Data Operation Specialist - Nomis

The University  
  
At Durham University we are proud of our people.  A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting – Durham is a university like no other. We believe that inspiring our people to do outstanding things at Durham enables Durham people to do outstanding things professionally and personally.    
Across the University we have a huge variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make us a large and successful community, which is a key hub of activity within our region and nationally.

     We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University.  Further information about the University can be found here.

Find out more about the benefits of working at the University and what it is like to live and work in the Durham area on our Why Join Us? - Information Page.
 
The Role and the Department

Nomis (www.nomiseb.co.uk) is a national statistical dissemination service delivered by Durham University on behalf of the Office for National Statistics (ONS). It provides access to major official statistics on population, society and the labour market, and is used extensively by government departments, local authorities, researchers, academic institutions and other organisations across the UK.

The service supports a range of high-profile datasets and provides a trusted route to detailed statistical information used in analysis, planning and decision-making. Joining the Nomis team offers the chance to contribute to a nationally important data service with a wide external user base and clear public impact.

The Data Operations Specialist will play an important role in supporting the delivery and development of the Nomis service as part of a small team. The postholder will work with complex statistical data in a live production environment, helping to process and maintain datasets, update databases and reference tables, carry out quality checks and testing, and support data and website releases.

The role offers valuable practical experience for someone with strong data-handling and technical skills who wants to deepen their experience of structured data processing, SQL, Python, Linux and data quality within a specialist and nationally significant service.

The role offers the opportunity to work flexibly as well as remotely and on-site within the Geography department.

Further information about the role and the responsibilities is at the bottom of this job description.  

This post is fixed term for nineteen months. The funding for the project is time limited and will end on 31st March 2028.
  
Working at Durham   
  
A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University: 

•   You’ll receive 30 days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year – a total of 42 days per year. The University closes between Christmas and New Year. 

•    We offer a generous pension scheme, and as a new member of staff you will be automatically enrolled into the University Superannuation Scheme (USS).

•    No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered.  We have ample parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies. You can also take advantage of our cost-effective and environmentally friendly Tusker Car Benefit Scheme, allowing you to lease a brand-new electric or hybrid vehicle with savings on tax and National Insurance.

•    We have a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally.  There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University.  All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities.

•    We provide wide-ranging health and wellbeing support including discounted membership for our state-of-the-art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme.

•    Our on-site nursery is rated Outstanding by Ofsted, and you can access holiday camps for children aged 5-16.

•    Our family-friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers).

•    We offer all staff the opportunity to take part in volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community.

•    You can access exclusive discounts via our benefits portal including money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, eating out and days out at various attractions.

•  Various salary sacrifice schemes are also available to help you take advantage of tax savings on benefits.

• If you are moving to Durham, you may be eligible for help with removal costs, and we have a dedicated team who can help you with the practicalities such as house hunting and schools.  If you need a visa, we cover most visa costs and offer an interest-free loan scheme to pay for dependant visas.

Discover more about our total rewards and benefits package here.

Durham University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion 
 
Our collective aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work.  As a University equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University’s Strategy and a central part of everything we do.  We also live by our values and our Staff Code of Conduct.  At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive. 
  
We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities.  If you have taken time out of your career, and you feel it relevant, let us know about it in your application.  If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role.

How to Apply
     
To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification above. It will be at the discretion of the recruiting panel as to whether they will also consider any desirable criteria, but we would urge candidates to provide evidence for all criteria.  Please don’t forget to check if there is any weighted criteria (see above).  
  
While some criteria will be considered at the shortlisting stage, other criteria may be considered later in the assessment process, such as questions at interview.     
    
Submitting your application   
  
We prefer to receive applications online.   We will update you about your application at various points throughout the selection process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to make sure you have not missed any of our updates.  
    
What you need to submit 
  
•    A CV: and     
•    A supporting statement or covering letter which outlines how you meet all of the criteria within the Person Specification. 

Contact details     
    
For a chat about the role or any further information please contact - Peter Henderson, p.m.henderson@durham.ac.uk 
  
Typical Role Requirements  

Service Delivery/Development

 Contribute to equality, diversity and inclusion, and the University’s values.

•  Provide specialist advice and guidance relating to your professional area of expertise in line with the University’s policies, regulations and values.

• Operate as a point of expertise for colleagues and other stakeholders, helping to interpret and resolve complex data processing, data handling and technical support problems.

• Manage the delivery of Nomis data extraction, transformation and loading (ETL) pipelines, including modifying data processing routines, to a high standard.

• Provide the best possible service by continually reviewing what is required from colleagues, data suppliers and Nomis customers and contribute to ideas and service improvements.

• Provide specialist knowledge and support when interpreting and analysing complex data and information sources.

• Look for ways to improve processes, techniques and outputs/results including runing and modifying quality assurance scripts, across all areas of your work.

• Planning and Organisation

• Plan, manage and deliver assigned projects and activities using appropriate techniques, tools and testing procedures to deliver agreed objectives and solve any problems which you encounter.

• Schedule and monitor data processing (ETL), dataset release and related update activities.

• Seek feedback from colleagues, data suppliers and Nomis customers so that the service is being planned and adapted to meet customer expectations and future needs.

• Contribute to the continuous improvement of processing routines, checking procedures and supporting documentation.

Communication/Liaison 

• Use your operational expertise to lead and participate in business meetings, working groups and sub-committees.

• Provide regular status reports on projects and ongoing work to colleagues and ONS data providers, highlighting any risks and contingency plans.

• Interact and collaborate with other specialists across the University and in the Office for National Statistics (ONS) to ensure the integrity and delivery of consistent services including the use of modern programming practises, technical methods and standards

• Promote and encourage a collaborative approach to problem solving and project delivery in order to motivate, mentor and coach less experienced project staff.

• Create positive working relationships, including internal and external networks, using your networks to increase your knowledge and skills and swap information with peers.

• Liaise with internal teams, ONS data suppliers, and Nomis customers where required.

• Assist with responses to customer support messages, particularly where these relate to datasets, data updates and related technical duties

• Any other reasonable duties.

Useful links  
  
If you would like further information you may find the following will help  
  
Nomis website: www.nomisweb.co.uk 
    
Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement Privacy Notices - Durham University which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.      

When appointing to this role the University must ensure that it meets any applicable immigration requirements, including salary thresholds which are applicable to some visas.

What you need to demonstrate when you apply/Person Specification  

When you apply it is important that you let us know what skills/experience you have from a similar role and/or what skills/experience you have which would make you right for this role.  Further information about the role and responsibilities is at the end of this job description.  Where a criteria has an asterisk* next to it, it may be given additional weighting when your application is considered.    
  
Your application should cover the following criteria:  

Essential Criteria

Qualifications/Experience

1.  Educated to a good numerate degree level (or equivalent experience).

2.  Professional practitioner with knowledge and expertise in data operations, structed data processing and data-driven services.

3.  Experience of participating in internal or external networks to share and discuss good practice and develop strong and productive working relationships.

4.  Experience of delivering and developing data extraction, transformation and loading (ETL) projects to manipulate large, complex numerical datasets.

5.  Experience of providing specialist advice and guidance to a range of customers and colleagues, including more senior colleagues.

6.  Experience of implementing policies and procedures and supporting service improvements. 

Skills/Abilities/Knowledge

1.  Excellent spoken and written communication skills including the ability to develop effective working relationships, both internally and externally.

2.  Strong digital competence across a range of digital devices and apps including Linux shell scripting, a modern programming language such as Python, relational databases/SQL, and manipulating data in spreadsheets.

3.  Committed to continuing professional development to maintain professional recognition.

4.  Professional knowledge and experience of compliance and regulation, especially an understanding of data protection and data security.

5.  Ability to solve problems and decide on and plan appropriate solutions.

6.  Ability to play a key role in the delivery of data processing and dissemination projects.

7.  Knowledge and experience of ensuring compliance with regulatory and organisational policy and guidelines.