Technical Architect - VCA - SEO

Do you have the ability to cope in a technically complex and transformational environment? 

If so, we would love to hear from you!

This is an exciting time for the Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA), and a great opportunity to be getting involved in.

Job description

This job role is within Digital Services and Technology in VCA. The Lead Technical Architect provides technical leadership and architectural design and expertise on all aspects of applications and infrastructure design ensuring technology solutions support the business need. Alongside this, the Technical Architect works with multiple projects on problems that require broad architectural thinking. This role reports into the Chief Digital & Information Officer. 

About Us

Our work is focused on improving vehicle safety and environmental protection by providing robust testing and certification to national and internationally recognised standards. We are a part of the Department of Transport as the designated UK Vehicle Type Approval Authority. With more than 40 years’ experience, we have become one of the largest and well-respected approval bodies around. This position has been built on a reputation for technical expertise and quality, which is at the heart of everything we do, and what you could be a part of.

Do not just take our word for it, here is Paul Taylor, Chief Digital Information Officer to tell you more. Please also refer to our Candidate Pack and VCA website for more information.

Responsibilities

Your main duties will include but will not be limited to:  

Accountable, and provide assurance, to the CDIO on the technical and security products and solution designs produced by VCA and 3rd-party suppliers  

Produce technical and solutions architecture that are complaint with the digital strategy, roadmap, principles, systems and service levels. Consider wider government strategy and principles within the VCA architecture and solutions  

Define & prioritise non-functional requirements and ensure that solutions are assessed against them  

Understand business requirements and support business analysts in assessing how different solutions meet or do not meet requirements  

Provide options analysis and recommendations to support the selection of new technology and solutions  

Identify technical and security risks and issues and ensure these are formally documented. Identify and implement appropriate mitigations to reduce risk  

Liaise and communicate with both technical and non-technical stakeholders to ensure the successful translation of technical designs into business solutions  

Be responsible for leading the technical design of systems and services, and you will justify and communicate design decisions  

provide mentoring and develop the architect profession within the Digital Services team at VCA  

Develop, document and establish architectural principles, policies, standards and reference architectures

Design and maintain the enterprise architecture roadmap. 

To see the full role information, please see the attached role profile.

Person specification

To apply for our Technical Architect position, you will need:

Knowledge of Dynamics 365, Business Central and the Microsoft Power platform  

Digitally and technically literate, capable of effectively engaging with technical staff, suppliers and stakeholders to define the best solutions in line with VCA & Government strategy   

Experience designing and reviewing complex technical delivery projects   

Experience liaising with external and internal teams to ensure timely provisioning and implementation of quality, scalable and secure technical solutions   

Experience of IaaS, PaaS, SaaS and on-premise solutions and when and how to implement them   

Experience working with suppliers to contribute to and assure detailed technical architectures and designs   

Ability to cope in a technically complex and transformational environment, and to respond calmly and rationally to changing aspirations within constraints   

Able to influence stakeholders to adopt solutions that best support the business need   

Able to effectively articulate the trade-offs between different solution options   

Familiar with architecture methods tools such as TOGAF, Archimate and UML   

Additional Information

This role is suitable for hybrid working, and therefore a combination of workplace and home-based working can be accommodated subject to business requirements. Hybrid working is a non-contractual arrangement where employees have the flexibility to work remotely combined with a minimum of 60% of their working time a month at either their principal workplace (one of the locations cited in the advert) or, when required for business reasons, visiting stakeholders and colleagues, or carrying out detached duty in another VCA workplace. There may be occasions where you are required to attend above the minimum expectation.

If you have questions regarding how hybrid working is practised within the business area, or any reasonable adjustments or flexible working arrangements you may currently have or need in place if successful in your application, please contact the Vacancy Holder (see advert for contact details).

VCA does not offer Visa sponsorship. Candidates should ensure they have the appropriate rights to work in the UK before application.

Government Digital and Data Profession Pay Framework 

The role is part of the Government Digital and Data profession and utilises an enhanced Capability–Based Pay Framework which provides access to a Digital and Data allowance.  

The base pay is £44,198. In addition to this the role includes a Digital and Data allowance of up to £13,202. 

The value of allowance awarded will be based on an assessment of your skills and experience as demonstrated through the selection process.  

Here are more details on the pay framework. 

Licences

Full UK Category B Driving Licence

Qualifications

Level 2 qualifications in Math and English, i.e. GCSE - grades 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4 or grades A*, A, B, C

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

Seeing the Big Picture
Changing and Improving
Communicating and Influencing

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

Technical Architect: Making Architectural Decisions (Skill level: Working)
Technical Architect: Strategy Design (Skill level: Working)
Technical Architect: Technical Design Throughout the Life Cycle (Skill level: Working)