SQL Developer

You are an experienced SQL Database Administrator/Developer who is passionate about utilising technologies and Agile methodologies to provide secure, robust solutions for our data analytics and business intelligence. Working as part of a neurodiverse team or on your own you can deliver on schedule, innovative solutions that improve the quality and effectiveness of Audit Scotland’s role in ensuring public money is well spent to meet the needs of Scotland's people.

Overall purpose of the role

• Working with our Digital Audit team to deliver cloud-based data analytics tools and applications to support world-class audit.

• Designing and managing Audit Scotland's data architecture and maintaining our business intelligence solutions.

• Providing database administration for all on-premises and cloud applications.

What you will be doing

• Digital Audit and Business Intelligence development:
• Delivering ETL/ELT solutions.
• Administration and development of SSRS and Power BI solutions.
• Support secure data extraction via third-party APIs, specifically M365 and Azure.
• Database development:
• Development and maintenance of scripts and stored procedures T-SQL.
• Database modelling, both OLTP and Data Warehouse.
• Tuning of queries and indexes to provide performant solutions in transactional systems and reporting.
• Agile development, incl. version control, e.g. git, automated testing and DevOps.
• Database planning and administration:
• Manage on-premises SQL Server and Azure SQL Server Systems.
• Design database architecture (MS SQL) for integration with business intelligence and data analytics solutions.
• Manage business continuity solutions, backups, and log shipping.
• Apply security best practice in all design and administration.

This is a hybrid working role where the successful candidate may choose to work from home. However, the role will require a minimum of one day a week in our Edinburgh office and datacentre for regular database maintenance tasks and, where necessary, to respond to Business Continuity and Cyber Incident Response events.

Knowledge and experience

• Significant/Extensive experience in a Database Administrator/Developer role working with SQL Server supporting both on-premises and cloud services in an environment delivering multiple applications to a userbase of hundreds of users.
• Some experience providing Business Intelligence solutions for multiple environments.
• A degree in a relevant topic or evidence of significant workplace experience in the relevant technologies is required.

Person specification - specific knowledge and experience

Essential:

• Experience of providing SQL Database Administration and Development to a consistently high standard. Including providing, supporting, and improving: (I)
• Backups and disaster recovery. (S)
• Log shipping or equivalent. (S)
• SQL Server security, including logins, users and permissions. (S)
• Indexing and query tuning. (S)
• Designing and maintaining scripts and queries using T-SQL. (S)
• Database modelling, both OLTP and Data Warehouse. (S)
• Experience of providing high quality Business Intelligence solutions, including: (I)
• Delivering ETL/ELT solutions using SSIS, Azure Data Factory or equivalent. (S)
• SSRS and Power BI administration and development, or equivalent. (S)
• Agile development including git, or equivalent, version control.(S) (I)
• Proven ability to work on solo projects, self-managing workload and delivering products on schedule. (S)
• A proactive approach to planning, implementing and problem-solving. Able to self-start resolving complex and difficult technical tasks, using in depth research to find solutions. (I) (A)
• Working as a key member of digital services and data analytics teams. Supporting colleagues and proactively delivering innovative solutions. (I) (A)
• Able to communicate complex principles in an easy-to-understand way, ranging from a simple discussion to proving written guides and presentations. Able to lead requirement gathering with end users and business teams. (I) (A)

Desirable:

• Experience providing:
• Migration from on-premises SQL Server to Azure SQL Server (IaaS & PaaS).
• Using PowerShell for database administration. (S)
• Applying Agile techniques for automated testing, continuous integration and delivery, and DevOps.
• Utilising M365 and Azure APIs for secure data extraction.
• A strong understanding of cyber security risks and how to deliver cyber resilient solution. (S)
• A working knowledge of data governance regulations and principals.

*S = Shortlisting criteria I = Interview criteria A = Assessment / Exercise

Interested? Next Steps:

• Click the apply button to complete an application form. If you wish, you can also share your CV. We offer a range of benefits, please visit our careers page for more information at http://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/careers.
• Our application deadline is Sunday 8th September 2024 midnight.

Audit Scotland

Our vision is that public money is well spent to meet the needs of Scotland's people.

To achieve this, we support the Auditor General for Scotland and the Accounts Commission to provide clear, independent and objective assurance on how effectively public money is being managed and spent. Our work covers about £57bn of public spending, almost 300 public sector accounts, and the services and projects that affect all people and communities in Scotland.

As well as what we do, how we do it is integral to delivering our vision and critical to our wellbeing and our organisational success. We put our organisational values of equality, independence, innovation, integrity and respect at the heart of everything we do.

We employ around 340 staff in a wide variety of roles, working from our main offices in Edinburgh and Glasgow, and through a network of regional offices across Scotland.

There has never been a more interesting or important time to join us. We offer a rewarding place to work, a supportive and open culture and a wide range of professional development opportunities. Benefits include 42 days of annual leave including public holidays, an attractive local government pension scheme with 19.4% employer contributions, personal development allowances and flexible working hours. We’ve also been named one of the top 25 workplaces in Scotland and the UK’s tenth best accountancy workplace in the 2023 Best Companies awards.

Diversity and Inclusion

We value the unique perspective a diverse workforce brings to what we do. Therefore, we’re keen to increase representation in our workforce and support progression of minority ethnic groups. We are also a proud disability confident employer.

Reasonable Adjustments

Audit Scotland’s recruitment process may include various stages and activities including application forms, online assessments, and interviews, to assess whether you meet the requirements of the role.

As a Disability Confident employer, we are committed to providing inclusive and accessible recruitment where everyone is supported to perform at their best.

When applying for a job with Audit Scotland, you will be asked in the application form if you need an adjustment at any stage of the recruitment process. Please include the reason you require an adjustment and details of what adjustment/s might help.

Some examples of adjustments that have been given to candidates include changing the time, location or format of interviews and providing additional time in any assessments and interviews. This is not an exhaustive list, and we will consider any adjustments that you might need.

As part of our commitment to equality and diversity, our equality network groups would be delighted to offer an insight into Audit Scotland’s culture of inclusivity. If you consider yourself to have a visible or hidden disability and wish to hear more about life at Audit Scotland or wish to speak with someone about the possibility of any adjustments, please contact Careers@audit-scotland.gov.uk or call 0131 625 1500 for further information and a member of the HR team will be in touch.

How we work

We employ around 340 staff in a wide variety of roles. They work flexibly at home and in the office as well as from audit sites across Scotland. This isn’t your typical work from home or work from office type job. We’re flexible about working patterns and we’ve transformed how we deliver high-quality public audit. We support you to work in the ways that achieve the best results for you, your team and the business, including your physical location and how you manage your hours. Put simply, we trust you to do your job, and want you to have the ability to have a rewarding work-life balance and best support your individual circumstances, be that childcare, adult carer responsibilities or managing disabilities.

We welcome applications from across the UK. Some travel to our offices or client sites will be necessary at times, but you don’t need to live in Scotland to work for us.

Other conditions

Audit Scotland is committed to ensuring that:

• We minimise our impact on the environment in accordance with Government policy affecting public sector organisations.
• We uphold the principles of equality, fairness and diversity.
• We all work within a safe environment and adhere to good standards of health and safety.
• All information is protected and managed appropriately.
• We maintain independence and political neutrality.