Technology Innovation Consultant - DEFRA - G7

Responsibilities

• Continuously scan Defra's business environment and technology market for disruptive trends that could transform operations.
• Develop thought leadership materials such as reports and explainer videos to promote strategic and policy-driven technology adoption.
• Lead the delivery of proof-of-concepts, pilots, and proof-of-value initiatives, securing executive sponsorship and reporting findings to business leaders.
• Work with strategy, policy, and technology architecture teams to shape business models and roadmaps that incorporate emerging technology trends.
• Engage with key technology suppliers and vendors at senior levels to explore partnership and innovation opportunities.
• Build strategic relationships with academia, innovation centres, and government-backed initiatives, driving collaborative IT-enabled innovation projects.
• Champion and lead the Defra Innovation Network, fostering knowledge exchange and ideation within the technology and innovation community.
• Support the continuous improvement of Defra's Technology Innovation exploration processes and associated tools.

Skills & Experience

• Knowledge of emerging technologies, global market trends, and the IT landscape, with the ability to assess their business impact.
• Understanding of Defra's strategic drivers, policies, and IT strategies, ensuring technology trends align with business needs.
• Ability to lead technology-enabled business transformation, from ideation to pilot implementation, delivering clear recommendations.
• Experience in IT consulting, specifically in emerging technology transformation, with the ability to create compelling business visions.
• Proven ability to build networks with senior business leaders, suppliers, and specialist communities, securing investment and sponsorship for innovation.
• Highly creative, with the ability to envision radical business opportunities enabled by technology and deliver persuasive consultancy narratives.
• Strong strategic thinking and judgement, navigating ambiguity while shaping compelling technology adoption strategies.
• Exceptional communication skills, translating complex technical concepts into clear business opportunities for stakeholders at all levels.

Selection process

The Civil Service marks each element of the selection process on a merit basis. You can visit the  gov.uk website for further information on the Civil Service rating scale.

Ensure you have tailored your CV and Personal Statement to the 'responsibilities' and 'skills and experience' section of the job advert by providing examples on how you are suitable for the role using the STAR method. Please ensure you demonstrate clearly, within your personal statement, how you meet these requirements, as the information you provide will form a key part when the panel is scoring your application.

For further information on STAR, you can check out our Hints and Tips document.

Application process

As part of the application process, you will be assessed on your  Experience and will be asked to complete:

• A CV
• A 750-word Personal Statement: "Referring to the 'responsibilities' and 'skills and experience' sections of the job advert, please demonstrate how you are suitable for the role by providing relevant examples."

  Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

  Sift

  Sift will begin shortly after the advert closes.

  Should there be a large number of applications, an initial sift will be conducted using your personal statement. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment or interview.

  Sift and Interview dates to be confirmed. 

  Interview

  If successful at sift, you will be invited to an interview where you will be required to prepare and present a short presentation which will be assessed against the behaviour 'Communicating and Influencing' and the technical skills 'Architecture Communication' & 'Architecture for the Whole Context'. Further information on this will be provided if successful at sift. You will also be assessed on the Behaviours and Technical skills listed below.

  This is a specialised architecture role that blends elements of the Enterprise Architect and Technical Architect roles within the Government Digital Capability Framework. To find out more about them, please visit the website  here.

  Interviews will be held virtually on Microsoft Teams.

  For further information on Success Profiles, you visit the links below and watch our videos on DefraJobs.
  
  Behaviours
  
  Experience
  
  Technical

  Behaviours

  We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

  • Communicating and Influencing
  • Delivering at Pace
    Technical skills

    We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

    • Architecture communication - Level: Practitioner
    • Architecture for the whole context - Level: practitioner
    • Commercial perspective - Level: practitioner
    • Community collaboration - Level: Practitioner
    • Digital Perspective - Level: Practitioner
    • Enterprise Architecture - Level: Practitioner