Details
Reference number
424176
Salary
£44,720 - £47,850
New entrants to the Civil Service will start their role on the salary band minimum: £44,720 for National Roles.
Pay Frame Allowance (PFA): You may be eligible for a non-pensionable allowance, pending a Capability and Skills assessment, with a value of up to £12,680.
A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
GBP
Job grade
Senior Executive Officer
Contract type
Permanent
Business area
HO - Digital Data and Technology - Engineering
Type of role
Digital
Information Technology
Working pattern
Flexible working, Full-time, Compressed hours
Number of jobs available
1
Contents
* Location
* About the job
* Benefits
* Things you need to know
* Apply and further information
Location
Manchester, Sheffield
About the job
Job summary
Cyber Security at the Home Office is critical to protecting a large government department and safeguarding critical digital infrastructure. The Cyber Security Operations Centre (CSOC) Threat Intelligence team is tasked with understanding and contextualising the Home Office's cyber threat landscape. The team manages the department's intelligence requirements, based on assessed threats to Home Office systems, then seeks to obtain and analyse data to identify threats and their potential impact. The specialised team of six works alongside other CSOC areas to provide awareness of threats, allowing for the deployment of targeted defences and the sharing of timely and actionable guidance.
The DevOps Engineer ensures service reliability and performance by maintaining and supporting key components, proactively monitoring metrics, and performing updates to ensure accessibility, stability, and capacity for production and deployment.
They provide guidance on CI/CD (Continuous Integration/Delivery) pipelines, advising developers on best practices to enable secure and efficient deployments. They help streamline automation and software delivery processes, ensuring the platform is effectively utilised.
This role requires Security clearance and NVPP3. Typically you will need to have lived in the UK for the past 5 years to obtain these clearances.
Job description
As a DevOps Engineer your main day to day responsibilities will be:
* Providing hands-on technical support, troubleshooting platform use and configuration issues.
* Support & mentorship of junior developers.
* Development, Maintenance and continuous improvement of in-house automation platforms, scripts and services.
* Contributing to routine monitoring activities, identifying performance improvements and security enhancements.
* End-to-end technical onboarding of new systems into the Cyber Security environment.
* Development, maintenance and continuous improvement of Cyber Security tooling and services.
* Supporting Cyber Security functions with technical expertise & advice.
Like many organisations we need to maintain our services 24/7, therefore, on occasions there may be a requirement to work out of hours, for which you will be paid an additional allowance.
Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and home-based working. Where this is the case, employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in the office. Travel to the Manchester office will be required for the successful candidate.
Person specification
Essential Criteria
You'll have a strong foundation in DevOps culture, with the following skills or experience:
* Designing and implementing cloud solutions using AWS or Azure, applying best practices for architecture, security, and scalability.
* Monitoring applications and responding to incidents using established procedures, ensuring system availability and performance.
* Developing and maintaining infrastructure-as-code (IaC) scripts to automate build, deployment, and provisioning activities.
* Working with and managing log data at scale.
* Integration with third party suppliers & external departments. Working together to develop shared platforms.
* Applying data management best practices for cloud resources, ensuring structured naming, tagging, metadata, backups, and documentation.
Tools and Technologies we use:
We are keen for Engineers to continue learning new technologies, we have a large range in the Home Office including:
* Backend: Java,, C#, Python, PHP, Scala, Power Platform
* Frontend: React, JavaScript, Typescript, Angular
* Data: PostgreSQL, Microsoft SQL Server, MongoDB, Apache Kafka, Neo4J, Amazon Athena
* DevOps: AWS, Kubernetes, Azure, Jenkins, Docker, Ansible, Terraform, Dynatrace
* Security: Splunk, Defender, Suricata IDS, Zeek
SFIA capability framework
Skills for the Information Age (SFIA) is the technical framework that sets the standard capability and development of all engineering levels in the Home Office. This is a link to the capability framework: All skills A–Z — English (sfia-)
We use set SFIA technical skills to form our interview questions and we will assess you against these technical skills during the selection process.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
* Delivering at Pace
* Working Together
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
* Software design (SWDN) - Level 3
* Programming/software development (PROG) - Level 3
* Testing (TEST) - Level 3
* Systems integration and build (SINT) - Level 3
* Data management (DATM) - Level 3
* Application support (ASUP) - Level 3
Benefits
Alongside your salary of £44,720, Home Office contributes £12,955 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
Why work for us...
* A highly competitive pension with an average employer contribution of 28.97%
* 25 days annual leave on appointment rising 1 day per year up to 30 days, plus 8 days public holidays and 1 day for the King's Birthday.
* Flexible working options to enable you to achieve the work life balance that is right for you including;
* Full time, flexi time, compressed hours and job sharing.
* A hybrid working model 60% of your hours in the office and 40% from home.
* Training and development opportunities tailored to your role, including access to technical and professional accreditations.
* Access to funded qualifications from AWS and Microsoft.
* A recruitment retention allowance reviewed annually.
* A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity.
* Enhanced parental leave schemes.
* Annual performance based bonus and recognition awards.
This link is to a short guide on YouTube to employee benefits:
Employee Benefits
Things you need to know
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.
As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV and 1000 word personal statement.
Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
Please note your CV and personal statement should include all relevant experience that relates to our essential skills criteria listed in the advert and role description. Use STAR format in your examples STaR
Remove information that identifies you (for example your name, age or place of education) so that you will be judged on merit alone and not your personal background, circumstances, race or gender.
(Do NOT include e-mail addresses or links to online profiles, resumés, or prior work, either personal or business. Active links or e-mail addresses will result in your application being rejected)
Sift Stage
The sift will be held on the CV and 1000 word Personal Statement. Please read the Essential skills for this position carefully. We will only consider those who meet the listed requirement.
Interview Stage
Candidates reaching the required standard will then be invited to attend a final interview. The interview will assess your Technical Skills (SFIA Framework) and experience using technical and experience-based questions. And you will be assessed on the core behaviour skills listed above.
At the beginning of the interview, you will be given a code review test to complete and then asked questions that explore your technical skills and experience. Guidance will be provided for the code review test prior to your interview.
Sift and interview dates
Sift will be conducted week commencing 15th September 2025.
Interviews will be held week commencing 29th September Subject to panels operational requirements/priorities)
Interviews will be conducted remotely via MS Teams.
We will try to meet the dates set out in the advert. There may be occasions when these dates will change. You will be provided with sufficient notice of the confirmed dates.
Further Information
Please read the Essential skills for this position carefully. We will only consider those who meet the listed requirement.
If you have previously made an unsuccessful application for a role with the same essential skills and are not able to demonstrate how you have developed these skills since your last application please reconsider applying as your application is unlikely to be successful.
Reserve list
A reserve list of successful candidates will be kept for 12 months. Should another role become available within that period you may be offered this position.
UK residency and security requirements
You need to have lived in the UK for the past 5 years. This is because this post requires the successful candidate to have Security Check (SC) clearance and individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time to enable appropriate checks to be carried out and produce a result which provides the required level of assurance. These checks will only take place after the job offer has been accepted.
You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 5 years for SC clearance. A lack of UK residency in itself is not necessarily a bar to a security clearance and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder/Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice.
Visa Sponsorship
We are unable to sponsor any individuals via Skilled Worker Sponsorship / Tier 2 (General) work visas as we do not hold a UK Visa & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker License.
This post is eligible for a DDaT Recruitment Retention Allowance. Successful candidate with exceptional skills and experience may apply for a Recruitment and Retention Allowance. This allowance is subject to an initial review within six months of taking up the post and thereafter an annual review in line with the departmental priorities and could be reduced or withdrawn at any time.
Job offers to this post are made on the basis of merit. We often have similar roles available at different grades. If a candidate is suitable for a similar role or a lower grade than they have applied for, we may offer the candidate that role without the need to go through a further selection process providing the role has the same competencies and essential skills.
Working at the Home Office
Every day, Home Office civil servants do brilliant work to develop and deliver policies and services that affect the lives of people across the country and beyond. To do this effectively and fairly, the Home Office is committed to representing modern Britain in all its diversity, and creating a welcoming, inclusive workplace where all our people are able to bring their whole selves to work and perform at their best.
We are flexible, skilled, professional and diverse. We work to recruit and retain disabled staff and area Disability Confident Leader. We are proud to be one of the most ethnically diverse departments in the civil service. We are a Social Mobility Foundation top 75 employer.
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.
For further information please see the attached notes for candidates which must be read before making an application.
Existing Civil Servants should note that some of the Home Office terms and conditions of employment have changed. It is the candidate's responsibility to ensure they are aware of the Terms and Conditions they will adopt should they be successful in application and should refer to the notes for candidates for further details.
Transfer Terms: Voluntary.
Please see the attached list of Home Office acceptable ID documents.
Any move to the Home 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
Further information
If you are invited to an interview, you will be required to bring documentation for the purposes of establishing your identity.
You will need to meet the nationality requirements for this role and obtain the necessary security clearance to take it up.
For meaningful security checks to be carried out, individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time. Learn more on our website. Security Checks - Home Office Careers
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 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- stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the Demystifying Vetting website.
Visa sponsorship
We do not sponsor individuals via Skilled Worker Sponsorship / Tier 2 (General) work visas.
Reasonable Adjustments
If a person with disabilities is 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 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
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
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 .
See our vetting charter .
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)
* 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
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.
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 and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy .
Apply and further information
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative.
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 :
* Email :
Recruitment team
* Email :
Further information
If you feel that your application has not been treated in accordance with the recruitment
principles, and wish to make a complaint, then you should contact in the first instance
If you are not satisfied with the response that you receive, then you can contact the Civil Service Commission