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About the job
Job summary
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 UKs borders.
Team members have specialized 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 theyre passionate about. This is how we produce exceptional outcomes.
The Home Office has created a government-leading bespoke career framework that enables career planning, while ensuring our people can be the best they can be. The framework includes Heads of Role, who are industry specialists. They build communities, set standards for what good looks like, and ensure we have the right people in the right jobs at the right time.
We also have a profession management unit, which aims to provide the best professional experience to all our technical staff with a real passion for and focus on continuous professional development. We invest heavily in our people as part of growing our collective capability.
You can keep up to date with our work on the Home Office DDaT blog
Job description
Quality Assurance and Testing (QAT) is an important part of the Home Office mission. Everyone is responsible for quality and we have a team of skilled people who make sure quality is delivered in the most effective way. This means getting fast feedback, understanding how a service performs, and helping the development team to make more informed decisions. We value automating as much of the test effort as possible allowing our team of specialists and domain experts to undertake better evaluations.
You can see more here Quality, Assurance and Testing – Home Office Careers
Quality Assurance and Testing (QAT)
We are seeking Senior Test Engineers to work in the Data Services and Analytics (DSA) area of the organisation. The mission of DSA is to be the leading provider of data insight services in government.
DSA hosts one of the most advanced data analytics centres in government, who strive to lead the way in the appropriate and proportionate use of data and analytics to deliver joined-up, intelligent services that unlock the value from data and improve decision making, policy and operations.
As a Senior Test Engineer, you will drive the test engineering approach within your product area. You will determine and implement approaches to assure, measure and build quality into every phase of the software development life cycle. You will define and implement product level test engineering strategies while ensuring that these are aligned to portfolio level Test Engineering approaches and follow QAT Test Engineering principles.
You will be responsible for solving engineering challenges of QAT approaches adopted in projects that you work with. This involves developing or enhancing frameworks that help deliver scalable tests which are faster, frequent, and continuous. You will be expected to build relationships with Software engineering, DevOps, Product and Project delivery partners.
You will provide support and guidance to a team of engineers, further developing your own delivery management and leadership skills.
To help the QAT practice thrive, you will also keep up to date with emerging tools and approaches and work out how these could help the organisation to deliver better success. You will be an active contributor and a mentor within the QAT Test Engineering community. You will also promote the value of QAT within the larger DDaT community.
There is a link to how it feels to work in QAT on our GOV.UK site here: Day in the life of a QAT’er
Person specification
Responsibilities
Your main day to day responsibilities will be:
- Actively maintaining existing test frameworks or help develop new ones when required. You will also undertake code refactoring where necessary.
- Developing tests that are predictable, repeatable and implement automated verification of acceptance criteria to the greatest possible extent. reviewing test automation code and test utility code, and configuring, monitoring, and triggering tests to run on demand as well as continuously evaluating the efficacy of this process.
- Determining tools and approaches for virtualisation, data mocking, contract testing or other automated integration testing techniques and determining tools and approaches for automated test data management, test results aggregation and release management. Enabling precise, real-time reports of automation test runs.
- Managing test infrastructure usage and determining approach to running distributed, parallel tests. Using container & Cloud technology to orchestrate faster, scalable tests.
- Interpreting data from code scan, code quality and observability tools. Agreeing quality thresholds and providing actionable feedback in aiding quality improvement.
- Participating in the QAT Test Engineering community to help grow it.
Other day to day activities may depend on the delivery approach, business area or requirements of the product team.
Essential Skills
Youll have a demonstrable passion for Test Engineering, with the following skills or some experience in:
- Programming using Java or Python or JavaScript to write secure, reusable, and maintainable automated tests and test utilities.
- Using tools like Selenium/ SerenityBDD/ Cypress/ Playwright JS for front-end automation, RestAssured or similar for API testing.
- Build tools like Maven or Gradle and using Git to manage branches and merge requests through distributed version control.
- Working with unit test frameworks like JUnit or TestNG, assertion libraries and data serialisation tools and leveraging tools like Wiremock (or similar) to aid automated testing.
- Working with POM or other test design patterns, understanding of SOLID code design principles, and using BDD tools like Cucumber for developing automated tests.
- Using CI/CD tools like Jenkins, Drone or Similar while having a good understanding of release pipelines and jobs.
- Usage of code quality tools like SonarQube or Similar.
The skills listed above are reflective of the Home Office DDaT Profession Skills and Competency Model (based on the industry standard SFIA framework). Please see below for the relevant skills required for your role:
Strategy & Architecture:
- Information Strategy
- Strategic Planning (ITSP) Level 3
- Technical Strategy and Planning
- Domain Experience Level 3
Development and Implementation:
- Systems Development
- Test, Analysis, Design and Execution Level 3
- Automation and Tooling Level 3
- Performance Testing Level 3
- Installation and Integration
- Integration and Assurance Level 3
Desirable Skills
Ideally you will also have the following skills or some experience in:
- Scripting automated, code driven accessibility tests.
- A data science background or have experience working with complex data models.
- Machine learning and artificial intelligence.
- familiarity with container orchestration systems like Kubernetes.
- Line management experience.
Our skills align with the cross gov DDaT Capability Framework
Digital, Data and Technology Profession Capability Framework – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Qualifications
You may also hold the following desirable qualifications or have equivalent experience:
- Computer Science related degree
- Associate level technical certification for programming languages or technologies like Cloud
- ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level
- BCS Agile Practitioner
- ISQi Certified Agile Tester
Recruitment and Retention Allowance (RRA)
This post is eligible for a DDaT RRA. Successful Candidates with exceptional skills and experience may apply for a RRA up to a maximum of £7,300. This allowance is subject to an initial review within six months of taking up the post and thereafter an annual review in-line with departmental priorities and could be reduced or withdrawn at any time.
Location
QAT base locations are primarily in Croydon, with a small number of roles in London. All QAT roles require flexibility of location, including working from supplier sites and other business locations across the UK and occasionally abroad.
Behaviours
We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
Benefits
Youll also have access to the same benefits available to all civil servants in the Home Office:
You can find more information at Benefits – Home Office Careers.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job, drives up performance and improves diversity and inclusivity.
As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete a CV, Statement of Suitability (Max Limit: 1250 words)
Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
The Statement of Suitability should concisely explain your motivation for applying to this role, and evidencing how you meet the Essential criteria listed on the job advertisement
The sift will be based on the Statement of Suitability. The CV is for information purposes only and will not be marked.
Candidates shortlisted will be invited to an interview which will be conducted using Behaviour based questions.
Please note interview will be carried out virtually using Microsoft Teams.
Candidates will also be asked to complete an engineering problem that is not marked but is used as part of the interview discussion to assess your technical expertise.
Sift and Interview dates
The sift will take place week commencing 28/08/2023
Interviews are expected to take place from 04/09/2023
We will try to meet the dates set out in the advertisement. There may be occasions when these dates will change. You will be provided with sufficient notice of the confirmed dates.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to time constraints we may not be able to offer alternative interview date(s). It is therefore expected that candidates who are successful at sift stage will make themselves available during the above time frame given.
Further information
Please read the essential skills for this position carefully. We will only consider those who meet the listed requirement.
If you have previously made an unsuccessful application for a role with the same essential skills and are not able to demonstrate how you have developed these skills since your last application please reconsider applying as your application is unlikely to be successful.
A reserve list may be held for a period up to 12 months from which further appointment may be made.
We often have similar roles available at different grades. If a candidate is suitable for a similar role, or a lower grade than they have applied for, we may offer the candidate that role without the need to go through a further selection process providing the role has the same behaviours and essential skills
For meaningful checks to be carried out, individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time to enable appropriate checks to be carried out and produce a result which provides the required level of assurance. You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 3 years if the role requires CTC clearance, 5 years for SC clearance and 10 years for DV. A lack of UK residency in itself is not necessarily a bar to a security clearance and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder/Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice.
UK residency and security requirements
You need to have lived in the UK for the past 5 years. This is because this post requires the successful candidate to have Security Check (SC) clearance, and you need to have been a resident in the UK long enough for sufficient checks to take place. These checks will only take place after the job offer has been accepted.
Visa sponsorship
We are unable to sponsor any individuals via Skilled Worker Sponsorship / Tier 2 (General) work visas as we do not hold a UK Visa & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker License.
Every day, Home Office civil servants do brilliant work to develop and deliver policies and services that affect the lives of people across the country and beyond. To do this effectively and fairly, the Home Office is committed to representing modern Britain in all its diversity, and creating a welcoming, inclusive workplace where all our people are able to bring their whole selves to work and perform at their best.
We are flexible, skilled, professional and diverse. We work to recruit and retain disabled staff and area Disability Confident Leader. We are proud to be one of the most ethnically diverse departments in the civil service. We are Stonewall top 100 Workplace Equality Employer and a Social Mobility Foundation top 75 employer.
Hybrid working enables employees to work partly in their workplace(s) and partly at home in line with the Home Office Hybrid Working policy. A hybrid working pattern may be available, where business needs allow for this role. Applicants can discuss what this means with the vacancy holder if they have specific questions on what this entails.
New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.
Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.
For further information please see the attached notes for candidates which must be read before making an application.
Existing Civil Servants should note that some of the Home Office terms and conditions of employment have changed. It is the candidates responsibility to ensure they are aware of the Terms and Conditions they will adopt should they be successful in application and should refer to the notes for candidates for further details.
Transfer Terms: Voluntary.
If you are invited to an interview you will be required to bring a range of documentation for the purposes of establishing identity and to aid any pre-employment checks.
Please see the attached list of Home Office acceptable ID documents.
Any move to the Home 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
Reasonable Adjustments
If a person with disabilities is at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.
If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:
Contact Government Recruitment Service via HOrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs
Complete the Assistance Required section in the Additional Requirements page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a language service professional
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the Contact point for applicants section.
Feedback
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Nationality requirements
Working for the Civil Service
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).
Apply and further information
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Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Optimus Accelerator Recruitment
- Email : OptimusACrecruitment@homeoffice.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : HOrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Further information
principles, and wish to make a complaint, then you should contact in the first instance
HORecruitment.GRS@cabinetoffice.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response that you receive, then you can contact the Civil Service Commission.
