Application Support Specialist

The Cabinet Office is undergoing a significant Digital Transformation. Over the next three years we aspire to make UK Government digital services the best in the world, meeting or exceeding the benchmark set globally by the best public or private sector standards. For us to meet this ambition we are aiming to further improve the conditions, processes and expertise we have in place to be set up for success. This means we need to go much further and faster and strengthen the delivery of DDaT in government.
To support these ambitions we have established a new Chief Digital Information Office (CDIO) directorate for the Cabinet Office to build on existing strengths. The Cabinet Office CDIO directorate is based on six principles to:
+ Build trust by stabilising services and getting the basics right;
+ Be the gateway for all non-GDS digital, data and technology services delivered by Cabinet Office;
+ Provide impeccable service to our users;
+ Drive digital, data and technology thought leadership;
+ Transform ways of working;
+ Build sustainable capabilities;
The role is part of the Cabinet Office Digital Enterprise services team which provides, maintains and supports the infrastructure, telephony, network, WiFi, end-user devices, cloud capability and software across the entire Cabinet Office estate. Our user base includes the Cabinet Office, Crown Commercial Services, Estates and Government Property Agency.
The directorate is organised and led by six teams who work collaboratively to combine existing expertise while simultaneously building new capabilities.
The Teams are:
+ Technology - configures, builds and supports the CO’s networks, infrastructure and end user estate. The team is responsible for technology performance and availability i.e. disaster recovery, resilience, capacity planning, and driving interoperability for digital workplaces;
+ Security - responsible for protecting critical assets and services through threat intelligence, monitoring, response and recovery as well as ongoing testing and remediation of security vulnerabilities;
+ Architecture - responsible for developing architectural blueprints and roadmaps, providing architectural advice and assurance and developing the CO’s enterprise architecture;
+ Data - responsible for developing the CO’s data strategy, advising/delivering/assuring data programmes and providing shared data services to the department including data architecture, data infrastructure and knowledge and information management;
+ Strategy and Digital - partners with CO business units to develop and iterate product strategies, develop, prioritise and monitor portfolios and provide digital product operations;
+ Change and Deliver - responsible for delivering the CO’s digital, data and technology portfolio through multi-disciplinary agile teams., Reporting into the Cloud Operations Manager you will be part of the Applications team who manage the wide range of applications for the Cabinet Office (CO), totalling 10,500 accounts. You will act as a primary escalation point for the service desk, as an Application specialist (3rd Line Support) to help support the department. You will help ensure that software and applications (cloud based & local based) are securely configured, software updates are maintained and rolled out whilst adhering to the change process, managing and procuring licences, and act as the Subject Matter Expert for the range of applications in Cabinet Office.
Responsibilities
+ Be a subject matter expert for the CO suite of existing cloud applications across a mixed operating system estate (Apple, AWS, Microsoft and Google platforms);
+ Conduct application scoping and requirements gathering for any changes to the Official platforms from an IT perspective to allow for effective and efficient working. Working with our project delivery team, service desk, security and other stakeholders to ensure the smooth roll out of new applications, changes and system upgrades;
+ Act as the 3rd line escalation point for the service desk to resolve incidents, service requests and problems for all CO based applications, including VIP support and vendor escalation management;
+ Work closely with the CO security team, stakeholders and vendors, evaluating existing and new applications to ensure they meet our security and data handling policies and requirements;
+ Work closely with the end user computing team to roll out new applications, upgrades, permission reviews, version control and application packaging;
+ Creating documentation for new and existing applications, processes, training materials and service desk knowledge base;
+ Supporting and maintaining legacy bespoke applications;
+ Software patching and updates;
+ Application licence management - ensuring licences are procured, recycled and reused where possible;
+ Improving and updating existing processes and procedures to more efficient and streamlined ways of working., We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
+ Making Effective Decisions
+ Communicating and Influencing
+ Working Together

Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
+ Troubleshooting
+ Software
+ Databases, This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths, Experience and Technical skills.
As part of your application you will be required to provide a CV setting out your career history and qualifications, highlighting specific responsibilities and achievements that are relevant for this role.
Your CV will be assessed against the essential criteria listed in the 'Person Specification' section of the job advert.
Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the CV. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview
You will also be assessed on behaviours at application stage.
Should you be successful at sift, you will be invited to attend an interview where you will be assessed on behaviours, technical skills and strengths.
Expected timeline (subject to change)
Expected sift date – WC 02/12/2024
Expected interview date/s – WC 09/12/2024 and/or 16/12/2024
Interview location – Your interview will either be conducted face to face or by video. You will be notified of the location if you are selected for interview.
Reasonable adjustments
If a person with disabilities is put 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 menurecruitment.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.
Further information
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'contact point for applicants' section.
Please note terms and conditions are attached. Please take time to read the document to determine how these may affect you.
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.
For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the following page https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/demystifying-vetting
A reserve list will be held for a period of 3 months, from which further appointments can be made.
Any move to Cabinet 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
If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out.
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf.
However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
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.
A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.
This role is full time only. Applicants who wish to work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying.
Please note terms and conditions are attached. Please take time to read the document to determine how these may affect you.
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.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.
The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

+ Experience with managing workload using an ITSM tool;
+ Understanding of ITIL & Agile methodologies;
+ Experience of application management on a variety of operating system platforms including; Windows, Apple OS X, Android and iOS. Support consists of installation and configuration, licensing management, scoping of new applications following government guidelines on cloud security principles - (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cloud-service-security-principles/cloud-service-security-principles)
+ Experience of managing end user licences in a cloud environment;
+ Confident in dealing with senior stakeholders and VIPs;
+ Experience with Linux, AD, MS Access/SQL/MySQL and web hosting platforms;
+ Application patching and updating;
+ Experience utilising both M365 and Google Workspaces.

Alongside your salary of £42,382, Cabinet Office contributes £12,278 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
+ Learning and development tailored to your role.
+ An environment with flexible working options.
+ A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity.
+ A Civil Service Pension which provides an attractive pension, benefits for dependants and employer contributions of 28.97%.
+ A minimum of 25 days of paid annual leave, increasing by one day per year up to a maximum of 30.