IT Solutions Analyst

Job summary

We are looking for three IT Solutions Analyst to join the team and play a central role in delivering modern, user-focused digital services across the organisation.

This role combines core IT responsibilities and contributing to a high-profile transformation project within the Forestry Commission. As part of a dedicated delivery team, you will help design, build and implement SharePoint solutions that will transform how colleagues manage and work with information.

Over the period of the project, you will take a leading role in delivering end-to-end solutions from engaging with business teams and understanding requirements, through to building SharePoint sites, supporting adoption, and migrating data from legacy systems.

Alongside this, you will remain an integral part of the FC wide IT function, contributing to wider solution delivery, continuous improvement of enterprise systems, and supporting business needs across the organisation.

This is a hands-on role suited to someone who enjoys combining technical delivery with working closely with people to make change happen.

Job description

As an IT Solutions Analyst, you will work across the full solution lifecycle, supporting the organisation in developing and implementing effective digital solutions.

The focus of your work will be for the Forest Services SharePoint Transformation, Information Management and Migration Programme, which is rebuilding SharePoint environments, migrating legacy data, and embedding improved information management practices across business teams

Working closely with the Business Services & Information Manager, Senior IT Solutions Architect, the Applications & Solutions Team, Programme Manager, other IT Solutions Analysts, KIM Officer, Business Analyst, Change Manager and wider delivery team, you will:

• Engage directly with business teams to understand their needs and challenges
• Design and build SharePoint solutions aligned to user requirements
• Support rollout, training, and adoption of new ways of working
• Lead or support structured data migration from legacy systems
• Contribute to embedding governance, structure, and consistency in digital environments

The programme is delivered through structured rollout cycles across multiple teams, ensuring solutions are practical, scalable, and embedded successfully into day-to-day operations.
Alongside this programme work, you will also contribute to broader IT initiatives, supporting the development, improvement, and maintenance of enterprise applications and services.
This role requires a balance of strong technical capability and the ability to work directly with users to design, deliver and embed solutions into real world use.

• Deliver IT solutions across the full lifecycle, including requirements analysis, technical design, build/configuration, testing, deployment, and transition into support , ensuring solutions align to enterprise architecture, security, and governance standards
• Work directly with business teams to facilitate structured engagement, requirements discovery, and solution shaping, translating user needs into practical, well-designed technical solutions. This includes leading workshops, consultations, and iterative feedback sessions to ensure solutions are usable, adopted, and deliver real value
• Design, build, and configure Microsoft 365 solutions, with a strong focus on SharePoint Online, including site architecture, information structure, permissions models, metadata, and integration with wider M365 services (e.g. Teams, Power Platform)
• Deliver end-to-end SharePoint implementations, including:

- Site design and architecture
- Document library structuring and metadata modelling
- Permission and access control design
- Automation and integration (where appropriate)
- Configuration aligned to governance and retention requirements

• Lead and support structured data migration activities from legacy platforms (e.g. shared drives, cloud storage, Teams environments), including:

- Data analysis and profiling
- Mapping legacy structures to target designs
- Cleansing, restructuring, and migration execution
- Validation and post-migration assurance
- Support user adoption and change delivery as a core part of implementation, including delivery of training sessions, development of guidance, and hands-on support to ensure solutions are embedded effectively into business use

• Collaborate with project and IT colleagues (including Project Managers, Business Analysts, Change Managers and governance specialists) to deliver coordinated, high-quality outcomes across complex delivery programmes
• Contribute to wider FC IT responsibilities, including:

- Supporting enterprise application development and improvement
- Working on integrations and automation across systems
- Supporting incident resolution and system optimisation
- Contributing to continuous improvement of IT services and capabilities

• Work with third-party suppliers and partners where required, ensuring solutions are delivered to defined standards and integrate effectively with existing systems

Person specification

Essential experience

• Experience delivering IT solutions across the full lifecycle in an enterprise environment, including requirements analysis, technical design, configuration/build, testing, deployment, and transition to service support
• Hands-on experience working with Microsoft enterprise technologies, including SharePoint Online, M365, Cloud, Server, Client and UC with evidence of configuring and delivering solutions aligned to business requirements
• Experience translating business needs into technical solution designs, including defining architecture, data structures, integration points, and implementation approaches
• Experience contributing to or delivering solution implementation and deployment, including working with enterprise systems, application stacks, or cloud-based platform
• Experience supporting or delivering data migration or system transition activities, including working with legacy systems and modern platfor
• Experience working collaboratively within multi-disciplinary teams (e.g. IT, project delivery, business analysis, suppliers) to deliver coordinated technical outcomes
• Demonstrable experience working directly with stakeholders to gather requirements, shape solutions, and support delivery, including facilitating discussions, workshops, or structured engagement
• Experience of data migration or data handling activities, including working with legacy systems, implementation and supporting transition to new platform
• Ability to work across both project delivery and business-as-usual IT activity, managing competing priorities effectively

Essential technical skills / knowledge

• Detailed understanding of Microsoft 365 ecosystem (e.g. SharePoint, Teams, OneDrive, Power Platform) and how these integrate to deliver business solutions
• Experience configuring and managing SharePoint Online environments, including permissions, metadata, structure, and governance considerations
• Understanding of system integration concepts (APIs, connectors, automation tools such as Power Automate)
• Ability to analyse business problems and translate them into structured technical solutions, including contributing to solution design and estimation
• Awareness of data management, information governance, and security considerations within enterprise systems

Essential Delivery & Working Approach

• Ability to operate as a hands-on IT Solutions Analyst, balancing technical configuration, solution build, and system improvement with direct engagement with users and stakeholders
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to translate technical concepts into accessible language and support users in adopting new systems and processes
• Ability to manage workload across both project-based delivery and business-as-usual IT responsibilities, maintaining quality and meeting deadlines
• Experience building effective working relationships across technical and non-technical stakeholders, acting as a trusted technical partner to the business
• Proactive and self-directed, with the ability to take ownership of delivering solutions from concept through to live service
• Ability to build relationships and act as a trusted partner to business teams, balancing user needs with technical and organisational constraints
• Comfortable working in a hands-on, delivery-focused role that combines technical implementation with direct user engagemen
• Able to explain technical concepts clearly, support users through change, and encourage adoption of new systems and ways of working

Behaviours

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

• Changing and Improving
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Working Together
• Managing a Quality Service

Technical skills

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

• May be tested through technical and scenario-based questioning, discussion, and exercises.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £40,388, Forestry Commission contributes £11,700 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

• A Civil Service pension .
• A range of family friendly benefits.
• An environment with flexible working options.
• Learning and development tailored to your role.
• A culture which promotes a diverse and inclusive work environment.
• A range of wellbeing benefits including discounted Civil Service Healthcare, access to an Employee Assistance Programme 24/7, Bike to Work Scheme, plus many more.
• 25 days annual leave, with 1 additional day for each years’ service up to 5 years (pro rata), plus 10.5 bank holidays/privilege days (pro rata).
• Ability to buy or sell 5 days annual leave.
• 3 days volunteering per year (pro rata).

We aim to provide a great place to work, whichever location you work from. Blended working forms part of our flexible and inclusive approach to future ways of working. It is an informal arrangement which gives you the option to work some of the week from home, and some of the week from our Forestry Commission workplaces, subject to role requirements, business needs, and regular review. Informal blended working arrangements will be available as agreed with the line manager.

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

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths, Experience and Technical skills.

This is a Fixed Term Appointment ending 30th March 2027, with possibility but no guarantee of extension or permanency.

As part of the application process you will be asked to complete:

1. A CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and Please ensure you have provided reasons for any gaps within the last two years.
2. A personal statement – in no more than 500 word please provide details of how you meet the relevant skills and experience as set out in the person specification

Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

Should a large number of applications be received, the initial sift may be conducted using the Personal Statement. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview.

Applications will be sifted week commencing 21st September 2026. Interviews will be held week commencing 5th October 2026. These dates may be subject to change.

Interviews will be held at our national office - Forestry Commission, 620 Bristol Business Park, Coldharbour Lane, Bristol, BS16 1EJ

At interview you will be assessed on Experience, Behaviours, Strengths and Technical Skills. You may be asked to prepare a presentation at interview stage.

Further Information

Current Civil Servants (all contract types) will need to ensure that they are still employed as a civil servant at the point of starting in the relevant new post. If their contract ends (e.g., end of FTA contract or resignation) at any point during the recruitment/onboarding process for the advertised role, they will no longer be eligible and may be withdrawn.

A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.

Any move to Forestry 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; for further information visit the Childcare Choices website.

Where a role has been identified as one which falls under the scope of the Public Sector English Language Requirements, within Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016, it is essential that applicants should have the ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English. Applicants will be assessed in the selection process in accordance with the requirements.

Existing Civil Servants (excluding Forestry Commission employees) and applicants from accredited NDPBs are eligible to apply, and will only be considered on a loan basis (Civil Servants) or secondment (accredited NDPBs). Prior agreement to be released on a loan basis must be obtained before commencing the application process. In the case of Civil Servants, the terms of the loan will be agreed between the home and host department and the Civil Servant.

Existing Forestry Commission, Forestry England and Forest Research employees are eligible to apply for this Fixed Term Appointment and will only be considered if there is written confirmation from their line manager and HR that their current role will be temporarily backfilled or held open before commencing the application process.

If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out.

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf.

However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.

New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.

This role is full time only. Applicants who wish to work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying.

Reasonable Adjustment

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 Government Recruitment Service via FCERecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

Complete the ‘Assistance required’ section in the ‘Additional requirements’ page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.

Feedback

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

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) criminal record check.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.The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).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 : FS Recruitment
• Email : fs.recruitment@forestrycommission.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : fcerecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Further information

Our recruitment process is underpinned by the principle of appointment on the basis of fair and open competition and appointment on merit, as outlined in the Civil Service Commissioners’ Recruitment Principles.If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with these principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should in the first instance contact FCE by email: englandhr.services@forestryengland.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive, you can contact the Civil Service Commission, which regulates all Civil Service recruitment.