IS Graduate Apprentice Analyst
Job description
The University
At Durham University we are proud of our people. A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting – Durham is a university like no other. Across the University we have a huge variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make us a large and successful community, which is a key hub of activity within our region and nationally. Whether you are at the very start, middle or end of your career, there is a role for you. We believe everyone has their own unique skills to offer. We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University. Further information about the University can be found here
The Role and the Department
The Computing and Information Services (CIS) has an annual operational budget in excess of £12m, multi-million pound programmes of change within year, and approximately 185 staff. The Senior Leadership Team report directly to the Chief Information Officer (CIO) with the following portfolios: Strategy and Change; Operations; Information Systems (IS), and Cyber Security. CIS work with departments across the university to provide academic, teaching and administrative services that underpin the day-to-day activities of the whole organisation. Details of the Digital Strategy and ongoing work can be found at Digital Strategy - Durham University
CIS is a friendly, but demanding department, where much is expected and can be achieved by competent, self-motivated individuals who are demonstrable in their team work ability. The department works in a hybrid capacity depending on the job role and individual personal requirements.
As an IS Graduate Apprentice you will be involved with activities associated with maintaining the day to day operation and on-going development of Computing and Information Services (CIS) via delivery of projects. Assigned to one of the IS teams, during the course of the apprenticeship you will maintain a high level of IT services throughout the University, assisting students, staff, visitors in their use of Durham University IT systems.
You will undertake activities relating to, and work with increasing independence in relation to:
- Software design
- Software development
- Software testing
- Software integration
- Software configuration
- Software support and troubleshooting
- Data and analytics
- User experience analysis, design, and evaluation
- Content authoring and publishing
- Security operations
- Incident ownership and management
- Reporting
The post holder will be sponsored to undertake further study that will lead to the award of either a Level 4 or Level 7 qualification in one of the following subjects:
Level 4:
Cyber Security Technologist
Data Analyst
DevOps
Software Developer
Level 7:
Artificial intelligence (AI) data specialist
Digital and technology solutions specialist (integrated degree)
The decision as to what level of study will be undertaken, and the topic to be studied, will be determined by the post holder’s previous study and work attainment experiences, and also, the IS team that the post holder will be appointed into.
Further information about the role and the responsibilities is at the bottom of this job description.
Working at Durham
A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University: you will also receive access to the following fantastic benefits:
- 27 Days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year – a total of 39 days per year. The University closes between Christmas and New Year
- No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered. We have parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies.
- Lots of support for health and wellbeing including discounted membership for our state of the art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme.
- On site nursery is available and children’s clubs in the summer holidays.
- Family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, which are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers).
- There is a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally. There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University. All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities.
- The opportunity to take part in staff volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community
- Discounts are available via our benefits portal including; money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, the cinema and days out at various attractions.
- We offer generous pension schemes.
Durham University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion
Our collective aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work.
As a University equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University’s Strategy and a central part of everything we do. We also live by our values and our Staff Code of Conduct. At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive. It’s important to us that all of our colleagues are aligned to both our values and commitment to EDI.
We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. If you have taken time out of your career, and you feel it relevant, let us know about it in your application. If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role.
What you need to demonstrate when you apply/Person Specification
When you apply it is important that you let us know what skills/experience you have from a similar role and/or what skills/experience you have which would make you right for this role. Further information about the role and responsibilities is at the end of this job description. Where a criteria has an asterisk* next to it, it may be given additional weighting when your application is considered.
Your application should cover the following criteria:
Essential Criteria
- Excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability to develop effective working relationships, both internally and externally.
- Strong digital competence with demonstrable skills in using core digital tools including internet, email, digital communication tools, Microsoft 365 applications, digital booking system, project planning.
- Five GCSE’s at least Grade C or level four (or equivalent) including English Language and Mathematics (or equivalent experience).
- Degree level qualification and demonstrable experience of software coding skills learned within: a formal IT role, or; within an education setting, or; via a hobby.
- Knowledge and expertise in IT service provision.
- Relevant industry and professional recognition and certification of achievement of skills and knowledge.
- Evidence of continuing professional development.
- Demonstrable ability to proactively work with team members to ensure the delivery of high quality services.
- Ability to solve problems and resolve issues, plan solutions and make pragmatic decisions.
Desirable Criteria
- Experience of contributing to the delivery of IT provision.
- Ability to provide support for infrastructure projects.
- Health and safety compliance knowledge.
- Experience of providing advice and guidance to a range of customers and colleagues.
- Ability to effectively network and exchange advice and information for development purposes.
- Experience of managing time in order to meet deadlines.
How to apply
To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification above. Where there are desirable criteria we would also urge you to provide any relevant evidence. Please don’t forget to check if there is any weighted criteria (see above).
While some criteria will be considered at the shortlisting stage, other criteria may be considered later in the assessment process, such as questions at interview.
Submitting your application
We prefer to receive applications online. We will update you about your application at various points during the process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to ensure you receive all emails
What you are required to submit:
- A CV
- A supporting statement which shows examples of how you meet all of the criteria within the Person Specification
- Evidence confirming your degree award and classification
Contact details
If you would like to have a chat or ask any questions about the role please contact [email protected] or [email protected]
Typical Role Requirements
Service Delivery
- Resolve queries and requests for information and advice and escalate more specialist and complex queries or issues to more experienced team members.
- Identify priorities and monitor processes and activities to ensure success.
- Provide more in-depth independent research and analysis activities within the role.
- Analyse work activities to ensure the effective and efficient use of capital and consumable equipment and resources.
- Advise others and make recommendations into work processes and procedures for consideration by senior management to improve services.
- Deliver infrastructure support services to support administrative, business, teaching, research and learning activities across University Estates and buildings.
- Manage and monitor the use of components, resources and equipment.
- Deliver appropriate demonstrations of service components, equipment and processes to users as necessary.
- Support the use of assistive technologies, social media and applications to meet security and safety regulations.
- Prepare safety documents and risk assessments concerning activities across the estates environments.
- Apply recognised professional procedures and techniques, to ensure the security, safety, integrity and viability of infrastructure facilities and components for stakeholder and public access and use.
- A commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and the University’s values.
Planning and Organising
- Plan and organise own workload with or without involvement with project work streams.
- Assist colleagues to achieve operational service requirements, planning, carrying out and documenting evaluations and tests to ensure stakeholder requirements are met.
- Organise and schedule resources, activities and events.
- Act as more knowledgeable team member without responsibility for team members.
- Collaborate with team members to implement service alterations.
- Respond to stakeholder needs to deliver and shape an excellent stakeholder experience.
- Contribute to collaborative decision making within the team with service provision to deliver an excellent stakeholder experience in accordance with policy and procedures.
- Work collaboratively across the organisation and/or externally with colleagues and stakeholders to deliver a service.
- Support the capture of business requirements from users and work with colleagues to translate these into recommendations for future service provision.
- Liaise with contacts and participate in networks and communities internally and possibly externally, contributing to effective collaborative working.
- Liaise with outside agencies, local authorities, suppliers and visitors to ensure the safe and secure delivery of services.
- Apply theory and practice, from academic and professional development and previous knowledge within a service team.
- Provide guidance and advice to resolve problems and queries for a broad range of service users.
- Provide demonstrations and instruction to others outside the team.
- Apply technical knowledge and skills to build, adapt, construct and repair fabric, fittings, buildings, services and equipment using new and existing resources.
- Any other reasonable duties.
Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement Privacy Notices - Durham University which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.
When appointing to this role the University must ensure that it meets any applicable immigration requirements, including salary thresholds which are applicable to some visas. Additionally, it will be a condition of appointment that the post holder must be able to satisfy all entry criteria to be accepted onto the agreed apprentice level of study.
