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GOV.UKSenior QA Tester
Department for Work and Pensions
Apply before 11:55 pm on Sunday 2nd April 2023
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About the job
Job summary
Are you an experienced QA Tester?
Do you have experience working in a large-scale organisation using financial applications?
If so, please apply for this role.
We’re looking for outstanding Senior QA Testers, who want to contribute to demanding and exciting digital services for the UK Government. Be part of changing the face of public services with the potential to dramatically transform the future of millions of people.
This role represents a unique opportunity to join the Benefit Payment Support team at DWP Digital.
We’re looking for driven and passionate Senior QA Testers who would like to be part of a team delivering real value to people that need help during the difficult times of their lives.
Job description
As a Senior QA Tester in the Benefit Payment Support team you will need to think outside the box, ask the right questions, and critically evaluate and communicate findings to a larger team. You will provide technical leadership to a team of Tester along with providing oversight to the products they test.
You will lead investigative work into problems and opportunities in existing processes, driving the collection of information and creation of recommendations for improvements.
The ability to manage the planning of system and/or acceptance tests, coordinating both functional and non-functional specifications and provide authoritative advice and guidance on test planning is key to this role.
In addition, identification of process improvements to ensure the team are working to best practice is fundamental.
The applications you will be responsible for are built on VME mainframes and are business critical to the DWP and are at the very core to the overall benefit system which delivers real value to people that need help during the difficult times of their lives, therefore it is imperative that our Senior QA Testers are able to develop, implement, maintain, and review test assets these applications to ensure delivery of professional excellence.
You will work with stakeholders to set priorities, objectives, and timescales to successfully deliver high quality outcomes that meet the customers’ needs and gives value for money by identify risks and resolving issues efficiently.
As a Senior QA Tester, you will be responsible for the testing of applications which support DWP services and collaborate with delivery teams to determine the testability of functional and some non-functional requirements.
You will be responsible for defining test requirements, specifications and test conditions, be able to identify issues and risks associated with work whilst being able to analyse and report test activities and results to senior stakeholders
You will implement a shift left approach to define processes that reduce or eliminate defects as early in the process as possible.
You will ensure that the breadth and depth of testing is appropriate and proportionate, and takes a risk based approach.
Person specification
If you would like to learn more about the role, please contact richard.hanley@dwp.gov.uk.
Benefits
• An employer pension contribution of up to 27% For further information please click here.
• Annual leave rising up to 30 days, (based on your working pattern).
• Family friendly flexible working arrangements, such as hybrid working, job sharing, term-time working, flexi-time and compressed hours.
• Learning and development tailored to your role this could include industry recognised qualifications, coaching and mentoring.
• An inclusive and diverse environment with opportunities to join staff networks including: Women’s Network, National Race Network, National Disability Network (THRIVE) and many more.
This job role may be suitable for hybrid working, which is where an employee works part of the week in their DWP office and part of the week from home. This is a voluntary, non-contractual arrangement and your office will be your contractual place of work. The number of days that anyone will be able to work at home will be determined primarily by business need but personal circumstances and other relevant circumstances will also be taken into account. If you are successful, any opportunities for hybrid working, including whether a hybrid working arrangement is suitable for you, will be discussed with you prior to you taking up your post.
Salary Information
Salary for this role is from £38,469 (Band min) to £41,480 (Band max).
Existing Civil Servants who secure a new role on lateral transfer should maintain their current salary.
Existing Civil Servants who gain promotion may move to the bottom of the next grade pay scale or 10% increase in salary whichever would be the greater.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
Stage 1: Application
Applications must include:
1. A completed Personal Details application form.
2. A curriculum vitae including education, professional qualifications and full employment history, giving details of key achievements.
When giving details in your redacted CV you should highlight your experience in line with essential criteria below:
• Maintain full traceability of defects, tests and requirements.
• Lead Delivery of testing activities, ensuring that quality, time and cost objectives are met.
• Communicate with other teams and share knowledge and lessons learned.
• Experience with VME, mainframe or large, integrated applications.
The below criteria is desirable.
• Experience with test automation principles and assisted tooling.
When giving details of your redacted CV, you should therefore include details of the work and projects that you have been involved in, and your role therein.
For Hints and Tips on completing your application visit our blog Getting Hired at DWP Digital .
Important information
• Please attach your redacted CV as a separate additional document in either PDF or word format.
• If your CV contains any personal details your application may be withdrawn.
Stage 2: Interview
If you’re successful at sift stage you will be invited to a video interview via Microsoft Teams. There, you will be assessed against the experiences listed in the essential criteria.
Interviews will take place from Mid April Onwards.
The evidence you provide in your application must relate to your own experiences. If evidence of plagiarism is found your application will be withdrawn.
Further information:
A reserve list may be held for a period of 6 months from which further appointments can be made.
Reserve list candidates will be posted in merit order by location.
You must meet the security requirements before you can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check.
For meaningful checks to be carried out, you will 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. Whilst a lack of UK residency in itself is not necessarily a bar to a security clearance, and expectation of UK residency may range from 3 to 5 years. Failure to meet the residency requirements needed for the role may result in the withdrawal of provisional jobs offers.
Find out more about Working for DWP
Any move to DWP name 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 https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk
If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out.
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-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
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.
A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.
Before applying for this vacancy, current employees of DWP should check whether a successful application would result in changes to their terms & conditions of employment, e.g. mobility, pay, allowances. Civil Servants that would transfer into DWP from other government organisations, following successful application, will assume DWP's terms & conditions of employment current on the day they are posted, unless DWP has stated otherwise in writing.
Reasonable Adjustment
At DWP we value diversity and inclusion and actively encourage and welcome applications from everyone, including those that are underrepresented in our workforce.
We consider visible and non-visible disabilities, neurodiversity or learning differences, chronic medical conditions, or mental ill health. Examples include dyslexia, epilepsy, autism, chronic fatigue, or schizophrenia.
If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:Contact Government Recruitment Service via digitalrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
Complete the “Reasonable Adjustments” 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 will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Nationality requirements
Working for the Civil Service
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Richie Hanley
- Email : richard.hanley@dwp.gov.uk
Recruitment team :
- Email : digitalrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Further information
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission. Click here to visit the Civil Service Commission.
