Information Systems Analyst

Transcription

1 Information Systems Analyst Candidate Brief Location Information Systems Team, Information Services, Bernard King Library Grade/Salary Grade 6, 25,513-30,434 Hours 36.5 Contract Fixed Term 18 months Contents Section Abertay University 1 The Service & Area 2 The Role 3 Person Specification 4 Competencies 5 Appointment Details 6 Application Process 7 1

2 1. Abertay University Abertay University is a modern and innovative university with an international reputation as a leading-edge centre of excellence for computer games technology. With around 4,000 students on a compact city centre campus, it has made its mark with high quality, well directed teaching and research and by providing a stimulating and enriching experience for its students. Abertay is committed to being an excellent university, equal to the best in Scotland and making its own unique contribution to society. For more information on our mission and vision please visit: The Campus The campus itself is an eclectic mixture of everything from the Edwardian Old College to our outstanding and award-winning Bernard King Library. The heart of the University lies in Bell Street, with most teaching and learning facilities, offices, research centres and the Library all within just a few yards of each other. The City of Dundee Dundee is a historic city set in a beautiful, sunny location on the east coast of Scotland. The West End of the city is popular, with its historic 19 th century buildings and protected conservation area status, as are outlying towns such as Broughty Ferry and Carnoustie to the east. Dundee also enjoys a convenient central location within Scotland offering easy access to the spectacular scenery of the North Sea Coast, to the historic streets and cultural hub of Edinburgh and the vibrant shopping city of Glasgow. As well as being a compact city, Dundee has good schools and affordable property prices. Although little more than an hour s drive away from Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen, Dundee s property prices can easily be half those of Scotland s largest cities. Further information about Dundee is available at: 2

3 2. The Service and Area Information Services Directorate is a converged ICT and Library service, comprising seven teams that directly support almost all areas of the University business activity. The Service has approximately 60 staff and is headed by the Director of Information Services, Mr. Michael Turpie. The vision for the Service is to achieve excellence in everything we do and contribute significantly to the future transformation of the University. Our staff deliver services that help advance teaching, learning and research for the benefit of all students and staff. An exciting opportunity has arisen within the Information Systems Team for an Information Systems Analyst with an enthusiastic attitude. Reporting to the Information Systems Team Leader, you will work with staff at all levels across the University and contribute to the overall effectiveness of the Service. 3. The Role The Main purpose of the Role You will join a team of specialists helping to deliver, develop, implement, maintain and support the University s corporate information systems. You will take overall responsibility for the dayto-day management, development, maintenance and support of the University s Student Accommodation System (Kinetics). As well as being involved in development, maintenance and support of other Corporate Applications such as the Student Information System (SITS:Vision).You will be involved in a variety of projects, deploying application solutions to meet business and users requirements and management information reporting initiatives. Additionally, you will assist in the maintenance and support of the databases that underpins the delivery of the information systems. At the same time, you will: 1. Carry out complex, high-level development work as well as providing expert advice and guidance to colleagues and the wider University community. 2. Contribute to the development and direction of the University s corporate information systems and the underlying Oracle/Microsoft SQL Server database infrastructure, in accordance with University s requirements and legislation. 3. Co-ordinate with others the delivery of services. 4. Establish, enhance and maintain short and long term relationships with internal and external contacts to meet the requirements of the service area. 5. Collate and analyse data, undertaking complex data analysis as required. 6. Provide short term project management or specialist contribution to projects. 7. Collaborate with other staff to meet service area objectives. You will have the ability to work in a fast paced environment, both autonomously and as a team player and you must be able to hit the ground running. Excellent communication skills are essential and you need to be able to demonstrate a track record of performing the duties of the role. The first major project of this post will be the recommissioning of the Online Student Information Portal. This will involve using your html/java development skills to enhance the web interface for our Online Portal that is delivered to applicants, students and staff. Skills 3

4 The Information Systems Analyst role has been mapped to the industry good practice Skills Framework for the Information Age (SFIA). This role is a SFIA minimum entry level 4 role with the following key skills. Primary skill System design 2 nd Skill Information analysis Requirements definition and management Programming/software development 3 rd Skill Business analysis 4 th Skill Technical specialism 5 th Skill Data analysis 6 th Skill Business process testing Database/repository design Testing Database administration Application support Release and deployment SFIA Level Role Specific Duties and Responsibilities 1. Service Delivery Work with other Information Systems colleagues to manage, develop and support the University s corporate information systems, with a particular focus on the web interfaces and xml integrations. Proactively monitor, investigate, review, maintain and, where appropriate, provide recommendations and enhancements to improve reliability and functionality of corporate information systems. Contribute to the development, design, management and support of Oracle/SQL Server databases. Ensure that the necessary security of all data and systems is maintained. Work with users to identify, investigate, gather, analyse, define and document business and management information requirements. Develop IT systems, applications and processes. Manage the response to enquiries from staff and external customers, ensuring the provision of accurate information, advice and solutions on own area of expertise to users of the service. Contribute to the development of initiatives and University policy in own area of expertise. 2. Communication & Networking Prepare detailed reports, guidelines, procedures and documentation. Identify, assess and initiate appropriate responses (written and oral) to complex issues raised by internal and external customers. Develop long term relationships with internal and external contacts/suppliers. Contribute papers or give process/policy advice to internal committees or working groups. 4

5 3. Information Management Process and analyse complex data and information, presenting data in an appropriate format. Monitor quality assurance and external compliance requirements. Develop compliance regimes. 4. Project Delivery Deliver special short term projects. Plan and undertake specialist service initiatives. Provide specialist input to projects. Working on multiple concurrent projects delivering to high standards and on-time. 5. Other Accountabilities Undertake staff training and coaching and support staff to meet service area objectives. Contribute to evening and weekend work, if required, and provide out-of-hour duty from time to time. Proactively pursue your own development in terms of relevant knowledge (technical, professional and specialist), appropriate experience and qualifications within the context of the University s business needs. Deputise for the Information Systems Team Leader, when required. Undertake any other duties (of a similar level and nature), at any location, as prescribed by the Information Systems Team Leader, Head of Corporate Information Systems or Director of Information Services, his representative or senior colleagues of the University. Special features of the job The hours of work will be 08:45-17:03 (5 days a week). A willingness to work flexible hours at short notice. You may be required to provide out-of-hour duty. A flexitime system is in operation for all Information Services staff. Operation of the scheme is based on the operational requirements of your team. This specialist post will initially be based in the Information Systems Team, but all specialist roles may be deployed in other areas of Information Services for which they have appropriate qualifications, experience and/or aptitude. 5

6 4. Person Specification Attributes Essential Selection Criteria Desirable Selection Criteria Education/ Qualifications Relevant qualification at degree Knowledge and Experience and/or postgraduate degree level. Significant relevant work experience in IT environment with a business analysis background. Commitment to continued professional development Hands-on experience of configuring, implementing, developing, managing and supporting business information systems and processes, particularly in a Higher Education context. Experience supporting complex, customer-facing business areas, involving users working together at different levels and in different functions to provide a consistent and coherent service to the customer. Expert in the standard and potential functionality available within relevant applications to support business processes. Hands-on programming skills, ideally in SQL, HTML, XML and Java/JQuery. Experience in gathering, analysing and defining business and users requirements and managing expectations. Experience of translating business and technical requirements/specifications into easily understood business concepts/solutions and vice versa. Experience in formulating and producing reports, guidelines and procedures in line with best practice in a customer focussed, support environment. Competencies Effective Communication Liaison and Networking Decision Making Planning and Organising Initiative and Problem Solving Teamwork and Motivation Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA): SQL Server certification. Oracle Database Administration certification. ITIL Foundation Certificate in IT Service Management PRINCE2 Foundation Certificate Experience of configuring, implementing, developing, managing and supporting student information systems and associated processes, in particular Kinetic Solutions (KxStudent Accommodation), Tribal SITS:Vision and evision systems. Experience in the standard and potential functionality available within SITS to support Student Lifecycle processes. Experience of administering Microsoft SQL Server database and Microsoft SharePoint. Good scripting/automation skills. Experience and knowledge of business intelligence techniques and tools. Experience of Windows server 2008/2012 and Linux operating systems. Experience of working in the education sector. 6

7 5. Competencies In order to achieve Abertay University s goals all employees need to demonstrate the following competencies: Effective Communication Definition: The use of appropriate communications media and methods, to convey, explain or discuss information in a manner that is clear and accurate for the target audience. Expected level - The ability to use a range of media to clearly and accurately communicate specialist or highly technical knowledge and conceptual ideas to a variety of groups, including students, peers and external bodies. Liaison and Networking Definition: Active participation in, contribution to or leadership of internal/external networks which build positive relationships and promote collaborative/interdisciplinary working. Expected level - The ability to effectively work with colleagues, staff and students, and join external networks, to build positive relationships that support future collaboration. Decision Making Definition: Active contribution to/ leadership of decision making processes within the team which ensure objectives are achieved and quality standards are maintained. Expected Level The ability to combine rational analysis and experience to take long-lasting decisions to successful implementation while identifying and introducing possible options previously not considered. Planning & Organising Definition: Proactive planning, prioritisation and organisation of work activities and resources to ensure best value is achieved whilst maintaining service availability and quality standards. Expected Level - The ability to effectively plan their own activities and resource requirements and to co-ordinate with others to avoid conflict and duplication. Identifies ways of achieving objectives that result in service improvement and make better use of resources. Uses planning processes to involve key stakeholders and gain their commitment to implementation. Initiative and Problem Solving 7

8 Definition: Showing desire for continuous improvement in individual and team performance by actively contributing to problem solving and responding positively to opportunities for development. Expected level - The ability to show initiative, creativity and judgment in their own activities and to work with colleagues to identify areas for improvement within their team. Teamwork and Motivation Definition: Working with others in a co-operative and collaborative capacity to motivate and, where necessary, lead teams to achieve their objectives. Expected Level - The ability to develop team member s abilities and attains greater levels of achievement by encouraging joint working acting as a role model by putting partnership working into practice and facilitating and encouraging cross team working. 6. Appointment Details Salary will be within the range 25,513 to 30,434 a year on Grade 6 of the University s salary scale. The post is full-time and the hours of work are 36.5 hours per week. The annual holiday entitlement is 28 days, plus 8 University closure days. If the post is part-time, the holiday entitlement will be reduced pro rata. The leave year is October to September. If the post is part-time, or appointment is made part-way through the year, holiday entitlement will be reduced pro rata. The University provides access to the following pension scheme based on eligibility criteria, Scottish Teachers Superannuation Scheme (STSS), Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS), Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS). You will automatically be enrolled to the appropriate pension scheme LGPS from the start of your employment. 7. Application Process If you have any informal enquiries regarding the post, please contact: Megan.vinten@edenscott.com / OR liam.williamson@edenscott.com / Please send your CV and cover letter to the above address and Liam or Megan will be in touch accordingly Interviews 8

9 It is anticipated that interviews for the post will be held on 8 th June 2016 or as soon as possible. Applicants who are shortlisted for interview will be sent details of time and venue as soon as possible after the closing date. Committed to Equal Opportunities The University of Abertay Dundee is a Scottish Registered Charity, No: SC