DWP Seeks New Chief Technology Officer

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has started the search for a chief technology officer (CTO), a £135,000 a year role.

According to the job advert, the person chosen to fill the role will be responsible for leading the technical strategy and architecture for the Department.

The role specification reveals that DWP is seeking someone who holds both strong leadership qualities and high technical knowledge.

“We use diverse technologies from Mainframe to Node.js, MongoDB and Hadoop running on several thousand servers, run Europe’s largest VOIP contact centre and securely transact the majority of UK’s BACS banking transactions,” claims DWP Director General of Digital Technology Mayank Prakash, who the successful CTO will report to.

Personal qualities the Department is looking for include a passion for technology, “gravitas to confidently challenge and influence,” strong work ethic, good attention to detail and effective communication skills.

The successful participant will also be required to demonstrate the new Civil Service Competencies:

• Building Capability for All
• Delivering Value for Money
• Leading and Communicating
• Collaborating and Partnering
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Delivering at Pace.

“This is one of the most challenging and rewarding technology roles in the UK today,” claimed Prakash.  

“It requires an individual with a unique combination of credible leadership skills at a senior level and hands on technical expertise to influence technology design that affects millions of lives.

“I joined DWP motivated by this opportunity to make a difference. I find myself working with a team of colleagues who trust each other and are determined to deliver critical next generation national infrastructure,” he added.