Job Description

As the living, growing home of our national story, The National Archives is already a special place to work. We're an institution nearly 200 years old with a collection spanning 1,000 years of history. But it's where we go next that makes things really interesting .


In our strategic vision: Archives for Everyone, we set ourselves the challenge of becoming the 21st Century national archive - a different kind of cultural and heritage institution: Inclusive, Entrepreneurial, Disruptive. We won't become this overnight. It will take time, focus, effort and daring.


That's where you come in. Because we can't do this without you.

Job Overview

Salary: 34,610 base salary plus 1,000 market supplement


Contract type: permanent


Band: D / EO


Closing date: Wednesday 12th November at midnight




The National Archives is growing our Digital, Data and Technology (DDaT) capability to help us transform the way we offer services to our users. As a member of the Digital Services Department, you will actively participate in product teams delivering user-focused products for The National Archives' core audience groups.




We have a track record of delivering high quality, innovative and ambitious digital services to diverse audiences. You will be part of a creative, motivated and supportive multi-disciplinary team who embrace challenge and look for opportunities to do things differently.




These are especially exciting times as we reimagine our whole offering on the web to realise the 'disruptive digital archive' and open up access to one of the largest and most diverse digital archives in the world. We are exploring new approaches and tools, simplifying key transactions and finding new ways to help people to use our collections.




Our developers have a vital role to play in this. We are looking for a motivated and creative individual to join The National Archives Digital Services team as a Junior Software Developer.




About The National Archives


We are the official archive for the UK Government and for England and Wales, holding millions of records dating back over 1,000 years. From the Domesday and Shakespeare's will to military service records, censuses and court judgements we preserve and provide access to these important public records for everyone.




Our Digital Services department is made up of several agile multi-disciplinary teams focusing on different products or services. Our purpose is to design and deliver user-centred services that make our collections accessible, usable, and relevant to a wide range of audiences.




Our Digital Services team build and run services used by over 1 million people a month to access more than 30 million record descriptions, the catalogues of more than 3,000 archives and educational and rich, interpretative content bringing the collection to life. We are exploring new approaches and tools, simplifying key transactions and finding new ways to help people to use our collections.




In this role you will:


Contribute to a range of activities across the digital teams at The National Archives including design, coding and testing of services.


Develop your problem-solving skills and apply these to real-world situations for our digital services.


Use information security best practices and available security controls to protect the solutions and services you help build.


Work within multidisciplinary teams to deliver user stories through the full software development lifecycle, from user experience through to cloud hosting and support


You will have a willingness to learn new skills across a range of technologies and play an active role in helping us grow our digital capability, skills and culture.




This is a full-time post, but requests for part-time working, flexible working and job share will be considered, always taking into account the operational needs of the Department. A combination of onsite and home working is available and applicants should be able to regularly travel to our Kew site for a minimum of 60% of their work time.




Development and progression


This is a development role, designed for progression to the role of mid-level Software Developer. At the start of your employment your skills will be assessed in order to design a tailored development plan for you. We'll provide active support and guidance as you progress through your plan. Development will be assessed on a regular basis, and you will be promoted to the higher grade once you have met the required standard.




Application Process:




Interview: Interviews will be held on-site and will include a technical test.


Personal Statement: We ask all applicants to provide work history details and complete a personal statement, not exceeding 1200 words


Selection for interview will be based on the essential criteria listed below so please provide evidence and examples for each criteria separately, and ensure that your statement demonstrates in detail how you meet these criteria.




Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please visit the civil service careers website where you can find further information on the use of AI in the application guidance section.




Essential Criteria:
?

Hands-on experience in Python-based back-end development, with working knowledge of information security practices, principles of modern development standards and designing systems components.
?

A fundamental understanding of database design, querying and data integrity.
?

Understanding of RESTful API design and integration.
?

Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail with an enthusiasm for creating high quality, user-focused digital products and services
?

Have a passion for technology and a desire to develop yourself and the team's skills in any technologies that might benefit The National Archives
?

Highly motivated with a proven ability to manage competing priorities and deliver to deadlines, working independently or as part of a multi-disciplinary team
?

Knowledge of HTML, CSS, JavaScript and relevant W3C recommendations including those on accessibility
?

Good communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to explain complex and/or technical issues and concepts to non-specialists and to provide advice and guidance based on experience and sound judgment

Junior Software Developer


Follow agreed standards to develop and maintain backend services and APIs using

Python

and

Django

. Build and customize content blocks and page templates in

Wagtail CMS

. Write clean, efficient, and well-documented code following best practices, ensuring compliance with GDS Service Manual and Technology Code of Practice. Troubleshoot and resolve backend performance issues. Query and manipulate database data directly and through ORMs. Ensure code quality through testing, debugging, peer review and release of code. Work within a multidisciplinary agile product team, at times including external suppliers, to develop, test, maintain, and support some of TNA's key digital products and services. Proactively share your coding expertise with other developers at The National Archives and across Government and actively contribute to show-and-tells, agile ceremonies, team and departmental meetings. Stay up to date with the latest technologies and best practices in Django, Wagtail and other relevant technologies, demonstrating a high level of commitment and initiative in developing your skills: you will study independently; follow guidance from managers and mentors; and complete training as directed.
Mid-level Software Developer


Follow and help define agreed standards to develop and maintain backend services and APIs using

Python

and

Django

. Define and build content blocks, page templates, systems integrations in

Wagtail CMS

. Write clean, efficient, and well-documented code following best practices, ensuring compliance with GDS Service Manual and Technology Code of Practice. Troubleshoot and resolve backend performance issues. Manage and optimize PostgreSQL databases and other data structures. Understand git and GitHub for version control and be able to confidently use branches, pull requests, tags and automated tests to work collaboratively. Be comfortable using containerisation with Docker, debugging issues during building and deployment. Work across multiple services/applications and understand how they work together. Work within a multidisciplinary agile product team, at times including external suppliers, to develop, test, maintain, and support some of TNA's key digital products and services. Proactively share your coding expertise with other developers at The National Archives and across Government and actively contribute to show-and-tells, agile ceremonies, team and departmental meetings. As required, engage with stakeholders and colleagues explaining complex and /or technical issues and concepts to non-specialists providing advice and guidance based on experience and sound judgement. Stay up to date with the latest technologies and best practices in Django, Wagtail and other relevant technologies, demonstrating a high level of commitment and initiative in developing your skills: you will study independently; follow guidance from managers and mentors; and complete training as directed.
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 .

Benefits

Generous benefits package, including pension, sports and social club facilities, onsite gym, discounted rates at our on-site cafe and opportunities for training and development. Annual leave entitlement of 22 days per calendar year (rising to 25 after the first year, and incrementally to 30 days after six years) and 10 days public and privilege holidays per annum.



Any move to The National Archives 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/ ( opens in new window)

Reasonable adjustments

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.


If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:


Contact The National Archives via careers@nationalarchives.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs Complete the 'Reasonable Adjustments' section 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
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.


People working with government assets must complete basic personnel security standard checks (opens in new window)

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:


UK nationals nationals of the Republic of Ireland nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window) nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020 Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Further information on nationality requirements (opens in new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.




We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles . (opens in new window)



The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.


The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.



This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative . (opens in new window)



Contact point for applicants:


Name: The National Archives Recruitment Team Email: careers@nationalarchives.gov.uk

Further information

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact The National Archives via email: careers@nationalarchives.gov.uk If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission at https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/recruitment/recruitment-complaints/ (opens in new window)