Senior Business Analyst

Location

National

About The Job

Job summary

APHA is a brilliant place to work where our people feel valued, have a voice and can be their authentic selves. We value difference and diversity, not only because we believe it is the right thing to do, but because it will help us be more innovative and make better decisions. 

Do you thrive in a complex project delivery setting?

Are you an experienced in using a variety of Business Analysis techniques, methods and tools?

Do you have the ability to influence others and guide your team in a shared strategy?

If so, we would love to hear from you!

Job Description

We are looking for 3 Senior Business Analysts who have the ability to understand and analyse user and business needs.

You will ensure outcomes are aligned with service vision and business strategy by contributing to the link between current and future business models and delivering to the business architecture.

You will be challenged constructively and act as a critical friend to achieve solutions that are fit for purpose.

You will facilitate collaboration and lead effective communication with all stakeholders to support design, build and delivery to meet the user needs.

A Business Analyst (BA) will work with relevant APHA teams, Defra/Welsh/Scottish Stakeholders and internal & external Suppliers to define, document and gain approval of business requirements to effectively inform the implementation of key information systems and/or business process changes.

The key responsibilities include, but are not limited to: 

• Requirements Gathering  - Drive the research and gathering of business requirements against those articulated for a project, determining the need and value of performing the activity based on the context.
• Process modelling  – If required employ a range of tools and techniques to map ‘As-is’ and ‘To-be’ business processes.
• Gap analysis  - Evaluate requirements against the present state (where we are) & the target state (where we want to be) identifying opportunities to develop successful business requirements needed to make the transition.
• Impact analysis  - Analyse the potential consequences of a change and estimate what needs to be modified to accomplish that change and focus on scoping changes within the details of the overall project design identifying potential stakeholders.
• Benefit analysis  - Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of identified benefits analysis and lead on identifying business-related actions that will assist with project delivery.
• Stakeholder management and engagement  – Engage with business owners, business change leads and users to ensure delivery of common purpose.
• Facilitation  – Work with business owners and users to identify.
• System analysis  - Coordinate the work of systems analysis to ensure business needs are translated into solutions against identified timelines, & work with technical leads to ensure business needs are translated into the technical solutions.
• Assurance and quality  – Apply recognised methodologies and audit test and quality gates. 
• Traceability  – Ensure the delivery of change is made against a fully auditable process.         
• Business improvement  – Co-ordinate the work with Business Improvement teams and the identification of BAU enhancements and their solutions to ensure that defined project benefits are delivered.
• Business solution design  – Engage with policy and strategy to ensure business systems, workflows and processes contribute to target operating model.
• Delivery products tools and documentation  – Ensure the delivery of change is made against a fully auditable process by producing/assisting with: frameworks; application of methodologies; operating model; functional specification; user cases; user stories; UAT plans and strategy; entry/exit and /or no/no go criteria; defect analysis; forms and templates; guidance; business case.
• To provide guidance to other Business Analysts and line manage and/or mentor developing analysts.
• The ability to establish and engage with the wider Business Analysis community, sharing knowledge and championing the Business Analysis role. 
  
  

You  may need to travel to meet with project team members and attend meetings as necessary.

Person specification

About You

Entry Level:  This role is suitable for an individual who has worked in a project environment and supported the development of project objectives, experience of engaging with stakeholders to develop project requirements, and experience of developing business cases.

This role is aligned with the Government Project Delivery Capability Framework

Essential Technical Competencies

A detailed practitioner knowledge and significant experience of:

• Experience of working at a senior level, leading and undertaking Business Analysis on complex and high profile business change projects delivering transformational change in different business areas.
• Experience in the use of a variety of Business Analysis techniques, methods and tools.
• The ability to work as a Business Analyst in a fast-paced, multidisciplinary team in a project delivery environment.
• Excellent problem solving and decision-making skills.
• The ability to negotiate at all levels and able to rationalise complex information (both high level and detailed level) to make it understandable for others to work with.
• The ability to work independently, proactively and with versatility in responding to changing circumstances.
• The ability to prioritise and manage your own workload within tight timescales.
• The ability to inspire, collaborate, and be an inclusive team player with the ability to work across organisational boundaries and across disciplines to deliver results.
  
  

A working knowledge And Practical Experience Of

• The ability to prepare, develop, commission and update business cases to justify the initiation and continuation of projects in terms of benefits, value for money and risk.
• The ability to identify, quantify, map and track project benefits to justify investment in the project, and to provide assurance that the benefits identified can be realised.
• The ability to identify, share and promote best practices and lessons learned to create a culture of learning and good practice that supports continuous improvement to optimise project delivery.
• You have a good understanding of these competences.
• You have applied these independently in low complexity projects and/or under supervision in more complex projects.
  
  

Learning and Development

Everyone in APHA is supported to develop their skills and capabilities. When you join the Directorate, you will be welcomed into your new team through an induction programme that will provide you with helpful information on the civil service, our work and our policies. Your line manager will also work with you to establish your priorities for the year, developing a performance, learning and development plan tailored to you and your role. 

In return for your dedication, we will support your ongoing personal development through appropriate training. Inclusion, support and the development of our people matter to us. We aim to support the career and personal wellbeing of everyone in APHA. 

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Changing and Improving
• Communicating and Influencing
• Making Effective Decisions
• Working Together
• Leadership
  
  

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

• Changing and Improving
• Communicating and Influencing
• Making Effective Decisions
  
  

Technical Skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Please name 3 types of diagrams or charts that business analysts use and explain why they are important.
• Business Analysis Expertise
  
  

We only ask for evidence of these technical skills on your application form:

• Please name 3 types of diagrams or charts that business analysts use and explain why they are important.
  
  

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £39,439, Animal and Plant Health Agency contributes £10,648 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Further Benefits Offered Also Include

• A minimum of 25 days of paid annual leave, increasing by 1 day per year up to a maximum of 30.
• An extensive range of learning & professional development opportunities tailored to your role.
• Access to a range of retail, travel and lifestyle employee discounts.
• Staff bonuses and recognition, salary sacrifice benefit options, and an employee discount scheme.
• Making it work for you - With so many flexible options, most people can find a work schedule to suit their circumstances.
  
  

These are just a few of our benefits we offer. To find out the full range of what we offer refer to the Information Pack attached for more detail.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window) , and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths, Ability, Experience and Technical skills.

Application Process

After submission of the first stage of your application, you will be invited to complete a Civil Service Verbal Test and Civil Service Numerical Test. If you successfully pass the test, you will be invited to complete the final stage of the application.

Please complete the online tests as soon as possible (within 24-48 hours is recommended), the closing date for the tests and application is 23:5 5 on 11th July 2024. If you fail to complete the online test before the deadline your application will be withdrawn. Guidance for the test will be available when you are invited to take the test. The tests are administered online and accessed via the CS Jobs website.

Do not leave completing the tests until the last minute in case you experience any access or technical issues. There may not be technical support available after business hours and after 2pm on the closing date of 11th July 2024.

While the tests should work on most operating systems and modern browsers with a good internet connection, we cannot guarantee that every combination will work. At the beginning, the test will check which browser you are using, and alert you if it is likely to be incompatible.

It is highly recommended that you complete the online tests on a desktop computer, not a mobile phone or tablet.

Please note that online tests associated with this vacancy are not subject to time limits. Click https://www.gov.uk/guidance/reasonable-adjustments-for-online-tests-a-candidate-guide for test guidance

Sift

As part of the application process, a CV, 500 word Personal Statement and a 250 word Technical statement, and 250  word behaviour statements for the following behaviours: Changing and Improving, Communicating and Influencing and Making Effective Decisions.  

Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.  

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the Personal statement, lead behaviour, Changing and Improving and the Technical Statement.  

Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview. 

Sift and interview dates to be confirmed. 

Interview

If successful at application stage, you will be invited to interview where you will be assessed on your experience, behaviours, technical skills, and strengths. 

A presentation or additional exercise may also be assessed. 

For the purposes of the selection process, the Lead Behaviour will be Changing and Improving. 

Reserve List

A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made. 

Salary

New entrants are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band.

Location

As part of the pre-employment process for this post, successful candidate(s) will be able to agree a contractual workplace from those locations listed in this advert. The agreed contractual workplace is then the substantive and permanent place of work for the successful candidate(s)

Where the location is ‘National’ the successful appointee should discuss and agree an appropriate contractual location in line with both Defra’s location policy and site capacity, prior to proceeding with pre-employment processes.

Successful applicants currently employed by the hiring Defra organisation for this post may choose to remain in their current contractual location or may choose to change contractual location to one of those listed above. This should be discussed and agreed prior to proceeding with pre-employment processes.

The agreed amount of time spent at a workplace for this post will reflect the requirement for Civil Servants to spend at least 60% of their working time in an organisation workplace with the option to work the remaining time flexibly from home. Working time spent at a workplace may include time spent at other organisational locations including field-based operational locations, together with supplier, customer or partner locations. This is a non-contractual agreement which is consistent with common Civil Service expectations.

Travel costs to non-contractual workplaces will be subject to departmental travel and subsistence policies. Travel costs to contractual workplaces are the responsibility of the employee.

The successful candidate is required to carry out all their duties from a UK location, and cannot do so from an overseas location at any time.

Defra includes the core department, APHA, RPA, Cefas and VMD.

For most  candidates your hours of work will be a blend of working from an APHA workplace (specific to the team location) with working at home.  

Visa Sponsorship Statement

Please take note that Defra does not hold a UK Visa & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker License sponsor and are unable to sponsor any individuals for Skilled Worker Sponsorship.

Reasonable Adjustment

If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes. 

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should: 

• Contact Government Recruitment Service via defrarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs. 
• Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional. 
  
  

Accessibility

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section. 

Criminal Record Check

If successful and transferring from another Government Department, a criminal record check maybe carried out. 

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service/ Disclosure Scotland on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading. 

For further information on the Disclosure Scotland confidential checking service telephone: the Disclosure Scotland Helpline on 0870 609 6006 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email  Info@disclosurescotland.co.uk

Internal Fraud Database Check

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment. 

A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5-year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government. 

NSV

For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the following page https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/demystifying-vetting

Higher Security Clearance

Please be aware the levels of national security clearance are changing which may impact on the level needed for this role by the time of appointment. All efforts will be made to keep candidates informed of any changes and what that will mean in terms of vetting criteria. For more information please See our vetting charter .

All of these posts require the successful candidate to hold basic security clearance. Candidates posted to Weybridgemay be subject to a higher level of clearance because of the security requirements for that location. Job offers to these posts are made on the basis of merit. Security vetting will only take place after the receipt of a job offer.

Childcare Vouchers

Any move to Defra from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk 

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Medical

Successful candidates will be expected to have a medical.

Nationality Requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
  
  

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window) .

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window) .

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.

The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window) .

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job Contact

• Name : The Recruitment Hub - Manisha Patel
• Email : recruitment.sdd@apha.gov.uk
  
  

Recruitment team

• Email : defrarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
  
  

Further information

If You Feel Your Application Has Not Been Treated In Accordance With The Recruitment Principles And You Wish To Make a Complaint, In The First Instance, You Should Contact

Government Recruitment Services via email: defrarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Click https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/contact-us/ to visit Civil Service Commission.