CHURCH MISSION SOCIETY Job description Post: Web and Application Developer Responsible to: Head of ICT Team: Grade: Hours: Time frame: Finance and Corporate Services E/F dependent on experience Full time, 35 hrs per week Permanent Introduction Church Mission Society believes that all of God s people are called to join in God s mission: bringing challenge, change, hope, and freedom to our world. For some this will mean going overseas. For others it will mean going over the road. Whatever the case, we want to set people free to put their call into action. Currently, there are hundreds of Church Mission Society people working in 40+ countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, Europe and the UK. Church Mission Society was founded in 1799 by William Wilberforce, John Newton and other Christians whose hearts were stirred to put their faith into action. Since then, thanks to the generous and prayerful support of God s people, we have helped support over 10,000 people in mission worldwide. CMS is also committed to equipping the Church in Britain for mission today, not least through receiving the gifts of the global church in mission. As an Acknowledged community of the Church of England we are governed by four values; we seek to be people who are pioneering, evangelistic, relational, and faithful. To find out much more about the work of our community please visit: churchmissionsociety.org Job Context The role involves working in a busy, professional and customer service focussed Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Team. The CMS ICT systems are based on industry standard PC technology. Most workstations are desktop or laptop PCs running Windows 10 although a number of Apple Mac PCs and thin clients are also networked. The office, email and database applications are provided on virtualised Microsoft Windows Servers, there are also a number of Linux servers. The network supports a number of critical applications (Donor database, Finance, HR, Payroll, Library, blog platform etc) available both to local users and, via secure VPN internet connections, remote users in the UK and 1
working internationally. Critically, during 2017-18 the team will be migrating the Donor database from Raiser s Edge for Windows to ThankQ CRM. The ICT team has a strong culture of providing tools for staff to do their job well and to optimise business processes. As part of this, the team provides or writes interface software to move data between systems and to manage and hold data where no commercial application is suitable. The ICT team has a close liaison with the Communications Team to develop and maintain the CMS web presence on the internet. Purpose of Job Liaising closely with end users, he/she will develop the strategy for internal applications which hold data outside the main commercial applications, move data between them and provide reports and other additional functionality as required. Alongside this, he/she will develop browser-based applications in order to deliver these applications. In addition, working with the Digital Strategist who is based in the CMS Communication Team, she/he will take a lead role in maintaining and developing the back end of all CMS Web Services. Together with colleagues in that team and other external contractors, she/he will help to provide an effective online presence in line with the agreed web strategy. Key Relationships The post holder will be responsible to the Head of ICT. It is vital that she/he maintains close working relationships with other managers so that their business processes and challenges are understood, and so that applications can be developed to support them. There will be a need to work especially closely with the communications team. Key Responsibilities/or Tasks Application Development 1. In conjunction with process owners and the Head of ICT, to develop the strategy for internal applications within CMS, analyse the features needed and design and develop the future systems architecture and software platforms to deliver the required applications. This process will include the incorporation of the Application Program Interfaces (APIs) available in the commercial systems and services to add functionality and deliver added value and efficiency to business processes. 2
2. To build and maintain applications for local and remote users using appropriate database and web technologies in order to deliver the strategy. The current platforms for this are Asp or Asp.Net web pages running under IIS working with MySQL databases. Future application development will use PHP/MYSQL with Windows or Linux servers. 3. To develop the scope and purpose of integrating existing database application data and the means of making it available to local and remote users. Most of the current commercial applications use MS SQL database technology, in-house applications use MySQL, and reporting uses a variety of tools including Crystal Reports. 4. To provide technical database support during the migration of the donor database from Raisers Edge for Windows to ThankQ CRM, and ongoing integration and development with other systems, including our main web site. Web Development 5. To give technical support to the Communications team through the development of the public website, which will be delivered by internal resources or external providers. 6. To develop and code web systems as per design specifications from the Digital Strategist in the Communications Team, and, in particular to support the integration of ThankQ CRM. 7. To maintain and develop WordPress blog sites used as internal communications platforms within CMS. General 8. To undergo recommended training to keep up to date with prevailing database and web technologies. 9. To provide technical support and end-user training for the promotion of web use amongst CMS employees. 10. To provide other end-user ICT support. 11. To carry out other tasks as requested by Head of ICT. 3
PERSON SPECIFICATION - Web and Application Developer Essential Desirable Qualifications Formal training in the use of database and web technology tools or equivalent demonstrable experience see below Degree level in a technical subject Software or Industry qualifications in relevant areas Experience Experience in web technology and in the development of secure web-based database systems using Classic ASP/ ASP.NET and/or PHP together with MSSQL Server / MySQL databases - preferably 2 years experience gained in a work/commercial environment. Experience of managing and developing websites using Drupal and/or WordPress Experience of secure application development using current remote access technology Website development using any other technologies Experience of the Charity sector Skills/Abilities NOTE: It is not expected that the post-holder will initially be fluent in all these languages or technologies. It is more important that he or she has demonstrable ability to pick up the technologies required. At least one skill in each of the following four areas: web technologies: HTML, CSS, JavaScript. database technologies: MS SQL and MySQL Drupal/WordPress Ability to write or edit code in: Classic ASP and PHP Able to analyse, interpret and explain IT issues effectively Attention to detail Logical approach Ability to learn new languages frameworks and software tools. Additional language skills in ASP.net, Python, HTML5, CSS3 Ability to use libraries and frameworks to speed development e.g. jquery, Bootstrap, Laravel Ability to manage projects using git, Restyaboard and other tools Competence in application development on mobile platforms ios/android Database administration skills Ability to liaise with external suppliers and represent CMS Disposition Customer orientated Approachable Team worker 4
Other Willing to learn Patient, calm approach In sympathy with the ethos and values of CMS Subject to safeguarding checks. TERMS AND CONDITIONS Web and Application Developer Conditions, including but not limited to the below: 1. The appointment is subject to satisfactory references, a satisfactory medical report and a probationary period of six months. 2. Salary: The post is within Grade E/F of the CMS salary scale, starting at 26,675-32,045 per annum, dependent on experience. Salaries are reviewed annually. 3. Expenses: Expenses incurred in connection with work in accordance with the regulations in force will be paid. 4. Pension and Life Assurance Scheme: CMS offers a generous noncontributory personal pension scheme. CMS s basic contribution is 10 per cent of the pensionable salary; in addition, CMS will match up to an additional five per cent should an employee contribute to five per cent. If an employee joins the pension scheme, he/she will also be enrolled into the life insurance scheme which provides a death in service benefit of four times the basic pay. Those eligible for pension rights under the Clergy Pensions Measures administered by the Church of England Pensions Board may continue to qualify for those rights. 5. Work Base: This is an Oxford-based post and this will be your centre for the purpose of claiming travelling expenses if appropriate. 6. Holiday Entitlement: Annual leave is 28 days (pro rata), of which up to 3.5 are to be taken between Christmas and New Year, plus statutory bank holidays. 7. Notice: Three month's written notice on either side is required for the termination of the appointment after the probationary period. 5