Systems Application Specialist

Some people see a frustrating system and work around it. Others want to understand the problem and fix it. We are looking for the second kind.

As our Systems Application Specialist, you will get hands on with the clinical and corporate systems used across Compass, helping make them easier, smarter and more useful for our amazing teams who rely on them every day.

This is much more than keeping systems ticking over. You will configure applications, improve workflows, manage upgrades and help introduce new systems, working with colleagues to understand what they actually need and turning that into practical solutions.

There is plenty of technical variety too. You will work with APIs and integrations, system testing, data quality and reporting, using tools including Power BI, Excel and SQL to help turn information into something people can actually use.

You will work closely with our Information Governance, Data and IT colleagues, as well as suppliers and teams across Compass. Your work will help ensure our systems are secure and reliable, while continuing to evolve as the organisation does.

You can choose to work remotely or from our York office, with occasional travel for meetings and other work related activities when needed.

If you enjoy getting under the bonnet of a system, solving problems and seeing your ideas become something people use every day, this is the opportunity for you.

Main duties of the job

You are naturally curious about how systems work and how they could work better. When something is clunky or not doing what people need, your instinct is to understand why and find a practical solution.

You will bring experience of developing, configuring and supporting clinical or corporate systems, including workflows, forms, permissions and system changes. You are comfortable troubleshooting problems, testing solutions and helping people get the best from the technology they use., Some people see a frustrating system and work around it. Others want to understand the problem and fix it. We are looking for the second kind.

As our Systems Application Specialist, you will get hands on with the clinical and corporate systems used across Compass, helping make them easier, smarter and more useful for our amazing teams who rely on them every day.

This is much more than keeping systems ticking over. You will configure applications, improve workflows, manage upgrades and help introduce new systems, working with colleagues to understand what they actually need and turning that into practical solutions.

There is plenty of technical variety too. You will work with APIs and integrations, system testing, data quality and reporting, using tools including Power BI, Excel and SQL to help turn information into something people can actually use.

You will work closely with our Information Governance, Data and IT colleagues, as well as suppliers and teams across Compass. Your work will help ensure our systems are secure and reliable, while continuing to evolve as the organisation does. You can choose to work remotely or from our York office, with occasional travel for meetings and other work related activities when needed. If you enjoy getting under the bonnet of a system, solving problems and seeing your ideas become something people use every day, this is the opportunity for you.

• Degree level knowledge through education or relevant experience
• Recognised IT, technical or systems qualification
• Experience developing and supporting IT systems or applications
• Experience configuring systems and workflows
• Experience troubleshooting and resolving system issues
• Experience of system testing and change
• Experience working with data, reports and dashboards
• Knowledge of SQL, Power BI or similar reporting tools
• Knowledge of Information Governance and UK GDPR
• Strong problem solving and communication skills

Experience of NHS or clinical systems, APIs, suppliers, system upgrades or DSPT would be useful, but is not essential.

If you are the person who spots a problem and cannot resist figuring out a better way to make it work, wed love to see you apply., * Educated to degree level or able to demonstrate an equivalent level of knowledge gained through substantial relevant work experience.

• Recognised IT, technical or systems qualification or certification., * Experience of developing, managing and supporting clinical and or corporate IT systems and applications.
• Experience of supporting colleagues to use systems effectively and troubleshoot issues.
• Experience of configuring systems, workflows, forms, templates, user roles and permissions to meet operational requirements.
• Experience of identifying, recording and resolving system defects or issues as part of change, upgrade or implementation activity.
• Excellent track record of delivering work to deadlines whilst balancing competing priorities.
• Experience of completing work accurately and within agreed timescales.
• Experience of analysing and interpreting complex information and presenting findings in an accessible manner.
• Experience of using reporting and analytical tools to develop reports, dashboards and management information.
• Experience of collaborative and partnership working across organisational hierarchies and boundaries.
• Experience of working in a complex and demanding environment.
• Experience of supporting service and or process improvement and transformation.
• Knowledge and experience of working with data and datasets.
• Experience of planning, completing and documenting system testing, including functional testing, user acceptance testing and regression testing., * Experience of working within local government, the public sector or the voluntary sector.
• Experience of working with suppliers and third party providers.
• Experience of leading or managing projects.
• Experience of NHS or other clinical systems.
• Experience of leading system change control, release management or upgrade testing processes.
• Experience of supporting strategic performance insights and data management.
• Experience of working with clinical information.
• Experience of generating evidence for the NHS Data Security and Protection Toolkit (DSPT)., * Knowledge of Information Governance practices, Caldicott Principles, Data Quality Standards and UK GDPR.
• Knowledge and experience of SQL, Power BI or other business intelligence and reporting tools.
• Awareness of API integration, data mapping, interface testing and data exchange standards.
• Ability to build and maintain positive working relationships with colleagues and external stakeholders.
• Ability to manage work through to successful completion whilst working under pressure.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage own workload effectively and escalate issues where appropriate.
• Strong problem solving skills.
• Ability to work confidently with large reports and datasets.
• Ability to motivate others and promote positive team working.
• High level analytical and interpretation skills.
• Presentation skills.
• Collaborative team player.
• Consistent and reliable.
• Curious with a commitment to continuous improvement.
• Demonstrates the Compass values.
• Leads by example.
• Pragmatic, flexible and resilient.
• Self motivated, enthusiastic and proactive.
• Ability to manage difficult situations sensitively.
• Strategic thinker.

We offer a range of benefits including:

• 27 days holiday + bank holidays, rising to 32 days over time (pro rata)
• Life assurance at 2 x basic salary
• Competitive contributory pension scheme
• 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme and OH service
• Enhanced sick pay
• Excellent learning & development opportunities and career progression
• Annual salary review

Compass is committed to safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults. Established for over 30 years, Compass is a national charity which works in communities across the UK providing services spanning substance misuse treatment and rehabilitation, early interventions for vulnerable young people, school-aged health programmes and associated prevention as well as treatment and health promotion initiatives.

All Compass posts are subject to appropriate level DBS checks.

We positively encourage applications from all members of the community, regardless of gender, race, faith, disability, age, or sexual orientation, and encourage applications from people who have experiences in life which enrich skills and empathy. This is part of our commitment to equality and developing a truly inclusive and representative workforce.

We are happy to discuss any reasonable adjustments individuals may require in the recruitment process, on commencement, or once in post.