Business Analyst - Trusted Research & Secure Innovation Network
Role details
Job location
Tech stack
Job description
The Trusted Research and Secure Innovation (TReSI) Network is new project, led by Heriot-Watt University and funded by the Scottish Funding Council as part of a portfolio of four projects under its Research and Innovation Shared Services Fund. The aim of the project is to build scalable, sustainable capabilities across Scottish universities to implement transparent and responsible Trusted Research and Secure Innovation practices.
Leveraging collaboration across Scotland's universities, the project will develop a customisable digital toolkit comprising scalable processes, case studies, decision-support and audit materials. Using agile, sprint-based project management, it will;
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Define minimum requirements for due diligence, monitoring and reporting across different research contexts
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Create adaptable tools for identifying and managing high risk research areas
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Build a case study bank to support decision-making and researcher awareness, Forming part of the TReSI Network Project Team, the Business Analyst will provide business analysis skills and expertise to the project to deliver strategic and operational change across the project partners. The role operates within a matrix management environment and is part of the Global Project Management Office's Professional Family. The role-holder will work closely with stakeholders at all levels in the host and partner organisations, acting as the key interface between stakeholders, sponsors, the project manager and project teams. The role is responsible for analysis, design and requirements work to ensure business needs are understood, appropriate solutions are defined, and stakeholder expectations are managed across the full project lifecycle through to successful delivery., Requirements definition, gathering & management
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: capture, refine, and maintain requirements using interviews, workshops, and analysis techniques.Business Process Analysis & Design
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: document current-state processes, identify gaps and improvements, and design validated future-state processes.Stakeholder Engagement
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: facilitate discussions, manage expectations, and ensure clear communication throughout the project delivery lifecycle.
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Collaborate to define business needs and requirements through facilitation of workshops, meetings and individual engagementSolution Assessment & Validation
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: support evaluation, selection, and validation of solutions, coordinating User Acceptance Testing (UAT) where applicable and ensuring that solutions align with overall project and strategic goals.Documentation & Artefacts
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: produce standardised Business Requirements Documents, user stories, process maps, data flow diagrams, and benefits maps to agreed standards.Collaboration with Project Teams
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: work with PMs, PMO and other analysts, developers, testers, and business SMEs to deliver agreed scope.
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Promote continuous improvement and be a positive advocate for transformational change to business systems and processes; contribute to BA capability development, and mentor and develop junior colleagues.
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Prepare quality presentation material showcasing the ability to summarise complexity into clarity fit for a range of stakeholders including executives.Change operating model development
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: contribute and influence future state change capability development and directly influence analysis and design within the project; support training, communications, and PMO team activities.
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Undertake strategic transformation activities as required, including analysis work to evolve strategy development
Key Stakeholders, Authorities and Decision Rights
Key relationships: Global Director of Research Engagement
- : project lead
- TReSI Network Project Manager - colleague
- TReSI Network Community Engagement Co-ordinator - colleague
- TReSI Network Technical Specialist - colleagueDeputy Principal (Research and Impact)
- : project sponsorHead of Global Project Management Office
- : professional family co-leadHead of Digital Transformation
- : professional family co-lead
- PMO Programme Managers, Project Managers and Project Support Analysts - Colleagues
- Academic Researchers -Stakeholders
- No direct operational or project budget holder accountability
- Accountable for authoring and sign-off of business requirements, process flows, and other key artefacts, as well as User Acceptance Testing plans, tracking and completion.
Requirements
Do you have experience in Visio?, Do you have a Bachelor's degree?, Bachelor
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's degree (or equivalent) in Business Administration, Management, Economics, Computer Science, Information Systems, Data Analytics, Engineering, Mathematics, or a related analytical field.
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Equivalent experience in a business analysis or operations role can substitute for formal academic qualifications.
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Higher Education Sector-specific experience with research lifecycle systems (e.g., Work Tribe), academic policy/governance processes, and regulatory compliance (e.g., UKRI, GDPR) is desirable.
Analytical Thinking and Problem Solving
- : able to break down complex problems into structured, actionable elements; skilled at translating strategy and change into operational and technical requirements and solutions.
Communication
- : strong written and verbal skills, adapting style to technical and non-technical audiences and for a variety of audiences.
Stakeholder Management
- : able to influence and build rapport at different organisational levels, excellent facilitation skills.
Technical Awareness
- : familiarity with a variety of portfolio, project, business process and technology development methodologies, concepts and approaches. Deep understanding of the project lifecycle, risks and enablers.
Process Modelling
- : proficiency in business process modelling management or equivalent notation for clarity and standardisation.
Requirements Engineering
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: skilled in user stories, acceptance criteria, and prioritisation techniques.
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Teambuilding and Collaboration - ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team, often in a matrix.
Business Acumen
- : understanding of organisational strategy and how initiatives support strategic objectives.
Adaptability
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: resilient in changing environments, working across time zones and cultures, and awareness of country-specific requirements; managing competing priorities effectively, excellent organisation and time management skills
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Proficiency in MS Office applications, requirements management and project collaboration tools (e.g., Mircrosoft Project, Power BI, JIRA + Confluence, Miro, Visio, and equivalents as well as emerging AI technologies)
