Senior Quality Assurance Test Analyst

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office pursues our national interests and projects the UK’s role 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. We employ more than 17,000 staff in 179 countries and territories, across our diplomatic and development offices worldwide, which consists of 282 officially designated Posts. Our UK-based staff work in King Charles Street, London, Abercrombie House in East Kilbride and in Milton Keynes.

The Senior Quality Assurance Test Analyst plays a key role within the Digital Products and Services Department of the Digital, Technology and Security Directorate, helping to deliver high quality, user centred digital products that support the FCDO’s global operations. The role contributes to the design, development, and continuous improvement of digital services used across corporate, policy, diplomatic, and development functions. Working within integrated, multidisciplinary teams, the postholder applies both Government Digital and Data profession standards and FCDO specific expertise, benefiting from a strong learning and development environment and opportunities to collaborate across policy and operational areas.

The purpose of the role is to lead and execute testing activities that ensure systems meet user needs, technical requirements, and organisational standards. This includes applying risk-based testing, shaping testing strategies, managing defects, and promoting quality assurance best practices. It also involves determining when to utilise and leverage non coded automation, alongside appropriate AI and tooling, to enhance the effectiveness and scope of testing. The postholder will build and maintain test suites, support agile delivery, mentor junior testers, and help evolve testing practices, contributing to a wider cultural shift toward improved digital capability across the organisation.

Roles and Responsibilities The successful candidate will:

• Lead test analysis and risk assessment by analysing products, services, processes, and changes, identifying quality risks early, and evaluating the business impact of testing outcomes.
• Develop and implement test strategies and plans in collaboration with multidisciplinary agile teams, ensuring alignment with user needs and organisational goals.
• Define and manage test requirements including environments, data, tooling, and resource needs to support effective and efficient delivery.
• Oversee the design, build, execution, and maintenance of test suites, ensuring appropriate test techniques are applied across both functional and non-functional areas.
• Drive continuous improvement in testing practices by refining techniques, contributing to standards, and leveraging structured feedback loops.
• Establish and manage defect management processes, including tracking, escalation, analysis of defect trends, and recommending quality improvements.
• Provide leadership and coaching to teams, guiding the adoption of quality assurance tools, techniques, and best practice standards.
• Communicate testing strategies, progress, and outcomes clearly to technical and non-technical stakeholders, facilitating discussions with senior and cross-functional audiences.

You may be required to travel between the UK offices monthly.

Open to UK nationals only.

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

This vacancy uses the Success Profiles Framework to assess your Behaviours and Technical Skills. We will use the Senior Quality Assurance Analyst to assess your Technical skills at Application and Interview stages.

Please see the ‘Hints and Tips’ that are provided for your information about how to prepare Behaviour examples at the Application and/or Interview stage.

Application Stage

You will be required to complete the following as part of the online application:

• A CV detailing your career history (including any relevant qualifications). CVs will be assessed against the Essential Criteria outlined in the Person Specification section below.
• A Personal Statement of 750 words explaining how you consider your skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with specific reference to the Essential Criteria. These responses will be explored further during the interview process for shortlisted candidates.

Your application will be assessed on the following:

Behaviours: "Managing a Quality Service" and "Changing and Improving".

Technical Skills: Designing and Executing Tests (Practioner Level) and Test and Quality Planning (Practioner level).

IMPORTANT: If you are applying under the Disability Confident Scheme and require Reasonable Adjustments in order to complete your application, please ensure Government Recruitment Service (GRS) are aware of this on the date of application and certainly by the closing date.

In the event of a large number of applications, we may conduct an initial sift of by CV, Personal Statement and by a lead Technical Skill. For this campaign we will be prioritising Designing and Executing Tests. Only candidates who meet the minimum standard in this Behaviour will have the rest of their application fully assessed.

Interview Stage

At the start of your interview, you will also be asked a non-assessed warm-up question about your motivation for applying for the role.

Candidates will be required to give a 10 minute Presentation at the Interview and the topic will be sent to you in advance. The Presentation will test the following (Technical) skill/Behaviour:

• Designing and Executing Tests (Practitioner Level)

You will also be assessed on the following behaviours: Making Effective Decisions and Working Together.

Technical Skills: "Test Analysis (Practioner Level)", "Managing, Reporting and Resolivng Defects (Practioner Level)" and "Test and Quality Planning (Practioner Level)".

At the end of your interview, you will be asked a non-assessed closing question about a potential challenge related to the role.

Please note that the FCDO carries out name-blind (anonymised) recruitment to help build a more diverse and inclusive workforce. The personal information on your Application form and/or CV will be concealed during the sifting phase, and only the names of those who are being invited for Interviews will be made known to the Panel.

The FCDO has appointed the Government Recruitment Service to manage the process.

Closing Date: 12th October 2026

Sifting Date: 19th October 2026

Interviews : 23rd November 2026

Reasonable Adjustment

If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:

Contact Government Recruitment Service via fcdorecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

Complete the ‘Assistance required’ section in the ‘Additional requirements’ page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.

Further Information

A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.

Any move to FCDO from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk

New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.

A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

If you are experiencing accessibility problems reading the Candidate Pack, such as through screen reader software, please contact our Team via fcdorecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk and we will share a Word version of this.

If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out.

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service and Disclosure Scotland on your behalf.

However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.

For further information on the Disclosure Scotland confidential checking service telephone: the Disclosure Scotland Helpline on 0870 609 6006 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email Info@disclosurescotland.co.uk

This role is full time only. Applicants who wish to work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.