QAT Analyst

We are looking for a QAT Analyst to join us in Cabinet Office Digital, a unit that offers back-office services for the whole of government, in key areas such as HR, Finance, Pensions, and shared services.
You will play a key role in delivering and improving our Civil Service Jobs platform and the wider recruitment service. You will join our cross-functional agile delivery team. We are also part of a wider digital community, and have a great Testing Community of Practice.
Our programme is focused on transforming the Civil Service Jobs Applicant Tracking System by procuring, building and launching a new recruitment platform by 2026, which will enhance the recruitment service provision across government.
Civil Service Jobs is used by over 3 million candidates per month to find and view vacancies across the Civil Service. Each year it handles over 2 million applications and advertises 140,000 posts. The live service is used by 219 organisations to advertise their vacancies and manage their recruitment processes. Currently, Civil Service Jobs is a software-as-a-service (SaaS) provision that has been configured and enhanced to meet Civil Service recruitment, digital and security standards., As a QAT Analyst, you will play a crucial role in ensuring the quality and reliability of our new Civil Service Jobs platform. Your responsibilities will include testing new and modified functionality to meticulously identify and re-test any major defects in each release. Additionally, you will be responsible for ensuring impact assessments are easily testable, enabling the production of effective test scripts that consider both the business and operational impact.
You will work collaboratively within a multi-disciplinary agile team, alongside business analysts, configuration leads, to deliver the testing strategy and function to ensure our future platform is fit for purpose. The digital team also comprises Service, Product and Delivery Managers, Service/Content and Interaction Designers, and User Researchers, who will help support you in your work.
You will also collaborate with our supplier development team, primarily composed of developers, technology experts and quality assurance specialists.
Our programme is ultimately focused on building a new recruitment platform by the end of 2026, which will enhance the recruitment service provision across government.
Within Cabinet Office Digital, we have profession networks for each digital role - you will be able to collaborate with and get support from other QAT Analysts, as well as input and guidance from wider digital networks. There is also a testing community of practice within the Cabinet Office which you will be able to join and help shape the common testing best practices and network with other testers.
To be considered for this role, it is essential that you have experience in both functional and non-functional testing techniques, demonstrating proficiency in executing test scenarios and accurately identifying and documenting defects. You should also be familiar with running tests written by others and have a good understanding of testing processes. A comprehensive understanding of the full range of standard testing techniques is required. Along with proficiency in the various phases of testing, such as Functional Test, Non-Functional Test, Acceptance Test, Performance Test, Usability Test, Accessibility Test, and Regression Test, and the associated standards needed for each of these test types.
Responsibilities
+ Test new and modified functionality to ensure there are no major defects in each release of new products, enhancements or fixes;
+ Ensure impact assessments are testable to produce test scripts taking a business and operational view;
+ Work collaboratively within a multi-disciplinary agile framework alongside business analysts, configuration leads, developers, and users as part of the delivery team;
+ Design and execute a wide range of testing techniques and communicate test results to both technical and non-technical stakeholders;
+ Create and review documentation ensuring traceability back to source and analyse them for adherence to business objectives and consistency, challenging as appropriate;
+ Contribute to building a testing strategy / methodology for our builds;
+ Contribute to Change Management - collaborating with customers and Subject Matter Experts - who will be helping with testing as Subject Matter Experts;
+ Use automation test scripts and be willing to upskill yourself or other team members on this where necessary;
+ Use Accessibility testing, upskill your knowledge and share this with other team members, and work closely with external accessibility auditors to identify accessibility fixes as needed., This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Ability, Experience and Technical skills.
After submission of the first stage of your application you will be invited to complete a Civil Service Numerical Test. If you successfully pass the test, you will be invited to complete the final stage of the application.
Please complete the online tests as soon as possible (within 24-48 hours is recommended), the closing date for the tests is 23.55 on 11/11/2024. If you fail to complete the online test before the deadline your application will be withdrawn. Guidance for the test will be available when you are invited to take the test. The tests are administered online and accessed via the CS Jobs website.
Should you pass the test you will be invited to complete the final part of your application form which will include a CV setting out your career history and qualifications, highlighting specific responsibilities and achievements that are relevant for this role.
You will also be required to provide a Statement of Suitability (1000 words max.)
Please use your statement of suitability 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.
Your CV and Statement of Suitability will be assessed against the essential criteria listed in the 'Person Specification' section of the job advert.
Should you be successful at sift, you will be invited to attend an interview where you will be assessed on behaviours and technical skills. Candidates will be required to give a presentation as part of the interview process, which will assess the technical criteria. Further details will be made available to candidates who are invited to interview.
Expected timeline (subject to change)
Expected sift date – WC 11/11/2024
Expected interview date/s – between 11th and 13th December
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.
This role requires Security Check (SC) clearance. SC clearance 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 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/Disclosure Scotland 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.
For further information on the Disclosure Scotland confidential checking service telephone: the Disclosure Scotland Helpline on and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email Info@disclosurescotland.co.uk
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.
Existing Civil Servants and applicants from accredited NDPBs are eligible to apply, but will only be considered on loan basis (Civil Servants) or secondment (accredited NDPBs). Prior agreement to be released on a loan basis must be obtained before commencing the application process. In the case of Civil Servants, the terms of the loan will be agreed between the home and host department and the Civil Servant. This includes grade on return.
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.

+ Please refer to the QAT Analyst capability for a full list of skills required for this role;
+ Experience with both functional and non-functional testing techniques. You can execute test scenarios and identify defects, raising awareness of them. You know how to run tests others have written and know the processes to do so. You understand a range of standard testing techniques;
+ Understanding of the following test phases and standards associated with: Functional Test, Non-Functional Test, Acceptance Test, Performance Test, Usability Test, Accessibility Test and Regression Test
Desirable criteria:
+ Experience working in a complex, multi-disciplinary environment, delivering products within specific time-scales and engaging with multiple senior stakeholders;
+ Agile Methodologies - with experience in BDD (Behaviour Driven Development) and TDD (Test Driven Development) processes, and an understanding of the key principles to develop a modern standards approach to testing;
+ Foundation ISTQB qualification or equivalent;
+ An understanding of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) and experience of testing for accessibility, for example with the use of a screen reader like JAWS, NVDA or VoiceOver., + Changing and Improving
+ Managing a Quality Service
+ Delivering at Pace

Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
+ Functional Testing
+ Non-Functional Testing
+ Agile Delivery (Testing)

£42,382 - £50,062
Offers above the band minimum are subject to our assessment of your skills and experience as demonstrated at interview. Salaries over the band minimum will be paid as a non-pensionable allowance.
A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
GBP, 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.