About the job

Job summary

Test Analyst

c.£52,000 per annum

London

12 Month Fixed Term Contract

Hybrid Working

 

Are you ready to be a part of the future of pensions? Join PDP’s team of test analysts and help support the implementation of pensions dashboards across the industry. Your role will be to monitor the framework, ensure continuity of service, and support research and implementation activity. With your proactive approach and innovative resolution initiatives, you can help shape the future of pensions. Apply now and be a part of the change!

Job description

The Test Analyst will report directly to Test Lead. In this role you will be responsible for the following;

• Support the test lead on sprint testing and examining system architecture releases through the initial phases of the project to implementation, ensuring they are free from defects and risks are mitigated.
• Identify and write functional tests requirements and scripts through sprints.
• Implement tests and packages ensuring that results are accurately recorded.
• Work with internal and external stakeholders to review tests and provide feedback to pension industry organisation connecting to the PDP Ecosystem.
• Prepare test data and use existing testing scenarios to cover all possible outcomes.
• Run tests against all the Ecosystem service offerings to make sure there are no defects and changes that were made are working in line with the specification.
• Conduct regression testing to ensure areas that were previously working are maintained.
• Raise defects against issues found during the testing process. Work closely with security teams and suppliers on resolutions.
• Prepare or scale up existing plans and implement the testing plan for the programme.
• Prepare and distribute reporting updates to the test manager and wider team.

Person specification

You will need to demonstrate the following skills and experience;

• Experience in analysing sprint user stories with development teams.
• User story test case, test script development and execution.
• Experience of supporting the designing and execution of a wide range of testing techniques and communicate test results to both technical and non-technical stakeholders, with the ability to support decisions and escalate findings on the environment testing defects and severity based on severity.
• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of non-functional testing techniques and test scenarios to identify defects, with the ability to run non-functional tests others have written and know the processes to do so.
• Have the ability to demonstrate a good working knowledge of different testing techniques and frameworks and can communicate that to internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong analysis and technical ability, able to think creatively, ask the right questions and critically evaluate and communicate findings to a larger team.
• Ability to lead and support investigative work into problems and opportunities in existing processes, drive the collection of information and the creation of recommendations for improvements.
• Demonstrate the ability to absorb large amounts of conflicting information and use it to determine solutions.

Benefits

This is an exciting time to work in the Pensions Dashboards Programme (PDP) at MaPS, which has been formed to make pensions dashboards a reality for people in the UK. We’re creating something that will change the pensions landscape and the experiences people have with their pensions.

Pensions dashboards will enable people to access key information about all of their UK pensions, private and State, in one place online, revolutionising how people engage with their pensions throughout their lives. Enabling the delivery of pensions dashboards will require up to 52m adults in the UK to be connected with up to around 43,000 pension providers and schemes to search for their pensions.

The Pensions Dashboards Programme is a fast moving programme and keeping industry and our stakeholders updated on our progress is key.

At the heart of the Money and Pensions Service are our values – caring, connecting and transforming, which are the foundation of our success. They permeate every area of our work and define all our business relationships and the way we work with each other. We’re not only looking for the best people in and around Bedford to come and work for us, but we need people who align themselves to our values: -

• Caring
  We care about our colleagues and people whose lives we are here to transform.
• Connecting
  We will transform lives through our ability to make positive connections.
• Transforming
  We are committed to transforming lives and make a positive societal impact.

About MaPS

At MaPS, we help people – particularly those most in need – to improve their financial wellbeing and build a better, more confident future. Working collaboratively across the UK, we make sure customers can access high-quality money and pensions guidance and debt advice throughout their lives, however and whenever they need it.

About our people 

In our move to Bedford, we aim to attract and retain the absolute best talent, so we can achieve our objectives and continue to make a difference to millions of people’s lives.  We are keen to encourage applications from individuals across the whole community with the skills, knowledge, and behaviours for the job, and who show a strong commitment to MaPS’ objectives, values, and vision.  It is important to us that we continue our ambition to be a genuinely diverse and inclusive organisation, so that we reflect the people we are here to help.

Our inclusive working environment

By fostering our values, we are immensely proud of the inclusive working environment that we have created.The diversity of our people is a strength that we embrace and wish to build upon, so we are committed to attracting people of all backgrounds.

We work hard to ensure that we have a progressive approach to inclusion, equity and belonging.  We really do want our colleagues to “bring their whole selves to work.”

By way of brief example, we have an enviable ethnic diversity mix, equal gender balance with a zero mean gender pay gap and thriving colleague and ally networks, including LGBTQ+, neurodiversity, women’s health, men's health, ethnicity, and diversity.

What Money and Pensions Service can offer you?

• Generous Annual Leave – 30 days plus Bank Holidays
• Pension scheme – contributions matched 2 to 1 (up to 10% of your salary)
• Interest-free loan to help you buy season tickets for buses and trains
• Cycle to work Scheme
• Subsidised eye test & flu jabs
• Life assurance scheme
• Give as you earn scheme
• Employee assistance programme (EAP)
• PAM Assist and PAM Life scheme (Wellbeing)
• Enhanced family and sick pay
• Paid volunteering (2 days a year)
• Recognition Scheme
• Discounts portal to numerous retailers

Things you need to know

Selection process details

At MaPS, we take pride in our flexible approach to work.  Most of our roles can operate on a hybrid basis with a minimum of 2 days in the office per week. Hybrid working is a voluntary, noncontractual arrangement and your office will be your contractual place of work. The number of days that anyone will be able to work at home will be determined primarily by business needs, but personal and other relevant circumstances will also be considered. If you are successful, any opportunities for hybrid working, including whether a hybrid working arrangement is suitable for you, will be discussed with you prior to you taking up your post.

The Money and Pensions Service (MaPS) is an arm’s-length body sponsored by the Department for Work and Pensions. This role is to be appointed under MaPS Terms & Conditions. Full details on the T&C’s are found https://maps.org.uk/

Our policy requires that selection for appointment to the MaPS is on merit on the basis of fair and open competition as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's Recruitment Principles. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles, and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact the Money and Pensions Service via email: recruitment@maps.org.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Visit the Civil Service Commission website.

If you’re already a MaPS employee, and as part of our Talent Strategy, we’re committed to strengthening opportunities for our people to learn, grow, progress, and thrive. For many of you, this may be preparing and applying for your next role with us, and we're passionate about ensuring you feel supported throughout your internal recruitment experience. Please get in touch if you want to know more about some of the ways in which we could support you by emailing recruitment@maps.org.uk

Job Reference:  MaPS00546

Close Date: 11th February 2024

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.