Job Description

ID 2981

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The Welsh Government operates name-free recruitment. The recruiting panel will not see personal information such as a candidate's name and address during the sifting process. This policy is in line with our commitment to end bias and promote equality and diversity.

Vacancy details

Vacancy title
Lead Network Architect


Closing date
05/09/2025, 16:00


Advertising basis
Permanent
Actual starting salary
Minimum of the pay scale
Salary range or pay band
Grade 7 58,918 to 70,450
Allowances
Yes
Allowance
Other
Allowance
As of 1st April 2025, Welsh Government has introduced a DDaT Allowance for posts categorised as Group 1. This post has been categorised as a Group 1 post and is therefore eligible for the allowance. Upon appointment, the post-holder will be eligible for the 'Developing' proficiency level of Welsh Government's DDaT Allowance which will be 3,750 for G7. Further information will be provided upon appointment.
Work pattern
Full time (applications are welcome from people who work part time, as part of a job share or who work full time)
Group
Economy, Energy and Transport
Directorate
Transport and Digital Connectivity
Branch
Public Sector Connectivity
Location (s)
Pan Wales
Pan Wales' means that the location in which the vacancy can be based is flexible, subject to the needs of the business. A list of the Welsh Government's offices can be found on www.gov.wales/welsh-government-offices. Please note it may not always be possible to accommodate a preference for a specific office location.
Purpose of post
The Digital Infrastructure Division focusses on three areas of digital connectivity - residential, business and public sector connectivity. The Public Sector Connectivity Branch oversees an outsourced network services contract that is used by over 120 public sector organisations to access essential network services that underpin day to day operations and digital service delivery across the public sector in Wales. The Branch is led by a Head of Public Sector Connectivity (Grade 6) and comprises 14 roles (including this role) organised into three teams, each led by a Grade 7 (this role being one).


The Lead Network Architect provides network/technical oversight for all aspects of this work, including the outsourced network/technical strategy, general technical advice, technical briefings and vendor liaison around network services and solutions. To be accountable overseeing the technical workstream for the futures project that will identify arrangements post-2028 and for ensuring that the technical/network aspects of both business-as-usual and futures activities are met.


This role maps to the Lead Network Architect role in the DDaT Profession Capability Framework. Please follow the link to see details of the skills expected of this DDaT role.


The role has line management responsibility for one Solution Architect role (SEO).



Key tasks
Deliver an effective intelligent client role that challenges and supports the outsourced network services, including strategy, design and performance. Have an understanding of all network technology, particularly WAN (wide area network), but also including LAN (local area network), wifi, data centre LAN, SD (software-defined) networks, telephony, mobile solutions infrastructure, unified comms, network management solutions, and network specific security and remote access technologies and approaches. Be a point of escalation for network/technical issues arising. Be a strategic thinker who can communicate network/technical concepts to technical and non-technical stakeholders Actively input into governance forums that determine network/technical strategy. Cascade messages, standards and best practice from other supplier architecture teams and design authorities to the network/technical architecture team. Act as a subject matter expert for network architecture Champion new technologies and solutions Coach and mentor Solution Architect line report and associate network/technical teams across wider public sector as appropriate Lead a small expert network architect team to provide an intelligent function role on behalf of the Welsh Government and over 100 public sector organisations. Challenge and influence the approach to network management, reporting to the Head of Public Sector Connectivity. Lead the Welsh Government's engagement with the supplier's network, technical and engineering teams. Monitor supplier performance against contracted requirements. Conduct regular network management meetings with the supplier to review performance. Instigate improvement plans where required. Assure that network services consumed by public sector organisations under the outsourced network services contract match the operational and business expectations of those organisations. Lead responsibility for the technical workstream of the post-2028 project. Responsibility for communicating progress through highlight reporting and project dashboards etc. for all technical meetings. Review and analyse user feedback to inform future evolution of the services.

Development opportunities
Engagement with senior officials across multiple organisations.


Experience of leading the delivery of a high-profile, high-value, high-impact project.



Other vacancy related information
A reserve list may be held for this opportunity. Any candidate who is successful in being offered a reserve status, will remain on the reserve list for 12 months.


A presentation on

Experience 1 - An awareness of network technology, particularly WAN (wide area networking), but also including, wifi, data centre LAN, SD (software-defined) networks, telephony, mobile solutions infrastructure, unified comms, network management solutions, network specific security and remote access technologies/approaches

will be required at

Stage 2 - Interview stage

. More information will be provided in the invitations to that stage.


Where there is a high volume of applications, the panel have agreed to sift on:

Experience 1 - An awareness of network technology, particularly Wide Area Networking Technical 1 - Technical understanding Behaviour 2 - Communicating and influencing Technical 2 - IT infrastructure

In the event of two or more candidates having the same total score, then consideration of the sift score, followed by consideration of the Experience 1, Technical 1 and Behaviour 2 will be used to determine a merit order to decide which candidate will be appointed



Vetting level
SC - Candidates applying for a role that requires SC clearance must have normally resided in the UK for a minimum of the last 5 years
Number of posts
1
Contact point for further information regarding the post
LeadNetworkArchitect@gov.wales