Applications & Database Engineer (SQL & Power Platform)

Job summary

Shape the future of the nation’s memory

At The National Archives, we do more than safeguard the past—we lead the way in archiving to ensure the UK’s public record remains robust, connected, and accessible for generations to come. Join our small, friendly Business Systems team and help develop and operate the essential services and tools our colleagues depend on, from Finance and HR to Collection Productions. Together, we ensure these systems run smoothly and are continuously improved.

Job description

Why join us

• Purpose with real public impact
  Your work supports access to everything from the Domesday Book to modern government records. When a researcher, student or member of the public finds and trusts a record, your contribution is part of that experience.
• Variety you can grow in
  Work across a mix of bespoke and packaged systems, from operational fixes to small enhancements, data checks and low-code improvements. No two weeks look the same.
• Early responsibility with support
  Learn from experienced engineers in a kind, collaborative team. Expect mentoring, code reviews, and clear guidance on safe change so you can build confidence quickly.
• Modern Microsoft toolkit
  Develop practical skills with SQL Server, Microsoft Power Platform and Python in an environment that values simple, reliable solutions over complexity.
• A place you will enjoy coming to
  Our Kew site is welcoming and well connected by public transport, with green space on the doorstep. Hybrid working is standard, with a policy norm of three days on site.
• Belonging and benefits
  Join a Civil Service organisation that cares about learning, inclusion and public service. You will have access to a supportive network, sensible hours and a comprehensive benefits package.

What you will do

• Support internal applications and help restore normal service promptly. Work with third party suppliers when needed and keep users informed in plain English.
• Design and build simple, user-centred Power Platform changes that meet clear needs, then iterate based on feedback.
• Build and maintain Power Automate flows and make small changes to Power Apps. Contribute to Power BI reporting where appropriate.
• Use T-SQL on SQL Server 2016 and later to query, validate and transform data. Run scheduled jobs safely and turn recurring tasks into safe, user-driven tools.
• Contribute to data ingest and quality routines, for example spreadsheet to validated load with simple checks and clear feedback.
• Provide first-line support post-release, triage straightforward issues and apply fixes with supervision.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to clarify requirements, prototype small solutions and release changes safely through our process.
• Create concise user documentation and short how-to notes; present and promote your solutions to colleagues.
• Apply ITIL basics across incident, request, problem, change and release, and follow simple agile practices that help the team plan and learn.

Person specification

What you will bring

Essential

• MS SQL Server, 2016 or later, and T-SQL: write basic queries and joins, adapt simple scripts safely.
• Scripting or programming: you have written small programmes, for example Python or C# or PowerShell, and you are comfortable in Visual Studio or a similar environment.
• Power Platform: exposure to Power Automate and or Power Apps and able to explain your approach and decisions.
• Clear communication, collaborative working and organised delivery.

Desirable

• Power BI, Dynamics 365 configuration, where we work with a commercial D365 partner, Git or GitHub awareness, not depth, DBA topics. Mentoring provided.

Working pattern, location and checks

• Hybrid: minimum 60% at Kew. Policy norm is 3 days on site. On-site days are planned for team cover, Mondays and Tuesdays preferred where feasible.
• Security: SC, (Security Check), required. You must have been resident in the UK for the last 3 years. We may start you following a Basic Check while full SC completes, continued employment is subject to SC being granted.
• Right to work: visa sponsorship is not available for this post.
• Hours: 36 hours per week.

HOW TO APPLY:

The National Archives are working in partnership with Xist4 to recruit to this position. For full details and to apply please contact:

• Name: Gozie Ezulike
• Email: recruit@xist4.com
• Telephone: 01179244408
• Job reference: 633VW64R

SC clearance/willingness to obtain SC clearance will be required for this role. This requires candidates to have been resident in the UK for at least the past three years. Please do not apply if you have been resident in the UK for less than three years as your application will be rejected.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £35,000, The National Archives contributes £10,139 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.Generous benefits package, including pension, sports and social club facilities, onsite gym, discounted rates at our on-site cafe and opportunities for training and development.

Any move to The National Archives from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk;

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

Reasonable adjustments:

If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:

• Contact us via the Contact Point below as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : Gozie Ezulike
• Email : recruit@xist4.com
• Telephone : 01179244408

Recruitment team

• Email : careers@nationalarchives.gov.uk

Further information

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact The National Archives via email: careers@nationalarchives.gov.uk If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission at http://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/civil-service-recruitm…

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