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Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Lead Developer Technical - **Company:** Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) - **Location:** East Kilbride, UK - **Experience:** Expert - **Salary:** £9,200.0 - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Automation of Tests, Code Review, Computer Programming, Continuous Delivery, Continuous Integration, DevOps, Software Architecture, Software Maintenance, Secure Coding, Software Systems, Web Platforms, Backend, Programming Languages - **Published:** June 14, 2026 - **Apply:** https://uk.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=19522a9f7f08e622 ## About the Role Do you have a valid Driving License license?, Do you have experience in Presentation skills?, * Demonstratable strong technical leadership with hands-on expertise across modern programming languages, frameworks, and tools, delivering high-quality front-end and back-end software that meets organisational and user needs. * Proven experience delivering and maintaining software using modern engineering practices, including continuous integration/continuous delivery (CI/CD) pipelines, automated testing, and deployment, to enable reliable and frequent releases. * Ability to lead, mentor, and support developers by providing constructive feedback, fostering collaboration, and building a high-performing, inclusive engineering culture. * Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to identify complex technical and delivery issues and develop effective, pragmatic solutions. * Ability to communicate complex technical concepts clearly and effectively to both technical and non-technical stakeholders, building strong relationships and managing expectations. * Ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines while working in agile environments, adapting quickly to new technologies and continuously improving team performance to deliver value to users., This vacancy is using Success Profiles , and will assess your Behaviours, Ability and Technical skills. ## Description This is an exciting opportunity to join the Digital Products and Services Department. We design, build and continuously improve digital products and services that enable the FCDO to operate effectively. Our work spans corporate functions and global platforms that support foreign policy, diplomacy and development aid. As a relatively new team, we are building core capabilities to help FCDO become more digitally enabled. As we transition our internal systems, land new digital products and expand the scope of some of our existing digital platforms, we are building an expanded product function to design and integrate our products, spot efficiencies in existing processes and continuously improve our digital services to provide the best user experience. As Lead Developer Technical you will be responsible for designing, running, and improving software that meets user needs. This involves writing clean, secure code following a test-driven approach and creating code that is open by default and easy for others to reuse. You will be expected to guide and mentor other developers, ensuring that best practices are followed and that the team continuously improves. You will also play a crucial role in setting the technical direction, making important decisions on software architecture, and ensuring that the software solutions are scalable, maintainable and aligned with the overall goals of the organisation. By leveraging their expertise, the successful candidate will help deliver high-quality digital services that provide value to users and support the mission of the government. You will be part of an integrated delivery environment and ingrained joint working with policy and operations. You will have access to a tailored Learning and Development offer, combining both Government Digital and Data Profession and FCDO subject matter opportunities. Roles and Responsibilities The successful candidate will: * Provide technical guidance and direction to the development team. Helping identify appropriate technology and approaches and decide when software should be written. * Mentor and support other developers, ensuring best practices are followed. Set technical direction and make the “build vs buy” calls. * Ensure the quality of the codebase by conducting code reviews, maintaining comprehensive documentation and promoting best practices. * Collaborate with product and delivery managers to define project scope, timelines, and deliverables. * Communicate effectively with stakeholders to understand their requirements and provide updates on progress. * Identify, Investigate and resolve technical issues that arise during the development process. * Promote continuous improvement within the team by adopting new technologies and methodologies. The FCDO also operates an agile workforce. To facilitate this, you may be required to undertake other duties from time to time as we may reasonably require. Candidates who secure a role that is considered specialist/technical, may be required to affiliate to the relevant specialist network, if not already a member. You may be required to travel in the UK with possible travel abroad, this will likely be monthly travel with any overseas trips agreed some time in advance., You must be a British Citizen at the time of application and, if invited to interview, you will need to bring proof of identity (British Passport/Driving Licence etc.) with you., Please ensure that you allow sufficient time to complete the whole application process before the closing deadline. * A CV detailing your career history (including any relevant qualifications). CVs will be assessed against the Essential Criteria outlined in the Person Specification section above. * A Personal Statement of 500 words explaining how you consider your skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with specific reference to the Essential Criteria. These responses will be explored further during the interview process for shortlisted candidates. The Behaviours you will be assessed on at the application stage are as follows: * Working Together * Managing a Quality Service The Technical Skills you will be assessed on at the application stage are as follows: * Developing Process Optimisation (Working Level) * Modern Development Standards (Practitioner Level) IMPORTANT: If you are applying under the Disability Confident Scheme and require Reasonable Adjustments in order to complete your application/online tests, please ensure Government Recruitment Service (GRS) are aware of this on the date of application and certainly by the closing date. In the event of a large number of applications, we may conduct an initial sift by a lead Behaviour. Only candidates who meet the minimum standard in this will have the rest of their application fully assessed. Interview Stage Candidates will be required to give a 10-Minute Presentation at the Interview, and the topic will be sent to you in advance. The Presentation will test the following Technical skill: * Modern Development Standards (Practitioner Level) You will also be assessed on the following Behaviours and Technical skills at Interview: The Behaviours you will be assessed on during the interview are as follows: * Making Effective Decisions The Technical skills you will be assessed on during the interview are as follows: * Programming and Build (Practitioner Level) * Systems Design (Practitioner Level) Please note that the FCDO carries out name-blind (anonymised) recruitment to help build a more diverse and inclusive workforce. The personal information on your Application form and/or CV will be concealed during the sifting phase, and only the names of those who are being invited for Interviews will be made known to the Panel. The FCDO has appointed the Government Recruitment Service to manage the process. Reasonable Adjustment 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. ## Related Videos - [From DevOps to Scaled DevOps: How We’re Rebuilding Continuous Delivery as a Platform](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100018-from-devops-to-scaled-devops-how-we-re-rebuilding-continuous-delivery-as-a-platform) - [Developing the Backend with Stefan Lingler, CTO at Shpock](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100360-developing-the-backend-with-stefan-lingler-cto-at-shpock) - [Are Code Reviews Worth It? Insights from 16 Years of Review Data](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1135-are-code-reviews-worth-it-insights-from-16-years-of-review-data) - [You’re a great coder? 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