Technical Manager

Reference number: 160634

Salary: £54,700

Grade: Grade 7

Contract type: Permanent

Business area: CO - Cabinet Secretariat - Civil Contingencies Secretariat

Type of role: Engineering, Information Technology, Project Delivery

Working pattern: Full-time

Number of posts: 1

Technical Manager

Location: 70 Whitehall, London, SW1A 2AS

About the job

Summary

A unique and challenging opportunity has arisen within the Technical and Projects Support team which is part of the Civil Contingencies Secretariat’s Crisis Management Team. The Technical and Projects Support team provide support for the technical capabilities of Her Majesty’s Government’s Central Crisis Management facilities and ensure that these services are available to support Ministers and senior officials.

The team deliver and maintain communication systems for Cabinet Office, Ministerial and other senior official meetings in a Secure Operational environment, often liaising and working with other Government departments and external agencies in delivering their services which contribute to supporting the functions of National Crisis Management.

Job description

This is an exciting opportunity, we are looking for a Technical Manager, who will manage a small team of engineers to provide 24/7 technical support to operational systems, designing and implementing data, voice, IT, LAN, WAN, Telecommunications and Audio Visual systems and associated communications infrastructure in support of the Crisis Management facilities at various locations within the UK.

The work is challenging and rewarding both technically in terms of timescales and resources, you will be responsible for providing and delivering the technical support for the Crisis Management systems and the associated ICT and AV Infrastructure.

Responsibilities

Essential Criteria

The main post responsibilities are largely technical, financial, project management, line management of technical staff (SEO and HEO grades) and technical sign off of operational systems. As the Technical Manager, with assistance from your team, you will:

• Ensure that the Crisis Management facilities are maintained at a high level of operational readiness with system faults rapidly identified and resolved to ensure systems are operational within agreed Operational priorities

• Lead on, develop and implement a section task management capability

• Arrange maintenance support contracts for AV and other communication systems within the Crisis Management facilities

• Line manage and develop junior members of the team (Duty Technical Officers) ensuring they are motivated, challenged in their roles and equipped to deliver the objectives of the Unit

• Manage the duty technical officer shift rota and ensure sufficient shift cover is in place for 24/7 Operations

• Be expected to take part in the Technical Team On Call Rota

• Lead on and track system faults identified in the Shift Handover briefs and ensure systems faults are resolved in a timely manner

• Support Cabinet Office System Installations/upgrades for Other Government Department

• Lead on and develop the Technical Security Inspections process and associated documentation

• Lead on and provide local Crypto custodian support (Key Mat updates, equipment maintenance and upgrades)

• Support VTCs (planned, unplanned and Ad-hoc) and provide Technical systems support to other fall back sites

• Act as the Project Lead and provide technical support to project work associated with ICT/AV infrastructure, upgrade of systems (technical refresh) and introduction of new systems within the Crisis Management Facilities

• Act as the Installation Design Authority (IDA) for AV/ICT and communications systems installation within the Crisis Management facilities

• Be responsible for updating system documentation, including writing technical specifications, installation briefs, production of technical drawings and outline work specifications for construction contractors.

• Have responsibility for Systems Configuration Change Control; the production and maintenance of Systems and Installation design drawings for all systems installed in the Crisis Management facilities

• Have responsibility for the production and maintenance of System Support Documentation

Desirable Experience

The ideal candidate should have broad first, second and possibly third line, technical support skills for ICT, telecommunications and audio-visual systems. You will have good customer communication skills and and ability to work in a highly demanding and challenging environment.

You and your team will provide effective technical advice and oversight of the system design, fault rectification, procurement, installation, testing and commissioning of communication systems. Be available for deployment for short durations anywhere within the UK in support of operational requirements and training exercises.

The role requires a pragmatic self-starter who will be working at times as the single point of contact for technical support. The successful applicant will be able to deal with multiple issues in a calm and considered manner, and will demonstrate sound judgement in taking decisions on when to escalate issues

Licences: Full UK Driving Licence

Qualifications

Minimum BTEC National or equivalent Level 3 qualification in (electrical, electronic, ICT or telecommunications)

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Leadership
• Communicating and Influencing
• Managing a Quality Service
• Delivering at Pace
• Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Telecommunications
• Voice and Data Communications, Networking, ICT and associated infrastructure (Structured Wiring Systems)
• Audio Visual (AV) Video Tele Conference systems and AV infrastructure
• Network Equipment Room Design, Electrical including Building Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS)

Benefits

• Learning and development tailored to your role.

• An environment with flexible working options.

• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity.

• A Civil Service pension.

• A minimum of 25 days of paid annual leave, increasing by one day per year up to a maximum of 30.

The successful candidate will have the opportunities to train and further develop their skills in:

• Networking of ICT systems

• AV systems and installation Design

• Technical Security Inspections: https://www.fcoservices.gov.uk/products-and-services/global-digital-technology/technical-security-cyber-services-uk-nace/

You will also have the opportunity to gain relevant experience and work towards attaining IET Professional Registration (Eng Tech, IEng, CEng) https://www.theiet.org/career/professional-registration/

Things you need to know

Security

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is developed vetting.

See our vetting charter.

People working with government assets must complete basic personnel security standard checks.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

Application Process

You will be asked to provide 250 word statements relating to the behaviours relevant to this role.

At Interview you will be asked technical questions related to the following topic areas: Telecommunications, Data Communications, Networking, Audio Visual (VTC) Systems, ICT and AV infrastructure and Electrical knowledge including Building Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS)

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the lead behaviour, Leadership. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview.

Sift/Interview

Sift - week commencing 10th January 2022
Interviews - week commencing 17th January 2022
Interview Locations - 70 Whitehall or 10 Victoria Street

Candidates are asked to note the above timetable, exercising flexibility throughout the recruitment and selection process. Please note; these times and locations are subject to change.

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 at: cabinetofficerecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

Complete the ‘assistance required’ section in the ‘personal information’ page of your application form to provide information we should be aware of that will enable us to support you further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.

Concerns/Complaints

Appointment to the Civil Service is governed by the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles.

If you feel that your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles, and wish to make a complaint, then in the first instance you should contact Government Recruitment Service at: cabinetofficerecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk.

If you are not satisfied with the response that you receive, then you can contact the Civil Service Commission at: info@csc.gov.uk.

For further information on the Recruitment Principles, and bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission, please visit their website at: https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk.

Further Information

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 circumstance 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.

Please note that this role requires DV clearance, which would normally need 10 years’ UK residency in the past 10 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.

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.

Please note terms and conditions are attached. Please take time to read the document to determine how these may affect you.

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.

A reserve list will be held for a period of 12 months, from which further appointments can be made.

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'contact point for applicants' section.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Nationality requirements: Open to UK nationals only.

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code 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.

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.

Apply and further information

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

Name :                Bharat Nariapara

Email :                 Bharat.Nariapara@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Telephone :        0207 276 5311

 Recruitment team :

Email :                 cabinetofficerecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

TO APPLY – please click on the APPLY BUTTON below.

Further information

Appointment to the Civil Service is governed by the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles.

If you feel that your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles, and wish to make a complaint, then in the first instance you should contact Government Recruitment Service at: cabinetofficerecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk.

If you are not satisfied with the response that you receive, then you can contact the Civil Service Commission at: info@csc.gov.uk.

For further information on the Recruitment Principles, and bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission, please visit their website at: https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk.