Job Description

Details

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Reference number

435599

Salary

57,701 - 71,942
GBP

Job grade

Grade 7
C1

Contract type

Fixed term

Length of employment

The initial appointment is for 23 months, with the possibility of extension for a further 12 to 23 months, subject to performance and business need.

Business area

SSS - Chief Digital Office

Type of role

Other

Working pattern

Full-time

Number of jobs available

1

Contents

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Location About the job Benefits Things you need to know Apply and further information

Location

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Dundee, Glasgow

About the job

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Job summary

Join us as a Solutions Architect and work within a branch of around 40 professionals to help shape the future of social security in Scotland. We're looking for someone passionate about creating innovative solutions integrating public cloud services and Software as a Service platforms. The initial appointment is for 23 months, with the possibility of extension for a further 12 to 23 months, subject to performance and business need.


We promote autonomy and self-organisation, allowing you to influence ways of working and set guiding principles. The Architecture and Design branch, part of our Chief Digital Office, is divided into six domains: solution, cloud, enterprise, data, business, and application architecture. We focus on high-level architecture and frameworks to sustainably plan, prioritise, and deliver change across our digital landscape.


Our solutions are highly integrated with external partners, reflecting our role within a wider public sector ecosystem dedicated to simplifying access to information and services. Guided by our Digital and Technology Strategy, we aim to deliver devolved and new benefits for the people of Scotland.


If you're seeking a role within a supportive organisation that prioritises your development and growth, apply now to join our innovative team.



A Solutions Architect is responsible for the assurance and design of digital solutions.


As a Solutions Architect, you will undertake structured analysis of technical issues, translating this analysis into technical designs that describe a solution. You will be consulted on solutions and can provide design patterns.


You will identify the deeper issues that need resolution and look for opportunities for collaboration with the ability to identify cases for the reuse of common patterns, components, platforms, or solutions. An architect can communicate with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.


You will ensure your solutions adhere to the relevant architecture governance.


You will be expected to build effective partnerships with diverse teams across multiple locations and technologies.

DDaT Pay Supplement

This post is part of the Scottish Government Digital, Data and Technology (DDAT) profession and as a member of the profession you will join the professional development system. This post currently attracts a 5,000 annual DDAT pay supplement, applicable after a 3 months competency qualifying period. The payment will be backdated to your start date in the role. Pay supplements are reviewed regularly and there is one currently underway. Changes will be communicated when the review is concluded.

Job description

Responsibilities

Presenting recommendations for technologies or improvements to enhance systems to support project goals clearly to management, based on knowledge of IT and analysis of systems' needs. Evaluating the success of a project, once the solution has been integrated, identifying best practices and lessons learned. Act as a key contributor to architecture governance activities ensuring the adoption of good working methods and best practice in the application of technology architecture standards. Recommending technologies or improvements to enhance systems to support project goals, based on the analysis of systems' needs and requirements of the business. Contributing to the overall technical strategy and road map for the department in your area of expertise. Developing and documenting the proposed technical design for the integration and implementation of technology solutions, working with and across other areas of DDaT and the business. Ensure designs meet security and operational requirements. Act as a Subject Matter expert, understanding the bigger picture, including wider departmental, organisational or cross government strategies to ensure your recommendations and designs are aligned. Owning the design of digital component(s) and ensuring the design and solution fit with the wider designs.

Person specification

Success Profiles

We use an assessment framework called 'Success Profiles' which lists the elements we test and provides detailed descriptions of each. Find out more about how we assess the Success Profile elements.

Essential Experience

1. Proven experience in Technical Architecture, including the ability to design complex technology solutions that meet time, cost, and quality targets.


2. Demonstrated technical leadership on large projects or critical work-streams, with a strong passion for innovative design, driving technical excellence, and inspiring a culture of innovation.

Behaviours

Leadership (Level 4) Communicating and Influencing (Level 4)


You can find out more about Success Profiles Behaviours here.

Technical / Professional Skills

The Solutions Architect role is aligned to the Senior Technical Architect job role level within the Digital, Data and Technology Profession.



These skills will be tested during the Technical Assessment if you are successful at sift stage. They will be not be assessed at application stage. Please review the following to understand the skill expectations: Technical architect - Government Digital and Data Profession Capability Framework

How to Apply

Apply online, you

must provide a CV and Supporting Statement

(of no more than

750 words

) which provides evidence of how you meet the experience and behaviours listed in the Success Profiles above.



Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools can be used to support your application, but all statements and examples 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, and presented as your own) applications will be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.



Please see our candidate guidance for more information on acceptable and unacceptable uses of AI in recruitment.



Should a large number of applications be received,

an initial sift may be conducted using the CV and Supporting Statement on the First Experience criteria

. Candidates who pass the initial sift will have their applications fully assessed.



Candidates who are successful at sift stage will be invited to attend an Interview and Technical Assessment. The interview will further assess the Experience and Behaviours listed in the job advert and the Technical Assessment will evaluate the Technical Skills relevant to the role.



Candidates who pass the sift and are invited to the Interview and Technical Assessment stage will receive a Technical Assessment Candidate Pack, which will outline the skills to be assessed and the assessment methods to be used.



Following the application sift, there may be a telephone interview as part of the assessment process before the main interview.



We aim to provide feedback on request. However, if we receive a large number of applications it may not be possible for us to provide specific feedback on your application. We will provide feedback on request to candidates who attend an interview/assessment.

Information Session

We are holding a candidate information session for this role to provide you with information about the application and interview process as well as further information on the role and team.



The session will be held on

Thursday, 13th November 2025 at 12pm - 1pm

.



Please join us using the following link to find out more about the role and working for Social Security Scotland:

Join the meeting now

Benefits

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Annual Leave - You will receive 25 days annual leave on joining us. This will increase to 30 days after four full years of service. You will also have 11.5 public and privilege days of leave every year. We also offer Flexi-time. Any extra hours you've worked can be taken as leave when suitable.




A Civil Service Pension - This job comes with a Civil Service pension. New joiners to the Civil Service will join a career average pension scheme as standard. Read more here - www.civilservicepensionscheme.org.uk.




Healthy work life balance - We can offer the possibility of full-time, part-time, term-time, and job shares. We also encourage flexible working.




Discounts - You can enjoy a vast range of retail, travel and lifestyle discounts through our benefit scheme.




Personal support for you - Our Employee Assistance Programme gives you confidential, independent information and guidance 24/7.




Volunteering special leave - Up to six days paid special leave a year for volunteering. We support our staff to help causes important to them.




Great locations - Our bright and modern offices in the heart of Dundee and Glasgow have been designed with staff in mind. Both locations are ideal for public transport.

Things you need to know

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Selection process details

Expected Timeline

(subject to change)

Sift - w/c 24th November 2025

Interview - w/c 8th December 2025

Location -

In Person

in either Dundee or Glasgow



Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

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) 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

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code 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 .
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.

Diversity and Inclusion

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 Diversity and Inclusion Strategy .

Apply and further information

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This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative.
The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

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Job contact :

Name : Resourcing Team Email : recruitment@socialsecurity.gov.scot
#

Recruitment team

Email : recruitment@socialsecurity.gov.scot

Further information

https://www.socialsecurity.gov.scot/working-with-us/help-with-your-application