Government Digital Service
Lead Technical Architect
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What is Government Digital Service?
Government Digital Service (GDS) is the digital centre of government. We set, lead and deliver the vision for a modern digital government, harnessing technologies and talent to make a serious impact across the public sector. We employ more than 1,000 people all over the UK, with hubs in Manchester, London and Bristol. We’re home to the Incubator for Artificial Intelligence (i.AI) and the world-leading GOV.UK website.
Where you'll be working
You'll join the Office of the Chief Technology Officer (OCTO), the directorate responsible for delivering key government technology strategies and initiatives, like the market-shaping Cloud Challenge Book and public sector technology learning through Get Tech Certified.
Led by the Government Chief Technology Officer, OCTO sets cross-government technology strategy, technical standards, and shared architectural patterns to drive digital transformation and interoperability across public services.
We lead the Engineering, Architecture and IT Operations professions across the public sector. We provide the guidance, tools, methodologies, communities, research and events that thousands of technology professionals rely on to do their jobs.
The problems we're solving
Government runs on technology the public relies on every day, but much of it is ageing, fragmented, and at risk.
While government technology has real strengths, its maturity varies significantly across teams, services, and organisations. Some areas are modern, well-run and highly capable; others are still dependent on old systems, fragile infrastructure, and accumulated legacy and technical debt.
That's where we come in: our mission is to build Firmer Foundations for Government, a core pillar of the Government's Blueprint for Modern Digital Government. We're working with leaders across government and the wider public sector to mitigate the risks of legacy and ageing technology.
New and emerging technologies are part of the answer. They offer better ways to design, build and run services and improve resilience for the public. But they also make the need to act more urgent: government needs stronger foundations now if it is to adopt new technologies safely, responsibly and at scale.
Join OCTO, and you'll help shape how government tackles the challenge of legacy technology and harnesses the power of emerging technologies. You will also have the opportunity to support and influence thousands of technology professionals across the public sector who are building the services the public relies on every day.
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Job description
Please Note - Former DSIT recruitment campaigns are continuing as usual, but candidates should be aware that following the Government’s announcement on the changes to some civil service departments, roles will be subject to the machinery of government moves and will ultimately be in one of the new departments. We will provide more information if you are selected for a role. This work remains of high importance to the civil service, and we thank you for your continued interest.
What you'll do as a Technical Architect
This is not your normal Architecture role; it offers the opportunity to make an impact at a serious scale. You may be asked to work across a range of technical disciplines and opportunities, and you will help millions of people in government and the public sector to access services they need.
You will be aligned to a Grade 6 Principal Technical Architect who will mentor and support you, as well as set you challenging tasks to further your team’s objectives. This will include opportunities to directly influence finding solutions to some of the nation’s highest-priority digital challenges.
Our teams in OCTO are routinely involved in critical, flagship activities such as:
- the creation of market shaping material like the Cloud Challenge Book
- providing free digital, data and technology learning and certification opportunities for the whole public sector through Get Tech Certified
- authoring assessments into how effectively the public sector uses digital technology such as the State of Digital Government Review
- enabling the government and public sector to harness the power of AI technology safely, effectively and responsibly through the AI Playbook for the UK Government
- supporting commercial engagements worth billions of pounds
- providing policy decisions and advice based on the most current market trends, such as guidance on AI, open code and vulnerability risk in the public sector
- presenting advice and thought leadership to other international governments, our suppliers and other policy areas across government
- responding to pan-government technology questions from ministers and support committee hearings
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This is a role with unlimited space to grow and make a major impact on the UK’s digital strategy.
Your responsibilities include:
- lead on research and pieces of work, supporting the Principal Technical Architect to develop a 10-year strategy within your specialism
- working with stakeholders to shape government digital strategy, translating complex technical concepts into straightforward language to influence senior decision makers
- supporting the delivery of technologies that have a positive impact on users
- developing a network of peers, building credibility and improving communication
- promoting your work through speaking engagements and hosting community events
- helping to upskill others within OCTO and GDS in your specialist area
Person specification
About you
You should work in a technical profession aligned to the Architecture, Data, IT Operations or Software Development specialisms, either within the Government Digital and Data Framework, or in a similar large-scale digital-first commercial environment. You should also hold or be working towards relevant industry certifications for your technical specialism.
Your proven skills will include:
- experience helping to deliver technology-related change to support wider organisational objectives
- technical experience which you have used to build credibility with others, evaluate proposals and create design approaches characterised by high risk, impact, and complexity
- ability to translate complex concepts into straightforward language to present to senior stakeholders, both technical and non-technical
- experience working with technology suppliers
- sharing your learnings and expertise with others, with the ability to adapt feedback to ensure it’s effective and lasting
Please note DSIT cannot offer Visa sponsorship to candidates through this campaign. DSIT holds a Visa sponsorship licence but this can only be used for certain roles and this campaign does not qualify.
We are holding a Townhall event for this role. Please find the joining details through the link to the job description.
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