FTC Senior Data Centre Analyst

Today terrorism is a constant threat within the United Kingdom. By joining Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) West Midlands, you can directly contribute to keeping the UK safe and help us tackle the threat.

The West Midlands Counter Terrorism Unit (CTPWM) forms part of a national network of specialist services and UK police forces, helping protect the public against terrorist activity. We are looking for an enthusiastic individual to join the CTPWM IT team as a Senior Data Centre Analyst. The Senior Analyst (Data Centre Services) is responsible for CTPWM server, storage and database infrastructure required to deliver and support properly engineered IT services and products essential to meeting the needs of the CTU.

The CTP IT function is responsible for the effective operation, support and maintenance of existing, operational technology systems, including but not limited to all Digital Media applications, technology infrastructure (e.g. servers, databases, networks) and end-user devices (e.g. desktop PCs, smartphones, tablets, terminals). This function manages, and has responsibility for, the security, capability, availability, and performance of all operational technology in the 'live' environment whether it is delivered via internal resources or by external suppliers. This function is also responsible for ensuring existing technology remains fit-for-purpose and reflects continuously evolving requirements from the force.

Senior Analysts will be responsible for providing expert advice across a range of disciplines within the scope of their teams, developing new processes and technology to support CTPWM and continuously improving existing people, processes, and technology. Technologies such as Cloud, Artificial Intelligence, Automation and Mobility are no longer visionary – they underpin policing today. The next stage in our technology ambition is focused on the development of these technologies. This role will help focus and shape our path in the IT strategy for the future – and thus drive real-world impact on CTP technology.

The post holder will report directly into the IT & Security Manager but will be expected to work without direct supervision and will be required to make decisions. This role is based in our modern offices near to the Birmingham International Airport. You'll work Monday to Friday, between the core hours of 0700 – 1800. The role is hybrid with opportunities for home working. The post holder will be required to provide 'out of hours' availability for which the appropriate allowance will be paid.

The role

This role has responsibility for the security, capability, availability, and performance of the following key areas:

• The CTP server infrastructure – including physical/virtual servers, and the underlying operating systems.
• The CTP databases.
• The CTP storage infrastructure – including a mixture of Network Storage Area Networks (Fibre Channel Storage Area Networks), and Direct Attached Storage.
• The CTP backup and recovery infrastructure – ensuring that all corporate data is securely backed up and capable of being restored in the event of hardware failures.

Provide specialist technical skills and knowledge that facilitate the security, integrity, and availability of the CTP Data Centres. Assist the IT Manager in formulating strategic direction for the team and unit. Take the lead on relevant incident, configuration, availability, capacity, continuity and release management in line with the ITIL framework. Plan and manage project work either by leading in-house teams and overseeing the work of contractors. Provide specialist technical assistance to projects which are complex and significant in terms of time and financial resources. Assist in the development, design and implementation of new CTP systems and their consequent maintenance and support, ensuring efficiency, legality and security are maintained.

Skills and competencies

Essential

• Manage and support a variety of Data Centre Services Technology;
• Data Centre management
• Server technology
• Storage technology
• Database technology
• Knowledge of Microsoft Hyper V Failover Clustering
• An IT related qualification ideally at a degree level, or demonstrable specialist skills in an IT Data Centre environment.
• Knowledge of Cloud Technologies.
• Flexibility to use a variety of supporting technologies and to be innovative.
• Directly communicate with senior managers from a customer service perspective using written and oral methods.
• Maintain standards for security of information.
• To hold a full valid UK Driving Licence.

Desirable

• Awareness of Amazon Web Services.
• Flexibility is required where rota management is required and/or extended hours are proposed. It is suggested that this role requires a flexibility of approach to working hours.
• The post holder will be required to provide 'out of hours' availability for which the appropriate allowance will be paid.

Security Clearance

This post requires British nationality (some dual nationalities may be ineligible) and a Developed Vetting clearance. You will need to undergo additional security clearance checks, with the offer of employment being conditional on obtaining all of the necessary security clearances. There are limitations on travelling to a small number of countries once in post.

Diversity & Inclusion

We maximise the potential of people from all backgrounds through a culture of fairness and inclusion to deliver the best service for our communities, whilst protecting them from harm. Counter Terrorism Policing is always working to build upon our diverse workforce to reflect the country we serve. An inclusive culture enables us to do things differently, working in ways that meet individuals' needs, flexing working patterns to ensure work-life balance is healthy so that we deliver the best for the organisation.

We are 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.

Advertisement Closing Date

We reserve the right to close this advertisement early if the maximum volume of applications has been reached. Candidates with unsubmitted applications will not be informed prior to the advert closing. Please do not attach a CV/covering letter as these will not be used during the application process.