Do you have an interest in geospatial software and enjoy collaborative working, exploring and investigating problems and using your technical knowledge to develop creative solutions in rapidly changing environments? If so, this is the opportunity for you.

The UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO) develops and serves world leading geospatial software and data solutions to commercial shipping companies, navies and maritime organisations. Our products ensure safe navigation and global trade efficiency and support other marine activities including economic development, environmental protection, resource exploration and utilisation, scientific research and security and defence.

Concept development is an early crucial stage in our product development cycle. It allows us to define our products, prove their viability, and problem solve any potential weaknesses. The Concept Development team sits within our Research Innovation and Integration team and works across the whole Customer Division. This role therefore gives you the opportunity to work closely with teams with a broad range of skills and expertise, spanning research, product development, customer service, marketing and communications and sales.

In this role you will receive guidance and support from the Concept Developer Manager but also the freedom to take ownership of activities and offer creative, as well as innovative solutions.  Specifically, you will be responsible for:

• Performing concept development tasks in line with personal and divisional objectives, as allocated by the Innovation Manager.
• Exploring backgrounds of stated problems and develop creative insight.
• Collaboratively developing concepts with colleagues from around the business.
• Supporting presentation of concept demonstrations and solutions to senior management, as well as the wider business.
• Engaging with external bodies, as required to support delivery by qualified third parties.
• Reporting to the Innovation Manager against allocated RII activities.
• Providing technical advice to the wider business regarding new initiatives and technology trends.

What we are looking for

You will be shortlisted and interviewed against the following profiles:

Technical

• Working knowledge of Geospatial data, analytics and tools
• Aptitude and understanding of programming using languages such as JavaScript, Python, Scala, Spark, Java, SQL etc

Experience

• Experience of working in a fast paced and complex environment, dealing with a variety of short-term projects.

Behaviours

Communicating and Influencing: 

• Can build successful working relationships to effectively advise and present technical concepts to a non-technical audience.

Working together

• Can work effectively as a team player and be both proactive, as well as solution focussed.
• Can work well in partnership with a variety of teams and across organisations as a whole.

The ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential to be successful for the post.  You will therefore be tested on this at interview.

And in return

While our projects are career-defining, the work/life balance that we can offer you is equally exceptional. From a brand new office building that provides a comfortable work environment to flexitime and flexible working, the opportunities open to you at UKHO are hard to beat. 

How to apply

For the full job description and to apply please click the apply button. Applications must be received by 23:55 pm on 1 September 2019.

We guarantee to interview anyone with a disability, whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post. By ‘minimum criteria’ we mean that the evidence you provide in your competency statement must demonstrate that you meet the minimum pass mark, set by the short-list panel, for each criteria listed in the ‘short-list’ section, above. The short-list panel will not be made aware of any individual that has applied under GIS; this information will be processed solely by HR, in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998.

Selection for appointment to the Civil Service is on merit, on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles.