JOB DESCRIPTION. Business Analyst for Science Projects

Transcription

1 JOB DESCRIPTION Job Title: Department/Division: Reports to: Location: Staff reports: Status: Job Purpose: Dimensions: Business Analyst for Science Projects IT / Technology and Editorial Programme Manager RHS Wisley, Surrey None Fixed term contract for 18 months To analyse business processes, gather requirements, identify and evaluate solutions, working with users and IT colleagues to build support for new ways of working with horticultural information and systems. Initially leading on the future of the RHS Horticultural Database, a key project within the Horticultural Information Plan. The RHS Horticultural Database includes some: 328k plant names 90k records of plants in RHS gardens 83k herbarium records and 1.1m plant nursery interactions The database manages our living collections data and is the source for: plant labels in RHS gardens plant profiles on rhs.org.uk and the annual RHS Plant Finder book. Work with business stakeholders to analyse processes, gather requirements and other relevant documentation. Work with IT stakeholders to ensure user requirements are defined and delivered. Accountabilities: RHS Horticultural Database 1. Carry out a thorough assessment of existing and future requirements for the RHS Horticultural Database by liaising with user groups across the RHS, including Science, Curatorial, Trials, Digital and others. 2. Ensure that all users of the RHS Horticultural Database are engaged in the requirements process in order to build an appetite for change. Page 1 of 6

2 3. Produce a requirements document and obtain agreement from Key stakeholders. The requirements will be prioritised by business need and value to the organisation. 4. With the support of the RHS Programme Management team, carry out a market assessment of possible solutions for meeting the requirements. Liaise with suppliers to arrange demonstrations and test systems as required. 5. Work with users to assess and test possible systems, ensuring that users are well engaged and able to provide input and opinion to identify the best solution. 6. Develop a business case for investment and achieve buy-in and approval for it. 7. Work with users, IT and third parties to configure and implement the chosen solution and help users make the most of the new solution through a programme of change activities that ensure efficient business processes. Other Science Projects General 8. Define existing and future requirements for projects and systems in the Science and Collections directorate by liaising with user groups across the RHS and working with IT teams to help implement new and enhanced systems. 9. Adhere to current Health and Safety legislation and best practice in accordance with the Society s Health and Safety Policy Statement. 10. Undertake any other duties as may reasonably be required of you in the post. Page 2 of 6

3 PERSON SPECIFICATION Business Analyst for Science Projects KNOWLEDGE ESSENTIAL: 1. Educated to degree level or equivalent, preferably in information management, IT or horticultural/biological science 2. Excellent understanding of the process of business analysis and of current IT trends and issues 3. Advanced knowledge of mapping processes and managing process change 4. A thorough understanding of how to interpret customer business needs and translate them into application and operational requirements 5. Understanding of best practice in database systems, technologies and approaches 6. Knowledge of change management approaches and ability to apply them to a charity context 7. Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office DESIRABLE: 8. Understanding of the current marketplace for horticultural, botanical or scientific databases and systems 9. Knowledge of IT procurement processes 10. Knowledge of plant records systems, approaches and requirements EXPERIENCE ESSENTIAL: 11. Proven experience of working on business process projects as a Business Analyst 12. Proven experience of cross-functional working on system development projects in complex organisations as a Business Analyst 13. Extensive experience of working with stakeholder and development teams to deliver requirements specifications and business cases, including for large databases 14. Extensive experience of business analysis methods and techniques 15. Proven experience of effective process redesign and in drafting high quality standards, procedures, guidance and reports 16. Proven experience of effective change management and building support for a project or product 17. Experience of dealing with software houses and solution providers to ensure systems meet requirements and provide value for money DESIRABLE: 18. Experience of the requirements lifecycle and of gathering requirements in a charitable or scientific context 19. Experience of requirements gathering software 20. Working with Digital Asset Management systems Page 3 of 6

4 21. Working with horticultural or botanical data including plant names SKILLS JOB COMPETENCIES ESSENTIAL: 22. Excellent verbal and written communication skills and the ability to proactively engage with a diverse group of executives, managers, subject matter experts and challenging user groups 23. Innovative and creative thinking with analytical skills to interpret data effectively 24. Ability to work independently and as part of a team 25. Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to interact with a variety of audiences with tact and diplomacy and provide high quality internal customer service 26. Strong planning and organisational skills with the ability to prioritise and deliver work and projects to tight timescales 27. A practical, hands-on and flexible approach to problem solving 28. Excellent risk management practice 29. Available to travel to London and other RHS sites as required DESIRABLE: 30. BCS/ISEB Diploma in Business Analysis 31. Understanding of and contribution to the budget process Page 4 of 6

5 SKILLS - RHS COMPETENCES Planning (level 3) Able to plan own work and the work of others in the short and medium term Plans may cover a number of different or related activities Change (level 3) Leads and encourages other to implement change Considers the impact of change Managing (level 3) Provides accurate and balanced feedback to others Encourages colleagues and team to take responsibility Decisions (level 4) Able to integrate a range of information and knowledge to assess the best course of action Ensures decisions are supported by involving key individuals Teamwork (level 3) Creates and promotes team environments Uses teams to tackle important issues and problems Communication (level 4) Ensures communications reach and are understood throughout the Society Negotiates effectively for the achievement of departmental/divisional objectives Commitment (level 3) Monitors own and team performance against departmental goals Identifies and addresses problems Development (level 3) Leads by example and encourages others to develop Provides feedback and help to team members/colleagues Customer Care (level 2) Identifies opportunities to improve customer care within own role Actively seeks feedback on own performance Page 5 of 6

6 Shaded areas indicate two/three RHS Competences that are particularly important for this role. They are addressed by the applicant, as part of the recruitment process. Numbers denote the level required on the RHS Competency Framework. 1=lower, 5=higher Updated: 3 June 2016 Ref:**: JD - BA for Science Projects v docx Page 6 of 6