Information Systems Developer (2 posts) Recruitment Pack July 2015 Ref: R1899
Dear Applicant Thank you for your interest in this post and in the University. At the University of Huddersfield we have a lot to be proud of. Not only do we show strong performance in the education league tables in both the Guardian and the Times, we are also receiving national recognition for our work across a number of different areas. In 2013 we were named Times Higher Education University of the Year. This followed our previous success in 2012 as Times Higher Entrepreneurial University of the Year, our Vice Chancellor, Professor Bob Cryan being awarded the Guardian s Inspiring Leader Award and being awarded two Queen s Awards for Enterprise. We are a four star University (QS awards 2014) rated as highly international, demonstrating excellence in both teaching and research with an excellent environment for students and staff. We have secured the highest five star ratings for teaching excellence, our international community, facilities for our students and our scholarships and bursaries. We are looking for experienced systems developers who strive for excellence and have a talent for data. You will maintain, support and develop an array of systems that are fundamental to the Human Resources function covering both data collection and information dissemination. You should be able to work accurately and consistently with respect for the confidentiality of personal data. The role demands logical individuals with a wide skill set and an appetite for interpreting complex business requirements into simple, elegant solutions. You will be educated to degree level and have experience of working with and developing SQL enterprise databases. Experience of working within a pressurised IT environment and the ability to embrace personal development are essential requirements for this role. Experience of Human Resources administration would be an advantage. If you are interested in becoming an integral part of our friendly but focused team we want to hear from you. I hope the information in this booklet proves useful and gives you sufficient guidance to pursue your application. Further information about the University is also available on our website www.hud.ac.uk. If you would like to have an informal discussion about the post please do not hesitate to contact me on 01484 471358 or email rob.nightingale@hud.ac.uk If you are looking for a challenging and stimulating role in an enthusiastic and energetic environment then this could well be the one for you. Yours sincerely Rob Nightingale Systems Developer
1. The Role Job Title: Information Systems Developer Grade: 6 Responsible to: Systems Developer Job Purpose: To be responsible for maintaining, supporting, developing and enhancing a wide variety of applications and information systems within the Human Resources Group. Ensuring management information that is disseminated both internally and externally is consistent and of the highest quality using appropriate technology. Duties: 1. Maintain, support and develop the service s array of applications to ensure HR and University staff has effective facilities to manage HR data. Applications vary including enterprise level integrated payroll and HR systems, bespoke PHP/SQL based websites to SQL based data warehousing solutions. 2. Assist the configuration and technical development of the HR and Payroll system, including the implementation and testing of upgrades, utilising rigorous change control. 3. Evaluate and manage the development of new and innovative ways of enhancing management information reporting, using relevant web based technologies, to deliver an improved service. 4. Assist the maintenance of the service s external facing HR and other bespoke websites and disseminate relevant information to both internal and external users, ensuring web standards and accessibility guidelines are adhered to. 5. Assist in maintaining the consistency and quality of data held within HR databases. 6. Work closely with other staff within Computing and Library Services, Planning and Information Services and Human Resources Group to ensure the delivery of high quality information systems. 7. Assist the preparation of statistical and Financial Returns ensuring thorough analysis takes place to prove data quality and correct interpretation of requirements e.g. Benchmarking and HESA 8. Provide comprehensive documentation for all HR systems developments. 9. Design and deliver training on the use of HR information systems and best practice to both HR and University staff. 10. Maintain awareness of current developments relating to the responsibilities of the post. 11. Carry out all duties in accordance with the University s policies, with particular reference to Health and Safety and Equal Opportunities and Diversity. 12. Any other duties as may from time to time be reasonably required within the grade and level of responsibility of the post.
2. The Person The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate the following attributes: Attributes Essential Desirable Qualifications Degree in IT related subject or equivalent experience. X (A) BCS or other professional accreditation in area of expertise. Experience Current experience working with SQL, generating reports and applying data modifications against enterprise databases. Current experience working with large and complex data sets from varying sources to produce accurate, clear information in a consistent manner. Writing effective user and system and training documentation to support the software development process. Advanced use of Microsoft Office products with particular focus upon Word and Excel. Working with SQL Server Reporting Services or other large scale reporting suite (e.g. Business Objects). Working with SQL Server Integration Services. Working with version control in a programming environment. Developing complex PHP web applications using data from enterprise databases such as MySQL or SQL Server End user support for both Windows and application software. Knowledge and Understanding Knowledge of internet programming languages and syntaxes, including PHP, JavaScript, XHTML and CSS. Knowledge of HR processes in the areas of employee records, recruitment, post administration, training and payroll. Recognises the benefits of change control, version control and the importance of testing. Understands the impact of good data retention policies and data protection legislation. Knowledge of SQL Server Analysis Services concepts would be desirable. R1899 Skills and Abilities Ability to communicate and/or explain complex IT concepts to non-technical colleagues in day to day activities or through more formal training support activities. Engage in continuous personal development and encourage peers to pursue the same. Ability to embrace and progress new technologies and challenges. Able to prioritise and work with limited instruction/supervision to agreed timeframes. Ability to quickly integrate and build credibility with all members of the Human Resources Group. Ability to work accurately and consistently with respect for the confidentiality of personal data. Ability to work on project and day-to-day operations in parallel. Ability to effectively and efficiently identify development needs against a range of information systems and processes.
Director of HR Systems Developer Information Systems Developer Information Systems Developer Systems Officer
3. Our Offer The post provides an opportunity to join a friendly but focussed team who thoroughly enjoy what they do and have a shared passion for the University. In return we offer a generous remuneration and benefits package: Starting salary grade 6 ( 25,747 p.a. upwards) A Career Average Revalued Earnings (CARE) Pension Scheme (Local Government Pension Scheme) 30 days annual leave plus statutory holidays Significant opportunities for professional development A friendly and supportive work environment A range of voluntary benefits 4. How to Apply Applicants are asked to complete an application form. Attention is drawn to the person requirements listed above and applicants are asked to provide evidence of their match to these criteria in some detail in their supporting statements. This information will be used to shortlist candidates. The timetable is as follows: Advert closes: 5 August 2015 Interviews: week commencing 24 August 2015
5. The University R1899
The University s vision is, To be an inspiring, innovative university of international renown. The University s achievements were recognised by the award of the Times Higher Education University of the Year for 2013. This follows hot on the heels of its success at the awards last year where it collected the Entrepreneurial University of the Year award. The University of the Year is awarded to an institution that has demonstrated exceptional performance in the past academic year providing evidence of particular bold, imaginative and innovative initiatives that have advanced the institution s reputation. Just some of those initiatives are: A commitment to our students with nationwide top 10 ratings for student satisfaction and graduate employability as well as a top 10 rating for financial security. The opening of the 3M Buckley Innovation Centre, a collaboration with conglomerate 3M to foster business partnerships leading to new research, technology transfer and entrepreneurial ideas. The award of a Queen s Award for Enterprise International Trade as well as a top 10 position in the 2012 International Student Barometer. A commitment to excellence in teaching Huddersfield is the only University in the UK where 100 per cent of academic staff are fellows of the Higher Education Academy which provides professional recognition of their teaching abilities. These factors, combined with a continued commitment to being a university that is at the heart of its home town and a strong commitment to be a great employer makes the University an interesting and rewarding place to work. The University s staff are involved in scholarship, research and reach-out activities. We want to attract and retain the best staff, provide opportunities for them to remain professionally engaged and up-to-date. We were one of the first universities in the country to achieve institutional recognition under the Investors in People Award in 1999 and we have maintained this standard ever since. We are committed to the development and support of our staff. In the Quality of Working Life Survey, looking at the satisfaction and well-being of our staff, the University of Huddersfield has higher scores across all six factors than the Higher Education benchmark, showing lower levels of stress and greater satisfaction with working conditions than the benchmark data. Our striking town centre campus straddles the refurbished Huddersfield Narrow Canal and offers extensive views of the wooded Pennine foothills. The campus combines both new and historic buildings, and since 2008 73 million has been invested in new facilities and buildings for our students. The University has won Civic Trust Awards for the imaginative refurbishment of historic mill buildings for the teaching of Computing, Engineering and Architecture. However, we are also very proud of our contemporary architecture. Our 17 million Business School building opened in 2010 and a 22.5 million Student Central Building which opened in January 2014 providing new sports, leisure, learning and catering facilities. 6. Huddersfield The University is located close to the centre of the thriving West Yorkshire town of Huddersfield. Huddersfield has an extensive range of new retail and social developments with many new shops, cafes, bars and restaurants. Near to areas of outstanding natural beauty publicised in TV programmes such as Last of the Summer Wine and Where the Heart Is we are also in easy reach of Leeds and Manchester. Both are just 45 minutes by road and with quicker access via the regular cross Pennine rail service. Huddersfield is
surrounded by a number of attractive villages in the Holme and Colne valleys and within easy reach of the Yorkshire Dales, the Peak District and the major urban centres of Leeds and Manchester. The cost of housing compares very favourably with other regions in Britain and the choice of where to live is outstanding. The town is well known for its musical traditions, including the world famous Huddersfield Choral Society and the internationally renowned Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival. The Lawrence Batley Theatre and a large sports stadium host various cultural and sporting events respectively.