Vacancy -- Senior IT Service Roles (SEO) - Multiple Roles

Working for the Civil Service

The Welsh Government's recruitment processes are underpinned by the principle of selection for appointment on merit on the basis of fair and open competition as outlined in the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles.

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

Vacancy Details

Chief Operating Officer’s Group
DDaT – IT Services
SEO - £41,700 - £49,370
£41,700
Full time (applications are welcome from people who work part time, as part of a job share or who work full time)
Loan
Up to 2 years
Pan Wales
'Pan Wales' means that the location in which the vacancy can be based is flexible, subject to the needs of the business. Please note it may not always be possible to accommodate a preference for a specific office location, but requests will be taken into consideration.
TBC

Purpose of Post:

The Welsh Government has made significant improvements to its IT technology portfolio over the last few years and is considered to be one of the leading UK public sector organisations in terms of Digital and IT capability. 

The Welsh Government has recently completed a number of IT projects such as transitioning away from the Government Secure Intranet (GSI) email to Office 365 and Teams-based telephony, rolling out new laptops and home-working equipment to staff, refitting meeting rooms and collaboration suites to support hybrid working and completing a significant set of application migrations to Microsoft Azure. With a new organisational strategy, WG2025, setting ambitious goals for internal and external improvements, we’re embarking on new programmes aimed at removing legacy applications and making the most of our cloud-based services.  These initiatives will move more functionality into Dynamics 365, refresh the wired and wireless network, develop and implement automated Windows 11 deployment across the estate, improve our collaboration platforms and retire numerous legacy platforms, while improving the information and guidance about our existing services available to our users and customers.

The IT Services Division is a cornerstone of the Welsh Government’s functions. The work that our staff have delivered during the COVID-19 pandemic was recognised with a special Permanent Secretary’s Award in the 2021 Welsh Government Awards.

The type of posts that may be available for matching include:

  • Senior Developers
  • Senior Network Engineers
  • Senior Technical Architects
  • Senior Infrastructure Engineers
  • Senior Service Transition Managers

These are varied and critical roles providing vital support and service to over 5500 users.

Key tasks:

The indicative key tasks outlined below may not all necessarily be required within a single post and other tasks may also be undertaken. There will be a greater emphasis technical knowledge and ability for a developer, architect, or engineer role.

What your organisation will expect?

  • Contribute to the delivery of the IT Service Strategy by providing compliant, secure and effective IT services.
  • Keep abreast of relevant technologies and service principles to enhance existing and new services.
  • To be an expert in your field providing advice, guidance and support  

What your team will expect?

  • Lead and/or manage the development and delivery of new and existing services.
  • Support and encourage IT Service colleagues to develop their understanding of service and existing technologies across the Welsh Government Estate
  • Provide day to day line management support to your team
  • Advise and support internal colleagues on technical and service related issues.
  • Ensure any line managed staff are developed through the provision of direction, advice and support for training and professional development.

What your stakeholders will expect?

  • Ensure that operational processes are communicated effectively aiding service and solution design, implementation, and ongoing support.
  •  Develop and maintain strategic links with the wider DDaT community.
  • Work with other public sector organisations where common areas of interest are identified.

Development opportunities:

These roles will form part of Welsh Government’s Digital, Data and Technology (DDaT) profession.  This is a growing profession, and you will have the opportunity to be part of shaping and growing it. The posts will provide opportunity to understand how Welsh Government uses and supports technology to deliver to its customers.

Closing Date:

28/04/2023, 16:00

Disability Confident

Welsh Language Requirements

The Welsh Government is a bilingual organisation and Welsh language skills are considered an asset to the organisation. We encourage and support staff to learn, develop and use their Welsh language skills in the workplace. 

The following list of language requirements represents an objective assessment by the line manager on behalf of the Welsh Government of the Welsh language skills required to undertake the duties of this particular post.

Desirable
Can read some basic words and phrases with understanding
Can hold a basic conversation in Welsh
Can understand parts of a basic conversation
Can write basic messages on everyday topics

Social Partnership

In Welsh Government, the relationship between the employer and trade unions is based on social partnership. We believe our goals can best be achieved by management and trade unions working together.

Our 3 recognised trade unions are:
•         PCS
•         Prospect
•         FDA

This relationship is underpinned by a partnership agreement. This sets out how our unions work with Welsh Government on issues such as:
•         pay
•         terms and conditions
•         policies and procedures
•         organisational change.

Our Welsh Government trade union colleagues work together to give their members a real say in the workplace. They make sure that the interests of their members are promoted and protected. They also help reduce inequalities and improve terms and conditions.

The Welsh Government has an excellent track record of working in partnership with its trade unions. We encourage staff to get involved. We support you to join a recognised trade union, to ensure your voice is heard in the workplace. and to learn more about trade unions and partnership working.

Competencies / Job Specific Criteria

Competencies:

Candidates are asked to provide evidence in the following format in their application;

  1. Personal Statement – provide a short overview of your skills, experience and why you’re applying for a move. (300 words)
  2. Managing A Quality Service - Develop, implement, maintain and review systems and services to ensure delivery of professional excellence. (500 words)

Job Specific Criteria:

  • You must have experience in IT or Service Delivery
  • Experience of delivering in a fast paced environment is desirable
  • For some roles, the candidate must demonstrate technical ability and knowledge relative to the post. You should incorporate this in to your Personal Statement.

Assessment Process

This is an ‘open’ advert which will run until the closing date listed above. This means that applications will be sifted, and candidates will move through the assessment process, as and when the applications are received. Once we are close to filling all our vacant posts we will contact all candidates who have started an application to notify you that the advert will be closing in two weeks from the email date.

For further information on the assessment process please see the candidate pack linked here.

Please see ‘How to Apply’ below for guidance on how to submit an application form for this opportunity.

Other Information

Postings and Terms and Conditions

  • The inward loan opportunities are only open to current Civil Servants (on a loan only basis). This opportunity is open to current civil service employees on a fixed term or permanent contract who were recruited to their current post via fair and open competition. Those on fixed term contracts can only be appointed for the remainder of their fixed term contract. Those on fixed term or permanent contracts who are not currently working in the civil service are not eligible to apply.
  • Roles are available for either short-term opportunities (6-12 months) or longer term opportunities (up to a maximum of 2 years).
  • You are not expected to gain a permanent transfer across to the Welsh Government.
  • All roles are available at substantive grade and lateral transfer only. This opportunity is not available on a temporary promotion basis.
  • Temporary promotion or permanent promotion opportunities are not available through this opportunity, however, many of the roles will offer the opportunity to gain valuable experience, broaden networks and learn new skills.
  • We will make every effort to match you to a role based on the evidence you provide in your application form.
  • We cannot guarantee you will be offered a post or a particular post.
  • If you are successfully matched to a role, you will move under formal Inward Loan arrangements, i.e. you will move onto the Welsh Government’s Terms and Conditions, if the loan is for a period of more than 6 months.
  • Your current substantive salary will be matched to the nearest pay point within the grade pay band, with no detriment https://gov.wales/welsh-government-civil-service-pay-and-benefits
  • Please ensure you have line management approval/authorisation that you can be released.
  • You must be available for immediate release, as once you are matched to a role you will be expected to take up post quickly.
  • Whilst Welsh language skills are not an essential requirement for the selection process for this campaign, we encourage applications from individuals who are able to work bilingually.
  • As this a loan opportunity, please keep in mind that if the post comes to an end, or the contract with your home organisation is due to terminate, you will be expected to return to your existing organisation.
ExternalRecruitment@gov.wales / RecriwtioAllanol@llyw.cymru

How to apply

All applications for this vacancy should be made online via the Welsh Government's online application system.  

To apply for an inward loan opportunity, you'll need to prepare a Lateral Moves application form template. If this is not completed and/or submitted, the application will not be considered.

In the Lateral Moves application form, you will be required to provide the following:

Personal Statement – providing a short overview of your skills and why you’re applying for a move. (300 words)

Evidence of Managing A Quality Service - you will be required to tell us about a time where you have developed, implemented, maintained or reviewed systems and services to ensure delivery of professional excellence. (500 words)

You will also be required to state your skills and experience, and a brief career history.

The evidence provided within your lateral moves application form will be assessed by a sift panel. If the panel deem the evidence as competent, you will be invited to an informal interview where you will be asked to expand on your technical knowledge, skills and ability and for further information on the competencies and job specifics listed on the job advert if required.

Further information about the opportunities and the stages of the selection and matching process can be found in the attached candidate pack.

If you have an impairment which would prevent you from applying on-line, please e-mail  to request an application pack in an alternative format, or to request a reasonable adjustment related to an impairment in order to submit your application.

To apply, you'll need to have an account on our online application system.  Click the 'Apply' button below, and you'll be asked to 'Log in' if you already have an account, or 'Register' if you don't yet have an account.  Registration takes just a few minutes to complete.  You'll need an e-mail address to be able to register.  Once you've registered for an account and logged in, you'll be taken to the online application form, which you'll need to fully complete and submit before the deadline on the closing date.  

If you’d like to apply for this vacancy in Welsh, please use the ‘Newid Iaith / Change Language’ link at the top of this page, to take you to the Welsh version of this advert, from which you can apply in Welsh.

**Please note:  If you already have an Appoint account and would like to update your username and e-mail address to the new @gov.wales address, simply log in using your old details, click on your name in the menu bar, and select ‘Edit Personal Details’ in the dropdown list.  You can update any of your registered personal details on this page.**

This vacancy is closed to applications.