Senior Software Developer

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Job Description

Prospective officers and staff must be held to a higher standard of behaviour and accountability than members of the public, and that therefore their right to privacy can be fettered in certain circumstances. This is to ensure that members of the police are fully aware and accountable for the unique powers entrusted to them and the standards of professional behaviour they swear to uphold.

The IT & Digital department is responsible for the force\’s adoption and use of information and digital technology.

The department consists of three core functions as follows Architecture Management (responsible for identifying and selecting the right technologies for the force). Delivery Management (responsible for delivering and implementing the right technologies for the force). Service Management (responsible for managing and maintaining all live, operational technology for the force)

The Delivery Management function is responsible for the implementation/delivery of all new and enhanced Information Technology or Digital Technology solutions in line with Force requirements, ensuring that, for all Force Programmes and Projects, WMP delivers – Fit-for-purpose technology, At an appropriate cost, Within agreed timescales, With an acceptable level of risk.

This will involve the control and management of both internal and external resources as new technology can be built and delivered either internally or by a third party supplier. This function interfaces directly with Business Transformation to ensure the successful delivery of the technical aspects of all force projects and programmes. This function governs and manages development and test environments.
Reporting to the Continuous Improvement Manager, the role of the Senior Software Developer is to both lead and participate in the development of software solutions. The post-holder is responsible for the low-level design and development of software solutions and providing specialist software development expertise in one or more of the following areas – M365 including, SharePoint, PowerApps, Graph API, Power Platform and application enhancement and development. The post-holder will also act as Scrum Master for the development of new/improved software.

The Continuous Improvement team manages, and has responsibility for the following key areas:

• Meeting the Force requirements for new / enhanced IT capabilities.
• Developing software and hardware solutions across a variety of platforms including within the field of M365 development
• Ensuring that technology developed internally and externally meets force requirements.
• Ensuring that new solutions have appropriate and effective low-level designs that adhere to the force\’s architectural and design principles.
• Ensuring IT developments are secure by design by working closely with other teams within the IT and Digital department.
• Having the ability to use a number of development process techniques such as; Agile and Waterfall.
• Providing effective management of \’development\’ and \’test\’ environments.

Key Responsibilities:

• Assist with the production of low level software designs for IT solutions in line with force requirements;
• Act as Scrum Master to facilitate product development;
• Assist with the software development for new IT solutions in line with low level designs and force requirements;
• Provide specialist software development expertise in one or more of the following areas – M365 including, SharePoint, PowerApps, Graph API, Power Platform and application enhancement and development
• Provide technical guidance and advice to technical delivery projects on all software matters from design to delivery;
• Provide specialist information and/or advice to assist and influence senior colleagues/customers to make software choices;
• Provide and disseminate specialist software advice on issues relating to the use of \’dev\’ and \’test\’ environments.
• Advise projects on matters relating to the maintenance and development of policy, systems and procedures, together with the efficient and effective use of physical resources;
• Provide specialist software skills and knowledge to ensure the security and integrity of the Force\’s software used in the \’dev\’ and \’test; environments is maintained to the required standards.
• Work closely with teams within Service Management to transition new services into the \’live\’ environment, ensuring that they are provided with end-to-end support documentation for all software facets;
• Assist with the monitoring and management of the performance of third party suppliers;
• Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of software development languages/tools/techniques;
• Provide reports and comprehensive working papers including making recommendations for improvements or amendments to systems;
• Act as Scrum Master to lead the development of software solutions
• Develop, maintain and integrate a variety of software solutions;
• Translate business requirements into software designs;
• Develop the knowledge and skills of team members;
• Research new and emerging software development tools and techniques;
• Directly communicate with senior managers from a customer service perspective using written and oral methods;
• Participate in, and chair, meetings;
• Promote equality, diversity and Human Rights in working practices; Maintain standards for security of information

Essential Skills:

• An extensive knowledge of software development.
• You will have experience developing or supporting at least one of the following technologies, SharePoint, PowerApps, Graph API, Power Platform
• An extensive knowledge of the Agile software methodology.
• Knowledge of national standards and legislation regarding infrastructure technology;
• A good understanding of ITIL, in particular Change and Release Management;
• Knowledge of Health and Safety issues relevant to the post; Knowledge of internal financial processes.
• Comprehensive skills in the development of software;
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to confidently interact and empathise with all levels of staff;
• Good presentation skills;
• Flexibility to use a variety of supporting technologies and to be innovative;
• The ability to work under pressure and be capable of balancing competing demands and priorities;
• The ability to learn and adapt;
• Proven track record in understanding the need of customers/users;
• Good communication skills in order to work effectively throughout the organisation and with external contractors and suppliers;
• An understanding of the ITIL processes as they apply to the team and to the department as a whole;
• Ability to produce management reports, policy documents and comprehensive working papers including recommendations and implementation documents

It is essential that the post-holder has considerable knowledge and experience of development using as many of the following tools as possible:

• SharePoint Architecture / Framework
• Microsoft Graph
• Power Platform Integration
• C# .net
• CMS Development(Drupal)
• CSS
• Angular JS
• Database development (Oracle and/or SQL Server)
• HTML
• Javascript

It is desirable that the post-holder has knowledge and experience of development using as many of the following tools as possible:

• REST API Development
• Apache Tomcat
• MySQL
• .net MVC
• Oracle forms
• jQuery
• php
• IIS
• Ionic framework
• Bootstrap
• Apache Cordova

Vetting:

Successful applicants will be required to pass Management Vetting and Security Clearance scrutiny prior to commencing their role, this will include a full background & financial disclosure as part of the vetting process.

Medical:

Appointment to this role will be dependent upon successfully medical checks, which may include a drugs test and if required a fitness test.

Hours and Flexibility: This is a full-time position working between core hours of 08:00 to 16:00, Monday to Friday.
The role is agile.

Interviews: TBC

Benefit Statement:

By choosing to join West Midlands Police you will receive an enhanced benefits package including:

• Fair remuneration with progression opportunities and access to a very competitive pension scheme.
• Enhanced annual leave in addition to public holiday entitlements.
• Discounts across travel, parking, daily costs of living and leisure activities.
• A comprehensive wellbeing package including 24/7 support, free eye tests and flu jabs.

West Midlands Police is a Disability Confident Leader – the highest level an organisation can achieve under the scheme run by the Department of Work and Pensions. As part of our commitment we operate a \’Disability Confident Interview Scheme\’ – all candidates who declare a disability and meet the essential criteria for the role will be offered an interview.

It is important to note that there may be occasions where it is not practicable or appropriate to interview all disabled people who meet the essential criteria for the job. For example: in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. In these circumstances, the employer could select the candidates who best meet the essential criteria for the job, as they would do for non-disabled applicants.

\”Diversity and Inclusion Vision: Maximise the potential of people from all backgrounds through a culture of fairness and inclusion to deliver the best service for our communities\”