Lead Network Architect – Bristol

Overview

Lead Network Architect – Bristol

About the job

Job summary

Discover a career in your hands at HMRC. Whether you’re seeking purpose, growth, or a workplace that gives you a true sense of belonging, hear from some of our employees as they share their story about what it’s really like to work at HMRC.

Visit our YouTube channel to watch the full series and come and discover your potential.

Are you an experienced network architect considering a new opportunity?

If so, continue reading to find out more about this fantastic opportunity to join HMRC – one of the largest and most dynamic IT infrastructures in Europe, and we are now one of the most digitally advanced tax authorities in the world.

This is a great opportunity to join a team where you will be working across one of the largest IT estates in Europe and supporting large scale and radical transformation that will have a profound impact for both the customers and the staff of HMRC.

Job description

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced architect to be responsible for the design and delivery of small, medium and large scale, high impact projects which support HMRC’s strategic objectives.

The network services architecture function sets the technology direction for HMRC networks and is accountable for delivering the high-level designs and direction for all strategic networking solutions, closely collaborating with other architectural functions.

You will report to the Head of Network Architecture.

Day to day you will be:

• Defining the strategy and architecture of the HMRC network.
• Collaborating with other architectural functions, 3rd parties, vendors and other technical teams.
• Owning network services deliverables.
• Gathering requirements.
• Conducting product analysis and solution development.
• Supporting and guiding the wider network services team.
• Producing network architecture documentation and roadmaps.
• Analysing the uses and effectiveness of technologies and how they can positively impact our business area.
• Providing internal consultancy covering network architecture and appropriateness of solutions.

Person specification

Technical Experience

These are the tools and experience we would like you to have, but don’t worry if you don’t have experience with all of the below. We welcome applicants with a broad and varied range of experience, technical knowledge and willingness to learn new technologies.

• Datacentre network technologies, including but not limited to Cisco NX-OS, Cisco ACI, Arista EOS & Arista Cloudvision.
• Application delivery services including but not limited to F5 and NGINX.
• Network firewall technologies, including conventional and next generation feature sets
• Multi-user secure LAN and converged Wi-Fi Networks
• Traditional WAN technologies
• Foundation network services (DNS, DHCP, IP address management, routing and switching)
• Experience of cloud architectural design networking within Azure and/or AWS
• Network security & encryption protocols, (TLS, IPSEC, PKI, NAC – 802.1x etc.)
• Network Management and monitoring tools.
• Network Automation relating to deployment and testing with experience of CICD including Ansible and Terraform.
• Software Defined Networking technologies and capabilities (SD-WAN, SDDC, SD-Access, etc)
• AAA services and Network Access Control (Cisco ISE/ Aruba ClearPass)
• Network device management platforms (such as but not limited to – FortiManager, Checkpoint management, Aruba Airwave, F5 BIG-IQ, Forcepoint Security Manager)
• Firewall audit and compliance tools (e.g AlgoSec, Skybox)
• Network performance monitoring (NetScout, Riverbed)

Essential Criteria

You will need to demonstrate within your application the following essential experience;

• A network infrastructure background, where you will have gained experience of large-scale deployments.
• Proven experience of providing consultancy on potential uses and appropriateness of network/cloud infrastructure technologies and driving benefits from these technologies at a strategic level.
• Experience of end-to-end network architecture and associated technologies
• Ability to work as part of a team, or as an individual, playing a key role in influencing strategic decision making and understand strategic consequences of IT decisions.
• Building and maintaining strong working relationships with stakeholders to achieve successful outcomes for the business.
• Capability to articulate complex solutions to both technical and non-technical audiences.

Desirable Criteria

• Professional IT qualifications such as but not limited to; TOGAF, ITIL, CCNP, AWS, Azure, etc
• Experience of working in an agile environment and experience with agile methodologies such as TDD, Scrum, Kanban
• Programming for Network Automation to support innovation and transformation.
• AWS and/or Azure

Additional Security information

Due to the nature of this role you must hold or be willing to hold valid Security Check (SC) clearance.

Transitional Sites

For more information on where you might be working, review this information on our locations.

If your location preference is for one of the following sites, it’s important to note that these are not long-term sites for HMRC and we will require you to move to a new building in the future, subject to our location strategy and the applicable employee policies at that time.

These sites are:

• Telford Plaza, Telford – moving to Parkside Court, Telford

You will be given more information about what this means at the job offer stage.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £58,541, HM Revenue and Customs contributes £16,959 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

HMRC operates both Flexible and Hybrid Working policies, allowing you to balance your work and personal commitments. We welcome applications from those who need to work a more flexible arrangement and will agree to requests where possible, considering our operational and customer service needs.

We offer a generous leave allowance, starting at 25 days and increasing by a day for every year of qualifying service up to a maximum of 30 days.

• Pension – We make contributions to our colleagues’ Alpha pension equal to at least 28.97% of their salary.
• Family friendly policies.
• Personal support.
• Coaching and development.

To find out more about HMRC benefits and find out what it’s really like to work for HMRC hear from our insiders or visit Thinking of joining the Civil Service

Things you need to know

Selection process details

How to Apply

As part of the application process, you will be asked to provide the following:

• A name-blind CV including your job history, qualifications and previous experiences.In the job history section provide details of your current and previous roles including a brief description of the duties. Match this to the relevant Technical Experience and Essential Criteria listed in the job advert. In the qualification section include any relevant qualifications you have.

Please complete a separate statement (Max 250 words) for the Desirable Criteria where applicable. This is not essential for the role but may be considered by the vacancy-holder where candidates have the same scores at sift or interview.

Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Sift

At full sift your CV will be assessed, with the successful candidates being invited to interview.

We may also raise the score required at any stage of the process if we receive a high number of applications.

Interview

During the panel interview, you will be assessed onExperience which will include a 10-15 min presentation and you will be asked questions based on your presentation. Presentation details will be provided to successful candidates at the interview stage.

Interviews will take place via video link.

Sift and interview dates to be confirmed.

Eligibility

Please take extra care to tick the correct boxes in the eligibility sections of your application form. We understand mistakes sometimes happen but if you contact us later than two working days(Monday-Friday) before the vacancy closes, we will not be able to reopen your application for you. If you do make a mistake with your eligibility form, please contact us via: unitybusinessservicesrecruitmentresults@hmrc.gov.uk – Use the subject line to insert appropriate wording for example – ‘Please re-open my application – [insert vacancy ref] & vacancy closing date [insert date]’.

To check that you are eligible to apply for this role, please review the eligibility information before submitting your application.

Reserve List

A reserve list may be held for up to 6 months from which further appointments may be made for the same or similar roles – if this applies to you, we’ll let you know via your Civil Service Jobs account.

Criminal Record Check

Applications received from candidates with a criminal record are considered fairly in accordance with the DBS Code of Practice and the Recruitment of ex-offenders Policy.

Merit List

After interview, a single merit list will be created, and you will only be considered for posts in locations you have expressed a preference for. Appointments will be made in strict merit order in line with the set number of roles in each location.

Hybrid working at HMRC

HMRC is an office-based organisation, and colleagues are expected to spend 60% of their working time in the office. Our offices provide opportunity for interaction, collaboration which aids learning and development and a sense of community. Where the role allows it, and where the home environment is suitable, colleagues can work from home for up to 2 days a week, averaged over a calendar month (or a proportionate amount of time for colleagues who work less than full time).

Reasonable Adjustments

We want to make sure no one is put at a disadvantage during our recruitment process. To assist you with this, we will reduce or remove any barriers where possible and provide additional support where appropriate.

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:

• Contact the UBS Recruitment team via unitybusinessservicesrecruitmentresults@hmrc.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.

Additional Security Information

Please note: in addition to the standard pre-employment checks for appointment into the Civil Service, all candidates must also obtain National Security Vetting at Security Check (SC) clearance level for this vacancy. You will normally need to meet the minimum UK residency period as determined by the level of vetting being undertaken, which for SC is 5 years UK residency prior to your vetting application. If you have any questions about this residency requirement, please speak to the vacancy holder for this post.

Important information for existing HMRC contractual homeworkers

This role may be suitable for existing HMRC employees who are contractual homeworkers. Occasional attendance to the office will be required where there is a business need. Please consider the advertised office locations for this role when applying and only select locations from the ‘location preferences’ section that you can travel to.

Terms and Conditions

Customer facing roles in HMRC require the ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English and/or Welsh where required. Where this is an essential requirement, this will be tested as part of the selection process.

HMRC has a presence in every region of the UK. For more information on where you might be working, review this information on our locations.

The Civil Service values honesty and integrity and expects all candidates to abide by these principles. The evidence you provide in your application must relate to your own experiences.

Any instances of plagiarism or other forms of cheating will be investigated and, if proven, the relevant application(s) will be withdrawn from the process.

Recording of interviews is prohibited unless explicit agreement is sought in line with the UK General Data Protection Regulations.

Questions relating to an individual application must be emailed as detailed later in this advert.

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.

New entrants will join on the minimum of the pay band.

Please note that, if you are applying for roles on a part-time basis, the salary agreed will be pro-rata, reflective of the working hours agreed within your contract.

If you experience accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the ‘Contact point for applicants’ section.

For more Information for people applying for, or thinking of applying for, roles at HM Revenue and Customs, please see link: Working for HMRC: information for applicants – GOV.UK.

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).