UNDP Chief Systems Architect

Under the supervision of the Chief, Enterprise Solutions (ESS), and as part of the Enterprise Solutions Section team, the incumbent will lead alignment of applications delivered through intranet run on Microsoft SharePoint to support optimally both operational and program activities for UNDP to deliver its mandate in a Strategic and technical role. As the Chief Systems Architect for the Contents and Collaboration Architecture (CCA) with specific focus on the Intranet, the incumbent will lead both the client engagement and the development teams. The incumbent is expected to create the architectural deliverables for the projects and recommend best-in-class solutions, including identifying functional as well as non-functional parameters. Optimal integration of SharePoint-based intranet with ERP and Business Intelligence applications run on PeopleSoft/Oracle platform. The incumbent is expected to act as senior technical resource at client locations and guide the project teams as well as customers on important technological decisions. In addition to the leadership role, s/he is expected to work as individual contributor as well as a team member on projects. The incumbent will report to and act under the guidance of the Chief, Enterprise Solutions (ESS), and may be requested to assist the Chief Technical Officer, OIST in providing opinions on the solutions architecture. Nature of Interaction: The incumbent is expected to be part of the Enterprise Solutions Section (ESS) or the Office of Information Systems and Technology (OIST). S/he will directly report to Chief, Enterprise Solutions and through him, supports CTO in building solid enterprise solutions architecture to support UNDP’s business objectives and priorities. Within OIST, s/he will collaborate with internal heads of Application Delivery and Production Support teams. Within UNDP, s/he is expected to interact with wide range of audiences including chiefs of business sections. In addition, s/he is expected to liaise with UN agencies at similar level to foster inter agency collaboration and knowledge sharing. When requested, s/he will represent ESS to external community and work with vendors. Impact: Solutions architecture design has direct impact in UNDP’s operational capability. Alignment of enterprise solutions architecture to business driver should, therefore, result in operational efficiency and enhanced UNDP capability to deliver development results. Well managed end user engagement and governance should result in improved user perception and adoption of technology solutions. Such improvement should be visible in improved rating in product surveys.

Duties and Responsibilities

Deliver detailed architecture analysis and design, and direction on the development activities. Provide leadership in gaining insight on functional and non-functional requirements related to technical delivery of the architecture. Maintain relationships with partner: Lead architecture design, and solution management to ensure that these are aligned to UNDP’s business objectives and priorities; Work with end user community and technology teams and vendors to build and maintain technology roadmaps. Advance the goals and objectives of ESS by providing cost-efficient, high quality, client-focused solutions, according to established policies, procedures, and processes of UNDP’s bureaux and offices; Analyze IT industry market trends to evaluate products or solutions and recommend direction based on ESS objectives; Contribute to defining and maintenance of enterprise data model and promote data structure re-usability to reduce redundancy across data driven initiatives; Define and promote data security standards. Deliver fully engaged business community by acting as the Chief Architect and a technology consultant, offer educated solution recommendations to customers for given problem definitions. Where applicable, assist in fine-tuning the problem/solution space in building and maintenance of the architecture and solutions delivery project portfolio: Stimulate end user community adoption of technology and innovation which will support UNDP’s business goals and objectives; Team with end users and business owners to encourage business process improvements, to identify data integrity issues, and to implement proactive solutions; Liaise with established ICT governance bodies to facilitate decision making and oversight processes to govern the architecture and associated strategies; Act as liaison between UNDP’s business functions and technical resources to effectively communicate business requirements into high quality business solutions; Work with team members to analyze, recommend, plan, design, develop, and/or implement solutions to meet strategic, usability, performance, reliability, control, and security requirements; Establish and maintain user feedback mechanisms for constant alignment of architecture and ESS objectives to the business drivers. Top quality delivery of projects, as a technical leader. S/he will ensure smooth and top-quality delivery of project in collaboration with project manager and the project team. S/he will participate in design, code, test reviews cycles. Enterprise Solutions which are in line with the architecture Lead development and review of intranet project portfolio to ensure that initiatives are aligned to ESS objectives and architecture; Provide documentation on all architecture decisions and best practice approaches to implementing the architecture design based on communication with project teams; Deliver working proof of concepts to demonstrate workability of proposed solutions; Lead initiatives and participate in projects to coordinate efforts of Subject Matter Experts, Applications Delivery, Quality Assurance, Usability, Training, and other internal resources for the successful solutions delivery; Perform ad hoc and project based support as needed.

Competencies

Managerial: Experience in a Professional Services environment, ability to frame highly complex technology projects in a business-friendly way; Ability to directly manage senior technicians and consultants in a results-oriented method; Ability to mediate multi-party disputes and find appropriate common ground. Technical/Functional: Experience should include knowledge of Microsoft SharePoint 2010; Preferences will be given to candidates with ERP (PeopleSoft), BI tools and Portal products experiences; Capability of coding in the .NET and SharePoint framework; Strong communication and interpersonal skills are required; Strong analytical, problem-solving and multi-tasking skills are required for the timely resolution of complex customer issues; Ability to monitor and report on multiple deliverables with a focus on meeting/exceeding deadlines; Expertise in full life-cycle development methodologies. Experience with project management tools is desirable; Knowledge of Service Oriented Architecture concepts and tools (XML, WSDL, etc.).

Required Skills and Experience

Education: Master’s Degree in Information and Communications Technology or Business Administration or related discipline, or Bachelor’s Degree with a minimum of 12 years of specialized relevant experience Experience: 10 years overall experience which should include experiences in Internet-centric ICT solutions development and delivery Familiarity with UNDP’s organizational structure an asset Language: Fluency in written and spoken English required Knowledge of second UN language desired (Spanish or French).

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UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

Chief Systems Architect