Infrastructure Solution Architect

As a Infrastructure Solution Architect you are a technical leader within HMCTS. You will be contributing to the technical architecture and will be responsible for significant parts of justice system technology (such as our workplace services). For this part of our environment, you will define and own the technology design aligned with the specific requirements of your users and the wider organisation. You will ensure that the set of technology components form a coherent whole that work together to deliver against the needs of the business area and that there is a clear roadmap for how these technologies will develop over time as the needs evolve.

Your leadership and communication skills, your proven problem-solving ability and your broad technical expertise will be key in ensuring that HMCTS is delivering excellent and innovative digital services to improving the justice system in line with our strategic aims and business need.

Your stakeholders will be leaders across HMCTS, from Product Managers to the Enterprise Architects. You will also be the most senior technical authority in the Digital & Technology Services (DTS) Infrastructure workplace & network product team. That means that the product managers, suppliers and users, and your Lead Enterprise Architect, will rely on you for system design and technical decisions, estimations, feasibility, best practices and escalations of technical issues. The workplace product team, stakeholders and peers in our community will seek advice from you on areas where you are the expert. Your attention to detail and understanding of processes and best practice will allow you to accurately and effectively document digital solutions and ensure that the appropriate governance is taking place.

Our Solution Architects are strong team players, not only within their delivery area, but within the wider technical and non-technical community. You will be responsible for communication with technical stakeholders, teams, panels and peers outside your team and the organisation. Together with other colleagues you will be engaging and liaising with non-technical stakeholders where you will be responsible for conveying technical matters in an effective way, and as required lead on business-related conversations (for example, why the system is implemented in a certain way).

Most of your time will be divided between stakeholder management, data analysis, design work, and documentation, governance and process, advising others and enabling efficient technical delivery that meets the organisation’s needs. However, you will be able to undertake hands-on technical work such as Microsoft Azure management on the HMCTS tenant. You will lead on troubleshooting workplace escalations and provide mentoring or guidance to others.

In this role you will

Your role as Infrastructure Solution Architect will encompass several key responsibilities listed below (but not limited to):

· Accountable for the designs of technical solutions and products produced by the workplace product team.

· Act as the senior technical authority for the Workplace and Network teams, providing expert technical guidance and collaborating with architects across the DTS Infrastructure Product teams to ensure aligned solutions and strategic direction.

· Propose and contribute to defining the technical governance within the workplace product team, and the wider technical governance.

· Liaise and actively engage with stakeholders to increase the awareness of the technical aspects of the solutions/products you are responsible for, and the impact of proposed changes on or by the solutions/products. Communicate with stakeholders at all levels to bridge the gap between technical and non-technical, advising others on how to do so.

· Manage workplace and infrastructure risks, capture accurate, relevant and up to date risks with adequate mitigations. Design solutions to meet the organisation’s risk appetite.

· Manage, quantify and communicate tech debt in the products / systems you are responsible for. Work to reduce technical debt in future designs and seek exception approval from the relevant authorities for deviation from agreed principles / standards when appropriate.

· Lead on capacity planning for the workplace and infrastructure solutions. Ensure that capacity meets the demand and systems are architected to scale as required.

· Turn business problems (and opportunities) into technical designs that follow a DDD approach, rightly coupled with appropriate cohesion. Identify and address cross-cutting issues. Design for maintainability, usability, availability, portability, interoperability and testability.

· Produce architectural artefacts such as diagrams, High-Level Design (HLDs) and Low-Level Design (LLDs). Ensure that solutions have the right amount of documentation and at the right level. Document the design process, ensure that key checkpoints are documented accurately (for example through governance minutes, decisions and submissions).

· Conduct technical reviews and assess the quality of the delivery in products you are responsible for.

· Maintain a balance between strategic architecture and hands-on technical delivery, undertaking practical Microsoft Azure management activities within the HMCTS tenant where required. Lead the investigation and resolution of complex workplace escalations and provide coaching, mentoring and technical guidance to others.

· Maintain up-to-date expert level skills in several technical areas, and deep technical knowledge areas required for your role.

· Lead on the technical aspects of procurement activities in your area, influence other procurements to achieve the most effective, compliant and fair procurement processes. Support procurement activities across the organisation as a technical specialist.

· Assist in shaping the recruitment process, lead on and participate in recruitment.

· This role involves activities and on-call duties that may be outside the core office hours (in-line with the organisation’s policy for OOH) and travel to sites (in accordance with the organisation’s travel and accommodation policies)., The MoJ offers Hybrid Working arrangements where business need allows. This is an informal, non-contractual form of flexible working that blends working from your base location, different MoJ sites and / or from home (please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas). All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity.

Some roles will not be suitable for Hybrid Working. Similarly, Hybrid Working will not suit everyone’s circumstances. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and subject to regular review.

For nationally advertised role: all successful candidates will be appointed to the nearest viable office nearest to their home postcode and on its respective pay scale. This will be at either a HQ building (subject to desk allocation, a Justice Collaboration Centre (JCC) or a Justice Satellite Office (JSO) - See Map. All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity).

For current MoJ employees, your base location will need to be changed to the nearest viable office (to your home postcode), either at a HQ building, JCC or JSO within the National Office Network and moved its location’s respective pay scale (any legacy arrangements/locations will need to be amended).

Some of MoJ’s terms and conditions of service are changing as part of Civil Service reform. The changes will apply to staff joining MoJ who are new to the Civil Service. Staff joining MoJ from other civil service employers will transfer onto the new MoJ terms if they are already on ‘modernised’ terms in their current post or onto ‘unmodernised’ MoJ terms if they are on ‘unmodernised’ terms at their current post. Details will be available if an offer is made.

MoJ candidates who are on a specialist grade, will be able to retain their grade on lateral transfer.

All candidates who are currently in receipt of Mark Time / Pay Protection should ensure they are familiar with the new policy on permanent and temporary promotion which can be found on the employee intranet.

Flexible working hours

The Ministry of Justice offers a flexible working system in many offices. Standard full time working hours are 37 hours per week. MoJ welcomes part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns, where they meet the demands of the role and business needs. All applications for part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns will be considered in accordance with the MoJ’s Flexible Working policy., Interview expected w/c 26th October, but could be subject to change Behaviours Managing a Quality Service Delivering at Pace Technical Capability Skill 1 - Technical design throughout the life cycle Capability Skill 2 - Strategy design Capability Skill 3 - Community collaboration Capability Skill 4 - Architect for the whole context Level of security checks required DBS Basic Security Clearance (SC)

· Leading in a changing environment. Ability to design technical solutions not only for existing requirement, but to also plan ahead so that solutions will meet changing operating requirements as programmes develop.

• . A proven track record of effectively communicating complex business challenges and technical solutions to senior non-technical stakeholders, with significant experience in supporting, influencing, and educating a diverse range of senior and complex stakeholder groups.
• An expert in applying technology to design innovative solutions to business challenges, with a strong focus on keeping up to date with the latest industry trends, patterns, and emerging technologies. Experienced in architecting cloud-based solutions, particularly within Microsoft Azure, and possessing a solid understanding of enterprise infrastructure. Demonstrates strong expertise in security considerations and secure design principles, alongside a deep knowledge of network design and industry best practices. Additionally, brings specialist expertise in print technologies, Windows architecture, and end-user device hardware, with a comprehensive understanding of how these elements integrate to deliver secure, efficient, and high-performing workplace solutions.
• Evidence of remaining up to date with the latest technology, trends and patterns in the industry, as well as the use of modern tools.

The national salary range is £58,511 - £65,329 London salary range is £63,343 - £70,725. Your salary will be dependent on your base location, The MoJ offers a range of benefits:

Annual Leave

Annual leave is 25 days on appointment and will increase to 30 days after five years’ service.

There is also a scheme to allow qualifying staff to buy or sell up to three days leave each year. Additional paid time off for public holidays and 1 privilege day. Leave for part-time and job share posts will be calculated on a pro-rata basis.

Pension

The Civil Service offers a choice of pension schemes, giving you the flexibility to choose the pension that suits you best.

Training

The Ministry of Justice is committed to staff development and offers an extensive range of training and development opportunities.

Networks

The opportunity to join employee-run networks that have been established to provide advice and support and to enable the views of employees from minority groups to be expressed direct to senior management. There are currently networks for employees of minority ethnic origin, employees with disabilities, employees with caring responsibilities, women employees, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees.

Support

• A range of ‘Family Friendly’ policies such as opportunities to work reduced hours or job share.
• Access to flexible benefits such as voluntary benefits, retail vouchers and discounts on a range of goods and services.
• For moves to or from another employer or moves across the Civil Service this can have implications on your eligibility to carry on claiming childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for alternative government childcare support schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. More information can be found on www.GOV.UK or Childcare Choices. You can determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.
• Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave.
• Free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens.

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. Should you feel that the recruitment process has breached the recruitment principles you are able to raise a formal complaint in the following order

• To Transformative Business Services (0345 241 5359 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk);
• To Ministry of Justice Resourcing team (resourcing-management-office@justice.gov.uk);
• To the Civil Service Commission (details available here)

As a Disability Confident employer, MoJ are committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, talent and abilities, by making adjustments throughout all elements of the recruitment process and in the workplace. MoJ are able to offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns.

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.

A Great Place to Work for Veterans

The “Making the Civil Service a Great Place to work for veterans” initiative includes a guaranteed interview scheme to those who meet the minimum criteria to provide eligible former members of the Armed Forces with opportunities to secure rewarding jobs. Allowing veterans to continue to serve their country, and to bring highly skilled individuals with a broad range of experience into the Civil Service in an environment, which recognises and values your previous service in the Armed Forces. For further details about the initiative and eligibility requirements visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/making-the-civil-service-a-great-place-to-work-for-veterans