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Senior Software Developer (Two posts)
Forbróir Bogearraí Sinsearach (dhá phost)

Ready to plan, develop and integrate software components to support the work of the Northern Ireland Assembly?

Assembly colleagues in a meeting

Senior Software Developers work on a range of systems, from simple workflow database applications to highly complex business-critical systems that interface with cloud technology. You will have an understanding of the whole system and take responsibility for teaching this to others.

Senior Software Developer (Two posts)
Forbróir Bogearraí Sinsearach (dhá phost)

What we're looking for

Working in an Agile team environment and reporting directly to a Lead Software Developer, the main duties and responsibilities of the post are:

  • plan and lead the analysis and development of sets of related user stories using Agile processes, including liaison with users throughout the organisation to create work item technical specifications;
  • contribute to the system design and have an understanding of the whole system, and take responsibility for teaching this to others;
  • contribute to systems integration design and build, including awareness of cross-system dependencies;
  • design solutions and services with security controls embedded, specifically engineered as mitigation against security threats;
  • design, code, test, review and document software components of medium to high complexity to agreed technical specification;
  • develop software using the latest Microsoft technologies such as ASP.Net Core MVC, C#.Net, Entity Framework Core and SQL Server;
  • support and maintain legacy systems developed using VB.Net, WinForm and WebForms;
  • write clean, secure and effective code by adhering to software development policies, standards, and best practice guidelines;
  • develop, support and provide technical advice on cloud-based technologies such as Microsoft Azure, Office 365, Microsoft Teams and SharePoint Online;
  • develop and support software solutions that integrate 3rd party software such as EPiServer CMS and Umbraco CMS;
  • provide technical support of bespoke systems, including support of business-critical procedural systems to ensure the smooth running of Plenary and Committee business;
  • line management of Developers and Junior Developers, including monitoring of performance, quality assurance, coaching and mentoring;
  • advice and training to Assembly Members and their staff in the use of ICT systems, including system demonstrations and the preparation of user documentation;
  • assist in the development and implementation of relevant IT policy, strategy and standards;
  • co-operation with other ICT staff in maintaining effective computing services;
  • project management duties;
  • assist in the development, implementation and monitoring of IT security measures;
  • undertaking other duties in line with the needs and level of this post;
  • comply with all of the Assembly Commission’s staff policies and procedures including Equal Opportunities and Dignity at Work policies and procedures;
  • carry out other duties that the Assembly Commission reasonably requires of you.
What we're offering
Essential Criteria

Applicants for the post must by the closing date for application:

1 a) Be in possession of a Bachelor’s (or higher) Degree in either Computing, Computer Science, Software Engineering, or other discipline relevant to Information Systems / Information Technology*.

AND

1 b) a minimum of two years’ relevant experience in each of the area described below at (i), (ii), (iii).

OR

2 a) Be in possession of an HND or Foundation Degree in Computing or other discipline relevant to Information Systems / Information Technology*.

AND

2 b) a minimum of three years’ relevant experience in each of the area described below at (i), (ii), (iii).

(i) Application Development

  • Microsoft Visual Studio 2015 or later
  • C#.NET and ASP.NET programming skills
  • Web programming using HTML, JavaScript, CSS
  • MVC Architecture
  • Entity Framework
  • Team Foundation Server

 

(ii) Azure DevOps

  • Agile Development Processes
  • Azure Boards

 

(iii) Database Design

  • Database design including logical and physical data modelling
  • Microsoft SQL Server 2012 or later
  • Use of Structured Query Language (SQL)

 

*NB Only those courses with a computing content of 50% or more will be considered and applicants must give full details on the application form of how the content of the course meets this requirement.

Quick Q&A for this job...​

The salary range is £30,280 – £31,326. This is an Assembly Grade 7 position. 

Senior Software Developers work in the Information Systems Office (ISO). The ISO sits within the Parliamentary Services Directorate and provides the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) systems and services to support the business of the Assembly. There are at present seventeen staff in the ISO team supporting 650+ users including Assembly Members, their staff (including staff in Constituency Offices), Party support staff and Assembly Secretariat staff. Staff are predominantly Information Systems (IS) and Information Technology (IT) specialists and there are a small number of administrative staff.

The ISO supplies a full range of computing services to support the business and administration of the Assembly.   Bespoke software development is a key service, therefore, the IS Office maintains a dedicated software development function with the primary focus of developing, maintaining and supporting procedural and corporate systems.   

Most systems are deployed within the Assembly network, however, with the emergence of mobile and cloud technology, there has been a greater demand to develop bespoke systems that can be accessed from outside of Parliament Buildings by Members and their staff, public sector organisations and the public.

The successful candidate will be accountable to a Lead Software Developer.

The successful applicant will be based in Parliament Buildings, Belfast.

Completed application forms must be submitted by 12 noon on Monday 17 May 2021.

The Selection Process

There are five elements within the Recruitment and Selection Framework:

Experience – the knowledge or mastery of an activity or subject gained through involvement in or exposure to it

Abilitythe aptitude or potential to perform to the required standard.

Technical – the demonstration of specific professional skills, knowledge or qualifications.

Assembly Skills and Behaviours –the actions and activities that people do which result in effective performance in a job.

Strengths – the things we do regularly, do well and that motivate us.

The elements which will be assessed for this role will be Experience, Ability, Technical and Assembly Skills and Behaviours and the selection method(s) that will be used are detailed below. Further information on the Recruitment and Selection Framework are included in the Guidance on Recruitment and Selection for Applicants.

Online testing may be used as a shortlisting tool. Invitation to test does not imply that an applicant possesses the essential criteria. The tests will be held online and instructions and further information will be issued to applicants after the closing date for applications. Only those applicants who meet the minimum standard, and who score highest in the tests, will be considered for the next stage of the selection process, the eligibility sift. 

The essential criteria reflect the experience and knowledge that an applicant must possess in order to be able to undertake the role. An eligibility sift will be carried out on the basis of the information contained in the essential criteria section of the application form. You must therefore demonstrate clearly in your form how, and to what extent, you meet with the essential criteria for the post. 

The interview will address the information contained in the Job Specification and will assess elements of the Recruitment and Selection Framework.

Part of the interview process will be the delivery of a presentation. The subject of the presentation will be advised to the applicant on the day of the interview and the applicant will be expected to present information to the selection panel.

Interviews are planned for week commencing 21 June 2021.

Further information on the Recruitment and Selection process is available in the Recruitment and Selection Framework and Guidance on the Recruitment and Selection for Applicants.

Senior Software Developer
Forbróir Bogearraí Sinsearach

Below you will find everything you need to apply for the position.

Read all the information about the job and the associated guidance related to working in the Assembly:

You are now ready to complete the online application:

Please note the application form will be unavailable on Saturday 21st November between 00:00 – 09:00 due to maintenance on the system.

If you are unable to access the form during this time please try again later.

The deadline for applications expired at 12 noon on Monday 17 May 2021.

Further Information

If you require more information on the recruitment process, please contact the Human Resources Office on 02890 520327 or 02890 521481 or email [email protected].

Visit our website for further information about the Assembly.

Good Luck

Please note the application form will be unavailable on Saturday 21st November between 00:00 – 09:00 due to maintenance on the system.

If you are unable to access the form during this time please try again later.