Solutions Assurance Tester

Necsu; North East; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

NHS North Of England Commissioning Support Unit is seeking a Solutions Assurance Tester to support the BSA DDAT function. The role blends manual and automated testing to assure software quality across complex digital applications.

It is a hybrid role involving home and office locations, with potential transfer to NHSBSA as services move. The closing date is 18 November 2026, with interviews in the week of 23 November.

Qualifications

• Educated to degree or equivalent in computing, engineering or related subject.

Responsibilities

• Analyse complex requirements, user stories and use cases to inform testing activity.
• Develop and execute test plans, specifications and maintainable automated tests.
• Undertake system, integration, regression, functional and non-functional testing.
• Identify, document and track defects and inconsistencies through to resolution.
• Work with developers, analysts and Agile teams to deliver quality software.
• Produce test packs, logs and reports for customers and stakeholders.

Skills

Attention to detail

Communication

Test planning

Automation testing

Agile

Defect tracking

Education

Degree or equivalent in computing/engineering

Tools

Test management software

Job description

Go back NHS North Of England Commissioning Support Unit

Solutions Assurance Tester

The closing date is 18 November 2026

Are you a methodical and enthusiastic tester with a passion for quality and continuous improvement?

We are looking for a Solutions Assurance Tester to support the BSA DDAT function. The Solutions Assurance Tester is a key role in supporting the delivery of high-quality digital applications and services. The postholder will assess software quality through manual and automated testing, identify and report defects and help ensure that products, applications and systems operate correctly.

This is a hybrid working role, with the successful candidate working across a mixture of home and office locations.

This vacancy is restricted to employees currently working within a Commissioning Support Unit (CSU). The role is being recruited to support services moving to NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA). The successful applicant may therefore potentially transfer to NHSBSA as part of the relevant service transfer arrangements. Further information will be provided as part of the recruitment and transfer process.

This role will close Wednesday 18th November and interviews/selection are expected to take place during the week commencing 23rd November.

For an informal discussion, please contact Mark Chapman at [e-mail].

Main duties of the job

This role will be responsible for:

• Analyse complex requirements, user stories and use cases to inform testing activity.
• Develop and execute test plans, specifications, scripts and maintainable automated tests.
• Undertake system, integration, regression, functional and non-functional testing.
• Identify, document and track defects and inconsistencies through to resolution.
• Work closely with developers, analysts and other colleagues within Agile delivery teams.
• Produce test packs, evidence, logs and clear reports for customers and stakeholders.
• Support assurance audits and the continuous improvement of testing standards and processes.
• Plan and prioritise testing activity across competing deliverables and escalat delivery risks appropriately.

About us

At NECS we are very proud to be part of the NHS England family. We are one of the very few truly customer-owned entities within the NHS. We have grown from our roots in the North East to be an NHS business with customers the length and breadth of the UK and further abroad. Our customer base has diversified significantly over this period, and we are now very pleased to be serving NHS providers as well as commissioners, NHSE regions, Local Authorities, General Practices and national NHSE Directorates.

NECS combines specialist skills and expertise with scale and resilience to achieve required results. We combine core NHS values with a sharp focus on customer care and a relentless pursuit of continuous improvement. We very much see ourselves as a key partner in the future success of the healthcare system and we take our share of the responsibility for shaping effective delivery.

Our people are the heart of our organisation. We strive to ensure they feel trusted, valued and empowered. Were passionate about nurturing and developing people. When you join us, we want you to grow, and we offer many opportunities for you to do that as well as an excellent benefits package including generous holidays and pension plus free car parking and access to NHS discounts.

Job responsibilities

Job Purpose

The role is key in supporting the management and development of a major national application. As a member of the software engineering division, you will assist in assessing software quality through manual and automated testing. You will be responsible for finding and reporting bugs and glitches. The role will ensure that all products, applications and systems work correctly.

Core Duties and Responsibilities (Key Result Areas)

As a Solution Assurance Tester, you will be expected to:

• Evaluate, analyse, and interpret highly complex information and requirements to inform the design and development of system deliverables.
• Applying specialist knowledge, to define and create functional tests using well structured‑maintainable code.
• The post holder will be required to maintain constructive relationships with a broad range of internal and external stakeholders. This includes the CQRS technical development team, management team, NHSE/I and other key customers.
• As a Solution Assurance Tester, you will be required to attend daily agile development stand‑up meetings, participate in relevant internal and external working meetings and provide information on testing outcomes and expertise.
• Provide and receive highly complex information and communicate results via test packs and through sprint demo requirements. In addition, communicate a range of assurance issues which can be complex and tailor these to the required audience.
• Design, develop and deliver creative and innovative approaches to execute test plans and test specification based on a variety of documents that outline both functional and non-functional requirements.
• Contribute to the review and development of an integrated approach to solution assurance and support the annual CQRS process assurance audit through collation of evidence.
• Proactively engaging in conversations to support the on‑going development and maintenance of your own skills and knowledge.
• Implementing standards and policies, pro‑actively identifying and proposing improvements or enhancements to meet changing.
• Planning work of own and other team members to achieve agreed objectives, prioritising multiple and sometimes conflicting deliverables, escalating as appropriate, any issues which may impact deadlines.
• Analyse user stories and/use cases/requirements for validity and feasibility collaborating closely with other team members and departments.
• Execute all levels of testing (System, Integration, and Regression) and develop automation/test scripts when needed.
• Detect and track software defects and inconsistencies and provide timely solutions. Apply quality engineering principals throughout the Agile product lifecycle.
• Create logs to document testing phases and defects reporting bugs and errors to development teams. Help troubleshoot issues.
• Design and implement test plans to highly complex requirements provided by NHSE/I and primary care specifications and lead all testing requirements within the CQRS system.
• Contribute to the development of solution assurance strategies and the development and implementation of improvement programmes in accordance with the CSU.
• Supporting the Senior Assurance Tester monitor CCN commercials to ensure budgetary compliance and opportunities for efficiencies within the assurance process. Attend impact assessment planning meetings to support the management of resource costs and budget for the testing team.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Educated to Degree or equivalent level in a computing, engineering, analysis or related subject or equivalent experience.

Skills / Abilities

• Attention to detail Methodical thinking Having methods for problem solving.
• Being a good communicator, both written and spoken. Competent teamwork abilities.
• Ability to create concise, effective test documentation.
• Accurate defining of defects Analytical thinking abilities.
• Being self‑motivated.
• Having a competent judgment to inform problems to superiors on time.
• Familiarity with Agile frameworks and regression testing.
• Ability to document and troubleshoot errors.
• Working knowledge of test management software.
• Strong organizational skills Debug Malfunctioning Programs.

Knowledge

• Commitment to and focused on quality, promotes high standards in all they do.
• Must be committed to self‑development and be enthusiastic about acquiring new skills and embracing new technologies.
• Proven ability and experience of successfully testing digital products and/or services within tight timescales.
• Needs to have a thorough understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships both in terms of day‑to‑day working practices, but also in relation to management systems.
• Understanding of NHS structure and its constituent organisations.

Mobility

• Must be able to commit to working outside of core hours, with occasional evening and weekend working.
• Will be required to travel regionally and could lead to early starts or late evenings to make meetings as a result or occasional overnight stops in hotels.
• Will be required to travel regionally, resulting in early starts, late evenings, or occasional overnight stops in hotels to attend meetings.
• Car driver / owner or reasonable alternative.

Interpersonal Skills

• Awareness of equality, and valuing diversity principles.
• Understanding of Confidentiality and Data Protection Act
• Beneficial skills would include:
• Understanding of the not‑for‑profit sector.
• Familiar with software and database technology.

Experience

• Experience of working on large scale, complex, tight deadline projects.
• At least 2 years experience and can provide evidence of working as a Software Tester Evidence of post qualifying and continuing professional development.
• Experience in an Agile methodology.
• Experience of working with the NHS.

Employer name

NHS North Of England Commissioning Support Unit