Description
Role: Survey Programming Technical Manager
Location: London (Hybrid Working)
Grade: 4
Salary: £40,000-£50,000
Department: Social Surveys - Survey Programming
Contract: Permanent
Summary of Role:
The individual will support the infrastructure of NatCen’s survey software platforms, such as Blaise 5 and Unicom Intelligence (UI). This includes ensuring the installation, maintenance, reliability and security of the survey platforms to support data collection.
This role forms part of the Management Team for survey programming and reports to the Head of Survey Programming
Key Responsibilities
* Develop and maintain a good working knowledge of Blaise 5 and UI setup including its associated server architecture.
* Define, Install and maintain the various environments required for survey tools to ensure there is clear separation between development, testing and production environments.
* Ensure consistency in configuration across all server environments and that appropriate load balancing is in place to distribute traffic evenly.
* Be the main point of contact for any survey technical related queries or issues relating to Blaise5/UI surveys.
* Lead active monitoring of server’s and identifying and resolving any potential issues before they impact users.
* Have a good understanding of the status of live surveys (including when email invites, reminders, etc are being sent out) and advise on any potential impact of survey activities on the servers.
* Carry out regular housekeeping to ensure server performance and capacity is maximised.
* Lead on the roll out of new survey software upgrades, patching, etc. ensuring sufficient testing is performed prior to release.
* Carry out load testing as required for survey’s and advise on any restrictions or memory upgrades required.
* Work closely with Blaise 5 and UI survey programmers to understand and advise on the potential impact of surveys being developed on the underlying infrastructure.
* Working closely with IT to ensure server infrastructure best practices are applied.
* Work closely with survey software vendors and 3rd parties to understand the impact of any software upgrades on our survey architecture and associated infrastructure.
* Consult with other organisations who carry out similar social survey work using Blaise5/UI in order to understand optimal set up for the work we do and to knowledge share.
* Produce technical documentation of survey architecture and systems and processes to support this.
* Manage programming team technical resources to deliver survey projects aligning delivery to the information security requirements/ considerations.
* Perform training of survey programming staff to be able to cover routine server maintenance and support tasks as appropriate.
* Work closely with Head of Survey Programming to meet departmental objectives, satisfy client project needs and corporate projects requirements, as assigned.
To perform any other reasonable duties that NatCen may require that are consistent with the broad nature of the job.
Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
Essential skills and attributes criteria
* Working knowledge of IT infrastructure components, as well as understanding of Databases and operating systems.
* Excellent working knowledge of Windows operating systems and server maintenance plans.
* Ability to install and manage survey software on virtual servers as required.
* Familiarity with scripting tools such as PowerShell.
* Ability to perform analysis and provide specifications and ensure they and the team can work to them and any other specifications provided by third parties.
* Ability to fully document all systems and processes.
* Ability to clearly communicate technical information to both IT and non-IT stakeholders.
* A forward-thinking approach to anticipate future infrastructure needs and plan accordingly.
* A solid understanding of cybersecurity principles and practices.
* Sufficient knowledge and experience to represent the department at project, inter-departmental and client meetings.
* Systematic and disciplined approach to problem solving.
Desirable skills and experience
* Skilled programmer of survey software, in particular UI/Dimensions scripting
* Skilled programmer in other appropriate software with understanding of databases and data formats
* Good working knowledge of software architecture and development principles, methodologies and best practices.
* Have a good understanding of server infrastructure and associated build/maintenance process.
* Experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) and services.
Benefits
As well as a competitive salary, an excellent working environment (including a home/office hybrid working environment), you will be working for the largest independent social research organisation in the UK. We are proud of the benefits we offer our employees which include:
* 25 days holiday (plus 8 bank holidays) and flexible working
* Generous company pension scheme
* Life insurance and health cash plan
* Cycle to Work scheme and season ticket loan
* Career development, professional subscriptions support and mentoring support from industry-leading experts.
At The National Centre for Social Research we believe that social research has the power to make life better. By really understanding the complexity of people’s lives and what they think about the issues that affect them, we give the public a powerful and influential role in shaping services that can make a difference to everyone. And as an independent, not-for-profit organisation we’re able to focus our time and energy on meeting our clients’ needs and delivering social research that works for society.