Applications analyst - Counter Terrorism Policing

As an applications analyst, you'll support business-critical systems that are vital to our work in Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP). It’s a chance to work at the forefront of national security and public safety, alongside emergency service colleagues, government agencies, intelligence services and the military to help keep our communities safe.

Join us, and you’ll be working as part of a support team in an Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) aligned environment within our Technology Customer Service Centre (CSC). Here, you’ll troubleshoot technical incidents and provide operational support for large portfolio of applications that are crucial to the UK’s Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) network.  

Thanks to fast-evolving technology, new applications are being developed for policing all the time. You will help support this growing area by tackling applications-related issues. Responding to IT incidents, requests, problems and changes, you will be our second-line contact to police officers and staff around the country.

At this level, you will also be an escalation point for all applications-related incidents, managing them through to resolution. And whenever new or improved applications roll out, you’ll make sure that live support is seamless.

We want you to take the initiative when it comes to good working practices and processes. You'll therefore need experience of applications management and ideally, knowledge of ITIL environments. With this expertise, you'll feel confident taking responsibility for outstanding faults, and for liaising with users and the other technical teams.

While an understanding of Microsoft development tools is essential such as, IIS, .NET, MS-SQL, Visual Studio, you should be just as skilled with people: able to explain technical issues and form good working relationships. If you can combine customer service experience with an analytical mind and good problem-solving skills, we can offer you an exciting role in a supportive team. The applications in our portfolio are mostly bespoke but we'll make sure you get first-class training and an excellent work/life balance.

This role requires a flexible working approach as you may be required to travel to sites around the UK, as well as working on-call.

In return for your efforts, you can expect a competitive salary, a Civil Service pension, excellent career development, and a highly fulfilling role. 

Job summary

As an applications analyst, you'll support business-critical systems that are vital to our work in an ITIL-aligned environment. It's an IT role like no other, which comes with excellent training and the chance to build your skills. The Customer Service Centre has an extensive network to support the Counter Terrorism Policing network. With the growing threat to National Security, we need to expand this network and that means adding to our dedicated team. It's your chance to play your part in supporting UK policing.

Thanks to fast-evolving technology, new applications are being developed for policing all the time. Your task will be to help support this growing area by tackling applications-related issues. Day-to-day, you'll assist the senior applications analysts and database administrators in maintaining the Applications portfolio to ensure we have an accurate record of supported applications. You'll also be an escalation point for all applications-related incidents, managing them through to resolution. Whenever new or improved applications roll out, your role will be key in making sure that live support is seamless.

We want you to take the initiative when it comes to good working practices and processes. So you'll need experience of applications management and ideally, knowledge of ITIL environments. With this expertise, you'll feel confident taking responsibility for outstanding faults, liaising with users and the other technical teams.

While an understanding of Microsoft development tools is essential you should be just as adept with people and be able to explain technical issues simply and form good working relationships. If you can combine customer service experience with strong IT literacy, we can offer you an exciting role in a supportive team.  

This role does however require a flexible working approach, and you may at times be required to travel to sites around the UK as appropriate, as well as working on-call.   

Key tasks

You will be required to do the following:

• work within a service team monitoring components such as web servers, applications servers, log files, disk space and MS-SQL databases
• be a point of escalation for all application-related issues within the Applications and Data team
• work as part of a second line support function following incident management through to incident resolution. Natural problem solving with ability to apply previous experience to new problems working towards route cause analysis
• work with third party suppliers, stakeholders, and departmental information and communication technology (ICT) teams to assist in delivering patch/release of applications while coordinating vendor support
• maintain middleware such as IIS, MS-SQL Server, Active Directory, ASP and. NET, including troubleshooting, performance tuning, basic querying and resolving bottlenecks
• daily support of COTS and WEB based software applications with an emphasis on the ability to problem solve
• strong customer focus and an understanding of the needs of internal and external customers and keeping them in mind when taking actions or making decisions

Vetting

This post requires access to the most sensitive intelligence material on a daily basis. Applicants must hold or be prepared to undergo National Security Vetting (NSV) Developed Vetting (DV) level before taking up the post.

Additionally, this material is of particular sensitivity to the UK and its distribution must be restricted to UK nationals. In approved circumstances dual nationals (of which one element is British) may also be granted access. However, in the event that potential conflicts of interest cannot be managed the post holder will not be able to see the intelligence material and will not be able to perform their duties.

For the purpose of safeguarding national security and in line with Cabinet Office Policy, supported by Section 82(2) to (4) of the Police Reform Act (2002), applicants who do not hold or acquire Security Check (enhanced) (SC(e)) OR Developed Vetting (DV) clearance and meet the nationality requirements cannot be offered the post.

Confidentiality agreement

Applicants should also be aware of the need to sign a confidentiality agreement on taking up the post.

Our employee commitments

Counter Terrorism Policing aims to create an inclusive and welcoming atmosphere and culture and an environment where all our people feel a strong sense of belonging and are able to reach their full potential. Where any group or individual can be and feel respected, supported and valued to fully participate and contribute to our mission of 'Working to keep people safe from Terrorism'.

Inclusion, diversity and equality is at the front and centre of our approach to make the composition of Counter Terrorism Policing more representative of the communities we serve. As Counter Terrorism is rooted in Local Policing, to tackle today’s complex policing challenges, applications from across all communities are therefore essential and encouraged. Counter Terrorism Policing as a network is committed to ensuring that disabled people and those with long-term health conditions have the opportunities to fulfil their potential and realise their aspirations.

Counter Terrorism Policing is committed to creating an inclusive working environment. We welcome and encourage applications from candidates who are seeking flexible working arrangements, including part time working or job share. In addition, this role may be done in an agile manner. In the first instance, please contact us to discuss how such arrangements could be accommodated where applicable.