Candidate Information Pack
Job title: Digital Innovation Apprentice
Pay band: AO (Fixed Term)
Vacancy reference: TBD
Closing date: TBD
Welcome message from Claire Harrison
If you take a medicine, use a medical device or are given a vaccine in the UK, MHRA will have played a role in making sure it is safe and effective. Digital technology has the potential to make a profound contribution to this work by providing our people and our customers with the digital tools they need.
The MHRA’s Technology, Digital, Data and Delivery team, TD3, is responsible for making sure that our scientists, inspectors and all of our staff have the tools they need to deliver the very best serivces we can to continually improve outcomes for patients and our customers.
Our Digital, Data and Technology (DDaT) Strategy is a broad and exciting porfolio of change, delivering new products that have the potential to transform the Agency’s entire operations and responds to the interconnected and complex challenges we face:
Claire Harrison
Chief Technical Officer - Technology | Digital | Data | Delivery
About the Agency
Our mission, as a world-leading scientific organisation, is to enhance and improve the health of millions of people every day through the effective regulation of medicines and medical devices, underpinned by science and research.
Our diverse range of over 1,200 staff includes some of the best medical and scientific experts in the world and they have a direct impact on the lives of millions of people, not just in the UK but across the globe. Over the past two years the MHRA has been at the forefront the approval of vaccines to help combat the Covid-19 pandemic and it is a widely trusted and respected organisation for all of its scientific work.
We are an executive agency, sponsored by the Department of Health. We are responsible for:
With a range of interesting specialist opportunities on offer, and plenty of scope to develop your career within our world-leading scientific organisation, consider a career with us at our offices in central London or Hertfordshire and help us work towards our common purpose of protecting health and improving lives.
Job description and person specification
Job title:
Digital Innovation Apprentice
Vacancy ref:
TBD
Pay band
and salary:
AO
£23,323
Contract type:
2 years Fixed Term, Full Time
Location:
London
Hours:
37 per week (excluding lunch break)
Accountable to:
Apprenticeship Programme Leader
Purpose
of the role:
Digital Innovation Apprentices are based in TD3 (Technology, Digital, Data, Delivery) as part of our Apprenticeship Programme. This combines traditional academic learning with work-based learning and project work, making it easier to apply new knowledge and skills in the workplace environment.
Apprentices undertake a two-year course in Digital Innovation with Ada, the National College for Digital Skills. The course is aligned to the Level 4 Software Developer Standard leading to a Foundation Degree validated by the Open University.
Apprentices may be eligible to continue onto a third year with TD3 if they pass work assessments and their Leve 4. The third year aligns to a full degree. Third year in TD3 will have expectations including successfully delivering small projects on their own, taking ownership of engineering activities and collaboration in a professional manner.
Apprentices will shadow roles in a number of functional teams to broaden their knowledge and experience, including:
The course includes a work-based project, successful completion of which is mandatory. This will take place in workplace where theoretical skills will be enhanced with practical experience.
Key Responsibilities:
Success Profiles:
The Civil Service recently launched a new recruitment framework called Success Profiles, which has replaced the Civil Service Competency Framework.
Success Profiles are made up of 5 elements: Behaviours, Strengths, Ability, Experience, Technical but it is unlikely that you will be assessed against all 5.
Behaviours, Experience and Technical elements will be assessed through your application form, in the first instance.
Technical element
Criteria
Candidates must have 5 GCSEs, A*-C or the new grades 4-9, English Language (or equivalent).
Candidates must be educated at the minimum of Level 3 (A Level, BTEC, NVQ Level 3).
Candidates must have A Level Maths, A*-B Grade.
Candidates must have the right to work in the United Kingdom.
Modern standards approach
Awareness of adopting a modern standards approach to software development.
Programming and build (software engineering)
Awareness of agile software development, design, code, test, automation and document simple programs or scripts under the direction of others.
User focus
Awareness of user stories / requirements, focusing on user needs and taking on feedback.
Service Support
Awareness and assisting in the investigation and resolution of code, configuration, and infrastructure problems under the direction of others.
The above skills relate to a number of entry level roles in the Digital, Data and Technology (DDaT) Profession Capability Framework, such as:
Assessment
Application form, Interview
Behaviours element
Criteria
Communicating and Influencing
Ability to put forward your views in a clear, constructive and considerate manner, using an appropriate method of communication such as an email, telephone call or face-to-face.
Delivering at Pace
Ability to concentrate working with focus and pace to get the job done on time and to a high standard.
Working Together
Able to proactively contribute to the team and remain open to taking on new and different roles. Ask for help when needed and support others when the opportunity arises.
Assessment
Application form, Interview
Experience element
Criteria
Ownership and initiative
Taking ownership of a body of work or an incidence and continue working through to completion.
Problem management
Investigating problems and helping to find an appropriate solution.
Commitment
A track record of delivering against committed activities and persevering through challenges and changing circumstance.
Assessment
Application form, Interview
Strengths element
Criteria
Learner
You are inquisitive, you seek out new information and look for new ways to develop yourself.
Problem Solver
You take a positive approach to tackling problems and find ways to identify suitable solutions.
Focussed
You strive to deliver on time with quality outcomes in an inclusive collaborative manner.
Assessment
Application form, Interview
The Civil Service Code:
These core values support good government and ensure the achievement of the highest possible standards in all that the Civil Service does. You can find out more about our values, standards of behaviour and rights and responsibilities in The Civil Service Code.
Civil Service Values:
Integrity putting the obligations of public service above personal interests
Honesty being truthful and open
Objectivity basing advice and decisions on rigorous analysis of the evidence
Impartiality acting solely according to the merits of the case and serving equally well governments of different political persuasions.
Agency Values:
The code is reflected in the agency’s values, which state that we will strive to be:
Innovative
Proactive
Impartial
Evidence-based
Open
Trustworthy
Benefits: