Technical Expert, Notes Operations

Essex, England, United Kingdom

12/17/2024

The Notes Operations Division - part of Banking Directorate - fulfils the Bank's obligations as the sole issuer of banknotes in England and Wales. Operational staff are based in Essex at our cash centre with other roles based in London at its Threadneedle Street offices. We rely on expertise in fields as diverse as economic and quantitative modelling, risk analysis, operations, sustainability and science. In fulfilling our role to maintain confidence in our currency, it is important that we ensure:

The right note - the public has access to genuine, high-quality banknotes of a range of denominations.

The right place - a well-run cash industry exists to supply banknotes efficiently across the country.

The right time - the Note Circulation Scheme ensures peaks in public banknote demand e.g. Christmas are met consistently.

We also fulfil a statutory responsibility to ensure public confidence in banknotes issued by Scottish and Northern Ireland banks.

The Banknote Security and Design (BSD) team is based within Notes Operations at our Debden Cash Centre in Essex. The team comprises a diverse mixture of technical specialists in the fields of design, science and engineering that supports:

• pioneering design and development of banknote security features
• banknote product design for the next generation of banknotes
• technical support for the continued manufacturing and quality control of existing banknotes
• counterfeit threat assessment and support for law enforcement
• a framework for the testing the efficacy of automatic cash handling machines

The team works collaboratively with its contracted supplier of banknotes, specialists and technical suppliers from around the globe, academia, other Central Banks, law enforcement agencies, such as the National Crime Agency and banknote equipment manufacturers.

Job Description

This is an exciting technical role for a scientist to make a real impact within the BSD team to:

• Contribute to the technical assessment of new security feature technology.
• Contribute to technical projects supporting the design development and production of our current and future generations of banknotes.

As part of the BSD team, you will be a key contributor on technical projects towards research and development of innovative next generation security features and banknote designs, collaborating closely with external technology suppliers in fulfilment of this role. As a scientist you will also provide expert technical support for the operational teams that carry out quality inspection of new banknotes, counterfeit and mutilated note analysis, inspection of used banknotes and testing of cash processing machines.

Role Requirements

Minimum Criteria

• Scientist or Engineer (BSc or equivalent in a STEM subject) with a proven track record in a previous technical or scientific development role.
• Problem solving - Evidence of applying judgement and critical thinking to solving technical challenges in an academic or industrial scientific environment.
• Can demonstrate an ability to collaboratively work with peers to achieve project goals.

Essential Criteria

• Experience of contributing to technical projects working within a project management or new product development framework.
• Experience of working to a Quality Management System to deliver high quality products and projects.
• Ability to gather, assess and communicate data critically, combined with subject matter knowledge to solve technical challenges.
• Interpersonal skills - Strong communication and diplomacy skills to persuade and influence up to and including senior levels and external audiences.
• Is meticulous, capable of working individually in an organised manner. Methodical and detailed, willing to tackle challenges and propose innovative solutions.
• Able to present technical information clearly and with authority to a non-technical audience.

Desirable Criteria

• Functional knowledge - experience of commercial printing processes, polymer technologies, polymer films, or similar.
• Functional knowledge - experience in the field of banknotes, security documents, anti-counterfeiting and/or cash machine technologies.
• Experience in quality assurance or quality control procedures and methodologies.
• Experience of using advanced data analytics tools (e.g. Excel, R, Python, Tableau, or Power BI).
• Experience with graphic design software such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator or similar.
• Chartered status within a related and recognised professional institution.

This role will include occasional national and international travel opportunities that the applicant should be comfortable with; to attend conferences, working groups and visiting suppliers.

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Our Approach to Inclusion
The Bank values diversity, equity and inclusion. We play a key role in maintaining monetary and financial stability, and to do that effectively, we believe we need a workforce that reflects the society we serve.


At the Bank of England, we want all colleagues to feel valued and respected, so we're working hard to build an inclusive culture which supports people from all backgrounds and communities to be at their best at work. We celebrate all forms of diversity, including (but not limited to) age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, race, religion, sexual orientation and socioeconomic status. We believe that it's by drawing on different perspectives and experiences that we'll continue to make the best decisions for the public.


We welcome applications from individuals who work flexibly, including job shares and part time working patterns. We've also partnered with external organisations to support us in making adjustments for candidates and employees in the recruitment process where they're needed.


For most roles where work can be carried out at home, we aim for colleagues to spend half of their time in the office, with a minimum of 40% per month. Subject to that minimum requirement, individuals and managers should work together to find what works best for them, their team and stakeholders.


Finally, we're proud to be a member of the Disability Confident Scheme. If you wish to apply under this scheme, you should check the box in the 'Candidate Personal Information' under the 'Disability Confident Scheme' section of the application.


Salary and Benefits Information
We encourage flexible working, part time working and job share arrangements. Part time salary and benefits will be on a pro-rated basis as appropriate.

This role offers a salary of circa £52,730 - £67,000. In addition, we also offer a comprehensive benefits package as detailed below:

• A non-contributory, career average pension giving you a guaranteed retirement benefit of 1/95th of your annual salary for every year worked. There is the option to increase your pension (to 1/50th) or decrease (to 1/120th) in exchange for salary through our flexible benefits programme each year.
• A discretionary performance award based on a current award pool.
• A 8% benefits allowance with the option to take as salary or purchase a wide range of flexible benefits.
• 26 days' annual leave with option to buy up to 12 additional days through flexible benefits.
• Private medical insurance and income protection.
  
  

National Security Vetting Process
Employment in this role will be subject to the National Security Vetting clearance process (and typically can take between 6 to 12 weeks post offer) and the passing of additional Bank security checks in accordance with the Bank policy. Further information regarding the vetting and security clearance requirements for the role will be provided to the successful applicant, and information about how the Bank processes personal data for these purposes, is set out in the Bank's Privacy Notice.

The Bank of England welcomes applications from all candidates, but as a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) approved sponsor, we have a responsibility to comply with the Immigration Rules and guidance. As such, our ability to employ individuals who require sponsorship for immigration purposes is limited. The Bank cannot guarantee that you and / or the role you are applying for will be eligible for sponsorship and that any application made to UKVI will be successful. Eligibility will therefore be considered on a case by case basis.

The Application Process
Important: Please ensure that you complete the 'work history' section and answer ALL the application questions fully. All candidate applications are anonymised to ensure that our hiring managers will not be able to see your personal information, including your CV, when reviewing your application details at the screening stage. It's therefore really important that you fill out the work history and application form questions, as your answers will form a critical part of the initial selection process.


The assessment process will comprise of two interview stages.

This role closes on 17th January 2025.


Please apply online, ensuring that you complete your work history and answer ALL the application questions fully and in detail as your application will not be considered if all mandatory questions are not fully completed.



Desired Skills and Experience

Scientist or Engineer (BSc or equivalent in a STEM subject) with a proven track record in a previous technical or scientific development role.
Problem solving - Evidence of applying judgement and critical thinking to solving technical challenges in an academic or industrial scientific environment.
Can demonstrate an ability to collaboratively work with peers to achieve project goals.