Lead Software Developer

Apple Recruitment are URGENTLY recruiting for a Lead Software Developer on behalf of the NI Assembly.

Job Purpose:

Lead Software Developers are responsible for leading and managing a team of software developers in developing bespoke business-critical procedural systems. Utilising Azure DevOps and Agile software development processes, they will lead and manage the system features' planning, analysis, design, and implementation.

They will coach and mentor a software development team to ensure that software meets users' needs, taking responsibility for writing clean, secure and effective code, following best practice guidelines and quality assurance processes.

Main duties and responsibilities are:

The main duties and responsibilities of the post are to: Leading and managing a software development team

• Coach, develop and manage a team of software developers using Agile

processes and reporting;

• Provide expert technical advice and leadership in all aspects of Agile software

development processes;

• Provide technical advice to the Deputy Head of IS Office/Principal Developer

to assist them in managing, evaluating and prioritising software development

requests received through the IS Request System and delegate appropriately to staff in the Application Development Team;

Leading software development project

• Meet with system stakeholders throughout the duration of a project to gather,

develop and evaluate business requirements, agree on user and technical

specifications, regularly update through review meetings and system

demonstrations and seek final project sign-off;

• Manage work to agreed plans and objectives with Assembly Members, Party

Support and Assembly Commission staff;

• Work collaboratively with the Business Relationship team to gather customer

requirements;

• Translate business requirements into technical specifications, user stories and

work tasks for the Application Development Team;

• Plan and lead the analysis of application features and groups of user stories

using Agile processes;

• Using Azure DevOps, plan and lead feature delivery in Agile sprints;

• Plan and lead the design of software features, user stories and components

using modelling techniques such as conceptual models, Data Flow diagrams

and Object-Oriented Design Principles to agreed technical specifications;

• Plan and lead the implementation and development of software features, user

stories and components using the latest Microsoft technologies;

• Plan and lead the testing of software components using C# unit testing;

• Use Azure DevOps Test to create user acceptance and performance testing

plans;

• Plan and lead the review and documentation of software components using

Azure DevOps;

• Quality assuring the work of the Application Development Team to ensure

they write clean, secure and effective code that adheres to software

development policies, standards, and best practice guidelines, including

version control management;

• Oversee system integration of software components, including integration

testing;

• Using Azure DevOps Pipelines, create and manage build & release definitions

to manage software builds and releases;

• Work collaboratively with team members to share knowledge and experience

in developing software components;

• Work collaboratively with IT professionals in the Infrastructure and Service

Desk teams to ensure the software is securely provisioned;

• Assist the Deputy Head of IS Office/Principal Developer with capacity and

resource planning through project assessments and regular project progress

reports;

• Using Azure DevOps, provide regular progress updates to the Deputy Head of

IS Office/Principal Developer;

• Provide technical advice, training and support on the use of bespoke business

critical procedural applications, third-party software solutions and software

packages to Assembly Members, Party Support and Assembly Commission

staff to ensure the smooth running of Plenary and Committee business;

• Provide first-line technical support of bespoke systems, corporate ICT systems

and 3rd party software, prioritising business-critical procedural systems to ensure

the smooth running of Plenary and Committee business by diagnosing and

resolving bugs and software related issues effectively and efficiently to ensure full

resolution of issues;

• Perform project management duties for corporate and directorate software

projects by fulfilling the role of technical assurance and project manager;

Database design

• Oversee the design of database tables and relationships using EntityRelationship models;

• Oversee the implementation of database designs using the latest Microsoft SQL

Server, Management Studio and SQL code;

Technical Support

• Manage, develop and provide technical support and advice for cloud services

such as Microsoft Azure, Microsoft Teams and SharePoint Online, ensuring the

business needs of Assembly Members, Party Support and Assembly

Commission staff are met;

• Perform the role of contract manager for software support contracts with 3rd party

suppliers in line with procurement guidelines;

• Investigate and analyse new software products, including the production of

assessment reports and recommendations;

• Provide consultancy for a wide range of ICT enabled activities within the

organisation, including acting as an ICT expert on corporate & interParliamentary working groups;

• Establish, develop and maintain effective relationships with key stakeholders,

including Assembly Members, business areas across the Assembly Commission

and other ICT staff from the Northern Ireland Civil Service, non-departmental

public bodies and other legislatures;

• Assist the Head of IS Office and Deputy Head of IS Office/Principal Developer in

the development and implementation of relevant IT policy, standards and

procedures;

• Assist the Head of IS Office and Deputy Head of IS Office/Principal Developer in

the development, implementation and monitoring of IT security measures

• Liaise with other IS Office staff in maintaining effective ICT services;

• Provide technical support and advice for IS Office Service Desk staff when

dealing with software-related problems;

• Comply with all of the Assembly Commission’s staff policies and procedures,

including Equal Opportunities and Dignity at Work policies and procedures; and

• Undertake other duties that the Assembly Commission reasonably requires of you.

If you wish to apply or would like more information, please email your CV in Microsoft word format to Caroline by clicking on the link below by 5pm on Monday 3rd February 2025. You must also include a bullet pointed synopsis at the top of your CV, or provide a Cover Letter, demonstrating how exactly you meet the Essential Criteria below:

Essential Criteria:

Essential Criteria:

Applicants for the post must, by the closing date for applications, have:

1. A Bachelor’s (or higher) degree, in Computing, Computing Science, Software

Engineering or other discipline relevant to Information Systems / Information

Technology*.

AND

At least 1 year’s experience in leading and managing an application development team.

AND

At least 2 years’ experience in each of the following areas:

i. Application Development, including Microsoft Visual Studio 2015 or

later and C#.NET and ASP.NET programming skills.

ii. Agile development using Azure DevOps.

iii. Database Design based on Microsoft SQL Server 2012 or later.

OR

2. An HND or Foundation Degree in Computing or other discipline relevant to

Information Systems / Information Technology*.

AND

At least 1 year’s experience in leading and managing an application development team.

AND

At least 3 years’ experience in each of the following areas:

i. Application Development, including Microsoft Visual Studio 2015 or

later and C#.NET and ASP.NET programming skills.

ii. Agile development using Azure DevOps.

iii. Database Design based on Microsoft SQL Server 2012 or later

*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.

Further Details:

· Hourly Rate based on £42,345 (+ £10,043 salary supplement p.a.)

· Start Date - ASAP

· Closing Date for CV’s: 5pm on Monday 3rd February 2025

· This area operates Hybrid working

• Until end of July 2025 with chance of extension.

If you wish to apply or would like more information, please email your CV in Microsoft word format to Caroline by clicking on the link below by 5pm on Monday 3rd February 2025.

Applicants must ensure their CV is accurate and up to date. The CV should include your full employment history inclusive of dates, all academic achievements and full personal contact details.

Please note only applicants that match this criteria can be considered for the role.

Apple Recruitment Services is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy. Apple Recruitment Services is an Equal Opportunities Employer.