About the job

Job summary

• Are you interested in joining a team where your expertise will be crucial to help deliver high quality services to help regulate and support the charity sector?
• Can you contribute as a technical database lead, managing and improving our databases and processes?
• Do you like learning and continuously improving your DBA skills and knowledge?

As a member of the multi-skilled DDaT (Digital Data and Technology) function it is essential that the post-holder works closely and collaboratively within the Data Engineering Team, the DDAT Directorate and the wider Commission. Ensuring excellent customer service to enable the Commission to use its data assets to achieve strategic aims, this job description and its responsibilities are aligned to the Digital, Data and Technology profession capability framework. 

As the Lead Database Administrator (DBA) you will be responsible for the management of availability, integrity, security, and performance of the Commission’s databases, to enable the Commission to continue to deliver high-quality services to internal and external customers. You will hold the role of a DDaT technical lead that will contribute towards us being an expert Charity Commission.

Job description

Key responsibilities:

• Database Management, Maintenance & Support – You will manage and support databases which will include ensuring the availability, integrity, security, and performance of our database estate. This will include tasks such as proactively monitoring, reporting on, and responding to database alerts and Service desk tickets. You will manage database access and permissions, monitor database performance, create and maintaining database documentation, provision and configure database environments and perform database maintenance tasks to ensure optimal performance.
• Database Change Process – Ensure that changes to databases are managed through our CAB, leading on identifying changes or working with colleagues who have identified changes, ensuring the required level of documentation, reviewing and approving the change, and finally leading on the implementation of any database changes to Production.
• Database Recoverability & Task Automation - You will also ensure that our databases are backed up, that RPO & RTO goals are met and restore procedures are in place and functioning properly. In addition, you will be expected to look to automate and optimise database tasks to ensure that databases operate functionally and efficiently.
• Database Security and Capacity Planning - You will work to ensure that our databases are secure, that access is managed appropriately, and you follow database security best practices. You will also work closely with our Cloud Engineers to plan and forecast database compute and capacity requirements, ensuring appropriate spend on cloud resources.
• Database Design and Implementation - You will collaborate with our Data Architect and support the design and implementation of databases and database changes. This will involve participating in database design and architecture discussions, making recommendations for optimal database schema and structures, to industry best standards.
• Collaboration and Communication – Working with stakeholders, you will work together to understand their data needs and provide data solutions to solve complex business challenges. Providing detailed knowledge and understanding of the technical concepts required for the role and knowing how these fit into the wider technical landscape is also a key responsibility. This role requires a high level of specialist technical skills and the ability to provide specialist definitive and expert database advice to the DDaT team and more widely across the organisation. The postholder will support and promote the development and sharing of specialist knowledge within the organisation, across all grades and business areas.
• Data Engineering & Data Strategy – As part of the Data Engineering team, you will work closely supporting Data Engineers and BI Engineers. You will also support the Data Architect in defining and designing database structures, providing technical detail and insight to ensure high-quality solutions are designed, developed, tested, and implemented. Additionally, your work will support the organisations data strategy and also work closely with our Data Governance colleagues to implement policies to ensure legal and regulatory data compliance.
• Technology Innovation – You will research and drive Cloud database technology innovation including but not limited to, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning to extract value from our technology estate. Research and test emerging technologies to keep ahead of the curve and support charities.
• Technical Leadership & Senior Management Collaboration – Ensure all technical database risks and issues are highlighted and escalated and attend meetings on behalf of the Head of Data Engineering when required. You will lead technical projects and operational activities and provide technical guidance as a member of the organisation’s Architectural Review Board

Person specification

Ability 

• Ability to work with a variety of internal and external stakeholders
• Collaborative
• Strong attention to detail
• Communicating effectively between technical and non-technical colleagues
• Understanding data requirements & design documents
• Documenting work and processes

Experience

• Microsoft SQL Server and/or Azure SQL
• Database Administration, Troubleshooting, Tuning, Alerting, Monitoring, Maintenance, Recoverability
• Monitoring & Diagnostic tools, like Redgate SQL Monitor
• Managing multiple environments, including Production environments
• Database Release management

Technical

• Detailed knowledge in the deployment and management of Microsoft Azure Cloud database platforms
• Strong understanding of database engine and RDBMS fundamentals for troubleshooting and performance tuning
• Expert knowledge of SQL
• Knowledge of Azure DevOps; tools and processes
• Expert technical database skills, to act as a lead in the team and develop skills of team members
• Transactional replication

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £43,657, Charity Commission contributes £11,787 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

As part of the application process as a minimum you are asked to complete a CV and a personal statement.

• A blind CV setting out your Job History/Full Qualifications/Previous skill and experiences.
• A Personal Statement (maximum 750 words) demonstrating how you meet the essential criteria for the role outlined on the Job Description.

At interview you will be assessed on your technical knowledge and experience and  behaviours: 

Interview Arrangements

Interviews will be taking place Face to Face in our Liverpool and Newport offices. 

The sift is due to take place on 09/01/2024.

Interviews will be held Newport - 18/01/2024, Liverpool 19/01/2024.

We will try to meet the dates set out in the advert. There may be occasions when these dates change. You will be provided with sufficient notice of the confirmed dates. 

At the interview, the panel can then probe further and ask applicants to provide further specific examples that show how they best demonstrate their skills.

We reserve the right to raise the score required at any stage of the process to manage numbers.

The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment.

Behaviours:

The distinguishing Behaviours (the required skills, knowledge, and behaviours) for this role are set out in the Civil Service Behaviours Framework 2018 (Success Profiles - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)) and should be referred to when making this application.

You are required, under the Behaviours approach, to describe how you have dealt with a specific situation.

You must give evidence of your knowledge, skills, and behaviours and how you have applied this, such as what you did or said and how you interacted with other people.

When you are giving your examples, do not spend too many words on description and background information. Avoid using general or unspecific statements. Instead say what the situation was, what you did, what your thought process was and what was the result.

Reasonable Adjustment: 

If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled persons, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes. 

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:

• Contact Government Recruitment Service via Charitycommissionrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
• Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at an interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.

Reserve Lists:

If we have more successful candidates than available vacancies, we will hold a 12-month reserve list as standard. 

During that time, we may use the list to fill the same, or similar roles with closely matching essential criteria, without further testing of merit. Any appointments from the Reserve list will be made in strict merit order.

Applying: 

We recognise everyone as an individual, accepting people for who they are and treating everyone fairly. 

All applications for these vacancies must be made online. There are limited exceptions to this. Paper applications will only be considered if you have a disability that will prevent you from applying online. If this is the case, please email Charitycommissionrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk 

Once you have submitted your application it cannot be amended; only submit your application when you have completely finished and answered all the relevant questions. 

Please note that late applications will not be accepted. 

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section. 

New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.

Concerns/Complaints: 

The Charity Commission’s recruitment processes are underpinned by the Civil Service Commissioner’s Recruitment Principles, which outlines that selection for appointment is made on merit based on fair and open competition. 

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the values in the Civil Service Code and/or if you feel the recruitment has been conducted in such a way that conflicts with the Civil Service Commissioner’s Recruitment Principles, and wish to make a complaint, then you should contact in the first instance hrselfservice@charitycommission.gov.uk.

 If you are not satisfied with the response that you receive, then you can contact the Civil Service Commission. For further information on bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission please visit their web page here.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.