Job summary Agile practices are an important enabler for the delivery of digital systems within Health Research Authority (HRA). We are looking for an experienced scrum master who has expertise in working in Agile SAFe and scrum practices. As a Scrum Master, you will play an important part in guiding team(s) in Agile best practices, helping to remove impediments, and fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement, continuous flow of value, and consistent quality. Main duties of the job The post holder will be responsible for: Embedding agile learning culture in the programme team Leading assigned scrum teams, ensure the team operates with Agile values, empowering them to become high performing to increase the productivity, transparency, frequency and quality of delivery Acting as the process owner for the team, and maintaining the relationship with key stakeholders Building a trusting and safe environment where problems can be raised without fear Facilitating discussion, decision making and conflict resolution Coordinating sprints, retrospective meetings, and daily stand-ups Facilitating communication and effective collaboration Working with product owners to manage backlogs and new requests Ensuring deliverables are up to quality standards at the end of each sprint, driving continuous improvement through the use of data 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:o ageo disabilityo ethnicityo gender identity and expressiono religion or beliefo sexo sexual orientationo 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 01 November 2024 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 8a Salary £53,755 to £60,504 a year Contract Fixed term Duration 18 months Working pattern Full-time, Flexible working, Home or remote working, Compressed hours Reference number 980-HRA653 Job locations Health Research Authority Holland Drive Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4NQ Job description Job responsibilities This role sits within HRA Digital. The digital directorate is responsible for developing, delivering and supporting complex solutions within the HRAs portfolio of UK-wide information systems for health and care research. This includes a major programme to build new systems, and to achieve the successful migration and eventual closure of current systems. The HRA Digital team is a collaborative, supportive team consisting of HRA employees, secondees, contractors and vendors. 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. The HRA reserves the right to close this vacancy early should it receive a sufficient number of applications. Job description Job responsibilities This role sits within HRA Digital. The digital directorate is responsible for developing, delivering and supporting complex solutions within the HRAs portfolio of UK-wide information systems for health and care research. This includes a major programme to build new systems, and to achieve the successful migration and eventual closure of current systems. The HRA Digital team is a collaborative, supportive team consisting of HRA employees, secondees, contractors and vendors. 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. The HRA reserves the right to close this vacancy early should it receive a sufficient number of applications. Person Specification Qualifications Essential Masters qualification or equivalent experience A formal Agile qualification (Certified Scrum Master (CSM, or Professional Scrum Master I (PSM I)) Desirable Professional Scrum Master II PSM II Advanced Certified Scrum Master A-CSM SAFe certification which may include SAFe Scrum Master, SAFe Advanced Scrum Master, Leading SAFe PRINCE2 Agile Practitioner Other Essential Commitment to inclusivity and valuing diversity Desirable Proven public service ethos Substantial evidence of ongoing professional development in the Scrum Master role, and Agile frameworks and best practices. Knowledge, Skills and Expertise Essential Demonstrable knowledge and expertise in Agile and Lean principles, practices, tools and techniques. Excellent facilitation, collaboration and coaching skills. Technical knowledge and experience. Familiar with the language and procedures of the technical community and the software development lifecycle. Experience Essential Significant experience as a Scrum Master in fast-moving environments. Significant experience of Agile software development. Desirable Experience of leading and coaching Agile teams within large, complex programmes of work. Experience of working with JIRA (or Azure DevOps or similar tools) within an Agile/Scrum environment. Experience of working in a highly regulated industry or public sector. Analytical and Judgemental Skills Essential Excellent organisational skills - methodical and analytical approach to complex product delivery. Inspect and adapt mindset. Is able to help teams identify and compare the best processes or delivery methods to use. Recognises when something does not work and encourages a mindset of experimentation. Desirable Able to help teams use tools and techniques to visualise, measure and analyse performance and outcomes. Interpersonal Skills Essential People orientated. Has drive, enthusiasm, and the ability to effectively bring people together to form a motivated team. Enjoys helping people grow and learn. Empathetic/emotionally intelligent. Able to support the team and build trust by displaying an authentic understanding and concern for team members' beliefs and feelings. Conflict navigator. Able to support team members in resolving interpersonal conflicts, problem-solving, and decision-making. Person Specification Qualifications Essential Masters qualification or equivalent experience A formal Agile qualification (Certified Scrum Master (CSM, or Professional Scrum Master I (PSM I)) Desirable Professional Scrum Master II PSM II Advanced Certified Scrum Master A-CSM SAFe certification which may include SAFe Scrum Master, SAFe Advanced Scrum Master, Leading SAFe PRINCE2 Agile Practitioner Other Essential Commitment to inclusivity and valuing diversity Desirable Proven public service ethos Substantial evidence of ongoing professional development in the Scrum Master role, and Agile frameworks and best practices. Knowledge, Skills and Expertise Essential Demonstrable knowledge and expertise in Agile and Lean principles, practices, tools and techniques. Excellent facilitation, collaboration and coaching skills. Technical knowledge and experience. Familiar with the language and procedures of the technical community and the software development lifecycle. Experience Essential Significant experience as a Scrum Master in fast-moving environments. Significant experience of Agile software development. Desirable Experience of leading and coaching Agile teams within large, complex programmes of work. Experience of working with JIRA (or Azure DevOps or similar tools) within an Agile/Scrum environment. Experience of working in a highly regulated industry or public sector. Analytical and Judgemental Skills Essential Excellent organisational skills - methodical and analytical approach to complex product delivery. Inspect and adapt mindset. Is able to help teams identify and compare the best processes or delivery methods to use. Recognises when something does not work and encourages a mindset of experimentation. Desirable Able to help teams use tools and techniques to visualise, measure and analyse performance and outcomes. Interpersonal Skills Essential People orientated. Has drive, enthusiasm, and the ability to effectively bring people together to form a motivated team. Enjoys helping people grow and learn. Empathetic/emotionally intelligent. Able to support the team and build trust by displaying an authentic understanding and concern for team members' beliefs and feelings. Conflict navigator. Able to support team members in resolving interpersonal conflicts, problem-solving, and decision-making. Employer details Employer name Health Research Authority Address Health Research Authority Holland Drive Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4NQ Employer's website https://www.hra.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)