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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and execute test plans for digital health systems, ensuring quality and effectiveness.
- Company: Join the Health Research Authority, a leader in health research technology solutions.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working options, including remote work, and a commitment to diversity.
- Why this job: Be part of an ambitious team making a real impact in health research through innovative testing.
- Qualifications: Master's degree or equivalent experience in IS/IT; ISTQB Foundation certification required.
- Other info: This role is fixed-term for 16 months with a competitive salary range.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 52000 £ per year.
Job Summary
CV Recruitment – We want to make applications for this role as easy as possible! Please apply using your CV.
Quality Assurance and Testing is an important part of the delivery of digital systems within the Health Research Authority. We have a team of skilled test professionals who make sure quality is delivered in the most effective way. We are looking to add testing skills to our existing team as we are part of an ambitious programme that will utilise different functional and non-functional test levels at depth.
As a Senior Test Analyst, you will design and execute test plans, and carry out testing as part of a broader risk-based approach covering system, integration and user acceptance tests for a Microsoft based technology suite.
Please do not apply for this role if you have recently been unsuccessfully shortlisted.
Candidates over-relying on AI to develop their supporting information will automatically be rejected.
Main duties of the job
Some Of The Key Duties For This Position Are:
- Identify and elaborate testable scenarios for a feature, working with others in a cross functional agile team.
- Design and execute test cases using standard testing techniques.
- Communicate test results to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- Identify defects, alert the business to them, and help to prioritise them based on defect severity.
- Support the head of test in choosing the appropriate testing techniques and frameworks.
- Think creatively, ask the right questions and critically evaluate and communicate findings to a larger team.
- Absorb large amounts of conflicting information and use it to determine solutions.
This is not an exhaustive list, see the job description for details.
About Us
As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for you, not just us and the work we do.
We’re committed to creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity. We know from experience that different ideas, perspectives, and backgrounds create a stronger, more creative workplace that help us to deliver the best services.
We welcome applications which represent the rich diversity of our community. This includes age, disability, ethnicity, gender identity and expression, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, and other diverse characteristics.
We have policies in place to ensure that all applicants are treated fairly and consistently at every stage of the recruitment process.
When applying to work here, speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement – if it works for you, we’ll do our best to make it work for us.
Date posted
10 February 2025
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 7
Salary
£46,148 to £52,809 a year
Contract
Fixed term
Duration
16 months
Working pattern
Full-time, Flexible working, Home or remote working
Reference number
980-HRA6977994
Job locations
Temple Quay House, 2 The Square, Temple Quay, Bristol, BS1 6PN
Job Description
This role sits within HRA Digital. The HRA Digital directorate is responsible for developing, delivering and supporting complex solutions within the HRA’s portfolio of national information systems for health research. This includes a major programme to build a new Integrated Research Application and Workflow system and to achieve the successful migration and eventual closure of current systems (IRAS and HARP).
The HRA Digital team is a collaborative, supportive team consisting of HRA employees, secondees, contractors and vendors.
Senior Test Analyst will be responsible for the execution of test activities within the HRA Digital Directorate. This will involve the planning and coordination of testing activities of key national information systems for health research in the UK managed by the Health Research Authority (HRA). The test analysis and planning activity undertaken will include discovery capture, test definition and the estimation of test effort, as part of a broader risk-based approach within functional and non-functional testing.
The Senior Test Analyst will ensure that all products delivered both internally and by suppliers, including significant update releases and routine fixes, are thoroughly tested, and accepted before delivery into live service. They will be required to manage and coordinate the system, system integration and user acceptance testing in line with the HRA’s practices and procedures. They will also have the primary responsibility for writing, debugging and refactoring test scenarios and scripts for end to end testing as outlined in HRA’s test strategy.
To find out more and to understand the full duties of the role, please refer to the job description attached.
In submitting your application with us, please note the following:
We currently do not accept applications via recruitment agencies.
We do not hold a sponsorship licence and are unable to offer employment under any sponsorship arrangement.
Where applicants fail to demonstrate how they meet any one of the essential criteria of the person specification, the application will not be shortlisted. You will be considered based only on the information in your application form. CVs will not be considered.
The HRA reserves the right to close this vacancy early should it receive a sufficient number of applications.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to a master’s level or equivalent in IS / IT field or portfolio of equivalent experience demonstrating the ability to work at this level.
- Certified in ISTQB Foundation.
Desirable
- Certified in ISTQB Technical Test Analyst.
Knowledge, Skills and Expertise
Essential
- Comprehensive and detailed knowledge of test tools such as Selenium, Playwright.
Desirable
- Working knowledge of Software coding language e.g. Java, .NET, C#.
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working within the test team delivering successful outcomes.
- Practical experience of testing on PEGA and .NET platforms.
Desirable
- Experience of working as an automated test engineer.
Analytical and Judgemental Skills
Essential
- Lead on the analysis of complex requirements and derive testable scenarios.
Knowledge, Skills and Expertise
Essential
- Comprehensive and detailed knowledge of testing techniques.
Interpersonal Skills
Essential
- Excellent oral and written communication skills with the ability to understand and interpret complex information. This requires:
- Written English skills at a level to summarise complex issues into a document.
- Verbal English skills to be able to articulate procedural issues and comprehend complex discussion.
Knowledge, Skills and Expertise
Desirable
- Extensive knowledge of the platforms such as PEGA, Microsoft.
Analytical and Judgemental Skills
Essential
- Excellent organisational skills with the ability to prioritise against a background of change and uncertainty.
Interpersonal Skills
Essential
- Ability to work within and contribute to a high performing team.
Employer details
Employer name: Health Research Authority
Address: Temple Quay House, 2 The Square, Temple Quay, Bristol, BS1 6PN
Employer’s website:
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Senior Test Analyst employer: Health Research Authority
Contact Detail:
Health Research Authority Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Test Analyst
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarize yourself with the specific testing tools mentioned in the job description, such as Selenium and Playwright. Having hands-on experience or even a project showcasing your skills with these tools can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 2
Since this role emphasizes collaboration within a cross-functional agile team, be prepared to discuss your previous experiences working in similar environments. Highlight any specific instances where your contributions led to successful outcomes.
✨Tip Number 3
Demonstrate your analytical skills by preparing to discuss how you've approached complex requirements in the past. Be ready to share examples of how you derived testable scenarios and communicated findings effectively to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
✨Tip Number 4
Given the emphasis on flexibility and inclusivity in the workplace, think about how you can align your personal values with those of the Health Research Authority. Be ready to discuss how you can contribute to a diverse and inclusive team environment during your interview.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Test Analyst
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your relevant experience in quality assurance and testing. Focus on your skills with test tools like Selenium and Playwright, and any experience you have with PEGA and .NET platforms.
Demonstrate Your Skills: In your application, clearly demonstrate your analytical skills and ability to derive testable scenarios from complex requirements. Use specific examples from your past work to illustrate your expertise.
Communicate Effectively: Since the role requires excellent communication skills, ensure that your CV reflects your ability to articulate complex information clearly. Highlight any experience you have in communicating with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Follow Application Guidelines: Remember to apply directly through our website and not via recruitment agencies. Ensure that your application meets all essential criteria outlined in the job description to avoid being automatically rejected.
How to prepare for a job interview at Health Research Authority
✨Understand the Role
Make sure you have a clear understanding of the Senior Test Analyst role and its responsibilities. Familiarize yourself with the key duties mentioned in the job description, such as designing test plans and executing various testing techniques.
✨Showcase Your Technical Skills
Be prepared to discuss your experience with testing tools like Selenium and Playwright. Highlight any practical experience you have with PEGA and .NET platforms, as well as your knowledge of software coding languages.
✨Communicate Effectively
Since the role requires communicating test results to both technical and non-technical stakeholders, practice summarizing complex information clearly and concisely. Be ready to demonstrate your oral and written communication skills during the interview.
✨Demonstrate Problem-Solving Abilities
Prepare to discuss how you approach identifying defects and prioritizing them based on severity. Think of examples where you've absorbed conflicting information and used it to determine effective solutions in a testing context.
