Credit: Mohamed Hassan/Pxhere   Image has been remixed

The Home Office is seeking a senior leader to oversee the department’s use of automation technologies.

The role as deputy director of automation and innovation – for which applications close today – comes with an annual pay packet of up to £85,000. The successful candidate will be “accountable for setting the direction” for the use of automated systems in the delivery of citizen services such as applying for visas, as well as supporting “the critical IT systems that support policing and counter terrorism and help protect UK borders”.

“Automation is a key strategic focus for the department with high aspirations to become a more automated business,” the job advert said. “As the departmental owner of the Automation Blueprint, you will be responsible for implementing our automation programme and oversee our progress towards delivering key automation targets by the end of the 24/25 financial year. This work will feed into wider productivity and efficiency gains the department seeks to implement over the next three years.”

Related content

• Minister targets digitisation of all immigration documents by end of 2024
• HMRC automation stopped 100,000 ineligible claims for Covid support
• Rees-Mogg cites potential of ‘automation and tech’ as plans are unveiled to axe 91,000 officials

The role, which will be based In Sheffield, will sit within the senior management team of the Home Office’s Chief Technology Office, which spearheads a digital, data and technology function that the department claimed supports more than “500 services with millions of users worldwide”.

“You will also be working with the director for science and technology to drive the corporate innovation operating model and make changes to current approaches through the One Home Office Transformation Programme,” the advert added. 

The Home Office’s previous use of automated processes has not been without controversy in criticism. In 2020, the department suspended the use of an algorithm used to stream visa applications following a judicial review that challenged the lawfulness of the tool and argued that it is inherently racist and discriminatory.