OFFICIAL JOB SPECIFICATION. Senior Manager (Architecture Management)

Size: px
Start display at page:

Download "OFFICIAL JOB SPECIFICATION. Senior Manager (Architecture Management)"

Transcription

1 JOB SPECIFICATION FUNCTION JOB TITLE REPORTING TO GRADE WORK PATTERN LOCATION IT & Digital Digital Architect Senior Manager (Architecture Management) Band E Full-time Birmingham TRAEL REQUIRED Occasionally ROLE ID TBC MAIN PURPOSE OF ROLE The IT & Digital department is responsible for the force s adoption and use of information and digital technology. The department consists of three core functions as follows: Architecture Management (responsible for identifying and selecting the right technologies for the force) Delivery Management (responsible for delivering and implementing the right technologies for the force) Service Management (responsible for managing and maintaining all live, operational technology for the force) The Architecture Management function is responsible for ensuring the department understands current and future requirements for the force, understands the technology marketplace, and as a result identifies opportunities for leveraging information and digital technology to benefit the force. This function governs and maintains the Enterprise Architecture for West Midlands Police, ensuring that all work undertaken across the force (particularly the force change programme) adheres to the force s standards, design principles and architecture (technology, information and security). This function is responsible for translating organisational requirements into technical requirements and designs that can be implemented via internal or external resource. It operates the Technical Design Authority which is responsible for assessing and selecting appropriate technologies to service organisational needs. The Digital Architect, reporting to the Senior Architecture Manager, is responsible for ensuring that the appropriate digital capabilities are built into systems, applications and solutions to ensure that services supplied by IT & Digital satisfy the requirements of the Digital Architect Page 1 of 9

2 Force's Digital strategy. The role of Digital Architect specialises in Application Functionality (similar to that of a Functional Architect), Usability/User Experience as well as Digital Technology such as Social Media. The postholder will be expected to manage and maintain the Application Architecture Blueprint for the force. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Propose, define and articulate the impact of new Force initiatives, including changes to existing architecture; Responsible for the design of customer solutions delivered by West Midlands Police IT & Digital (particular emphasis on functionality, usability and user experience); Participate in the Impact Assessment (IA) process to provide SME input on proposed initiatives; Using architecture to guide and align programme solutions to improve coherence, re-use and integration providing increased efficiency and business effectiveness; Ensure that programmes and projects deliver the right technology components, integrated in the right way to provide the intended benefits; giving consideration to reuse of existing investment in technology or services and ensuring that functionality is not duplicated; Presentation of outputs to stakeholders at various levels of understanding within the Force; Define, manage and govern the technology hardware standards and capabilities for the deployment of business, data, and application services; Provide quality assurance on digital aspects of third party solutions; Support the Quality Assurance (QA) of tender responses from suppliers; Design the digital aspects of new solutions; Engage with customers to define and promote IT & Digital solutions; Actively participate in the IT & Digital Technical Design Authority (TDA); Providing pure consultancy engagements and report writing; Maintain an awareness of appropriate commercial and technical developments to allow advice to be given on providing future IT & Digital solutions; Ensure that appropriate standards are maintained throughout the implementation lifecycle and for any post-implementation support; Liaise with user departments and other sections of IT & Digital in the implementation of new systems, software and hardware; Maintain and evaluate existing operational systems and to ensure that changes to the system, environment or the introduction of new systems, have no detrimental Digital Architect Page 2 of 9

3 impact; Organise, in conjunction with user departments, periodic reviews of existing systems and where applicable maintain system roadmaps; Ensure that any proposed design or alteration is well considered and supportable; Participate in consultancy work; Assist with the training of other department members in new skills and responsibilities; To carry out any other duties commensurate with the grading of the post as may from time to time be determined. CONTACTS Internal The postholder will have contact with: i. Other members of IT & Digital ii. iii. Police Officers Police Staff External The postholder will have contact with third party suppliers. The postholder will have contact with third party agencies. SPANS OF CONTROL / FINANCIAL CONTROL Staff management responsibilities: None Budgetary responsibilities: Raise issues with the relevant budget (e.g. as part of a project) to the appropriate level; Assist with the identification of full-lifecycle costs for new or changed IT services. COMPETENCIES REQUIRED FOR EFFECTIE PERFORMANCE Experience Must demonstrate proven experience and ability to: Design and architect digital solutions such as online channels, social media tools with a minimum of 5 years of digital experience; Design and assess solution (e.g. application) functionality, usability and user experience; Digital Architect Page 3 of 9

4 Directly communicate with senior managers from a customer service perspective using written and oral methods; Quality assure solution designs; Translate user requirements into suitable solution designs; Develop and maintain technical documentation to the highest standards; Participate in, and chair, meetings; Promote equality, diversity and Human Rights in working practices; Maintain standards for security of information. Knowledge An understanding of architectural frameworks (e.g. TOGAF); Extensive understanding of digital technologies such as social, mobile, analytics and cloud; Extensive understanding of underlying technologies and application design; Extensive understanding of functionality, usability and user experience concepts, principles and standards; Understanding of future trends and how they might be applicable to West Midlands Police; Extensive understanding of waterfall and agile delivery methodologies; Understanding of the ITIL framework; Understanding of project management methodologies (e.g. PRINCE2). Skills Strong problem solving skills; Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to confidently interact and empathise with all levels of staff; Excellent presentation skills; Flexibility to use a variety of supporting technologies and to be innovative; The ability to work under pressure and be capable of balancing competing demands and priorities; Proven track record in understanding the need of customers/users; Good communication skills in order to work effectively throughout the organisation and with external contractors and suppliers; An understanding of the ITIL processes as they apply to the team and to the department as a whole; Ability to produce management reports, policy documents and comprehensive working papers including recommendations and implementation of documents; Ability to negotiate and influence at a senior level within the organization; Digital Architect Page 4 of 9

5 High level project management skills and an understanding of professional techniques; Ability to chair or take a lead role on local, regional and national conferences; Excellent technical design skills; Ability to gather and assimilate information. Digital Architect Page 5 of 9

6 SKILLS FRAMEWORK FOR THE INFORMATION AGE As IT gets more complex and pervasive there is an ever growing need clearly to define, recruit and grow the skilled resources that you need. SFIA provides a language that is the foundation for consistent, unambiguous and clear definitions of IT based skills. Primary SFIA Competencies ARCH STPL HFIN Skill Solution Architecture The design and communication of high-level structures to enable and guide the design and development of integrated solutions that meet current and future business needs. Changes to service, process, organisation, operating model and other aspects may be required in addition to technology components, and solutions must demonstrate how agreed requirements (such as automation of business processes) are met, any requirements w hich are not fully met or, and any options or considerations w hich require a business decision. The provision of comprehensive guidance on the development of, and modifications to, solution components to ensure that they take account of relevant architectures, strategies, policies, standards and practices and that existing and planned solution components remain compatible Enterprise and Business Architecture Development The creation, iteration, and maintenance of structures such as enterprise and business architectures embodying the key principles, methods and models that describe the organisation's future state, and that enable its evolution. This typically involves the interpretation of business goals and drivers; the translation of business strategy and objectives into an operating model ; the strategic assessment of current capabilities; the identification of required changes in capabilities; and the description of interrelation-ships betw een people, organisation, service, process, data, information, technology and the external environment. The architecture development process supports the formation of the constraints, standards and guiding principles necessary to define, assure and govern the required evolution; this facilitates change in the organisation's structure, business processes, systems and infrastructure in order to achieve predictable transition to the intended state. Human Factors Integration Achievement of optimum levels of product or service usability, by ensuring that project and enterprise activities take account of the user experience. I Desired Level Leads the development of architectures for complex systems, ensuring consistency w ith specified requirements agreed w ith both external, and internal customers. Takes full responsibility for the balance betw een functional, service quality and systems management requirements w ithin a significant area of the organisation. Establishes policy and strategy for the selection of systems architecture components, and co-ordinates design activities, promoting the discipline to ensure consistency. Ensures that appropriate standards (corporate, industry, national and international) are adhered to. Within a business change programme, manages the target design, policies and standards, w orking proactively to maintain a stable, viable architecture and ensure consistency of design across projects w ithin the programme. Contributes to the creation and review of a systems capability strategy w hich meets the strategic requirements of the business. Develops models and plans to drive forw ard the strategy, taking advantage of opportunities to improve business performance. Takes responsibility for investigative w ork to determine requirements and specify effective business processes, through improvements in information systems, data management, practices, procedures, organisation and equipment. I Is responsible for organisational commitment to high standards in all aspects of the interaction betw een users and deployed technology - the user experience. Specifies ergonomics standards and methods to meet organisational objectives. Digital Architect Page 6 of 9

7 Secondary SFIA Competencies HCE Skill Ergonomic Design The iterative development of user tasks, interaction and interfaces to meet user requirements, considering the w hole user experience. Refining the design solutions in response to user-centred evaluation and feedback and communicating the design to those responsible for implementation. I Desired Level Is responsible for organisational commitment to high standards in human factors. Specifies ergonomics standards and methods to meet organisational objectives. ISCO BUAN BSMO BURM Information Systems Coordination Typically w ithin a large organisation in w hich the information strategy function is devolved to autonomous units, or w ithin a collaborative enterprise of otherw ise independent organisations, the coordination of information strategy matters w here the adoption of a common approach (such as shared services) w ould bene-fit the organisation. Business Analysis The methodical investigation, analysis, review and documentation of all or part of a business in terms of business functions and processes, the information used and the data on w hich the information is based. The definition of requirements for improving processes and systems, reducing their costs, enhancing their sustainability, and the quantification of potential business benefits. The creation of viable specifications and acceptance criteria in preparation for the construction of information and communication systems. Business Modelling The production of abstract or distilled representations of real w orld, business or gaming situations in traditional or transmedia applications, to aid the communication and understanding of existing, conceptual or proposed scenarios. Predominantly focused around the representation of processes, roles, data, organisation and time. Models may be used to represent a subject at varying levels of detail and decomposition. Business Risk Management The planning and implementation of organisation-wide processes and procedures for the management of risk to the success or I Maintains an aw areness of the global needs of the organisation, and promotes the benefits that a common approach to IT deployment w ill bring to the business as a w hole, among information systems and business management. Coordinates the promotion, development, acquisition and implementation of information systems and services in close liaison w ith those responsible for management and strategy. Takes responsibility for investigative w ork to determine business requirements and specify effective business processes, through improvements in information systems, information management, practices, procedures, and organisation change. Applies and monitors the use of required modelling and analysis tools, methods and standards, giving special consideration to business perspectives. Conducts investigations at a high level for strategy studies, business requirements specifications and feasibility studies. Prepares business cases which define potential benefits, options for achieving these benefits through development of new or changed processes, and associated business risks. Identifies stakeholders and their business needs. Produces models in support of business strategy. Has in-depth know ledge of a broad range of industry-wide modelling techniques. Advises on the choice of techniques and approach and influences customers accordingly. Capable of developing bespoke models for unusual contexts. Responsible for planning and co-ordinating team model-ling activities and for ensuring the quality of their w ork. Carries out risk assessment within a defined functional or technical area of business. Uses consistent processes for identifying potential risk Digital Architect Page 7 of 9

8 integrity of the business, especially those arising from the use of information technology, reduction or non-availability of energy supply or inappropriate disposal of materials, hardw are or data. events, quantifying and documenting the probability of occurrence and the impact on the business. Refers to domain experts for guidance on specialised areas of risk, such as architecture and environment. Co-ordinates the development of countermeasures and contingency plans. DESN Systems Design The specification and design of information systems to meet defined business needs in any public or private context, including commercial, industrial, scientific, gaming and entertainment. The identification of concepts and their translation into implementable design. The design or selection of components. The retention of compatibility w ith enterprise and solution architectures, and the adherence to corporate standards w ithin constraints of cost, security and sustainability. Specifies and designs large or complex systems. Selects appropriate design standards, methods and tools, consistent w ith agreed enterprise and solution architectures and ensures they are applied effectively. Reviews others' systems designs to ensure selection of appropriate technology, efficient use of resources, and integration of multiple systems and technology. Contributes to policy for selection of architecture components. Evaluates and undertakes impact analysis on major design options and assesses and manages associated risks. Ensures that the system design balances functional, service quality and systems management requirements. Digital Architect Page 8 of 9

9 Attitude Positive and optimistic outlook; Motivated to see the Force succeed; Open and honest; Problem solver; Able to delegate where appropriate and target that delegation to develop other team members; A strong team player with a can do attitude; Self-motivated with the ability to multi task and work well under pressure. Training & Education An IT and /or Digital related qualification ideally at a Degree level, or demonstrable specialist skills in an IT and /or Digital environment; ITIL Foundation certificate or demonstrable skills that the ITIL principles are understood in the context of the role; Qualifications related to User Experience/Human Computer Interaction are desirable; TOGAF qualification. Special Circumstances The post holder must be able to work from alternate locations in line with business need. Flexibility is required where rota management is required and/or extended hours are proposed. It is suggested that this role requires a flexibility of approach to working hours. The post holder may be required to provide out of hours availability for which the appropriate allowance will be paid. The post holder may be expected to work outside of normal working hours. Digital Architect Page 9 of 9