Job summary We are looking for an experienced Solutions Analyst to join the Data Management and Digital Applications Development team. Main duties of the job This role will be responsible for: Critically analysing business and functional needs and requirements. Gathering requirements using interviews, document analysis, workshops, surveys, site visits, business process descriptions, use cases, scenarios, business analysis, tasks, and workflow analysis. Working closely with customers and users to identify the right solutions and ensure that products developed meet the needs of end users. Providing technical/functional assistance in identifying, evaluating and developing systems and procedures. Analysing existing systems and performing gap analysis based on requirements. Creating functional and non-functional specifications which will enable users to confirm the functionality and also enable the developers to understand what functionality is required. Creating acceptance criteria/scenarios to be used in testing the business applications in order to verify that client requirements are incorporated in to the system design. Maintaining and own the project backlog ensuring items are written to a high level of quality, detailing customer/user requirements, modifying when necessary. Working with teams to verify understanding of requirements throughout all stages of a project, guaranteeing delivery meets requirements. About us At NECS we are very proud to be part of the NHS England family. We are one of the very few truly customer-owned entities within the NHS. We have grown from our roots in the North East to be an NHS business with customers the length and breadth of the UK and further abroad. Our customer base has diversified significantly over this period, and we are now very pleased to be serving NHS providers as well as commissioners, NHSE regions, Local Authorities, General Practices and national NHSE Directorates. NECS combines specialist skills and expertise with scale and resilience to achieve required results. We combine core NHS values with a sharp focus on customer care and a relentless pursuit of continuous improvement. We very much see ourselves as a key partner in the future success of the healthcare system and we take our share of the responsibility for shaping effective delivery. Our people are the heart of our organisation. We strive to ensure they feel trusted, valued and empowered. Were passionate about nurturing and developing people. When you join us, we want you to grow, and we offer many opportunities for you to do that as well as an excellent benefits package including generous holidays and pension plus free car parking and access to NHS discounts. Date posted 30 October 2024 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 7 Salary £46,148 to £52,809 a year Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time Reference number I9869-BIS108-7893-1 Job locations John Snow House University Science Park Durham DH1 3YG Job description Job responsibilities JOB PURPOSE Work with Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), developers and end users to plan and develop high level designs and functional and non-functional specifications including the associated interfaces with upstream and downstream applications (in-house or third-party). Write requirements that are clear, concise, testable, and that can be understood and implemented by a development team. Ensure the Product Backlog maintained and up to date with the right information at the right time, being flexible with approach. Identify related requirements and functionality in larger more complex projects providing a framework to support management of Product Backlogs. Examining existing system and business models, analysing business requirements from users or other specialists and clarifying what needs to be delivered as part of the systems development planning. Promote and exploit the use of process automation ensuring internal and external business processes are highly efficient and supported by optimal solutions, finding innovative solutions to improve on processes. Assist in the overall management and performance of the IT Systems and Product Development team along with the developer leads; this includes monitoring of best practice, taking a lead on process aspects of projects and deputising for the Development Manager where required. A key aspect of the role will be in contributing to the development of a long-term innovative strategy which supports the strategic objectives of the organisation in improving access to information and streamlined business process. The post holder is responsible for ensuring that business processes are supported effectively by business and clinical systems within the Organisation. This will be done by managing change and on-going development of systems and processes through the successful implementation a change process. In addition, the post holder will play a key role in ensuring issues and problems relating to systems and processes within their area are managed through to successful resolution. To be part of the Systems and Product Development team in delivering an effective service to NECS and its customers. Responsible for the planning, design and development of major information systems at service level to meet customer specifications. Regularly tests and adapts systems including applications and hardware. Communicate to internal and external customers on highly complex and multi-stranded technical issues, including negotiating with customers sensitive or contentious information, this could be to large groups in presentations or training sessions to both internal and external staff at all levels. Devise and deliver specialist training to internal staff and external customers on technical developments, and complex ideas and processes. Please see job description attached for a full overview of the role and responsibilities. Job description Job responsibilities JOB PURPOSE Work with Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), developers and end users to plan and develop high level designs and functional and non-functional specifications including the associated interfaces with upstream and downstream applications (in-house or third-party). Write requirements that are clear, concise, testable, and that can be understood and implemented by a development team. Ensure the Product Backlog maintained and up to date with the right information at the right time, being flexible with approach. Identify related requirements and functionality in larger more complex projects providing a framework to support management of Product Backlogs. Examining existing system and business models, analysing business requirements from users or other specialists and clarifying what needs to be delivered as part of the systems development planning. Promote and exploit the use of process automation ensuring internal and external business processes are highly efficient and supported by optimal solutions, finding innovative solutions to improve on processes. Assist in the overall management and performance of the IT Systems and Product Development team along with the developer leads; this includes monitoring of best practice, taking a lead on process aspects of projects and deputising for the Development Manager where required. A key aspect of the role will be in contributing to the development of a long-term innovative strategy which supports the strategic objectives of the organisation in improving access to information and streamlined business process. The post holder is responsible for ensuring that business processes are supported effectively by business and clinical systems within the Organisation. This will be done by managing change and on-going development of systems and processes through the successful implementation a change process. In addition, the post holder will play a key role in ensuring issues and problems relating to systems and processes within their area are managed through to successful resolution. To be part of the Systems and Product Development team in delivering an effective service to NECS and its customers. Responsible for the planning, design and development of major information systems at service level to meet customer specifications. Regularly tests and adapts systems including applications and hardware. Communicate to internal and external customers on highly complex and multi-stranded technical issues, including negotiating with customers sensitive or contentious information, this could be to large groups in presentations or training sessions to both internal and external staff at all levels. Devise and deliver specialist training to internal staff and external customers on technical developments, and complex ideas and processes. Please see job description attached for a full overview of the role and responsibilities. Person Specification Experience Essential High level of technical expertise and clear insights into current business practices to liaise with both internal and external customers. Strong experience in elicitation, analysis and documentation of Business Requirements. Experience of business and system workflows from Front to Back office. Identifying options for potential solutions and assessing them for both technical and business suitability. Experience in drawing up, supervising and documenting testing schedule for complete system. Experience in translating requirements into highly specified project briefs. Significant experience in supporting and delivering a large, complex and diverse organisational projects to tight deadlines. Significant experience of managing and maintaining large and highly complex projects and systems that can affect business critical services. Ability to manage multiple highly complex projects to a successful conclusion, with multiple customers/users, using structured methodologies. Working with customers to gather user requirements and develop relevant specifications for both the customer and end users. Proven ability to manage suppliers. Experience of managing others on project teams, lead certain team members regarding systems and processes. Ability to forge long-term working partnerships with individuals and groups from internal and external departments and organisations. Desirable Understanding of software development lifecycle (SDLC). Agile/SCRUM. Quality assurance functions and user acceptance. Product Backlog management software Experience of working across organisations and with other agencies. Qualifications Essential Educated to Degree level or equivalent experience. Suitable technical professional qualification for a senior position e.g. MCSD or equivalent experience OR HND with suitable experience. In depth specialist knowledge gained through experience and professional development. Evidence of relevant continuing professional development. Desirable Formal technical qualification. Person Specification Experience Essential High level of technical expertise and clear insights into current business practices to liaise with both internal and external customers. Strong experience in elicitation, analysis and documentation of Business Requirements. Experience of business and system workflows from Front to Back office. Identifying options for potential solutions and assessing them for both technical and business suitability. Experience in drawing up, supervising and documenting testing schedule for complete system. Experience in translating requirements into highly specified project briefs. Significant experience in supporting and delivering a large, complex and diverse organisational projects to tight deadlines. Significant experience of managing and maintaining large and highly complex projects and systems that can affect business critical services. Ability to manage multiple highly complex projects to a successful conclusion, with multiple customers/users, using structured methodologies. Working with customers to gather user requirements and develop relevant specifications for both the customer and end users. Proven ability to manage suppliers. Experience of managing others on project teams, lead certain team members regarding systems and processes. Ability to forge long-term working partnerships with individuals and groups from internal and external departments and organisations. Desirable Understanding of software development lifecycle (SDLC). Agile/SCRUM. Quality assurance functions and user acceptance. Product Backlog management software Experience of working across organisations and with other agencies. Qualifications Essential Educated to Degree level or equivalent experience. Suitable technical professional qualification for a senior position e.g. MCSD or equivalent experience OR HND with suitable experience. In depth specialist knowledge gained through experience and professional development. Evidence of relevant continuing professional development. Desirable Formal technical qualification. Employer details Employer name NHS North Of England Commissioning Support Unit Address John Snow House University Science Park Durham DH1 3YG Employer's website https://www.necsu.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)