University of Huddersfield

Planning and Information Services Information Systems Developer Further Particulars Vacancy Reference: 4336a January 2010 Closing Date: 10 February 2010

Proposed Interview Date: w/c 8 March 2010

Contents Page 1. Background information

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2. The University profile

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3. The University Centres

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4. Huddersfield

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5..Planning and Information Services

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6. Job Description

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7. Person Specification

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8. Organisation chart

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9. Further details

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1. Background Information The University of Huddersfield was founded some 160 years ago, having existed in various forms (Mechanics Institute, College of Technology and Polytechnic) before becoming a university in 1992. Throughout its history it has been committed to meeting the needs and aspirations of its students and that remains its key focus. We are a successful, popular and innovative modern university. Offering a wide range of education and training, we are proud of our achievements. In the first National Student Survey we scored more highly than any other university in West or South Yorkshire. By the 2006 survey we were the top “new” University in the country, according to the Times Higher compilation. We were the top ranking University for teaching quality among all post-92 UK Universities in the North of England in the Times Higher Education Supplement League Table in May 2005. All subjects inspected by the QAA since 2000 have achieved among the highest teaching quality rating available. The QAA Audit in 2006 confirmed “complete confidence” in the University’s teaching programmes and the future management of academic standards. Over 25% of research staff, submitted to the RAE 2001, work in world-class Grade 5 research groups. Over 75% are rated as nationally excellent. History, Social Work and Music are grade 5 rated, Materials (Chemistry) and Mechanical Engineering are grade 4 rated in the last RAE. In six subjects the University gained the highest grades of any post-92 university in Yorkshire and Lancashire. The University has a history of close involvement with industry, business and its cultural community. The extent of that involvement is probably best illustrated by the fact that in terms of its headcount it has the second highest proportion of sandwich students and the highest proportion of sandwich and part-time students in the North of England. The University has contributed to widening access both in terms of providing opportunities to socio-economic groups under-represented in higher education and to those with nonstandard entry qualifications. Its part-time provision (nearly 7,000 students) plays a significant part in the process of widening access. The friendliness and professionalism of the staff and the pleasant environment, both identified as strengths in the recent student survey carried out by an external market research company, are also key contributors to the University’s success in this area. The University expects its staff to become involved in scholarship, research and reach-out activities with a view to ensuring it can attract and retain the best staff, provide opportunities for them to remain professionally engaged and up-to-date, create opportunities for graduate study, disseminate knowledge for the benefit of society and produce meaningful case study material for the undergraduate curriculum. We were one of the first universities in the country to achieve institutional recognition under the Investors in People Award in 1999 and have maintained that standard through the next three reviews. The University celebrates diversity and tolerance and promotes independent thought, employability and personal achievement. The University focuses on providing opportunities for all, especially groups not currently well-represented in higher education. The University connects with the world outside the campus, with links to a broad range of companies and organisations. Its connections help it to keep its courses relevant to the world of work and ensure students have good employability skills.

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2. The University Profile The University of Huddersfield has a student population of about 22,600, with about another 2,000 in collaborative provision, in a wide range of subject areas covering the wealth creating, cultural and social welfare aspects of our economy. It employs over 600 full-time academic staff, over 500 part-time academic staff and about 800 administrative, technical and support staff. A flavour of the institution can be gained from the following analysis of its current student body: – 57% are female; – 76% are mature (>21); – 60% are full-time and 40% are part-time; – 80% are UK/EU, 15% franchised and 5% overseas students; – 81% are undergraduate, 17% taught post-graduate and 2% research; – 18% of all students are on sandwich courses; – 19% declare themselves as non-white. The University of Huddersfield takes pride in managing itself effectively. Its culture is one of collaboration and support with a governance structure that reflects its academic diversity, devolved nature and responsibility and yet common institutional purpose. The University is composed of seven academic schools, each led by a Dean, and a number of services. The schools are: • • • • • • •

Applied Sciences (10% of FTE); Computing and Engineering (14% of FTE); Art, Design and Architecture (11% of FTE); Education and Professional Development (14 % of FTE); The Business School (17% of FTE); Human and Health Sciences (24% of FTE); Music and Humanities. (9% FTE).

The eight main services are: • • • • • • • •

Computing and Library Services; Estates and Facilities; External Relations Group; Financial Services; Human Resources; The Registry; Student Services; Vice-Chancellor’s Office, including Health and Safety and Planning and Information Services.

The University operates a highly devolved structure. The resource allocation model is approved annually by Senate and the University’s Planning and Resources Committee. The allocation to Schools is made on the basis of that which they earn they keep – albeit they have first to make an appropriate contribution to the infrastructure costs of the University. The allocation to services varies according to the changing nature of their duties in the context of the total income available.

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3. The University Centres The University secured almost £12m of funding from HEFCE’s Strategic Development Fund, from the regional development agency Yorkshire Forward and from the European Regional Development Fund for a trans-regional project to set up two new higher education centres in Barnsley and across the Pennines at Oldham in Greater Manchester. The project aims to increase opportunities for higher education in the two towns that currently have low participation rates. The University Centres recruited their first intakes in August 2005. Existing HE courses in the local further education colleges transferred to the two centres. Student numbers are planned to increase to up to 4,000 over the next ten years. Staff who worked on the higher education courses at the colleges have become University of Huddersfield employees. The funding award to the Barnsley initiative involves the purchase and renovation of 6,000m2 of buildings. The property was purchased in July 2005. The funding for Oldham includes the construction of an additional building to be completed in September 2008, to meet the anticipated increasing demand.

4. Huddersfield The University is located close to the centre of the thriving West Yorkshire town of Huddersfield. In recent years Huddersfield has seen a wave of new retail and social development with many new shops, cafes, bars and restaurants. Near to areas of outstanding natural beauty publicised in TV programmes such as ‘Last of the Summer Wine ’and ‘Where the Heart Is’ we are also in easy reach of Leeds and Manchester. Both are just 45 minutes by road and with quicker access via the regular cross Pennine rail service. Surrounded by a number of attractive villages in the Holme and Colne valleys and within easy reach of the Yorkshire Dales, the Peak District and the major urban centres of Leeds and Manchester; the cost of housing compares very favourably with other regions in Britain. The choice of where to live is outstanding. The town is well known for its musical traditions, including the world famous Choral Society and the internationally renowned Contemporary Music Festival. The Lawrence Batley Theatre and a large sports stadium host various cultural and sporting events respectively. Our striking town centre campus straddles the refurbished Huddersfield Narrow Canal and offers extensive views of the wooded Pennine foothills. The campus combines both new and historic buildings. The University has won Civic Trust Awards for the imaginative refurbishment of historic mill buildings for the teaching of Computing, Engineering and Architecture. A purpose-built Students’ Union and new Media and Drama facilities are examples of the recent build. A dedicated Arts and Music building is the latest development in an ambitious construction and refurbishment programme.

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5. Planning and Information Services Planning and Information Services (PINS) forms part of the Vice Chancellor’s Office. It is closely linked to the Admissions and Records Office (ARO), which operates as a unit within PINS, and maintains all student records. PINS works closely with senior staff throughout the University to support strategic and annual operational planning, support particular initiatives and developments, provide numerical information and analyses (particularly concerning student numbers), and administer the Transparency Review (concerning costs and staff time). It has a small number of specialist staff, and works closely with other parts of the services (particularly finance and marketing) and with the seven academic schools. PINS creates a number of analyses of information to assist the good management of the University. These are made available either via the web, or through spreadsheets and pivot tables. The intention is to provide appropriate, accurate and useful information for monitoring of activities and to assist decision making. Where possible, external benchmarking is used. It is intended that this post will help to develop web based systems and applications for the provision of information across the university using databases and applications held within PINS and in other central services. As the University develops and the external environment changes, it is important that a flexible approach is taken to forward planning, to responding to opportunities as they arise, and to the creation and utilisation of appropriate management information.

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6. Job Description Job Title:

Information Systems Developer

Grade:

7

Responsible to:

Information Systems Manager

Responsible for:

None

Job Function: To develop web based systems and applications for the provision of information across the university using databases and applications held within PINS and in other central services. Job Duties: •

• • • • • • • • • •

Evaluate and manage the development of new and innovative ways of enhancing management information reporting, using relevant web based technologies, to deliver an improved service. This includes developing bespoke front end applications where appropriate, and where necessary redeveloping existing approaches to ensure consistency and ease of use. To assist the Information systems manager in the development of a structured data warehouse system, including using appropriate technologies to communicate effectively complex data and analyses. To follow best practice in the development of information provision using available technologies and in compliance with industry standards. Provide comprehensive documentation for these developments. To liaise closely with staff in Marketing to ensure that appropriate information systems are developed and implemented covering the enquiry and application processes. Liaise closely with staff in Computing & Library Services to ensure compliance and integration with University standards, systems and overall agreed processes. To ensure greater integration and standardisation of existing and new information systems for the improvement of management decision making. To train end users and provide support on the use of systems, ensuring the promotion of best practice and providing suitable training documentation. To work closely with other staff within PINS to ensure the delivery of services. To undertake other duties commensurate with the grade and duties of the post, as required To carry out all duties in accordance with the University’s policies, with particular reference to Health and Safety and Equal Opportunities.

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7. Person Specification Person Specification Attributes Experience Advanced use of Microsoft Office products. Web application programming for both internet and intranet information delivery systems. Experience of creating .NET web applications. Experience of working with SQL Server 2000 or later including TSQL and Stored Procedures. MS Office SharePoint Server 2007 and or MS Performance Point development . MS SQL Server Reporting Services & Analysis Services. Windows 2003 Server, IIS, .NET Framework End user support for both Windows and application software. Experience of SITS or other student record systems Qualifications/Training Degree / HND in IT related subject or equivalent experience Microsoft Certified Application Developer (MCAD) Web development technologies to support reporting and analysis from back end databases Special Knowledge/Ability In depth understanding of business information processes in a support environment in a large organisation. Ability to effectively and efficiently identify development needs with regard to existing web applications. Knowledge of internet programming languages, including ASP, Java Script, VB.NET. Ability to create and analyse large complex datasets to solve information requirements Knowledge and understanding of complex database design Knowledge of HE environment

Essential

Desirable

Evidenced

Y Y

Application and Interview Application and Interview

Y Y

Application and Interview / Test Application and Interview / Test

Y

Application and Interview Y Y

Application and Interview Application and Interview Application and Interview

Y

Application and Interview

Y

Y

Application Y

Application and interview Application and interview

Y

Application and Interview

Y

Y Application and Interview Y Application and Interview Y Y

Application and Interview

Y

Application and Interview Application and Interview

Communications Ability to communicate and/or explain complex IT concepts to non technical colleagues in day to day activities or through training support offered. Personal Qualities Excellent problem solving and troubleshooting skills. Work independently with limited instruction/supervision. Ability to work on project and day-to-day operations in parallel. Ability to work as a member of a team. Good inter-personal skills at all levels. Capable of working to agreed timeframes. Patience and a confident approach to dealing with difficult situations and people under pressure.

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Y

Interview

Y Y

Interview Interview

Y

Interview

Y Y Y Y

Interview Interview Interview Interview

8. Organisation chart (Resource centre)

PINS Organisation Chart Nigel Phillips Senior Executive Officer

Planning and Market Research Assistants 2.6 FTE

Stuart Marshall Information Systems Manager

Judith Davison ASIS Director, Head of ARO 20 staff

Information Systems Developer Grade 7 To be appointed

Senior Computing Officer Grade 6 To be appointed

Barbara Maxwell Clerical Assistant 0.6 FTE Grade 5

9. Further Details Further details about the University and the area are available on our website www.hud.ac.uk, including a statement from our Chancellor Patrick Stewart OBE.

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