Summary
This is an exciting and challenging role for those looking to deliver technological change against a background of organisational transformation.
The successful post holder will use their technical expertise and knowledge to provide technical support to Project teams and Test Guild Members. They will be responsible for utilising DevOps principles / practices to drive the development of Automated Testing and Performance Testing across the Test Guild. In addition they will lead in developing the Test Guild capabilities to introduce Continuous Integration and Delivery across a variety of platforms. They will join two existing G7s reporting directly to the Head of Test Guild.
Job description
When you think of government technology what do you imagine? Months to assemble IT requirements, years to build services, and not a customer in sight? The truth couldn’t be more different.
At HMRC we are already one of the most digital organisations in the UK. We have one of the largest data sources and we're creating a world-class IT function.
With 50 million customers to serve, over 60 thousand colleagues to support, and £600 billion to collect to fund UK Plc, our IT operation is huge. Operating on a stage this big would faze many, and it is not for everyone. But, for those who are up to the challenge, we offer unique and unparalleled opportunities to work with some of the latest technologies and make a real, lasting difference.
Here in HMRC’s Chief Digital & Information Group (CDIO) we’re increasingly delivering in-house through our growing network of digital delivery centres – hi-tech, state-of-the-art facilities across the UK.
We’re removing our dependence on data centres, as we increasingly virtualise our estate. We’re fundamentally restructuring the way we look after our IT and the way we work with partners across our ecosystem. But it’s not just about the tech. We’re building a deep understanding of our customers, working in agile ways, and implementing a DevOps approach.
We focus on our people, with clearly defined career pathways that are rewarding, fulfilling and achievable. We have flexible ways of working to help everyone manage their own work/life balance. And we’re creating an authentically diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels able to bring their whole self to work.
This is your opportunity to join us.
If you’d like to find out more about our work and our people take a look at our HMRC digital blog and follow us on Twitter @HMRCdigital
This is an exciting opportunity to join HMRC’s IT function (CDIO) which sets the technology direction for HMRC and delivers the high level design for all IT solutions across the organisation. CDIO are responsible for building and running HMRC IT services along with providing IT change and operational support.
As part of CDIO, the Customs and International Trade Delivery Group (C&IT DG) is responsible for developing, delivering and supporting IT solutions for those business areas which manage HMRC’s Customs, Excise and International Trade activities. The C&IT DG are responsible for the end to end service management and development of over 100 separate services from the generation of Trade Statistics, to the administration of Customs and Excise duties.
Within C&IT we operate a Guild/Tribe structure to ensure that we provide skilled resources to enable us to meet the needs of our customers in an Agile way helping to drive high levels of collaboration and innovation. Guilds provide a permanent organisation construct that are set up to bring together people who share technical, functional and professional skills. The Guild responsibility will be to define the technical standards and tools that its members will use. It also ensures that members of the Guild continually improve their skills so that technical skills remain current, are aligned to HMRC/CDIO strategy and in-step with IT industry developments.
Responsibilities
Skills and Knowledge required:
1. Able to advise on up-to-date functional testing techniques. Able to assess and peer review the work of others. Able to coach and mentor others. Able to write test approaches for major projects and provide guidance on risk approaches. Can devise new test techniques and provide recommendations. Able to analyse changes to, or the development of, products and services, and plan design. Able to run and manage appropriate tests to ensure that requirements have been fully met. Understands and is able to identify the most effective techniques, data sets and tools to use. Able to communicate defects or trends clearly to Software Developers, outlining how defects are identified and the possible causes. Able to design, or provide assurance for, appropriate risk-based end to end system integration test models.
2. Able to design and execute non-functional test cases using standard testing techniques, in instructed environments. Able to come up with different business scenarios for a feature, working with others in the team. Able to analyse changes to, or the development of, products and services and plan design in a non-functional environment. Able to run and manage appropriate non-functional tests to ensure that requirements have been fully met. Understands and is able to identify the most effective techniques, data sets and non-functional testing tools. Able to communicate defects or trends clearly to Software Developers, outlining how defects are identified and possible causes. Able to design or provide assurance for appropriate risk-based end to end system integration test models.
3. Has a good working knowledge of different tools and techniques and can train others. Able to advise others on testing techniques and frameworks. Able to research, plan and train others within the team. Effective in utilising a range of contemporary technologies including cloud platforms, open source and ‘aaS’ services to better enable and enhance the delivery of QAT services. Able to stay abreast of industry developments to make cost effective use of new and emerging tools and technologies. Able to utilise a breadth of knowledge from across the wider Technology and Digital professions, strengthening the effective delivery of services. Relevant professional awareness may include architecture, continuous integration & deployment, coding or scripting languages.
4. Able to analyse and collect information and evidence, identify problems and opportunities and ensure recommendations fit with strategic business objectives. Able to communicate recommendations persuasively to key stakeholders and identify the simplest approach from a variety of approaches. Able to solve complex problems applying logical reasoning. Able to visualise, articulate, and solve complex problems and concepts, and make disciplined decisions based on available information. Such skills include: the ability to apply logical thinking, gather and analyse information using comprehensive tools and techniques, use data to formulate both short term and longer term strategic plans, identify and analyse options and assess feasibility and operational impact. Ensures that the business solution aligns with the vision, mission, objectives, strategy and the business and user needs and can identify and recognise a viable solution or control.
It is essential that applicants can demonstrate:
• Experience of the Software Development Lifecycle
• Experience in leading a technical team and defining / improving service processes and procedures
• Experience with automation testing and/or continuous integration
It would be desirable for applicants to be able to demonstrate:
• Experience of all aspects of Software Testing across the Software Development Lifecycle
• In-depth experience of TDD and BDD
• Experience of a range of tools e.g. ALM, Zephyr, Confluence, JIRA, Loadrunner, Selenium, SOAP UI, JMeter, Cucumber
• Experience of a range of platforms e.g. Client/Server / Web / Unix / VME etc.
• Experience of working within Agile/Scrum teams
• Experience with CI/CD and relevant tools i.e. Ansible, Puppet, Chef, Jenkins.
• Experience with the use of version control systems such as Subversion or Git
• Experience with Release and Configuration Management processes
• Working knowledge on SQL queries
• A relevant software testing qualification e.g. ISEB/ISTQB (or equivalent)
Training and Qualifications
Candidate/s may be required to undertake further ISTQB training in Software Testing, which may include a formal examination. They will also be required to undertake learning in all relevant C&IT policies, processes and procedures within 1 year of starting in the role.
Working Pattern
This post is full time however, those applicants who do or wish to work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply but are advised to speak with the job holder first. The preferred working pattern may/may not be available.
Location
Your permanent location and place of work will be in the Bristol regional centre. However, for training purposes the post will be on detached duty in Alexander House Southend for a period of (up to) 2 months before taking up your permanent post at the Bristol Regional Centre.
Equal Opportunities
We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status or disability status.