Vacancy -- Senior Dynamics 365 Developer

Working for the Civil Service

The Welsh Government's recruitment processes are underpinned by the principle of selection for appointment on merit on the basis of fair and open competition as outlined in the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles.

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

Vacancy Details

Chief Operating Officer’s Group
IT Services
SEO - £41,700 - £49,370
A starting salary of up to £45,970 may be offered to exceptional candidates based on their knowledge, skills and experience. This is in no way guaranteed and remains at the discretion of the Welsh Government.
Full time (applications are welcome from people who work part time, as part of a job share or who work full time)
Permanent
Pan Wales
'Pan Wales' means that the location in which the vacancy can be based is flexible, subject to the needs of the business. Please note it may not always be possible to accommodate a preference for a specific office location, but requests will be taken into consideration.
TBC

Purpose of Post:

The Digital Data and Technology (DDaT) profession in the Welsh Government supports a range of digital services across the whole organisation. As part of our DDaT profession, you will be a key part of the team and will make a significant and direct contribution for the people of Wales.

The Welsh Government has made significant improvements to its IT technology portfolio over the last few years and is considered to be one of the leading UK public sector organisations in terms of Digital and IT capability. 

The Welsh Government has recently completed a number of IT projects such as transitioning away from the Government Secure Intranet (GSI) email to Office 365 and Teams-based telephony, rolling out new laptops and home-working equipment to staff, refitting meeting rooms and collaboration suites to support hybrid working and completing a significant set of application migrations to Microsoft Azure. With a new organisational strategy, WG2025, setting ambitious goals for internal and external improvements, we’re embarking on new programmes aimed at removing legacy applications and making the most of our cloud-based services.  These initiatives will move more functionality into Dynamics 365, refresh the wired and wireless network, develop and implement automated Windows 11 deployment across the estate, improve our collaboration platforms and retire numerous legacy platforms, while improving the information and guidance about our existing services available to our users and customers.

The IT Services Division is a cornerstone of the Welsh Government’s functions. The work that our staff have delivered during the COVID-19 pandemic was recognised with a special Permanent Secretary’s Award in the 2021 Welsh Government Awards.

Led by our Chief Digital Officer, the Welsh Government is increasingly delivering more services online. The Chief Digital Officer provides a consultancy service of digital and data expertise to business areas across the Welsh Government.

Role

As a Senior Developer you will participate as a member of an internal software development team to provide expert development and maintenance for in-house supported applications and reports.

Your primary focus will be on coding/development and configuration within a Microsoft Azure platform environment to build, test, deploy and manage applications.  To lead the development and implementation of Dynamics 365 and Power Platform solutions to meet user needs within a delivery team.  Be part of designing solutions and implement configurations for Dynamics 365 and the Power Platform, extending the capabilities where needed through customisation.

You will transform technical requirements into effective systems, integrating and building software systems to enable and improve business outcomes. You will also provide support to delivery teams and assist with solving complex problems.

You will be knowledgeable in and familiar with agile delivery methodologies.

You will be expected to understand the business and its challenges, functionally outlining a solution to the identified use cases, and then developing applications using the most appropriate platform/Azure components.

Preferably you will hold accredited Microsoft Certification in D365/CRM/Power Platform.

Key tasks:

  • Apply technical knowledge to design, create, test and document new and amended programmes from supplied specification in accordance with agreed standards.
  • Undertake analysis of business requirements to inform impact assessments, user cases, test scenarios, and use agile methodologies to maintain a strong focus on delivery priorities and swiftly respond to changing requirements.
  • Undertake 2nd and 3rd line support of critical applications, services, and platforms on issues as they arise within agreed SLAs, working in conjunction with commercial partners when required.
  • Provide technical input for the more complex application development activities such as integration with the Azure platform, leading on the introduction of new platform services and proposing technical development procedures and standards.
  • You use Dynamics 365 SDK and tooling.
  • You have experience of CRM2016 and CRM upgrades/migrations.
  • You support teams through your knowledge of .Net, Microsoft Dataverse Web API and related technologies.
  • Hands on experience in the setup of Continuous Integration (CI) and Continuous Delivery (CD), using Azure DevOps.
  • Manage and undertake the unit testing of the application release cycle. Manage the testing lifecycle, in conjunction with the Test Manager, to ensure developments meet business need.
  • Ensure that all strands of non-functional requirements e.g. accessibility, Welsh Language, information assurance, etc. are compliant within the system.
  • Apply expert technical knowledge and contribute to the development and continual enhancement of applications, services, procedures and process, including generating and maintaining documentation.
  • Identify process optimisation opportunities and contribute to the proposal and implementation of solutions to optimise the development process and work of the team.
  • Apply the principles of Secure by Design. You will understand information security and design solutions and services with security controls embedded, specifically engineering with mitigation against security threats as a core part of the solutions and services. Advise senior management and provide support to the Application, Development and Support manager on matters such as technical support, stakeholder engagement, delivery of continuous improvements and projects.
  • Occasional other duties not included above but consistent with the role and grade.

Development opportunities:

Your role will form part of Welsh Government’s Digital, Data and Technology profession.  You will have the opportunity to work with multiple projects and programmes across all areas of Welsh Government. You will work with staff at all levels including senior staff, Ministers and our Digital Apprentice cohort. You will help build and improve links and collaboration within the cross-government Digital, Data and Technology community.

Closing Date:

23/06/2023, 16:00

Eligibility

Posts recruited to as part of this recruitment campaign are broadly open to UK nationals, those with right to remain and work in the UK and those that meet the Civil Service Nationality Rules only. Check your eligibility here:

Prior to appointment, all successful applicants will be required to produce original, acceptable documents as part of the pre-employment checks. If it becomes apparent at a later stage in the process that you aren’t eligible to apply, your application will be withdrawn, or offer retracted.

Equality and Diversity

The Welsh Government is committed to providing services which embrace diversity and which promote equality of opportunity. This is underpinned by the Equality Act 2010 and will be adhered to at each stage of the recruitment process. Our goal is to ensure that these commitments are also embedded in our day-to-day working practices with all our customers, colleagues and partners.

We are committed to being an anti-racist organisation and increasing diversity in the Welsh Government by removing barriers and supporting all our staff to reach their potential. We are committed to recruiting Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic people and disabled people who are currently under-represented in Welsh Government.

We welcome applications from everyone regardless of age, marriage and civil partnership (both same sex and opposite sex), impairment or health condition, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, gender identity or gender expression.

We are a Stonewall Diversity Champion and a Disability Confident Level 3 (Leader) organisation. Key to supporting this work and providing peer support are five Board sponsored Staff Networks (Disability Awareness and Support (DAAS); Minority Ethnic Support Network (MESN); Mind Matters (Mental health and well-being); PRISM (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex +) and Women Together.

Disability Confident

A Great Place to Work for Veterans

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative.

Welsh Language Requirements

The Welsh Government is a bilingual organisation and Welsh language skills are considered an asset to the organisation. We encourage and support staff to learn, develop and use their Welsh language skills in the workplace. 

The following list of language requirements represents an objective assessment by the line manager on behalf of the Welsh Government of the Welsh language skills required to undertake the duties of this particular post.

Not necessary to undertake the duties of this post

Social Partnership

In Welsh Government, the relationship between the employer and trade unions is based on social partnership. We believe our goals can best be achieved by management and trade unions working together.

Our 3 recognised trade unions are:
•         PCS
•         Prospect
•         FDA

This relationship is underpinned by a partnership agreement. This sets out how our unions work with Welsh Government on issues such as:
•         pay
•         terms and conditions
•         policies and procedures
•         organisational change.

Our Welsh Government trade union colleagues work together to give their members a real say in the workplace. They make sure that the interests of their members are promoted and protected. They also help reduce inequalities and improve terms and conditions.

The Welsh Government has an excellent track record of working in partnership with its trade unions. We encourage staff to get involved. We support you to join a recognised trade union, to ensure your voice is heard in the workplace. and to learn more about trade unions and partnership working.

Competencies / Job Specific Criteria

Behaviours and Skills

The following Behaviours and Skills will be assessed at the interview stage.

Civil Service Behaviours

Delivering at Pace:

  • Allow individuals the space and authority to meet objectives, providing additional support where necessary, whilst keeping overall responsibility.

Making Effective Decisions:

  • Present strong recommendations in a timely manner outlining the consideration of other options, costs, benefits and risks.

DDaT Skills

Modern standards approach:

  • You can use modern standards approach competently and guide others in so doing.

Programming and build:

  • You can collaborate with others when necessary to review specifications and use these agreed specifications to design, code, test and document programs or scripts of medium-to-high complexity, using the right standards and tools.

For more information on Civil Service Behaviours and what is required for each grade, please refer to Success Profiles: Civil Service Behaviours.

For more information on the DDaT skills required for this role, please refer to the Senior Developer role in the DDaT Capability Framework.


Job Specific Criteria 

The following Job Specific Criteria will be assessed both in CV sift and at interview stage.

In your CV, please provide evidence (including specific examples) to show how you meet each of the Job Specific Criteria for this role.

  1. Demonstrable experience of digital service development using Microsoft Dynamics and Power Platform. Including knowledge and experience in related technology skillsets such as Dataverse, .NET, C#, Azure Serverless, REST API and full stack development.
  2. Experience of working with modern development and deployment practices and agile methodologies to build, test, deploy and manage services and applications, preferably using Visual Studio, Azure DevOps and Git.
  3. Able to undertake analysis of business requirements to inform impact assessments, user cases and test scenarios.

Assessment Process

There are 4 stages to the application and assessment process:

Stage 1 – Complete online application, Submit CV and Job Specific Evidence

Please upload your CV (no more than 2 pages) and your Job Specific Evidence (approx. 300 words for each criterion)

Please note that we will be assessing only against the Job Specific Criteria listed in the advert. You can find these in the Job Specific Criteria section of the advert.

You MUST demonstrate how you meet each of the Job Specific Criteria for the role, including examples. Candidates that do not provide detailed examples will be sifted out.

Stage 2 – Sift of Job Specific Criteria

After the closing date, all applicant’s submissions will be assessed.

Candidates who successfully demonstrate that they meet the minimum Job Specific Criteria will be sent an online skills test.

Stage 3 – Skills Test (Online)

The skills test will be scheduled from TBC and you will have 7 calendar days to complete this test.

The skills test will cover these topics:

DEVOPS (DEVELOPMENT AND OPERATIONS)

  • Git
  • Core Concepts

INFORMATION SYSTEMS SECURITY

  • Information Security Fundamentals

MICROSOFT AZURE DEVELOPER

  • Azure App Services
  • Azure Development

WEB APIs AND MICROSERVICES

  • Understanding Microservices
  • Understanding Web APIs

MICROSOFT DYNAMICS CRM 4.0 DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION

  • Microsoft Dynamics CRM Architecture
  • Entities and Form Customization
  • Extensibility Overview
  • Plugins: Regular Platform Operations
  • Plugins: Extended Platform Operations
  • Workflows Activities
  • Custom Workflow Activities
  • Application Event Programming using JavaScript

If you pass the online skills test, will then be invited to interview.

Interviews will be scheduled for week commencing TBC.

Stage 4 – Interview

Your interview will be based on the Behaviours/Skills and Job Specific Criteria outlined in the sections of this advert.

At Interview stage you will be asked questions which will allow you to provide evidence (including specific examples) of how you meet each of the Job Specific Criteria and Behaviours and Skills required for this role.

Other Information

  • Unless stated otherwise in ‘actual starting salary’, all candidates will start at the minimum of the pay scale being appointed to (this includes existing civil servants).This is not negotiable.
  • Unless stated otherwise in ‘type of opportunity’, this recruitment advert is not open on a Loan or Secondment basis.
  • For more information on the eligibility criteria and terms and conditions for Loan and Secondment positions in Welsh Government, please see external recruitment candidate guidance.
  • Unless stated otherwise in ‘Location of Post’ the role/s recruited to via this campaign can only be worked in the UK, not overseas.

'Pan Wales' means that the location in which the vacancy can be based is flexible, subject to the needs of the business. A list of the Welsh Government's offices can be found on our website (www.gov.wales). Please note it may not always be possible to accommodate a preference for a specific office location, but requests will be taken into consideration.

Vetting: This role will also require Security Clearance (SC) level which will be undertaken by Welsh Government.

A reserve list will be held for 12 months in the event that any future vacancies arise.

Benefits of Working in Welsh Government

Where can I work?

For a lot of roles, we are operating a hybrid approach to working - known as 'Smart Working'; this includes a blend of home and office-based working.  You may have the opportunity to work from home depending on the business needs and commitments for your team.  Your working arrangements will be discussed and agreed with your line manager when you join.

We will consider requests to work in specific locations based on personal circumstances like caring responsibilities or an impairment or health condition. Tell us about your preferred locations in your CV in the ‘Location preferences’ box. 

By applying for this role, you will be willing to work in one of the following locations as your base office:

  • Cardiff, Bedwas, Merthyr Tydfil, Swansea, Aberystwyth, Llandudno, Carmarthen

What are the benefits?

Working for the Welsh Government has many great benefits, including:

  • The salary range for this grade is £41,700 to £49,370.
  • You will earn £41,700 for the first 12 months thereafter you will receive an annual increment until you reach the maximum of the grade (this is subject to passing probation). 
  • A starting salary of up to £ 45,970 may be offered to exceptional candidates based on their knowledge, skills and experience. This is in no way guaranteed and remains at the discretion of the Welsh Government.
  • You will get 31 days holidays as well as 10 public and privilege days.  
  • We offer flexible working arrangements to help you get the right work/life balance.  
  • You will also be eligible for membership of the Civil Service Pension Scheme

Other benefits

  • Flexible Working – We support staff in managing their work-life balance through working from home (subject to business need and if appropriate for the role)
  • Working Patterns – Different options are available: Full Time, Part Time, Job-Share, Condensed Hours, Term-time etc. (subject to business need and if appropriate for the role)
  • Green Car Scheme – Which allow you to lease a brand new ultra-low carbon emission car and pay for it through salary sacrifice
  • Supportive Finance – Advance of salary loans for a range of situations including season travel tickets, eye-care, IT equipment, Cycle2Work and more
  • Parental Leave – 26 weeks maternity/adoption leave on full pay and 15 days paternity leave
  • Wellbeing Time – Dedicated wellbeing hour each week for use in office hours. Whether this is a walk in the local park, yoga, meditation or gym, this is time for you
  • Pay – Competitive increments throughout the pay bands
  • Training and Progression - Access to training and development tailored to your role
  • Inclusion and Diversity – We encourage a rich and diverse workplace, where everyone feels able to be themselves, and no one feels discriminated against
  • Staff Engagement – We have a wide range of very active and welcoming networks including Autism, Carers, Women Together, PRISM (our LGBTQ+ network) and many more
  • Safety and Occupational Health – Dedicated teams to provide staff with help and support needed most
  • Mental Health – Employee Assistance Programme and a dedicated helpline to support staff to manage their mental health
  • Up to date IT Equipment – Laptops with Office 365 will give you greater flexibility in when, how and where you work
  • 3 Unions – The Welsh Government works in partnership with the following Unions: PCS, Prospect and FDA
Elaine Jeremiah - ictservicecontrol@gov.wales

How to apply

All applications for this vacancy should be made online via the Welsh Government's online application system.  If you have an impairment which would prevent you from applying on-line, please e-mail SharedServiceHelpdesk@gov.wales to request an application pack in an alternative format, or to request a reasonable adjustment related to an impairment in order to submit your application.

To apply, you'll need to have an account on our online application system.  Click the 'Apply' button below, and you'll be asked to 'Log in' if you already have an account, or 'Register' if you don't yet have an account.  Registration takes just a few minutes to complete.  You'll need an e-mail address to be able to register.  Once you've registered for an account and logged in, you'll be taken to the online application form, which you'll need to fully complete and submit before the deadline on the closing date.  

If you’d like to apply for this vacancy in Welsh, please use the ‘Newid Iaith / Change Language’ link at the top of this page, to take you to the Welsh version of this advert, from which you can apply in Welsh.

For further information regarding the Welsh Government recruitment process, please see the Recruitment Guidance for External Candidates (link).

When evidencing your suitability for the post, it is recommended that you refer to the Civil Service Competency Framework (link)

Grievance and Complaints

Anyone who believes they have been treated unfairly, or has a grievance or complaint, about how the process was conducted should either write to the Head of Resourcing, Welsh Government, Cathays Park 2, Cardiff CF10 3NQ or email SharedServiceHelpdesk@gov.wales.  If you are unhappy with the outcome of the complaint raised with the Welsh Government and feel that the principles of appointment on merit through fair and open competition have not been met you have the right to pursue your grievance with the Civil Service Commission.

This vacancy is closed to applications.