Job description
Details
Reference number
Salary
Job grade
Contract type
Business area
Type of role
Engineering
Information Technology
Working pattern
Number of jobs available
Contents
Location
About the job
Benefits
Things you need to know
Apply and further information
Location
About the job
Job summary
This is a mid-level developer role. You'll work with seniors and principals whilst starting to coach and mentor associate (junior) engineers.
As a Python Developer you’ll ensure high quality code is delivered in line with project goals and delivery cycles. You’ll thrive using agile methods and enjoy working openly, collaboratively and as part of a multidisciplinary team focused on one or more projects.
Job description
We’re passionate about building software that solves problems. We’re home to some of the most important public services in the United Kingdom and are transforming how we use data and technology to improve these.
You could be designing, building and supporting solutions to help people prove their identity or apply for visas or working on the critical IT systems that support policing and counter terrorism and help protect UK borders. Our success in this role depends on our ability to exploit the latest technologies to create leading-edge, world class solutions whilst ensuring they are secure and resilient.
We develop over 500 services which have millions of users worldwide. If these types of projects excite you, we'd love for you to join us!
Our tech stack
We have an extremely large range of tech and tools used in the Home Office, below are some of the main things we use:
Backend: Java, Node.js, C#, Python, PHP, Scala
Frontend: React, JavaScript, Typescript, Angular
Data: PostgreSQL, Microsoft SQL Server, Mongodb, Apache Cassandra
DevOps: AWS, Kubernetes, Azure, Jenkins, Docker, Ansible, Terraform
What we offer
Great work life balance! We offer a lot of autonomy and flexible working patterns that can be agreed based on your personal needs. We currently offer a hybrid working model from home with an expectation to be in the office from time to time for team activities which is agreed locally (around 40% in the office).
We know that great software requires great coding practices. Here are some key practices which we insist upon across our teams that allow us to release with speed and quality:
- Agile methodology
- Test-driven development with a focus on automation
- Continuous integration and continuous delivery
- Review code via pull requests
- Pairing smartly
- Infrastructure as code & a modern DevOps environment
- Upskilling and training across our tech stack
Person specification
What you’ll do
- Building RESTful web services to serve a variety of citizen and government needs, taking responsibility for the quality of code you produce
- Implementing toolkits and APIs for purposes such as integration, performance optimisation, security and scalability
- Delivering secure, reliable and scalable software in your team; undertaking a breadth of development tasks
- Designing new software using appropriate tools and in line with standards, proving designs through prototyping
- Reporting on system performance and support test activities; keep documentation up to date.
- Supporting services you deliver through regular maintenance activities, balancing your work with your leadership
- Working with other engineers to deliver new capability, for instance improved CI/CD pipelines or test approaches
Essential skills
As a developer you will have experience of:
- Backend or full-stack development, with detailed knowledge and experience of Python
- Experience of agile practices and version control
- Experience using different testing techniques like unit testing
- Experience working with databases
- Knowledge and awareness of the full software development lifecycle
- An interest in cloud based approaches and orchestration tools such as AWS, Azure, Docker and Kubernetes
Your application will be assessed against these essential skills. Please include as much detail as possible in your personal statement and application that relates to these skills.
Here is a link to our digital careers guide - Click here to visit site
https://careers.homeoffice.gov.uk/role/digital-data-and-technology
And for those that prefer, here is a link to our guide on YouTube - Click here
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_q_RYC3y4c
The technical skills listed below are reflective of the Home Office DDaT Profession Skills and Competency Model (based on the industry standard SFIA framework), please review the attached ‘Role Description’ which highlights the expected technical skills and required levels for this role.
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Data Management (DATM) Level 4
- Software Design (SWDN) Level 4
- Programming/Software Development (PROG) Level 4
- Testing (TEST) Level 4
- Systems Integration and Build (SINT) Level 4
- Application Support (ASUP) Level 4
Benefits
- A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
- 25 days annual leave on appointment, plus 8 days public holidays and 1 day for the King’s Birthday, rising further with service
- Flexible working options to enable you to achieve the work life balance that right for you including part-time, flexi time and job sharing
- Training and development opportunities tailored to your role
- An in-year bonus scheme
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
This link is to a short guide on YouTube to employee benefits - Click here for the video
Things you need to know
Selection process details
As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV and personal statement (Max Word Limit: 500). Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
Please note your CV and personal statement should include all relevant experience that relates to our essential criteria listed in the advert and role description.
Remove information that identifies you (for example your name, age or place of education) so that you’ll be judged on merit alone and not your background, circumstances, race or gender.
(Do NOT include e-mail addresses or links to online profiles, resumés, or prior work, either personal or business. Active links or e-mail addresses will result in your application being rejected)
Application tips
- It’s crucial that your application demonstrates how you meet the essential criteria set out in the job advert. Don't just do a list of languages/platforms - do provide context
- You should include enough information and describe examples that demonstrate your skills and experience.
- You should give yourself plenty of time. You can start an application and come back to complete it before the job advert closes.
More guidance can be found here – completing you application
Sift Stage
The sift will be held on the CV and personal statement. Please read the Essential skills for this position carefully. We will only consider those who meet the listed requirement.
Candidates who pass the sift will be provided with a programming exercise / coding exercise to complete, details will be provided prior to the interview.
Technical Exercise
This coding test will assess your ability to effectively perform in the advertised role. You will be sent detailed instructions along with an invitation to take the test. Please make us aware if you require any reasonable adjustments in order to participate in the test.
A technical test is a great opportunity for you to show us your technical capability in a structured and transparent way. We have an assortment of tests to assess different skills depending on the role.
If you complete the test, meeting our expectations at this level, you will be invited to a video interview in the following few weeks.
Interview Stage
Candidates reaching the required standard will then be invited to attend a final interview. The interview will assess your Technical Skills (SFIA Framework) and experience using technical and experience-based questions.
Sift and interview dates
Sift will be conducted week commencing 10th July 2023.
Interviews will be held week commencing 31st July 2023. (Subject to panels operational requirements/priorities)
Interviews will be conducted remotely via MS Teams.
We will try to meet the dates set out in the advert. There may be occasions when these dates will change. You will be provided with sufficient notice of the confirmed dates.
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.
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.
This post is eligible for a DDaT Recruitment Retention Allowance this allowance is subject to an initial review within six months of taking up the post and thereafter an annual review in line with the departmental priorities and could be reduced or withdrawn at any time.
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 competencies and essential skills.
A reserve list may be held for a period up to 12 months from which further appointment may be made.
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 a Social Mobility Foundation top 75 employer.
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 candidate’s 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 [email protected] 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
See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).
Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
- UK nationals
- nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with settled or pre-settled status or who apply for either status by the deadline of the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
- relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service
- relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service
- certain family members of the relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals
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
Contact point for applicants
Further information
principles, and wish to make a complaint, then you should contact in the first instance
[email protected]. If you are not satisfied with the response that you receive, then you can contact the Civil Service Commission.