Job Specification

Purpose of Position :

To provide expert senior level technical consulting in directing, planning, designing, developing and implementing advanced/complex interactive applications in a multi-platform environment.
To provide technical leadership and team direction for the acquisition and implementation of complex and specialized hardware and software applications.
To ensure solutions completely satisfy related client/Cluster/enterprise policies and standards and the business needs of internal and external client stakeholders.

Duties / Responsibilities :

Specialising in applications using one or more of the following technologies: Java, GIS, Lotus Notes, .NET for projects that are typically highly complex (i.e. large-scale, multifaceted, very diverse and high value) requiring technical I&IT work, often leading/conducting and participating on concurrent major projects, the Job:
1. As the senior technical expert, provides technical expertise and group leadership in the development and support of specialized new, (e.g. web-based, JEE, business intelligence), enhanced and existing applications for the Cluster, by co-ordinating major research and design projects; providing senior technical guidance/advice in the “make or buy” decision and the selection/utilization of new software/hardware; ensuring solution designs are compliant with target architectures and OPS standards; ensuring logical design of all LRC client applications; and monitoring and measuring the success of the estimation process.

2. Provides senior technical advice and artefacts to Project Managers, Business Analysts and clients on solutions options and directions. Provides situational appraisals for projects and high level recommendations on solution feasibility and/or options for high value/mission critical investments, including both high level conceptual options and/or detailed solution design if business requirements are already in place. Identifies and presents value-added assessments, such as opportunities for automation to project teams and business areas. Responsible for developing system/software architecture documents, system logic models, including corporate Architecture Checkpoint documents. Provides high-level estimates at project inception and detailed estimates on project costs after detailed requirements are captured.

3. Provides senior technical expertise involving the evaluation, development and implementation of major project technical standards and procedures related to IT security, privacy, systems development, programming, data base administration, and the utilization of equipment for development and maintenance purposes. Ensures compliance with government-wide, cluster and ministry guidelines, policies, directives and standards related to hardware and software usage and installations (e.g. security, systems development, programming and data administration). Ensures documentation for application design and infrastructure is maintained.

4. As the senior technical expert ensures appropriate planning and co-ordination of all technical activities related to programming optimization techniques and implementation activities for Cluster application projects. Develops and makes recommendations regarding major software development to senior ministry staff.

5. Provides technical project leadership, direction and guidance to development teams (e.g. provides architectural guidance), and ensures all standards are achieved. Works closely with project managers to prepare high level resource and timelines estimates, identify work packages and continually help remove technical hurdles. Performs technical duties, such as producing software code and developing proof of concept (POC) solutions. Engages in technical discussions and hands-on activities with internal and external software developers to provide software development advice, code reviews (including identification of re-factoring options), software development, education on code designs, system errors troubleshooting, and ensuring adherence and maintenance of coding standards and best practices.

6. Identifies training and educational requirements of project and LRC staff and external stakeholders related to the development, configuration and/or implementation of LRC software platforms.

7. As the senior technical expert in directing, planning, designing and implementing interactive applications in a multi-platform environment, participates on ministry/cluster/enterprise committees to co-ordinate and develop IT policies, standards, guidelines and best practices related to hardware and software usage for the Cluster.

8. Provides senior technical expertise in the acquisition, utilization and evaluation of complex/specialized hardware, software and systems by: participating and overseeing feasibility studies; co-ordinating the development and evaluation of RFP's; managing complex benchmark processes; oversees and determines the selection of viable system solutions; documenting all architecturally significant incidents.

9. Consults and provides senior technical expertise to internal and external stakeholders, vendors and consultants associated with the Cluster by evaluating new system and hardware performance and ensuring major implementation projects met established deliverables. Provides technical leadership for contractors/outsourced solutions.

10. As the senior technical project/team leader, directs and oversees the dissemination of information on the Cluster intranet/internet to project/client ministry staff and external stakeholders. Co-ordinates the collection and analysis of data related to new system and hardware performance.

11. Evaluates and recommends the suitability and integration of common IT infrastructure service delivery activities among all internal and external stakeholders to attain high-level efficiency and security.

12. Develops, implements and maintains currency of application development and integration standards for the Cluster. Conducts research, develops options and recommendations for adoption of new software technologies, techniques, best practices, tool sets, etc. to ensure organizational currency, flexibility and competitive advantage for delivering cost effective state-of-the-art solutions.

Management has the right to assign other duties.

Staffing and Licencing :

N/A

Knowledge :

Job requires:
- extensive knowledge of OPS I & IT and Cluster strategies, directives, policies and procedures, I&IT architectures, and ministry/program applications to ensure business proposals and developmental plans are aligned and compliant with enterprise directives/guidelines and with IT architectural reviews and approvals.
- comprehensive knowledge of Java/JEE, GIS, Lotus Notes, .NET and related multi-tiered I&IT technologies, (e.g. JSP/Servlet,JEE, EJB, JNDI, JDBC, JMS, JPA, JAXB, JCache; Domino, LotusLive, Lotus Enterprise Integrator (LEI), Domino Enterprise Connection Services (DECS); Open Database Connectivity (ODBC); XML/XSL/XSLT, WebServices, Rational Application Developer (RAD), Software Architect (RSA), WebSphere Integration Developer (WID), Power Designer, WebSphere ND, WebSphere Process Server, Enterprise Service Bus (ESB), SUN Solaris, Windows OS, VPN, PKI, LDAP, Oracle10g, Siebel, DBMS, PL/SQL, .NET, Zachman Framework; cloud computing), and related standards; extensive knowledge of state-of-the-art IT security management, micro/mini and personal computer systems; and knowledge of additional Java/GIS/.NET/Lotus Notes technologies such as Velocity, Quartz, JPA, Jakarta Struts Framework, Commons, log4j, java mail API, Xstream, Cargo, Conituum, Jalopy, Cobertura, and PMD, in order to: provide comprehensive expert technical expertise (e.g. provide situational appraisals and value-added assessments for projects, and derive high level recommendations on solution feasibility and/or options for high value investments), cost estimates and leadership; ensure the logical design of all client applications; ensure documentation for application design and infrastructure is maintained; and support the delivery of the client ministry and Cluster projects.
- thorough knowledge of large-scale, complex systems analysis techniques, methodologies and relevant architectures, including strong experience with Service Oriented Architectures (SOA) and related technologies, design of distributed applications, security design and implementation considerations, Unified Modeling Language (UML) design artifacts and Rational Unified Process (RUP) methodology, design and development, programming concepts and languages, (including advanced knowledge of object oriented analysis and design), internet/intranet technology, and emerging technologies, to assess and provide direction on the selection and utilization of software/hardware and methodologies, and provide architectural guidance.
- knowledge of project management methodologies, analytical tools and processes, ITIL best practices, procurement/tendering process and contract administration, to develop and assess cost estimates, provide technical leadership for projects, develop project plans, conduct technical analysis of vendor proposals and ensure project deliverables are met within specified time frames and established parameters.

Skills :

Job requires:
- complete proficiency and expertise in the major relevant technologies described in Knowledge Section, in order to identify and assess opportunities for cost-efficient, effective and innovative, value added solutions to meet very diverse requirements; provide technical expertise and leadership to the integrity of solutions and their compliance with architectures, policies, standards and goals; perform technical functions and provide technical direction for team members; and evaluate new system and hardware performance.
- analytical, interpretive reasoning and problem solving skills, to assess, identify and co-ordinate the resolution of technical problems and incidents; conduct research, assess client requirements and estimate costs; lead design projects and ensure logical design of applications; providing situational appraisals and value-added assessments for projects, and deriving high level recommendations on solution feasibility and/or options; and develop recommendations for cluster, ministry and corporate policies and standards.
- conceptualising skills, attention to detail, results-focus, plus analytical, evaluation and practical problem-solving skills to develop technical design features and alternatives to ensure effective operation of hardware and software platforms and IT security and quality control systems, (e.g. oversee planning/scheduling of hardware platform and systems software upgrades or act as the project lead to co-ordinate and solve complex interrelated software/hardware problems); and to provide technical leadership for contractors/outsourced solutions.
- consultation and client relationship management skills, to work co-operatively with project staff and external stakeholders to discuss application development methods, monitor and manage vendor contacts, and participate on various IT committees.
- effective written and oral communication skills to prepare reports, and explain technical solutions to IT and non-technical internal and external stakeholders.
- leadership, teamwork and project management skills to lead major, complex IT projects, direct teams of project staff and external consultants, liaise and co-ordinate with Project Managers, and ensure project deliverables are delivered within specified parameters.

Freedom of Action :

Job requires:
- working within enterprise, cluster and client ministries' directives, policies and guidelines related to systems development and management and the acquisition of information technology.
- decision making by: determining systems design standards; determining application and quality assurance standards, including ensuring documentation for application design and infrastructure is sufficiently maintained; costing and recommending hardware, software and systems solutions, and the acquisition of the appropriate systems products to meet requirements that are complex and/or unique/unprecedented.
- leading the design of complex multi-purpose and multi-client systems and ensuring logical design of all LRC client applications and compliance with all related policies and standards.
- providing situational appraisals and value-added assessments for projects (e.g. opportunities for automation), and deriving high level recommendations on solution feasibility and/or options for high value investments, including both high level conceptual options and/or detailed solution design if business requirements are already in place.
- implementing policies, standards and procedures related to the acquisition and utilization of software/ hardware and systems components.
Work is performed with technical independence and reviewed by the Manager only at major milestones for soundness within the content of the overall project, project technology strategies, business plans and operational requirements (e.g. system degradation or outages).