Data Specialist

Job Title: Data Specialist

Location: Dublin1, Ireland (Hybrid working). The client may require the employee to work on-site, for example, for quarterly team meetings. The employee is expected to attend when reasonably requested. Very occasionally, work outside normal hours may be required. This will be discussed and agreed in advance.

Start Date: 11th January 2027
Contract Duration: 12 Months, with further Extension, can go up to 3 years

Client Overview:

The IT Data Office forms part of the CIO Division within the Client It is a relatively new section established in Feb 2024. A key element of the IT Data Office mandate is to support the Department’s strategic and day to day data needs in line with the implementation of the Department’s published Data Strategy 2024-2027. The IT Data Office is led by IT Head of Data (Principal Officer) supported by a mixed team of internal staff and contractors. The primary strands of business data needs emerge from the following channels:

·         Business Sections within the Department: Ranging from operational areas (such as inspectorate, payroll and pensions) to policy development (supporting sections implementing education planning and reform agendas e.g. teacher supply, special education, school transport).

·         Education Shared Service Data & Reporting: Ensuring the smooth running of the centralized Education and Training Board (ETB) data platform, meeting the ongoing needs of 16 ETBs’ HR/payroll reporting and extension of the shared service reporting to agreed Higher Education Institutes in line with broader Shared Services Plan.

·         Project Management Office: Where projects may require specific data competency support (these include digital transformation and modernisation projects in areas around collection of data from schools and reducing overall admin burden on schools, parents and teachers).

·         Data Strategy Implementation Program: Specific program of work to progress the goals and action items as set out in the Data Strategy.

Role Overview:

The department is seeking Data Specialist (Intermediate) to lead on, and be responsible for, identifying and remedying technical knowledge gaps associated with our data platforms in particular where there are dependencies, risks and/or loss of critical technical knowledge within the IT Data Office.

The purpose of this role is to strengthen the IT Data Office resilience and continuity of business-critical data services by ensuring that essential technical and operational knowledge is identified, captured and maintained effectively for the broader IT Data Office to leverage. The initial focus will be on the data services in place on Oracle Business Intelligence Enterprise Edition (OBIEE) platform however this intention is that scope of role will also extend to the two other Microsoft based platforms. This is a technical role, and it requires the ability to carry out items such as code reviews and tracing technical data lineage via complex data ingestions/ETLs.

The following non exhaustive list sets out key role and responsibilities for the resource:

·         Establishing and maintaining comprehensive documentation of Oracle Data Integrator (ODI)processes supporting the Oracle Data Warehouse

·         Document key source-to-target data flows, including source systems, target tables, transformations, dependencies and processing logic for OBIEE platform but also extending to other platform ingestions.

·         Capture scheduling and orchestration information, including frequency, sequencing, dependencies, triggers and upstream/downstream processes

·         Garnering technical knowledge from subject matter experts, experienced staff and contractors and establishing how critical processes are implemented

·         Establish and maintain run books and operational procedures for business-critical ODI processes to support BAU operational and incident resolution.

·         Leading structured technical knowledge-transfer activities and walkthroughs facilitating knowledge transfer into the Departments IT Data Office team by allowing shadowing and/or holding walk through sessions as part of quarterly team meetings.

·         Producing videos where these provide an effective means of transferring complex technical knowledge

The resource will need to be able to take ownership of assigned responsibilities, demonstrate strong initiative, self-motivation and take a proactive approach to technical problem solving and troubleshooting.

Mandatory Requirements (Pass / Fail): Candidates MUST meet ALL of the following:

Experience:

It is a mandatory requirement, that the proposed Data Specialist (Intermediate) has the equivalent experience >4-6 years’ experience as a Data Specialist

Availability:

Must be available to start from 11th January 2027.

Qualifications:

It is a mandatory requirement, that the Resource proposed has the equivalent of Senior i.e. >4-6 years’ experience as a Data Specialist including experience in the following:

·         Oracle Business Intelligence Enterprise Edition (OBIEE)

·         Advanced PL/SQL

·         Python

English Language Proficiency (fluent):

·         Native English speaker OR

·         CEFR C2 Proficiency/Mastery (or equivalent)

·         If there is no certificate, fluency will be assessed at presentation stage

Key Deliverables:

The following non-exhaustive list of Key Deliverables are applicable to this Role.

·         Technical Knowledge Gap Analysis

·         Business Critical Technical Process Runbooks

·         Step-by-Step Technical Operational Guides

·         System and Process Maps

·         Walkthrough and Training Videos

·         Team Wiki Content/ Knowledge Base

·         Technical Operational Recovery Procedures

·         Incident Reports

Key Experience/Competencies/Skillsets:

The following Experience/Competencies/Skillsets are applicable to this Role for the proposed Resource must clearly and comprehensively demonstrate the resources experience in the four areas set out below.

Tenderers must include examples for each and include visuals as appropriate.

TOTAL 650 MARKS

1.        Demonstrate comprehensive practical experience in being able to identify undocumented technical dependencies, complex technical configurations and processes across a variety of data platforms including identification of single points of failure and recommendations for appropriate mitigations.

        (200 Marks available - Minimum 120 marks required)

2.        Demonstrate ability and hands on experience in understanding complex technical ETL processes, data transformations/lineage mappings and to translate them into appropriate suites of technical knowledge documentation including use of modern / user-friendly formats such as checklists, video walkthrough, wiki pages, knowledge base to ensure sufficiently clear and practical technical guidance is available and enable knowledge transfer from individuals into sustainable team and organisational knowledge.

        (200 Marks available - Minimum 120 marks required)

3.        Demonstrate practical experience in successfully leading and supporting structured technical knowledge transfer activities across teams including experience in validating that technical knowledge has successfully been conveyed and by mentoring and supporting other team members and highlighting areas for future improvements whilst promoting a culture of proactive knowledge sharing across the team.

        (150 Marks available - Minimum 90 marks required)

4.        Demonstrate strong capability and technical experience in continuous improvement activities such as identifying opportunities to simplify and standardise complex technical code / processes and reduce dependencies on specialist individuals (for example via automation of repetitive or high-risk activities where appropriate) and ongoing proactive identification of recurring problems/gaps.

       (50 Marks available - Minimum 30 marks required)