Education Authority Northern Ireland
Senior Data Analyst
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JOB DESCRIPTION
REPORTS TO: Lead Data Analyst
RESPONSIBLE FOR:
The post holder will be responsible for coordinating and developing high-quality information and data analysis to maximise the value of public education data. The role will support the design of improved workflows that transform data into meaningful insight, enabling faster, more informed and evidence-based decision making.
The role will involve working closely with EA services and programmes such as the EnAble Programme and EdIS as directed by management to ensure successful delivery of analytics projects and a data-informed culture within the EA.
To succeed in this role, you will have good business knowledge and strong analytical skills with the ability to collect, organise, analyse and disseminate significant amounts of information with attention to detail and accuracy.
JOB PURPOSE
- Lead on-going reviews and evaluation of EA’s data and identify areas for improvement, developing and creating solutions and plans that are productive, efficient, and provide value for money.
- Make recommendations in technical developments, data management, and analytics that will improve the quality, trustworthiness, and safety of EA data and analytics and that will step-change business efficiency.
- Develop, maintain, and improve reports, insight dashboards, and analytics to ensure efficient information use and appropriate availability of reliable information. Delivery of a high standard of customer service to all users of the reports, dashboards, and analytics.
- Use data processing and analysis tools to collate, analyse, and visualise data to identify trends, process bottlenecks, and patterns, and to produce insights in a way to support schools and EA in better decision-making processes.
- Lead implementation of EA’s Data Quality framework and develop optimisation strategies and standards that support the end use of data.
- Support the development and implementation of the EA Data Strategy within the organisation.
- Provide advice, support, and guidance to Directorates on all aspects of data analytics and wider data management competencies.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Technical
- Model and interpret data, analyse results using statistical techniques, and provide ongoing reports.
- Identify, investigate, and interpret trends or patterns in complex data sets.
- Work with management to plan and prioritise business and information needs.
- Locate and define new opportunities to improve the quality and trustworthiness of data and analytics.
- Assist in the development, implementation, and operation of the Data Strategy for the organisation.
- Liaise with EA Services, providing suitable challenge when necessary, to define and assess insight requirements, to design, develop, and test reports, dashboards, and analytics, and to support end users to interrogate the data and draw correct conclusions.
- Collaborate with others to provide collective insights.
- Lead the development and implementation of the Data Strategy within the EA.
- Use data visualisation tools to present compelling findings that inform wider decisions.
- Coordinate the production of reports, dashboards, and analytics to produce insight for both internal and external stakeholders and ensure business needs are delivered in a timely manner including for statutory reporting. Provide advice and guidance to Directorates in relation to such reports, dashboards, and analytics.
Managerial
- Work with the Head of Data Services to establish, maintain, and communicate a clear and compelling strategic direction for the Insights Centre of Excellence.
- Direct and manage their elements of Data Strategy in accordance with EA’s strategic direction, relevant legislation, industry best practice, and other public sector policies and guidance.
- Line Manage employees assigned to support the Insights Centre of Excellence.
- Ensure that employees within the Insights Centre of Excellence are provided with clear structure, strategies, policies, and processes for their system/service are implemented while maintaining the high standards of the Authority and any future challenges.
- Ensure that employees within the Insights Centre of Excellence are provided with clear roles and responsibilities and are supported to work in an integrated way.
- To manage the risk profile of their work and provide the Head of Data Services with early warning on all assurance matters.
- Ensure all deliverables within postholder’s function are managed scope-effectively, time-and cost-efficiently.
- Work closely with the Head of Data Services to ensure that all deliverables conform to the Data Strategy.
- Developing clear and complete documentation and technical records of work done to create solid legacy documents for audit or future review.
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Cultural
- To promote the corporate vision, values, and culture of EA as a single regional organisation, in all processes linked to maintenance, development, and implementation of their element of project assignment.
- To deliver/manage service budget in accordance with financial policy and procedures.
- To ensure that systems/services meet the needs and standards expected of a leading public service organisation.
- To establish effective, accountable, and rigorous quality assurance systems to achieve the highest possible standards of performance, with focuses on maintaining the needs of internal and external customers.
- Foster a culture that supports achievement of the authority’s Strategic Plan by role modelling core values and leadership behaviours to staff.
- Investigate all complaints/adverse incidents within their areas of responsibilities where outcomes are below expected standards.
- Encourage a data-informed culture that enables effective decision-making at all levels by strengthening data literacy skills among EA employees.
Other
- Work may occasionally be required outside of standard working hours.
This job description will be subject to review in light of changing circumstances and is not intended to be rigid and inflexible but should be regarded as providing guidelines within which the individual works. Other duties of a similar nature and appropriate to the grade may be assigned from time to time.
In accordance with Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act (1998), the post-holder is expected to promote good relations, equality of opportunity, and pay due regard for equality legislation at all times.
To view the summary of terms and conditions for this post, click here.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
NOTES TO JOB APPLICANTS
- You must clearly demonstrate on your application form under each question, how, and to what extent you meet the required criteria as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. You should clearly demonstrate this for both the essential and desirable criteria, where relevant.
- You must demonstrate how you meet the criteria by the closing date for applications, unless the criteria state otherwise.
- The stage in the process when the criteria will be measured is outlined in the table below.
- Shortlisting will be carried out on the basis of the essential criteria set out in Section 1 below, using the information provided by you on your application form.
- Please note that the Selection Panel reserves the right to shortlist only those applicants that it believes most strongly meet the criteria for the role.
- In the event of an excessive number of applications, the Selection Panel also reserves the right to apply any desirable criteria as outlined in Section 3 at shortlisting, in which case these will be applied in the order listed. It is important therefore that you also clearly demonstrate on your application form on how you meet any desirable criteria.
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Section 1 - Essential Criteria
The following are essential criteria which will initially be measured at the shortlisting stage and which may also be further explored during the interview/selection stage. You should therefore make it clear on your application form how, and to what extent you meet these criteria. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted.
| Factor | Essential Criteria | Method of Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Qualifications/Experience | Hold a bachelor’s degree (QCF Level 6) or an equivalent or higher qualification in an area related to the role e.g. Science, Technology, Engineering, ICT, Mathematics, Finance, or Business AND have three years’ relevant experience* OR have five years relevant experience*. *Relevant experience is defined as: Coordinating the delivery of data analysis and insight, and working with stakeholders to define data or system requirements to support decision making. | Shortlisting by Application Form |
| Experience | Demonstrable experience of working within a project or programme environment, including planning, prioritising, and guiding a team to deliver analytical work to agreed timelines. Demonstrable experience of analysing business processes and documenting data or system requirements to support change or system implementation, including providing constructive challenge where appropriate. Demonstrable experience of working with structured datasets, including querying, transforming, and validating data using SQL. Demonstrable experience of developing high-quality reports, dashboards, or analytical outputs using business intelligence tools and presenting findings and recommendations clearly to a range of stakeholders, including senior audiences. Demonstrable experience of identifying and supporting the implementation of improvements to data processes, data flows, or data quality to support system change, integration, or better decision-making. | Shortlisting by Application Form |
| Other | Demonstrable commitment to continuous personal and professional development, including keeping pace with developments in data and digital technology. The successful candidate will be required: to have access to a suitable vehicle (appropriately maintained and insured for Education Authority business) that will enable them to carry out the mobility requirements of the post in an efficient and effective manner and thus meet this essential criterion; OR be able to provide sufficient information on the application form that will satisfy the employer that he/she has access to an appropriate alternative form of transport that will enable them to carry out the mobility requirements of the post in an efficient and effective manner and thus meet this essential criterion. | Shortlisting by Application Form |
Section 2 - Essential Criteria
The following are additional essential criteria which will be measured during the interview/selection stage in line with EA’s Game Changing People Model.
| Factor | Essential Criteria | Method of Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Knowledge | Knowledge of the current and anticipated challenges |
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