Test Assurance Analyst - National Crime Agency - HEO

Location

Belfast, Birmingham, Bristol, Leicester, London, Normanton, Warrington

About the job
Job summary

The National Crime Agency require a strong test assurance function to ensure alignment of testing standards and practices across all deliveries within the NCA. The Test Assurance Analyst will assure any testing conducted across the agency, ensuring alignment to the test policy and strategy. This is to ensure NCA systems are fit for purpose and ready for use by officers protecting the public from serious and organised crime.

Job description

The Test Assurance Analyst will support the Test Assurance Manager in providing independent oversight and assurance of testing activities across a portfolio of projects and programmes. The role will ensure that suppliers and internal delivery teams adhere to agreed testing standards, governance, and quality expectations. The role requires a flexible and pragmatic approach to assurance, balancing risk, quality, and delivery needs.

The successful candidate will need to demonstrate experience in test management, test assurance, or quality governance across various delivery environments. 

Whilst this opportunity is advertised as available for part time workers, please note that the role requires a minimum of 30 hours per week (specific hours negotiable Monday-Friday).

This role is available on a permanent basis. However, qualifying candidates may opt for a 2-year loan or secondment if preferred.

This post aligns with Quality Assurance Test Analyst within the Government Digital and Data (GDAD) capability framework. 

Duties & Responsibilities

Provide Assurance & Oversight - Provide independent assurance on the adequacy, completeness, and quality of test strategies, plans, approaches, and evidence across internal and supplier-led projects. 
Risk Management - Identify gaps, risks, and issues in testing and escalate them with recommendations for resolution. 
Stakeholder Management - Maintain effective working relationships with project teams, suppliers, business stakeholders, and assurance colleagues. Assess supplier and internal test deliverables for compliance, quality, and risk coverage. 
Continuous Improvement - Contribute to lessons learned and continuous improvement in test assurance practices.
Monitor Test Compliance - Monitor adherence to agency and programme test policies, standards, and assurance frameworks. 

Person specification

Test Assurance or Test Management experience - Experience in test management, test assurance, or quality governance across complex, multi-supplier delivery environments. Ability to review and critique test documentation and evidence objectively. 
Knowledge of testing methodologies - Understanding of software testing methodologies (Agile, Waterfall, Hybrid) and quality management principles. 
Stakeholder management - Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and influencing skills, including the ability to challenge constructively. 
Pragmatism - Pragmatic and flexible approach, able to adapt to differing levels of delivery maturity and assurance capability. 
Analytical - Analytical and detail-oriented, with a focus on risk and quality.
Team Work - Works effectively with others to focus on and achieve joint outcomes, rather than individual goals.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

Making Effective Decisions
Communicating and Influencing
Working Together