ICT Technical Specialist in Ashford

As an ICT Technical Specialist (Networking Technologies), you will serve as the trust's trusted authority for all non-datacentre network infrastructure. In this senior, hands-on role, you will take full ownership of our wired, wireless, mobile, voice, and data services across the trust, guiding both strategic planning and daily operational delivery. You will act as the key subject matter expert--translating complex technical requirements into reliable, secure, and future-proof networking solutions. By shaping our IT Assurance framework in line with NHS standards and industry best practice, your work will directly support our clinical and corporate teams in delivering high-quality healthcare services. The post holder must hold a full, valid, UK driving licence and have access to a car/vehicle to use for business purposes (unless you have a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010).

Technical Leadership & Strategic Advice

• Act as the lead, "go-to" subject matter expert for networking technologies across the whole trust.
• Provide clear, authoritative advice on specialist network requirements, leading the delivery of key projects to meet organizational goals.
• Contribute to the formulation, planning, and delivery of an IT Assurance framework aligned with NHS governance, ITIL, PRINCE2, and TOGAF standards.

Network Lifecycle & Architecture Design

• Take full lifecycle management responsibility for all trust-wide networking assets and services outside the datacentre--covering wired, wireless, mobile, voice, and data.
• Research, design, and implement appropriate technical architectures and communication topologies.
• Draft detailed technical specifications and evaluation criteria for procurement tenders, assessing supplier proposals and recommending the best-fit solutions for the trust.

Operational Management & Security

• Oversee day-to-day network performance, including security, user administration, configuration, patching, and performance tuning.
• Plan and execute periodic technology refreshes, while managing warranties, support contracts, operating systems, and software licensing compliance.
• Maintain robust business continuity, disaster recovery, and resilience plans for all networking services.
• Create and maintain accurate, up-to-date technical documentation across all system management processes
  Ability to interpret and advice on national NHS guidance and policy on ICT systems, services and standards, and to adopt/adapt local policy accordingly, Three years proven experience in a specialist technician role in networking technologies.
• Experience of designing appropriate resilience and business continuity of networking technologies, Holding a range of professional training certifications for networking technologies

Training, Qualifications and Registration

• Educated to post-graduate level or equivalent experience of working at a senior level in specialist area.
• Evidence of significant personal development through formal courses and/or experience

We are Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust. We care for the mental health and wellbeing of people across Kent and Medway and are rated 'Good' by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Our teams support children, young people and adults with a wide range of mental health needs. We also provide specialist services, including all-age eating disorder services and neurodevelopmental assessments for children and young people, such as autism and ADHD. Because we work across the whole county and across hospital and community settings, we can make care more joined up and easier to access for the people we serve. Our vision is simple: we are here to help communities not just live with mental illness, but live well. It's why we're passionate about working with communities to make mental health care better for everyone. Everything we do is guided by our values: caring, inclusive, curious and confident. Join us if you share our passion for better mental health care and want to be part of a team that's working well together.