36013 - Junior Developer (Ruby)

£33,929 - £42,107
2
12 Months
London
London
102 PETTY FRANCE LONDON, SW1H 9AJ
HEO
Cb
Fixed Term
For a period of up to 2 years
Full Time, Part Time/Job Share, Flexible Working
Information Technology

We welcome and encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce and pride ourselves as being an employer of choice. To find out more about how we champion diversity and inclusion in the workplace, visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/equality-and-diversity

LAA Digital, part of the Ministry of Justice, is looking for Software Developers who want to make a difference by working on public services that really matter.

What you would be doing

You will be a member of a multidisciplinary team, learning to write code and operate software in either our Get Legal Aid or Get Paid team.

You will work with user researchers, product managers, designers, business analysts, delivery managers and content specialists who share a vision for making better government through smarter use of technology. You will challenge the status quo.

Our tech stack

We rely heavily on:

  • Ruby to write our application code (Python and Java too, but not for this role)
  • Circle CI for deployment
  • Sentry for application monitoring
  • Kubernetes and Docker to schedule and run our services (read about our Cloud Platform)
  • AWS for most of our infrastructure
  • GOV.UK Design System for our web interfaces
  • Macs to do all of the above

We’re happy to help you learn our tech stack once you’re part of our team. Check out GitHub for a closer look at the technology we use. We subscribe to the manifesto for agile software development.

Our community

We currently have 4 junior developers and over 25 more experienced developers who make up the broader engineering community. You will receive coaching and mentoring from senior colleagues and take part in informal support networks with your peers. The junior developer role is as much about learning the craft as it is delivery.

Take a look at our developer blog.

Your experience and values

As a junior developer at MoJ you will:

  • Design, build and maintain APIs, services and systems
  • Write automated tests to support our continuous deployment environment
  • Follow our engineering standards, tooling and processes

You may be fit for this role if you:

  • Have 1 years work experience as a software developer or have changed career via a bootcamp or similar
  • Are looking for your first developer role after following bootcamp or university study, or have some limited experience in a junior role
  • Thrive when you work as part of a team
  • Enjoy learning and helping others
  • Hold yourself and others to a high standard
  • Solve problems in a systematic way

You’ll value:

  • Continuous learning and development
  • Being inclusive, supportive, inquisitive and responsible (MoJ D&T core values)
  • Working with integrity, honesty, objectivity and impartiality (Civil Service core values)

To learn more about what junior developers do in government please review the DDaT Capability Framework:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/junior-developer-skills-they-need/junior-developer-skills-they-need

About LAA Digital

LAA Digital is a part of MOJ Digital and Technology. The Legal Aid Agency (LAA) is rapidly transforming and LAA Digital’s mission is to help people get the legal support they need by building world-class services that put the user first, overhauling the legacy technology that underpins our systems and making better use of data to improve our services.

 

LAA Digital has a diverse portfolio of products and services to suit a wide range of developer skills. We have a mature, in-house software development team, building services with both public and professional user interfaces, built on top of our APIs and Cloud Platform. The product team you are placed on will be agreed closer to your start date but examples of products include:

About MoJ Digital and Technology

MOJ Digital and Technology have a clear vision - to develop a digitally-enabled justice system that works more simply for users - and we’re looking for talented people to help us achieve it. We’re making things better by building adaptable, effective services and making systems that are simple to use for staff and citizens. It can be challenging but it’s also important and rewarding.

As well as doing great work, we’re creating a place that’s great to do work in. We offer tip-top kit, brilliant training opportunities and support from expert colleagues. On top of that, you’ll find flexible working, an inclusive culture and a place where your opinion is valued.

We have a great culture and use modern tools (like Macbooks, Slack and Google apps).

We have a “10% time” policy which will give you time to develop yourself and your colleagues. This time, equivalent to 1/2 day in a 5 day working week, can be spent on training courses, and the communities of practice you’ll belong to, which will allow you to keep up to date with the latest technologies and trends. Each developer has a £1000 budget for learning and development. We understand the importance of investing in people’s potential and we have an ambition to be the best in government at this and have published a learning and development prospectus.

How you’ll be assessed

In the Civil Service, we use Success Profiles, a flexible framework, to assess candidates against a range of elements using a variety of selection methods, therefore giving you the opportunity to demonstrate the various elements required to be successful in the role.

At the interview we will be assessing your technical/specialist skills and experience, testing your ability through relevant assessments and asking you questions around the behaviours we require to be successful in this role. The behaviours we assess are:

  • Working together
  • Developing self and others
  • Making effective decisions
  • Changing and improving

Your application during Coronavirus (COVID-19)

During these unprecedented times we remain committed to supporting citizens, enabling them to access government information and services they need.

We’re closely monitoring the situation and will be following central government advice as it is issued. Therefore, this role may be subject to change at short notice.

If your application is successful you may be invited to attend a video interview. You can keep up to date with your application through your emails.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability status.

Selection process details

Candidates must submit

  • a current and relevant CV;
  • a Cover letter (1 page max) setting out why you are interested in the role and how you meet the essential skills and experience required.

At the CV review/sift stage we will use the specialist skills and experience to determine your suitability for the role. At the interview we ask you questions based on the specialist skills and experience as well as behaviours outlined.

At the Interview we will ask open-ended questions to which they are seeking answers/evidence of essential, previous skills, experience and behaviours in order to guide their hiring decision. Note: interviews are expected to last one hour. Note: due to the volume of applications we receive we are unable to provide feedback after the CV review (sift) stage.

Salary and working arrangements

If successful, the salary we offer you will be within the advertised range and will depend on the skills and experience you demonstrate at the interview. Therefore in your cover letter it would be helpful to the hiring teams if you can indicate your salary expectations and if possible your notice period.

Benefits:

  • 37 hours/week and flexible working options - working from home or remotely, working part-time, job sharing, or working compressed hours.
  • We have a fantastic learning and development offer
  • £1000 of learning and development spend per year
  • A civil service pension with employer contributions of 26-30% depending on salary.
  • 25 days annual leave, which increases 1 day per year up to maximum of 30 days (plus bank holidays), and an extra day off for the Queen’s birthday.
  • Great maternity, adoption, and shared parental leave, with up to 26 weeks leave at full pay, 13 weeks with partial pay, and 13 weeks further leave. And maternity support/paternity leave at full pay for 2 weeks, too!
  • Bike loans and secure bike parking (subject to availability and location)
  • Season ticket loans, childcare vouchers and eye-care vouchers.
  • 5 days volunteering paid leave.
  • Free membership to BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT.

Things you need to know

Security and Immigration checks

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check. Candidates will be subject to UK immigration requirements as well as Civil Service nationality rules.

If you're applying for a role requiring security clearance please be aware that foreign or dual nationality is not an automatic bar. However certain posts may have restrictions which could affect those who do not have sole British nationality or who have personal connections with certain countries outside the UK.

Nationality requirements

Open to UK,Commonwealth and European Economic Area (EEA) and certain non EEA nationals. Further information on whether you are able to apply is available here.

Eligibility

Candidates in their probationary period are not eligible to apply for vacancies within this department.

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 equality of opportunity. There is a guaranteed interview scheme (GIS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. Contact point for applicants- for further information regarding this role please contact MoJ D&T Recruitment.

Further information

All Civil Servants will adhere to the 'Civil Service code’, which outlines the Civil Service's core values, and the standards of behaviour expected of all civil servants in upholding these values.

Note for current Civil Servants: If successful, the salary offered would normally be determined by applying the MoJ salary progression rules. If the appointment is on level transfer your substantive salary (excluding any allowances) will remain unchanged, unless it exceeds the maximum stated within the MoJ pay band, and unless your current salary is below the relevant MoJ grade minimum. If the appointment is on temporary or substantive promotion the salary will be increased by the appropriate promotion percentage or moved to the minimum of the relevant MoJ grade minimum, whichever is the greater. Civil Servant Applicants should be aware there may be an opportunity for you to be transferred on a permanent basis if this role has been advertised as a fixed term appointment.

Note for non Civil servant applicants: This post is open to UK Nationals, Commonwealth Citizens, EEA Nationals of other member states and certain non-EEA family members. There must be no employment restrictions or time limit on your permitted stay in the UK. You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for at least 3 years and in some cases 5 or even 10 years preceding your application due to the requirement to have a checkable history for security vetting purposes. If you answer 'No' to the questions regarding nationality then it is unlikely your application will be pursued. If you are unsure as to your eligibility on any of these points, please contact the recruitment team for clarification or advice. Non Civil Servant Applicants should be aware there may be an opportunity for this post to be converted to permanency if it has been advertised as a fixed term appointment.  

Expected: Interviews w/c 24 August 20

10/08/2020, 23:55 hours.

If you require any assistance please call 0845 241 5359 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com Please quote the job reference - 36013.

To apply for roles in MOJ you will need to confirm your employment history for at least 3 years prior to the date of application so that pre-employment checks (BPSS) can be undertaken. If you have spent significant time abroad (a total of 6 months in the past 3 years) you would be required to give a reasonable account of the reasons why. 

For some roles you will be required to successfully complete National Security Vetting at Counter Terrorism (CTC), Security Clearance (SC) or Developed Vetting (DV) level as a condition of appointment. To meet CTC/SC/DV requirements you will normally need to have been resident in the UK for at least 3/5/10 years prior to the date of application (The level of checks that are required are stated in the advert).

If you do not meet the above requirements, you may still be considered if, for example:

  • You've been serving overseas with HM Forces or in some other official capacity as a representative of HM Government
  • You were studying abroad
  • You were living overseas with parents

In such cases you will need to be able to provide referee cover for the period(s) of residence overseas. The duration of overseas residence and the country of abode will also be taken into account.

Success Profiles will enable a fairer and more inclusive method of recruitment by enabling us to assess the range of experiences, abilities, strengths, behaviours and technical/professional skills required for different roles. This flexible approach to recruitment focuses more on finding the right candidate for the specific role. To find out more about Success Profiles to support your application please click here for further guidance.

if you feel that your application has not been treated in line with the Civil Service Recruitment Principles, please contact SSCL (Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com) in the first instance

We have provided detail of the assessment stages and areas being assessed to help you prepare for completing your application form, and to advise of what will be assessed following this, if you successfully pass the application stage.


Application form stage assessments

Interview stage assessments

There is 1 interview stage for this vacancy.

A Great Place to Work for Veterans

The "Making the Civil Service a Great Place to work for veterans" initiative includes a guaranteed interview scheme to those who meet the minimum criteria to provide eligible former members of the Armed Forces with opportunities to secure rewarding jobs. Allowing veterans to continue to serve their country, and to bring highly skilled individuals with a broad range of experience into the Civil Service in an environment, which recognises and values your previous service in the Armed Forces.
For further details about the initiative and eligibility requirements visit : https://www.gov.uk/government/news/making-the-civil-service-a-great-place-to-work-for-veterans

Redeployment Interview Scheme

Civil Service departments are expected to explore redeployment opportunities before making an individual redundant. The MoJ are committed, as part of the Redeployment Interview Scheme, to providing opportunities to those who are 'at risk of redundancy'.

MoJ are able to offer an interview to eligible candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns. Candidate's will not be eligible for the Redeployment Interview Scheme if they are applying on promotion.

For further information and to apply for this position please see the following link: Apply here.

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) https://www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families

· 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 a new window) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rules

This Vacancy is closed to applications.