Associate network architect

Band 6 · Network architect · 412 job evaluation points

UK GDaD PCF level: Associate network architect

Most often performed at Civil Service grade EO or HEO.

An associate network architect works with network architects on designs and specifications, with guidance.
At this role level, you will:
be aware and knowledgeable of new technology solutions and produce network design policy
draft recommendations for network support, creating and maintaining network plans and planning infrastructure runs
ensure designs meet SLAs (service level agreements) and develop an understanding of common tools
have an understanding of one or two of the following network technologies: LAN (local area network), WAN (wide area network), wifi, data centre LAN, SD (software-defined) networks, telephony, mobile solutions infrastructure, unified comms, network management solutions, network specific security and remote access technologies and approaches
collaborate with engineers to ensure systems are practically designed

Contains public sector information from the UK Government Digital and Data Profession Capability Framework (https://understand-digital-data-roles-skills.service.gov.uk/), licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. © Crown copyright.

Responsibilities

Draft network designs, diagrams, and specifications with guidance from network architects.
Survey sites and gather requirements for clinical areas, including wireless coverage and device connections.
Keep records of network topology, addressing, and connected devices up to date.
Check that designs meet service levels and security standards before review.

Skills

Skill	Expected level	What this level means
Governance and assuranceUK GDaD PCF	Awareness (1)	You can: explain why governance and assurance is important follow governance and assurance processes, under supervision
IT infrastructureUK GDaD PCF	Working (2)	You can: build, configure, administer and support infrastructure solutions and services, for example, networking and physical infrastructure, commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) software, open source packages and solutions, or virtual and cloud computing
Systems designUK GDaD PCF	Working (2)	You can: translate logical designs into physical designs produce detailed designs effectively document all work using required standards, methods and tools, including prototyping tools where appropriate design systems characterised by managed levels of risk, manageable business and technical complexity, and meaningful impact work with well understood technology and identify appropriate patterns
Systems integrationUK GDaD PCF	Awareness (1)	You can: explain the process and principles of integrating systems. describe challenges of designing, building and testing interfaces between systems
Technical understandingUK GDaD PCF	Awareness (1)	You can: show an awareness of the relevant subject matter and a high level understanding of what it involves
Troubleshooting and problem resolutionUK GDaD PCF	Working (2)	You can: troubleshoot and identify problems across different technology capabilities
Understanding health and care servicesThis reference	Working (2)	You can: explain the clinical and care workflows your work supports use common health care terms correctly with clinical and care colleagues recognise when a change could affect patient care and raise it
Information governance and data protectionThis reference	Awareness (1)	You can: follow the organisation's rules for handling personal and health information recognise and report a data breach or near miss
Clinical risk managementThis reference	Awareness (1)	You can: explain how health IT systems can harm patients, for example through wrong, missing, or delayed information report a possible clinical safety issue through the right route

Typical qualifications and experience

A degree in computing or networking, a recognised networking qualification, or equivalent experience.
Specialist knowledge of network design, at postgraduate diploma level or equivalent experience.

Band 6 outline

Knowledge: Specialist knowledge across a range of procedures, built through further training or experience.
Autonomy: Works independently; interprets policy for own area; seeks advice on complex issues.
Scope: A product, service, or workstream.
Leadership: May lead a small team or mentor colleagues.
Accountability: Outcomes of own workstream and quality of advice given.

Job evaluation (illustrative)

Factor	Level	Level summary	Points
Communication and relationship skills	4	Gives complex, sensitive, or contentious information needing persuasion, negotiation, or training skills, or highly complex information.	32
Knowledge, training, and experience	6	Specialist knowledge across the range of the specialism (postgraduate diploma level or equivalent).	156
Analytical and judgemental skills	4	Judgements on complex facts or situations needing analysis, interpretation, and comparison of options.	42
Planning and organisational skills	3	Plans several complex activities, adjusting plans as needed.	27
Physical skills	2	Skills gained through practice, such as standard keyboard use or driving.	15
Responsibility for patient and client care	1	Helps patients, clients, or relatives during incidental contact.	4
Responsibility for policy and service development	3	Implements policies for own area and proposes changes that affect other areas.	21
Responsibility for financial and physical resources	1	Takes personal care of equipment and resources used in own work.	5
Responsibility for people	1	Shows own work routines to new or less experienced colleagues.	5
Responsibility for information resources	5	Designs and develops major information systems, or runs information systems for several services as the main duty.	34
Responsibility for research and development	2	Regularly does research, development, trials, or equipment and system testing as part of the job.	12
Freedom to act	4	Results are defined, but the job holder decides how to achieve them, within broad policy.	32
Physical effort	1	Sitting, standing, and walking, with little physical effort.	3
Mental effort	3	Frequent concentration on unpredictable work, or occasional prolonged concentration.	12
Emotional effort	1	Rare exposure, or occasional indirect exposure, to distressing circumstances.	5
Working conditions	2	Occasional unpleasant conditions, frequent travel or outdoor work, or near-continuous screen use on most days.	7
Total (Band 6: 396 to 465)			412

Banded above the UK GDaD PCF grade suggestion (Band 5): health-sector adverts place this role at Band 6. Knowledge is scored at postgraduate diploma level, and information resources at level 5 because the job designs parts of the network that major information systems depend on.