Job Description
Reporting to
Network Data Manager
Function
Asset Management
Location
Bury St Edmunds
Reference Number
76816
Employment Period
Permanent
Contract Type
Collective
CiP Level / Bonus
3%
Starting Salary
£71,914 – Plus bonus and benefits
Closing Date
22/05/2023
All applications will be reviewed after the closing date
We also offer :
Personal Pension Plan – Personal contribution rates of 4% or 5% (UK Power Networks will make a corresponding contribution of 8% or 10%)
Tenancy Loan Deposit scheme
Tax efficient benefits: cycle to work scheme
Season ticket loan
Occupational Health support
Switched On – scheme providing discount on hundreds of retailers products.
Supplier discounts, such as O2, EE, Vauxhall cars, Universal tyres
Discounted access to sports and social clubs
Employee Assistance Programme.
Background
The Network Data Team is part of the wider Enterprise Data Management function sitting within the Asset Management Directorate. The Network Data Team was established to deliver three essential imperatives - making UK Power Networks’ data accessible, reliable and interoperable. It comprises three key functions:
The Open Data team are responsible for our Open Data engagement strategy and Open Data Portal. The data contained within the portal is growing rapidly, driven through proactive and targeted engagement with key stakeholders to fully understand their current and future data requirements. Open Data is an essential component required in the energy sectors transition to net-zero, and it’s important that the data that we publish can be easily accessed and understood. Use of standard open data licences, metadata and APIs help the team make this possible.
Our Data Governance and Quality team are responsible for establishing data management best practice across the organisation. They do this through the development of policy, process, frameworks and toolkits to support the business in developing key data management capabilities. They help establish ownership and accountability for data, driving data quality improvements, standardised use of metadata and effective data governance – establishing trust and confidence in UK Power Networks’ data. The team support the development of a centralised, consistent data model termed the Enterprise Data Model (EDM).
The Data Interoperability team are responsible for ensuring that UK Power Networks’ asset and network data is interoperable across key enterprise systems and meets the requirements of our internal and external stakeholders. Interoperability is achieved through establishment of a common understanding of our data and an ability to exchange data in standardised formats such as the IEC’s Common Information Model (CIM). The team is responsible for driving the development of a centralised, consistent network data model termed the Unified Network Model (UNM).
UK Power Networks’ system landscape comprises three core enterprise systems. Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) is delivered through SAP, our Geospatial Information System (GIS) is Netmap and our Network Management System (NMS) is PowerOn. Further to these there are many other systems in use across the organisation.
The assets described in each of these systems may be common, but the data used to describe them may differ. Often for legitimate reasons, such as the use of different units of measure or different operational ratings, sometimes due to data quality issues. These differences often cause confusion within the business and divergence of reports and outputs that are generated at a system level.
One of the Network Data Team’s primary objectives is to support the development of the EDM and UNM to make UK Power Networks’ data common, understandable and accessible. To effectively break down organisational and data silos that exist, and to promote this common understanding and use of data and information, it is important that the organisation moves away from a system-centric data management. Use of the centralised information and data models offered by the EDM and UNM will help to achieve this.
Job Purpose
The role holder will be instrumental in helping the organisation to move from a siloed, system-centric approach to one of maintaining unified information and data models. This transition will require a shift in organisational culture as well as the integration methods currently in use.
To meet these challenges the role holder must be passionate about data, have a proven level of technical knowledge, and the ability to influence at all levels. Working across the three functions of the Network Data Team they will help ensure that network asset data is managed appropriately in all areas of the business, wherever it is used or processed. They must be a champion for change, demonstrating the value of a centralised model and support the implementation of this change effectively.
The role holder should ideally have a technical understanding of the electricity network, helping them to identify the essential data which must be used in the data model and develop a thorough understanding of each stakeholder’s requirements of this data. A good understanding of the data held across UK Power Network’s system landscape would be beneficial, working efficiently and effectively to ingest, analyse and manipulate datasets as required.
The role holder will be required to develop an enduring, automated approach to data ingestion and should demonstrate versatility in the problem-solving techniques used to overcome and fix issues that they may encounter.
At all times they must be able to see the relevance of their activities in the context of the broader EDM and UNM activities, always working to ensure that their outputs fit into the strategic objectives of UK Power Networks and the Enterprise Data Management function.
Dimensions
No line management or budgetary accountabilities.
Principal Accountabilities
Support EDM and UNM development activities - Collaborate with key stakeholders to align the network data in use across key business systems. The role holder will share responsibility for ensuring that the EDM and UNM remains up to date and relevant for key Stakeholders’ requirements.
Support business needs – Identify where network asset data can be rationalised, used more effectively and consistently and develop data provision to meet ever-increasing stakeholder requirements.
Create and maintain data models – Working closely with the Data Engineering team to create optimal conceptual, logical and physical data models, mapping data across a number of key enterprise systems.
Development of data catalogues– Support the development of catalogues describing all relevant attributes of key electricity assets managed and operated by UK Power Networks. These catalogues should help drive consistency in data usage across relevant teams within UK Power Networks’ three licence areas.
Development of data standards – Support the development of suitable documentation to catalogue and standardise business approaches to network data migration.
Working group representation – When required, represent UK Power Networks’ interests at various internal and external working groups.
Nature & Scope
The Network Data Engineer reports to the Network Data Manager within the Asset Management directorate.
The successful candidate will be a key member of a multi-disciplinary team, collaborating with a broad range of internal and external stakeholders on all matters related to our EDM and UNM. The primary objective of the role is to bridge the gap between understanding the complex requirements of stakeholders’ use of UK Power Networks’ data and the technical requirements of developing centralised data and information models to meet these requirements.
The role will be key to developing interoperability and efficient integration of systems and processes, helping to cement UK Power Networks’ position as the leading UK DNO with respect to safety, customer service and efficiency.
The post holder will be required to build strong relationships with senior internal stakeholders, a number of key external stakeholders, strategic suppliers and contractors. The role therefore requires effective interpersonal skills and an ability to communicate clearly and confidently at all levels of the organisation.
Qualifications & Experience
Essential
Bachelor’s degree in computer science, information systems, engineering or a related study (or equivalent project-related experience).
An appreciation of key stakeholders within the DNO organisation, and their requirements of consistent information and data models.
Business domain, data/content and process understanding.
Experience and an understanding of a variety of data access and analytics approaches.
Business acumen, and the ability to communicate to executives, business domain stakeholders and technical staff alike.
Ability to assess rapidly changing technologies and apply them to business needs.
Strong communication and persuasion skills.
Desirable
An understanding of UK Power Networks’ enterprise systems and modelling tools – particularly SAP, Netmap, PowerOn, DigSilent Powerfactory and Ambertree DPlan.
Experience within the utilities and electricity distribution industries.
Technical understanding of integration theory, principles and concepts e.g. ETL.
Data modelling and information classification expertise at the enterprise level.
Appreciation and understanding of IEC Common Information Model (CIM) standards and profiles.
Experience of working with a variety of data formats (e.g. XML, JSON)
Familiarity with data science concepts, as well as Master Data Management (MDM), business intelligence, and data warehouse design and implementation techniques.
Knowledge of problem analysis, structured analysis and design, and programming techniques.
Key Behaviours & Competencies
Candidates should:
Demonstrate the ability to work well with others and exhibit leadership.
Have proven problem solving capabilities, able to undertake root cause analysis and develop options to resolve the underlying issues.
Think strategically, providing enduring solutions rather than ‘quick fixes’ in the context of the broader EDM requirements.
Be an excellent communicator and collaborator, engaging with multiple technical and business stakeholders and leaders.
Be organisationally savvy, with a good understanding of the enterprise's political climate and how to navigate, influence and persuade.
Have a passion for learning and sharing knowledge
Health & Safety Responsibilities
Managers and supervisors carry both legal and company responsibilities for ensuring the health and safety of their employees, those under their control and those who might be affected by the work undertaken, i.e. public, visitors and employees of other organisations. This includes briefing individuals working for them and ensuring there is the necessary understanding, competence and application of requirements to work safely and without harming the environment.
Employees will ensure they fully understand the health and safety risks involved in their work activities and their responsibility to apply the controls needed to manage those risks to acceptable levels. Similarly where work activities can have an adverse impact upon the environment, and particularly where there are legal requirements, employees will understand those impacts and the controls they must ensure are applied.
Employees need to be aware that for some craft and operational roles that work at height, or use fall arrest devices, there is an upper weight limit of 116Kg due to maximum safe working load of the safety equipment that is used.
If in doubt ask!
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