Job Specification

Purpose of Position :

To lead project teams in the development, implementation and maintenance of cost effective business systems solutions and services. To provide business systems consulting expertise to clients by establishing the process, data and/or workflow model(s) satisfying the business requirement and advise the project on use of information technology to meet business/program goals and objectives.

Duties / Responsibilities :

1. Providing project leadership in development of business applications including preparing project plans, leading teams throughout project cycle, developing estimates of costs/resources/staffing, requiring and determining schedules, monitoring activities, providing status reports and project control. 2. Co-ordinate analysis of client IT needs in relation to clients program/service delivery requirements and both short/long term business goals and objectives. Conducting feasibility studies and cost/benefit analysis on complex business/systems initiatives, and recommending business development solutions which meet client needs and promote overall division IT strategies and objectives; and assisting clients in identifying IT priorities.
3. Conducting/providing technical expertise in complex business analysis and design, co-ordinating development of all project documentation, developing and promoting implementation plans/strategies for applications.
4. Preparing user cases (or functional specification), process, data and workflow models to support the business processes and information needs using standard CASE tools and techniques.
5. Providing advice/expertise in acquisition of services and technology, including conducting searches for products to meet specific client business needs; conducting software product tendering, evaluation, selection and acquisition for services/technology within defined parameters.
6. Establishing and maintaining tools, techniques, standards, documentation and performance criteria required for developing division business applications and ensuring quality control.
7. Preparing RFPs and running tenders and assisting clients with determining information technology priorities.

Knowledge :

This position requires knowledge of standard methods and techniques for business analysis (including data and process modelling) in order to:
- review client business and information requirements to confirm project scope;
- assist clients in identifying information requirement and collecting data;
- assess information technology, data, and system requirements;
- develop complex data and process models from conceptual to logical (business view).
Job requires knowledge of mainframe and PC based computer system technologies (operating systems, application software, ministry standard/commonly used and client customized software, object oriented analysis and design, systems flow techniques, methods analysis, networks). Internet and emerging technologies, in order to lead a project team in; identifying and evaluation of business and information technology options for clients; development of new business systems or modifications; and evaluate and recommend acquisition of applications and information technology services. Good knowledge of n-tier application development approach.
Job requires knowledge of theory and principles of business systems design and development, and related methods, techniques, practices and standards, in order to lead a team in; analysis and definition of client business and information technology requirements; design, development, testing and implementation of business systems solutions; evaluation of solutions/technology; preparation of technical documentation and technical support. J
ob requires knowledge of ministry/government administrative policies and directives to ensure compliance of recommendations on acquisition of technology and services and negotiation of contracts. Job requires knowledge of Ministry IT plan, project planning methodology, and clients business, processes, and requirements to recommend business systems development solutions which promote Ministry IT strategies and goals while also meeting business needs/priorities of clients.

Skills :

Job requires analytical and problem-solving skills to assess client information/business systems needs and lead development of information technology solutions, which are cost effective and improve client program/service delivery. Job co-ordinates analysis and definition of client requirements including assessment of short and long term business goals and objectives. Job analyses and advises clients on development of their information technology priorities in order to reflect their business needs/requirements/plans, program/service delivery requirements and resource limitations. Job analyses and evaluates design alternatives and considers business needs, consolidates work of technology approach, appropriate implementation strategies, efficiency/flexibility standards, cost, time constraints, and future development considerations. Job conceptualises approaches to addressing new business requirements by designing alternative systems applications (e.g. where off the shelf products unavailability to meet specific business requirements). Job conducts complex business systems analysis and design; derives functional/data requirements; designs business, data and functional models. Job evaluates and recommends new business systems development techniques, tools and technology for acquisition by division clients. Job requires verbal communication skills to; discuss client requirements using the Joint Requirement Planning (JRP) technique; lead discussion of business systems development options and technical processes among project team; and discuss recommendations with clients, making a variety of technical analyses, limitations and considerations clear in non-technical terms while also communicating advantages and disadvantages of various options and their impact on clients programs/service delivery. Job requires writing skills to; prepare project reports; explain analyses/recommendations; develop business cases for recommended approach to business systems development or acquisition of technology/services; prepare technical documentation and manuals. Job requires interpersonal skills to; explain/illustrate alternate solutions to clients business systems development requirements; discuss and develop clients support for recommended approach, by outlining analyses of costs/benefits, impact on clients services delivery and achievement of business goals. Job involves working with vendors of services, equipment and technology, within pre-determined parameters.

Freedom of Action :

Job requires working within; ministry policies and guidelines for delivery of business systems consulting services; and ministry and government policies and directives for information technology development and acquisition. Job exercises latitude in decision making by; determining how best to define and characterize client needs; recommending particular information technology approach for project; developing project plan, schedule and budget; determining necessary adjustments to development process during course of project to ensure quality of product and that timelines and sometimes changing client requirements are net. Work is regularly discussed with clients; and general updates on project status and achievement of objectives are provided to supervisor and reviewed in relation to stated project objectives, timelines and budget. Job refers to supervisor problems/issues such as; changes to operating systems requirements; need for organizational enhancements; resource issues; and significant changes to project direction.