UNIVERSITY OF DERBY
JOB DESCRIPTION
JOB TITLE / Deputy Functional AnalystDEPARTMENT / The Registry
LOCATION / Kedleston Road
JOB NUMBER / 0116-16 / SALARY / £21,848 - £23,916 per annum pro rata
REPORTS TO / Assistant Registrar
Role Summary
This area will provide the central service for functional system experts pertaining to Campus Solutions (Student Record System) and associated support technologies.
As a team we:
· provide expertisein the identification of system development requirements analysis of University processes
· contribute to the specification of developments and their solutions
· manage user acceptability, testing, documentation, training and continued support.
The successful candidate will be involved in:
· providing an efficient and effective customer focused operation under the guidance of the Assistant Registrar
· analysing, model and document business processes and functional specifications which adhere to and support University regulations
· to work with business and technical colleagues to evaluate processes
· to identify opportunities for implementation, re-engineering and determining appropriate IT solutions to support effective and efficient processes, contributing to system design, user and system test plans
· to create a functionally rich student record system that is able to meet the needs of the University.
The successful candidate will be
· Innovative in promoting and implementing ideas in order to improve the effectiveness of services
· Friendly, resilient, proactive and adaptable to change
· Enthusiastic and have a commitment for providing high quality customer service
· able to work well under pressure and to act on own initiative
· Efficient approach with attention to detail and quality of work
· able to deliver to tight deadlines in a demanding environment with an efficient approach and attention to detail
Principal Accountabilities
1) Support - To be responsible for the direct supervisory management of the Unit's support team. This will include the support and engagement with annual security audits. You will be required toensure that all processes are fit for purpose.
2) Project Management - To successfully deliver multiple projects, from beginning to end, working effectively with colleagues across the University to ensure the delivery is on budget, on time, and with focus on quality to the satisfaction of the customer. To assist with the monitoring of project budgets according to the constraints of time and scope. To support the Functional Analyst(s) in ensuring the production and upkeep of the required project management document set, including the identification and appropriate management of benefit tracking systems, project issues and risks to ensure that deliverables are not compromised and that sensible and appropriate alternatives are found and agreed upon.
3) Analysing Data - To support the data quality processes to prevent reoccurrence/strengthen data sets in accordance with the outlined strategy. Using quantitative and analytic abilities to report &/or interrogate data.
4) Research and Development - To ensure thatthe continuous research and development of both new system functionality and your own skill set means the University remains a leading UK Campus Solutions system specialist. Your updated skill set will include XML report creation, query report writing and SQL (list not definitive). To develop existing and to source newadvancements in order to gain benefits and efficiencies within existing technologies whilst working together with functional usersto facilitate developments/enhancements.
5) Compliance - Ensure that all developments are secure and compliant to all necessary regulations and legislative requirements. To be responsible for security, ensuring robust security systems and processes are in place and where possible are automated and auditable. To ensure that the development and documentation of all key policies, procedures and standards relating to the Unit are available, regularly reviewed and updated.
6) Key Stakeholder Management - To ensure effective communication with the line manager regarding work in progress, implementation of developments and emerging trends or issues. To develop and maintain excellent relationships within the University and other Higher Education Institutions to help facilitate collaborative working and excellent project delivery.
7) Review System Patches and Testing- To review thePeopleSoft Campus Solutions patching documents. Toadvise functional users as to patch contents. To oversee and co-ordinate the patching process. To be proactive with working with IT Servicesand other functional owners in establishing an agreed plan for applying patches. Supporting the development and maintenance of regression and validation test plans along with the co-ordination of regression and validation testing during and following system patching. To support the embedding of new/revised processes into functional areas.
8) Report Writing - To be proactive in the identification and production of report development.
9) Promotion - To actively promote PeopleSoft internally and externally including, attending promotional events, user groups etc. To promote and exemplify the values behaviours and attributes associated with the role, SSIS and the University.
Generic
1) Identify developments by facilitating gap analysis.
2) Develop a broad understanding of the software functionality, to inform decision making processes.
3) Oversee the creation and adherence to test scripts when testing developments.
4) Maintain a safe working environment and work to the University Health and Safety Policy.
5) Promote a positive commitment to the University’s Equal Opportunities Policy.
6) To assist in aspects of enrolment in accordance with University guidelines.
7) To assist with the Annual Awards Ceremony preparations. The post holder is required to attend and assist the Annual Awards Ceremony.
8) To update skills and knowledge through on going staff development, in line with any relevant continuing professional development requirements.
Person Specification
Essential Criteria
· Relevant degree (or equivalent qualification) or significant experience in a Higher Education administration role
· Experience of working within a systems related role within a Higher Education Institution (or similar environment)
· Experience of defining system requirements, including mock-ups and functional specifications
· Influential negotiating prowess
· Proven experience of undertaking business analysis within a complex environment, specifically to develop IT based processes
· The ability to apply knowledge of management information systems to proactively develop new and existing areas of work in order to enhance new and existing functionality
· Proven ability to identify process enhancement opportunities, along with the design and set up of system configuration models in the implementation of new functionality along with the identification and reporting of software faults
· Excellent interpersonal skills and communication talents
· IT Literate with a working knowledge of Microsoft Office and data query tools
· Comprehensive report writing and presentation skills
· Excellent problem solving and decision making skills
· Ability to apply knowledge of management information systems to develop new and existing areas of work in order to enhance new and existing functionality
· Ability to motivate and encourage teams in a demanding, customer-facing environment
· Ability to lead by example on organisation values, behaviors and attitudes
· Willingness to work occasional evenings and weekends -
· Willingness to travel between University sites (if/as and when required)
Desirable Criteria
· Professional Project Management Qualification, e.g. PRINCE 2/APM
· Dynamic Project Management skills
· Effective key stakeholder/customer service management skills
· Experience of running business analysis/fitgap workshops
· Experience of working with suppliers or in-house teams of developers to produce technical solutions
· An in-depth knowledge of major functional areas within the Campus Solutions student records system
· An understanding of the business issues affecting a Higher Education Institution/University including its responsibilities under the Freedom of Information and Data Protection Legislation
· Ability to manage and plan people and non-people resources to meet business priorities
Benefits
Pro rata to 26 days holiday per year plus statutory, concessionary and closure days.
Opportunity to join the Local Government Pension Scheme.
Potential for further salary progression based on performance, once in post, up to pro rata £27,500 per annum pro rata.
For more information on the benefits of working at the University of Derby go to http://www.derby.ac.uk/hr
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expect everyone who works for us to also share this commitment and to treat people with courtesy and respect.
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