Head of IT for GDS and CDDO Service

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 to build on existing strengths and is based on six principles;
1. Build trust by stabilising services and getting the basics right.
2. Be the gateway for all digital, data and technology services delivered by the Cabinet Office to its civil servants and ministerial bodies.
3. Provide impeccable service to our users.
4. Drive digital, data and technology thought leadership.
5. Transform ways of working.
6. Build sustainable capabilities, The role is part of Enterprise Services which provides, maintains and supports the IT services (hosted and public cloud infrastructure, telephony, network security, internet connectivity, local area networks, WiFi, end-user devices, cloud capability and full software portfolio) relied upon by the entire Cabinet Office.
Enterprise Services’ user base comprises over ten thousand includes the Cabinet Office, Government Digital Service (GDS), Chief Digital and Data Office (CDDO), Government Property Agency and a number of Ministers.
You will be managing a team of technology specialists to provide the overall IT platform for Government Digital Service (GDS) and Central Digital and Data Office (CDDO) totalling approximately 2,000 users. This includes working closely with NetOps, ServerOps and End User Computing engineers, as well as technical specialists in services such as Google Workspace, Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure and O365.
The role will have responsibility for the daily operation of the overall GDS Official IT platform, change management and root cause analysis as well as acting as an escalation point for the Live Service.
Main responsibilities
+ Lead the team of technology specialists, providing direction and ensuring delivery of an exemplary IT service to GDS and CDDO.
+ Lead the continual service improvement of the GDS IT services and conduct analysis of business processes to determine how technology solutions will best meet the user need and corporate requirements. Ensure any changes are captured in a timely manner and policy and processes are updated accordingly.
+ Take ownership of any problems related to the delivery of IT services to the whole of GDS and CDDO. Accountable for the resolution of issues that emerge to ensure IT services are delivered optimally; this involves taking the initiative to ensure that necessary actions and decisions are made.
+ Accountable for all GDS Internal IT Services relationship management with both internal and external stakeholders.
+ Day to day lead on the service focus activity, responsible for ensuring that GDS and CDDO IT services meet user needs, those needs being based on evidence collected from the full range of users. Lead on the evolution of the service to meet user needs as they emerge.
+ Gather and compile management information and consolidate agreed key performance indicators into product or service measures that underpin service management of GDS Internal IT services.
+ In collaboration with the GDS IT Service Desk Manager, ensure that asset management and configuration are carried out for GDS & CDDO IT assets. Ensure processes and procedures are kept up to date and applied appropriately.
Carry out the day-to-day financial administration tasks for the GDS and CDDO IT team. Provide expertise around cost and value for money evaluations of proposed ICT solutions., We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
+ Seeing the Big Picture
+ Leadership
+ Working Together
+ Developing Self and Others
+ Managing a Quality Service

Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
+ Continual Service Improvement
+ Service Reporting
+ Technical Understanding
+ Relationship Management
+ User Focus, A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 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.
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 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
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.

It’s essential that you can demonstrate and have proven experience in:
+ ITIL certification: minimum of Foundation Level
+ Asset and configuration management. You can manage configuration management for the organisation, ensuring value for the business and adherence to company policies. Ensures changes to assets are recorded and controlled appropriately. Promotes organisational commitment to asset control. ( Relevant skill level: expert)
+ Business analysis (IT operations). You can lead investigative work into problems with and opportunities in existing processes, driving the collection of information and creation of recommendations for improvements. You know how to absorb large amounts of conflicting information and use it to produce solutions. (Relevant skill level: practitioner)
+ Continual service improvement. You know how to analyse current processes, identify and implement opportunities to optimise processes, and lead and develop a team of experts to deliver service improvements. You help to evaluate and establish requirements for the implementation of changes by setting policy and standards. (Relevant skill level: practitioner)
+ Ownership and initiative. You can take accountability of issues that occur and be proactive in searching for potential problems. You know how to achieve excellent user outcomes. (Relevant skill level: practitioner)
+ Relationship management. You can determine strategic vision and direction. You know how to positively influence important senior stakeholders. You can provide an arbitration function. (Relevant skill level: expert)
+ Service Management Framework knowledge. You have an expert certificate in Service Management Framework qualification and an industry understanding of how to implement the framework into numerous environments. (Relevant skill level: expert)
+ Service reporting. You know how to leverage your data analytics skills to enhance business performance. (Relevant skill level: practitioner)
+ Strategic thinking. You can lead the design and implementation of strategy, directing the evaluation of strategies and policies to ensure business requirements are being met. (Relevant skill level: expert)
+ Technical understanding. You thoroughly understand the technical concepts required for the role and can explain how these fit into the wider technical landscape. (Relevant skill level: practitioner)
+ User focus. You know how to give direction on which tools or methods to use. You are experienced in meeting the needs of users across a variety of channels. You can bring insight and expertise in how user needs have changed over time to ensure these are met by the business. You know how to apply strategic thinking in how to provide the best service for the end user. (Relevant skill level: expert)
Desirable
+ Experience of working in an agile environment., ITIL Foundation

Alongside your salary of £61,005, Cabinet Office contributes £17,673 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., Please use your statement of suitability to (in no more than 1,250 words) to explain how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with particular reference to the essential criteria in the person specification section of the job advert.
Selection process
Applications will be sifted on the CV, Statement of Suitability, and Technical Criteria.
Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the lead technical criteria, Continual Service Improvement. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview
Candidates who are successful at this stage will then be invited to an interview.
At interview, candidates will be assessed against Behaviour, Technical, and Experience criteria.
Expected timeline (subject to change)
Expected sift date – w/c Monday 18th November 2024
Expected interview date/s – Monday 9th December 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 Adjustment
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.