Microsoft Platform Architect (M365) - DEFRA - SEO
Government Digital & Data -
Defra, the UK government department, is responsible for safeguarding the natural environment, supporting the food and farming industry, and sustaining a thriving rural economy.
The department's broad remit impacts daily life, from the food we eat to the air we breathe and the water we drink. Within Defra, Digital, Data Technology and Security Services (DDTS) team is the trusted digital partner, comprising around 1,200 colleagues. DDTS aims to make interactions with Defra easier and faster, driving innovation and pushing boundaries to create a great place for living and a green, healthy future for all.
Find out more about DDTS
Defra digital, data and technology blog
Job description
The Defra Cloud Centre of Excellence (CCoE) within Group Infrastructure and Operations (GIO) are looking for a dynamic and skilled M365 Architect to join an exciting opportunity to shape DEFRAs future collaboration applications and services.
The CCoE architecture team provide design, technical leadership, governance, and drive transformation to help to match business needs with high-quality cloud solutions.
In this role, you will collaborate on projects and programmes of all scales to deliver end-to-end Microsoft 365 solutions and implement designs based on business requirements, strategic drivers, best practices, and Microsoft guidance. This will involve a mix of business-as-usual and project work focused on optimising and enhancing the Microsoft 365 platform, including services like Exchange Online, SharePoint Online and Teams to drive productivity, collaboration, and security.
You will be involved in managing Defra’s M365 roadmap on a day-to-day basis, overseeing the monitoring, planning, and implementation of updates, features, and enhancements within the M365 suite.
Join our team of cloud architects as we embark on a transformative journey to trial and rollout innovative solutions like Purview and M365 Groups to align with our evolving needs and current business requirements.
Please note this post requires Security Check (SC) clearance. To gain (SC) clearance all applicants are required to have been a UK resident for a minimum of 5 years. If this requirement is not met, the individual will not be able to progress their application further.
Person specification
Responsibilities
- Managing Defra’s M365 roadmap. Overseeing the monitoring, planning, and implementation of updates, features, and enhancements within the M365 suite.
- Collaborate with a team of cloud architects to design and implement cutting-edge solutions for collaboration applications and services within DEFRA.
- Lead the development and delivery of strategic roadmaps for M365, ensuring alignment with business goals and requirements.
- Play a pivotal role in the deployment of new technologies, with a focus on Microsoft M365, to enhance efficiency.
- Cover the end-to-end solution across a range of technical domains but may only be responsible for one part of that solution.
Skills and experience
- Experience of designing and building Microsoft 365 architectures in support of IT programmes and projects.
- A practical understanding of architectural models of application and solution delivery.
- Hands-on experience and knowledge of the Microsoft 365 platform.
- An understanding of the technical implications of delivering across infrastructure and cloud (or hybrid) environments.
- Some project planning experience.
Selection process
The Civil Service marks each element of the selection process on a merit basis. You can visit the gov.uk website for further information on the Civil Service rating scale.
Ensure you have tailored your CV and your Personal Statement to the 'responsibilities' and 'skills and experience' section of the job advert by providing examples on how you are suitable for the role. You may find the STAR method helpful when writing your personal statement.
For further information on STAR, you can check out our hints and tips document.
Application
As part of the application process, you will be assessed on your experience and will be asked to complete:
- A CV
- A 500-word Personal Statement: Referring to the 'skills and experience' sections of the job advert, please demonstrate how you are suitable for the role by providing relevant examples.
Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
Please ensure you demonstrate clearly, within your Personal Statement, how you meet these requirements as the information you provide will form a key part when the panel is scoring your application.
Sift
Sift will begin shortly after the advert closes.
Should there be a large number of applications, an initial sift will be conducted using your personal statement.
Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment or interview.
Interview
If successful at sift stage, you will be invited to interview where you will be assessed on Technical Skills and the Behaviours listed below.
A presentation or additional exercise may also be assessed.
Your interview will either be conducted face to face or by video. You will be notified of the location if you are selected for interview.
The technical skills are aligned with the Government Digital and Data Profession Capability framework for the Technical Architect profession.
To find out more about them, please visit the website.
Sift and Interview dates are to be confirmed. Please note that these may be subject to change.
For further information on Success Profiles, please use the links below and watch our videos on Defra Jobs.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Communicating and Influencing
- Working Together
- Developing Self and Others
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Architect for the whole context - awareness
- Architecture communication - awareness
- Community collaboration - awareness
- Making architectural decisions - awareness
- Strategy design - awareness
- Technical design throughout the life cycle - working
