server with proven experience in designing database schemas to satisfy data storage and retrieval requirements, designing and creating RESTful APIs, performing profiling of applications and writing performant code, Git, abstracting code into core libraries and creating reusable components, debugging and systems analysis, HTML5, CSS / SASS & Javascript and TypeScript, familiarity with a frontend framework such as Angular / React / Vue (Angular preferred)
• the ability to design systems characterised by medium levels of risk, impact and business or technical complexity, and the skills to select appropriate design standards, methods and tools to ensure they are applied effectively
• the ability to define the integration build, coordinate build activities across systems and understand how to undertake and support integration-testing activities
• an understanding of users and their needs, the ability to engage in meaningful interactions with them and the skills to propose design approaches or services to meet their needs
• the ability to pass security clearance, backed by the right to work in the UK

Job description

• You will work on solving complex puzzles to benefit the smooth running of parliamentary business across the Houses of Parliament by writing high-quality code and developing new software or evolving existing applications to meet internal and external customer needs .
• You will act as a key player in a multi-disciplinary squad working across our application base. You will peer-review code and will ensure standards and policies are followed in your work.
• You have a proactive and considered approach to technical debt, striving for a culture of technical longevity over short-term gains; you deploy tactical decisions where necessary but keep focused on long-term strategic goals and aim to mitigate debt when possible.  
• You will work collaboratively with colleagues across disciplines including (but not limited to) test, DevOps, delivery, design, user research and performance analysis.  
• You will work with others to build a strong sense of requirements and ensure the work developed meets the needs of internal and external customers. 
• There are no immediate line management responsibilities, but this may change in time. You will coach and mentor more junior colleagues in the team. 

The above list of key responsibilities is not exclusive or exhaustive and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks as may reasonably be expected within the scope and banding of the post.

Person specification

Criterion 1 – Technical Experience
Demonstrable experience across C#, .NET, .NET Core and .NET Framework, web frameworks including MVC and Web API, SQL / SQL Server with proven experience in designing database schemas to satisfy data storage and retrieval requirements, designing and creating RESTful APIs, performing profiling of applications and writing performant code, Git, abstracting code into core libraries and creating reusable components, debugging and systems analysis, HTML5, CSS / SASS & Javascript and TypeScript, familiarity with a frontend framework such as Angular / React / Vue (Angular preferred).
    
Criterion 2 – Programming and Build
You can collaborate with others when necessary to review specifications and use these to design, code, test and document programs or scripts of medium to high complexity, using the right standards and tools.

Criterion 3 – Systems Design
You can design systems characterised by medium levels of risk, impact, and business or technical complexity and can select appropriate design standards, methods and tools to ensure they are applied effectively.

Criterion 4 – Systems Integration
You can define the integration build, can coordinate build activities across systems and understand how to undertake and support integration-testing activities.

Criterion 5 - User Focus
You can understand and identify users and their needs, engaging in meaningful interactions with users and can propose design approaches or services to meet their needs, ensuring to uphold the values of equality, diversity and inclusion.

Benefits

Please refer to our Candidate Information Pack for a full list of our benefits which include:

• up to 35 days annual leave in addition to bank holidays
• generous maternity pay policy up to 6 months full pay
• great pension scheme options (contributory and non-contributory)
• on-site subsidised gym, nursery, catering, post office, travel office and GP
• flexible options including hybrid working and family friendly policies

Things you need to know

Selection process details

How To Apply

Please make sure you're clear on the requirements of the role. These can be found in the Job Description and Candidate Information Pack. You will need to upload your CV to show how you meet up to the first five criterion. Our application process is anonymous, so please remove any personal information from it.

Apply By: 24th January 2024 at 23:55

Interviews: 1st/2nd Feb
- Informal Call
- 1st Round - Take home test
- 2nd Round - Interview / Pair Programming Exercise

Format: Assessment + Panel Interview (Remote)

Our Culture

For our people, we provide an amazing opportunity to bring their talents to an institution that sits right at the heart of society in the UK. We are helping to change UK Parliament and strengthen democracy. What matters here is your potential for growth and your commitment to playing your part in our ongoing success.

We are passionate about providing an environment which promotes inclusion, diversity and equality. Regardless of your age, gender, ethnicity, beliefs or any of the other things that make you, you. We welcome applications from people who feel under-represented in the workforce. This includes those who may feel disadvantaged because of their socioeconomic circumstances.

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 counter-terrorist 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.