Test Manager (ARE)

Lead the quality strategy behind digital services that support more than £600 million of payments into Scotland's rural economy every year.

As a newly created Test Manager role, you will provide technical leadership for the functional, automation and performance test teams within the Division, in addition to providing guidance and advice to the Directorate’s user acceptance test function. You will own ARE’s Test Strategy and engage with stakeholders across and outwith the Directorate, forming productive relationships to deliver value and build confidence in the critical assurance activities.

This post reports to the Head of Software Engineering (C2) at the heart of the Digital Service Operations branch, which is responsible for the effective running of ARE’s digital services.

The Agriculture and Rural Economy (ARE) Directorate of the Scottish Government is part of the DG Net Zero family of Directorates. ARE’s mission is to work together with stakeholders to enable vibrant and thriving communities and businesses, that protect and enhance Scotland’s nature. ARE relies on digital services to deliver its commitment to support Scotland’s sustainable economic growth in agriculture, the food industry and in rural areas. It does this through direct payments; a broad range of best practice support and education; and ensuring compliance with regulations.

For example, approximately £600 million is paid annually to customers using the major Rural Payments and Services (RP&S) digital platform and other supporting systems. ARE Digital and Data (AD&D) is responsible for providing the capability and capacity that ensures these digital services are reliable, secure and up to date. This requires a broad range of technical competencies, mostly provided by in-house and contracted specialists working in multidisciplinary teams.

• Shape the testing function through recruitment and development, including training and addressing skills gaps.

Creation, implementation, and continued maintenance of the Directorate’s Test Policy/Strategy.

Provide recommendations on test tooling and techniques, implementing and embedding these into standard practices in the overall QA approach, including automation and service validation.

Responsibility for seeking industry best practices and advising on QA improvements, such as refining existing processes or creating new ones and embedding automation.

Liaise with stakeholders to establish and maintain the risk-based test approach to all areas of testing, including system, SIT, and OAT, with a strong appreciation for promoting test automation.

Work closely with delivery and product teams to manage timelines, test coverage, and overall test quality across the portfolio.

Oversee multiple work streams and assure all test deliverables on the work stream adhere to the standards defined in policy. This includes supplier-led deliveries, regular maintenance updates, and small to medium-sized deliveries.

Responsible for portfolio management, including establishing and maintaining influential relationships across the work stack and future-proofing the team’s capability.

Take responsibility for talent, succession planning, and supplier management.

Establish and maintain influential relationships with teams internal and external to the Digital team with the view of implementing policy and/or consulting on best practices.

Lead on remediation and coordination between multiple teams in the pursuit of resolving defects.

Report on progress, risks, issues, and dependencies at all stages of test delivery.

Accountable for all test documentation, including processes to adhere to compliance and auditability.

Success Profile

Success profiles are specific to each job, and they include the mix of experience, skills and behaviours candidates will be assessed on.

Experience

• Lead Criteria 1 - You Lead It: Proven experience of leading a test function across functional and non-functional testing in an authoritative position, providing advice and guidance on test planning and execution, and working with external delivery suppliers.
• Lead Criteria 2 - You Design It: Experience of designing and executing a wide range of testing techniques, and communicating test results and expectations to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• You Collaborate: Demonstrable ability to work effectively with cross-functional business and technical teams.
• You Know It: In-depth knowledge/qualification of industry standards for testing, including Test automation frameworks and products, and a solid understanding of the risks presented by delivery.
  
  

Experience is assessed at sift, along with a more in-depth assessment at interview.

Technical Skills

This role is aligned to the Test Manage Job Role within the Quality Assurance Testing (QAT) Job Family.

You can find out more about the skills required, here:Test manager - Government Digital and Data Profession Capability Framework

These skills are assessed by technical assessment, designed to represent the role. Candidates reaching this stage will receive a Technical Assessment Candidate Pack which outlines the specific skills to be assessed, plus the method of assessment.

Behaviours

• Changing and Improving (Level 4)
• Making Effective Decisions (Level 4)
  
  

You can find out more about Success Profiles Behaviours, here.

Behaviours are assessed at interview. Full details will be shared in advance with all candidates invited to this stage.

How To Apply

Apply online, providing a CV and Supporting Statement (of no more than 750 words) which provides evidence of how you meet each of the 4 Experience criteria listed in the Success Profile above.

Candidates will have their applications assessed against all Experience criteria. If a large number of applications are received an initial sift will be conducted on the Lead Criteria highlighted above. Candidates who pass the initial sift will have their applications fully assessed.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools can be used to support your application, but all statements and examples provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, and presented as your own) applications will be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.

Please see our candidate guidance for more information on acceptable and unacceptable uses of AI in recruitment.

If invited for further assessment, this will consist of an interview and GDD Technical assessment where the behaviours, experiences and technical skills outlined in the Success Profile will be assessed.

The sift is scheduled for w/c Monday 28th September

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Interviews and Technical assessments are scheduled for w/c Monday 19th October, however these may be subject to change.

Skilled Worker Sponsorship Not Being Offered

Skilled Worker sponsorship is not available for this role. As a result, we are unable to appoint candidates who require Skilled Worker sponsorship now or in the future. Applicants must have an existing and ongoing right to work in the UK.

Recruitment Principles

As a government organisation, we adhere to the Civil Service Commission Recruitment Principles and we investigate any complaints received in relation to recruitment cases.

About Us

The Scottish Government is the devolved government for Scotland. We have responsibility for a wide range of key policy areas including education, health, the economy, justice, housing, and transport. We offer rewarding careers and employ people across Scotland in a wide range of professions and roles.

Our staff are part of the UK Civil Service, working for Ministers and senior stakeholders to deliver vital public services which improve the lives of the people of Scotland.

We offer a supportive and inclusive working environment along with a wide range of employee benefits. Find out more about what we offer.

As part of the UK Civil Service, we uphold the Civil Service Nationality Rules.

Working pattern

Our standard hours are 35 hours per week and we offer a range of flexible working options depending on the needs of the role, including Flexi-leave. Scottish Government staff in hybrid-compatible roles should aim to work in-person 40% of the time, either in an office or other agreed work location. If you have specific questions about the role you are applying for, please contact us.

If you have specific questions about the role you are applying for, please contact: Digitalcareers@gov.scot

Security checks

Successful candidates must complete the Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS), before they can be appointed. BPSS is comprised of four main pre-employment checks – Identity, Right to work, Employment History and a Criminal Record check (unspent convictions).

You can find out more about BPSS on the UK Government website, or read about the different levels of security checks in our Candidate Guide.

Government, Digital and Data Profession

The Government Digital and Data (GDD) Profession is a UK-wide group of over 24,000 civil servants dedicated to driving digital transformation in government through more efficient, data-driven public services. This community oversees a wide range of responsibilities, including architects, data scientists, engineers, and content designers, across different, multidisciplinary teams.

The profession, sponsored by the Government Digital Service (GDS), offers the frameworks, skills, and development routes necessary for these individuals to thrive and produce improved outcomes for the public.

Equality Statement

We are committed to equality and inclusion, and we aim to recruit a diverse workforce that reflects the population of our nation. 

Find out more about our commitment to diversity and how we offer and support recruitment adjustments for anyone who needs them.

Further information

Find out more about our organisation, what we offer staff members and how to apply on our Careers Website.

Read our Candidate Guide for further information on our recruitment and application processes.

Apply before (Sunday 13th September at 23:59)

Contact Name: Siddartha Behera

Contact e-Mail: Digitalcareers@gov.scot