AMS PSR

On behalf of FCDO, we are looking for a Test Lead (Inside IR35) for a contract until December '26 based hybrid in East Kilbride 2-3 days per week.

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) pursues our national interests and projects the UK as a force for good in the world. We promote the interests of British citizens, safeguard the UK's security, defend our values, reduce poverty, and tackle global challenges with our international partners.

SC Clearance is an essential requirement for this role, as a minimum you must be willing & eligible to undergo checks. Please note, due to the exceptional requirements of this position (short-term nature of this role and speed at which we require a postholder in situ) preference may be given to candidates who meet all of the essential criteria and hold active security clearance.

As a Test Lead, your main responsibilities will be:

• Working in a multidisciplinary agile team on a wide range of digital projects, you will use Government Digital Service Standards (GDS) and software testing tools.
• Lead the testing team in planning, designing, and executing test strategies and test cases.
• Define and implement test processes, standards, and best practices.
• Coordinate with project managers, developers, Product Managers and other stakeholders to align testing efforts with project goals.
• Manage test environments and ensure readiness for testing activities.
• Monitor and report on test progress, defect metrics, and overall quality status.
• You will contribute to the team community, coaching and mentoring team members, promoting knowledge transfer and a culture of continuous improvement.
• Challenge timelines where appropriate and ensure quality of services is in line with standards.
• Ensure traceability of requirements through test cases and defect tracking.
• Participate in raising and maintaining risks via risk assessments, and provide input on release readiness.

Essential:

• Proven experience as a Test Lead or Senior QA Analyst.
• A strong dedication to developing self and others. Excellent self-organisational and time management skills enabling you to manage multiple projects often under high pressure and to short/urgent timescales.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and stakeholder management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to write clear, structured, and effective test documentation.
• Strong knowledge of software testing life cycle (STLC), test design techniques, and defect management.
• Experience with test management tools (e.g., JIRA, Wiki).

Please be aware that this role can only be worked within the UK and not Overseas.

Disability Confident 

As a member of the Disability Confident Scheme, FCDO guarantees to interview all candidates who have a disability and who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of candidates who have a disability who meet all the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group. This scheme encourages candidates with a disability and/or neurodivergence to apply. In exceptional circumstances, we may also need to apply the desirable criteria in our shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.

Armed Forces Commitment

FCDO guarantees to interview veterans or spouses / partners of military personnel who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of ex-military candidates / military spouses or partners, who meet all of the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group. In exceptional circumstances, we may also need to apply the desirable criteria in our shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.

In applying for this role, you acknowledge the following "this role falls in scope of the Off Payroll Working in the Public Sector legislation. Any rates of payment quoted will reflect the gross rate per day for the assignment and will be subject to appropriate taxes and statutory costs. As such the payment to the intermediary and your income resulting from this contract will be different".