Job Specification

Purpose of Position :

To assist senior clients from the Ministries, their agencies, commissions and regions by providing consultation, business analysis, project management, development, and second level technical support. This assistance is provided for all tiers of the ministry technical architecture and includes software and some customization.
To develop/manage/coordinate computer application and development projects, and provide business analysis and systems consulting expertise in addressing full range of clients' information technology requirements. To provide systems development expertise on projects which have strategic significance for achieving Ministry's information technology (IT) plans and objectives.

Duties / Responsibilities :

1. Planning, directing, and participating in advanced/complex development, enhancement, installation and maintenance project, managing all stages including developing terms of reference, feasibility studies, short and long term planning, definition of client/user requirements and project deliverables, analysis and design, testing and implementation, evaluation and documentation.

2. Provide business analysis and systems consulting expertise to clients, presenting and explaining technical issues, identifying alternatives, conducting cost benefit analysis, providing and recommending business solutions which will help Ministry/clients achieve efficiencies in delivery of programs/services, expedite business processes and achieve business goals/objectives.

3. Maintaining technology/product evaluation program in areas of systems development and productivity tools, devising/maintaining systems performance and quality assurance programs; identifying opportunities for collaboration among client groups on areas of ministry's information technology requiring improvement.

4. Conduct complex/specialized systems analysis for creating RFPS, evaluate and negotiate vendors' proposals, and recommending selection.

5. Facilitating development, promotion, implementation and integration of organization's strategic information technology plans, objectives, policies and standards.

6. Manages projects under the general direction of the manager with specific accountabilities for: time lines, allocation of resources, budgeting, quality assurance, and day to day leadership and technical direction to team members.

Staffing and Licencing :

N/A

Knowledge :

Job requires knowledge of personal computer system technologies (operating systems, application software, ministry standard/commonly used and client customized software, networks), and knowledge of large scale systems analysis, design and development, information architecture and data modelling, programming concepts and languages, Internet technology and emerging technologies, in order to: perform, plan and lead analysis, design, development, testing and implementation of systems solutions which are integral to Ministry information technology strategies; evaluate software; review and prepare technical documentation and provide technical support. Job requires knowledge of applicable legislation, ministry IT plan, Enterprise Architecture principles and standards, project planning methodology, and ministry business/processes/requirements to address clients' systems needs, plan/organize and implement projects in a multi-project environment, ensuring solutions conform to ministry IT plan and promote integration of organization's technology. Job requires knowledge of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and regulations that apply to the work, and knowledge of any potential or actual danger to health or safety in the workplace to ensure compliance when performing supervisory responsibilities.

Skills :

Job requires written and oral communication skills to interview client managers, determine needs and desired changes, prepare business cases, prepare and present written reports on findings/alternate solutions, including explaining technically complex system details, limitations and considerations.

Job requires writing/editing systems documentation, providing explanations of technical solutions to non-technical ministry personnel both verbally and in writing, preparing project status, interim and final reports. Job requires interpersonal skills to explain and discuss with clients a variety of systems issues and requirements, including costs/benefits of options, advantages and disadvantages of various approaches. Job requires interpersonal skills to present and illustrate recommendations to ministry senior management, and communicate and develop support among ministry clients for approved approach amongst ministry options. Job requires interpersonal skills to negotiate contracts with vendors for acquisition of services, equipment, software/hardware, within approved parameters.

Job requires analytical skills to: design and develop software code compatible with clients needs; investigate and resolve application faults; review/assess applicability/impact of new technologies on existing platforms/applications.

Job requires assessment of client information technology needs and objectives, and provision of consultation, information, advice and strategic recommendations to clients on acquisition/development of technology to meet their business objectives, and improve operational performance while remaining consistent with overall ministry information technology strategy.

Job requires planning and co-ordinating work on large projects (e.g. development of system which has ministry-wide applicability or impacts on variety of client groups; teams vary in size and make-up varies throughout course of project, but often include staff of other IT units, and staff seconded from or loaned by program areas for feasibility study stage). Job requires identifying human, technical and financial resources required to carry out projects, including optimum involvement by representatives of different client groups, and developing terms of reference and overall project work plans. Job requires organizing and co-ordinating team activities with those of client to meet a variety of project deadlines and overall objectives, and planning interaction with different client groups. Job requires working with clients to develop short and long range information technology plans and co-ordinating these within context of ministry IT strategic plan.

Freedom of Action :

Job requires working within: ministry and policies and guidelines for delivery of systems consulting services; and ministry and government directives for information technology development and acquisition; and within overall Ministry objectives and strategies for use of information technology. Job exercises latitude in decision-making by: recommending project terms of reference; determining adjustments to design specifications; identifying administrative requirements and technical organization of projects; defining client needs to vendors; negotiating with vendors within defined parameters; recommending opportunities for productivity improvement and collaboration/co-operation among client groups and Ministry IT users. Work is reviewed at key stages of project by manager, for accomplishment of goals and objectives and completion of deliverables for clients. Job refers to manager changes to operating systems, major enhancements to achieve greater organizational efficiency or major changes in technical direction/requirements of development approach.