The standard selection process for roles at GDS consists of:
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a simple application screening process - We only ask for a CV and cover letter of up to 750 words. Important tip - please ensure that your cover letter includes how you meet the skills and experience listed in the person specification section above
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a 30 minute phone screen conducted via Google Meet
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a 90 minute video interview including a 30 minute technical exercise at the start of the interview.
In order to assist candidates with this role, we will be holding a virtual recruitment event on Monday 1st June 2026 at 1:00pm - 2:00pm to go through the role in more detail. To attend the virtual recruitment event please use the link below and use the following details to join:
Join: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/378519982396849?p=RKwoOGSqFH2R4ED7RV
Meeting ID: 378 519 982 396 849
Passcode: uR6Sg2a6
In the event we receive a high volume of applications, we will conduct the initial sift against the lead criteria which is:
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experience creating technical designs and building secure, scalable, user focussed systems using appropriate technologies characterised by risk, impact and complexity
In the Civil Service, we use Success Profiles to evaluate your skills and ability. This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job, increases performance and improves diversity and inclusivity. Well be assessing your technical abilities, skills, experience and behaviours that are relevant to this role.
For this role well be assessing you against the following Civil Service Behaviours:
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seeing the big picture
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making effective decisions
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communicating and influencing
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working together
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managing a quality service
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leadership
Well also be assessing your experience and specialist technical skills against the following skills defined in the Government Digital and Data Capability Framework for the Technical Architect role:
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Architect for the whole context
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Architecture communication
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Community collaboration
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Making architectural decisions
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Strategy design
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Technical design throughout the life cycle
Want to know more about who Government Digital and Data are? Click Here
Recruitment Timeline
Virtual recruitment event: Monday 1st June 2026 at 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Sift completion: week commencing Monday 8th June 2026
Phone screens: starting from Thursday 18th June 2026
Panel interviews: starting week commencing Monday 29th June 2026
Candidates that do not pass the interview but have demonstrated an acceptable standard may be considered for similar roles at a lower grade.
A reserve list will be held for a period of 12 months, from which further appointments can be made.
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 D&I Strategy.
Please note that this role requires SC clearance, which would normally need 5 years UK residency in the past 5 years. This is not an absolute requirement, but supplementary checks may be needed where individuals have not lived in the UK for that period. This may mean your security clearance (and therefore your appointment) will take longer or, in some cases, not be possible.
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.
Sponsorship
DSIT cannot offer Visa sponsorship to candidates through this campaign. DSIT holds a Visa sponsorship licence but this can only be used for certain roles and this campaign does not qualify.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
