Technical Business Analyst - 3 posts

Primary Location: Antrim-Belfast-Belfast Office

Other Locations: Down-Dundonald-Dundonald Office, Armagh-Armagh-Armagh Office, Antrim-Ballymena-Ballee Centre, Tyrone-Omagh-Omagh Office

Contract Type: Fixed-Term/Secondment opportunity (May be subject to extension or may be reduced for any valid reason)

Duration of Contract/Contract End Date: 30 September 2028

Status: Full-Time

Hours per Week: 36

Working Pattern: Monday - Friday

Grade/Scale: Administrative Officer | NJC pts 29 - 32 | £39,862 - £42,839 per annum

Additional Information: Base location to be determined on appointment. As the role carries regional responsibility, travel across Northern Ireland (and on occasion further afield) will be required in order to attend meetings and fulfill the full range of duties and responsibilities.

SERVICE AREA: EnAble Programme

REPORTS TO: EnAble Senior Technical Project Manager

RESPONSIBLE FOR: The EnAble Technical Business Analyst will be required to work closely with the EnAble Workstream Leads and Programme Team to ensure successful programme delivery and support the Specialism Leads with requirements, process mapping, delivery and procurement on time and within budget.

EnAble Programme Background: The EnAble Programme has been established to replace EA One, the Education Authority (EA)’s current Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system, and aims to deliver an integrated, efficient, scalable and data-driven platform to support the effective delivery of services to the NI Education Sector.

EA One currently supports key services across finance, procurement, HR and payroll for approximately 44,000 non-teaching staff and 22,000 teaching staff. It also supports significant monthly transaction volumes, including payroll, invoices, procurement activity, leave, absence and expenses. The current platform is based on Oracle E-Business Suite, which is approaching end-of-life, with existing support and contractual arrangements reaching key expiry milestones over the coming years. The EnAble Programme has therefore been mobilised to deliver a replacement solution by March 2032. The EnAble Programme is a major strategic priority for the EA and will provide opportunities to modernise systems and processes, improve user experience, strengthen data and reporting, and increase resilience across core corporate services.

JOB PURPOSE: The post-holder will report directly to the Senior Technical Project Manager and will be required to work effectively with senior staff across the EnAble Programme and EA. Define business requirements to support procurement exercises for EnAble Programme delivery and report to relevant stakeholders. Analyse the market and identify suitable applications and ensure the EnAble Programme meets the application needs of the EA. Strong technology, analytical and communication skills are must-have traits. To lead and manage workshops as required. Report findings to stakeholders.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Liaise with EA business areas to identify and document existing business processes within programme scope, identifying gaps and proposing efficiencies where relevant.
• Support the EnAble Programme to ensure all deliverables within Business Analyst function are managed effectively, efficiently and within budget.
• Work closely with Business Users, project and technical teams to develop and enhance business processes, drive improvement and ensure delivery of key business and systems projects.
• To work closely with team members to ensure that all programme requirements, deadlines, and schedules are on track. Assist with submitting project deliverables and preparing status reports, as well as the proper execution of the Business Analyst strand of said plans.
• Identifying opportunities for process improvement to improve quality, efficiency and/or value to support the EnAble Programme in achieving its strategic and operational objectives.
• Manage risks that may arise within their area of responsibility and develop controls to mitigate them, ensure any risks or issues are escalated appropriately before they develop into an issue.
• Work closely with the PMO team and Workstream Leads to ensure that all programme deliverables conform to the PM framework.
• Provide the Technical Workstream Lead and Senior Technical Project Managers with project management support as required.
• Ensure that employees within the EnAble Programme Team are provided with clear structure, strategies, policies and processes for their system/service are implemented while maintaining the high standards of the EA and any future challenges.
• To assist with the development of process documentation (including process maps), business cases and procurement documentation to support the business areas in achieving the strategic and operational objectives of their directorate.
• To assist with gathering and understanding requirements, development and management of requirements and functional testing.
• To assist with the writing of functional specifications and use cases, including detailed user and data requirements.
• Modelling business data structures and integrations, assessing and documenting current and future processes.
• Maintain and manage information, record, paper and reports on behalf of the Technical Workstream Lead and Senior Technical Project Managers.
• Support the Technical Workstream Lead and Senior Technical Project Managers with the preparation for, attendance at and actions arising from meetings as required.
• Liaise with internal and external stakeholders across all EA Directorates as required.
• Operate with EA’s strategic direction, relevant legislation, industry best practice and other public sector policies and guidance at the core of delivery. Contribute to emerging developments as required.
• Provide cover for the Senior Technical Project Managers when required.
• To ensure that systems/services are delivered efficiently and effectively through the associated responsibilities and meets the needs and standards expected of a leading public service organisation.
• To promote the corporate vision, values and culture of EA as a single regional organisation, in all processes linked to maintenance, development and implementation of their element of project assignment.

This job description will be subject to review in light of changing circumstances and is not intended to be rigid and inflexible but should be regarded as providing guidelines within which the individual works. Other duties of a similar nature and appropriate to the grade may be assigned from time to time.

In accordance with Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act (1998), the post-holder is expected to promote good relations, equality of opportunity and pay due regard for equality legislation at all times.

PERSON SPECIFICATION:

NOTES TO JOB APPLICANTS:

1. You must clearly demonstrate on your application form under each question, how, and to what extent you meet the required criteria as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. You should clearly demonstrate this for both the essential and desirable criteria, where relevant.
2. You must demonstrate how you meet the criteria by the closing date for applications, unless the criteria state otherwise.
3. The stage in the process when the criteria will be measured is outlined in the table below.
4. Shortlisting will be carried out on the basis of the essential criteria set out in Section 1 below, using the information provided by you on your application form.
5. Please note that the Selection Panel reserves the right to shortlist only those applicants that it believes most strongly meet the criteria for the role.
6. In the event of an excessive number of applications, the Selection Panel also reserves the right to apply any desirable criteria as outlined in Section 3 at shortlisting, in which case these will be applied in the order listed. It is important therefore that you also clearly demonstrate on your application form on how you meet any desirable criteria.

Section 1 - Essential Criteria:

• Hold a HNC/HND or an equivalent or higher qualification, relating to Business Administration, Management, Information Technology AND have two years’ demonstrable experience of working as a Business Analyst; OR Have four years’ demonstrable experience working as a Business Analyst.
• Demonstrable experience of delivering end-to-end business analysis across project lifecycle within digital / IT or service delivery environment.
• Demonstrable experience of running business process design and configuration workshops.
• Demonstrable experience of producing clear and structured documentation including writing test scripts and undertaking UAT, collating training materials and support with training workshops.
• Demonstrable experience of building and maintaining successful working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

Other: The successful candidate will be required to have access to a suitable vehicle (appropriately maintained and insured for Education Authority business) that will enable them to carry out the mobility requirements of the post in an efficient and effective manner and thus meet this essential criterion; OR be able to provide sufficient information on the application form that will satisfy the employer that he/she has access to an appropriate alternative form of transport that will enable them to carry out the mobility requirements of the post in an efficient and effective manner and thus meet this essential criterion.

Section 2 - Essential Criteria:

• Demonstrable knowledge on capturing an “As Is” analysis (current state of process, kinks & all) and presenting the “To Be” (future state of process).

Skills/Abilities: In line with EA’s Game Changing People Model we will look for evidence of:

• Strong collaborative skills to build genuine and productive relationships with internal & external stakeholders.
• A customer focused passion for creating solutions with a positive attitude to implementing improvements/change.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to successfully manage multi-priorities in a fast-paced and changing environment.
• Stakeholder management and relationship building.
• Attention to detail and high-quality documentation skills.
• Analytical thinking and problem-solving capability.

Values Orientation: Evidence of how your experience and approach to work reflect EA’s ethos and values.

Section 3 - Desirable Criteria: Some or all of the desirable criteria may be applied by the Selection Panel in order to determine a manageable pool of candidates. Desirable criteria will be applied in the order listed. You should make it clear on your application form how, and to what extent you meet the desirable criteria, as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted.

• Experience in large-scale or complex transformation programmes within public sector or regulated environments.
• Experience of working on an Enterprise Resource Planning solution project.

Our Values: Through the selection process we will also seek evidence that the personal values of candidates align with those of the EA. This will include evidence of commitment to equality and excellence in service delivery. These reflect our aim which is to meet the needs of all our children and young people equally, removing barriers to learning and ensuring equality of access to excellent education services so that every child can develop to his or her full potential.

DISCLOSURE OF CRIMINAL BACKGROUND: The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (Northern Ireland) Order 2007 defines working directly with children or young people or in specified places as ‘regulated activity’. In the event that you are recommended for appointed to a post that involves ‘regulated activity’, the Education Authority will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure of Criminal Background. Please note that you WILL be expected to meet the cost of an Enhanced Disclosure Certificate. Details of how to make payment will be sent to you at the pre-employment stage.

Further information can be accessed at NI Direct or the Department of Justice.