Principal IT Specialist (Application Management)

Job Purpose:

Responsible for overseeing the Application Management Unit covering operation, management, administration, maintenance and support of all key application assets in production. The application assets would include legacy applications on mainframe, Summit, SWIFT, Oracle ERP, document-related technologies, web oriented technologies including portal, social networking; search and retrieval, content management among others. Delivering enhancement packages including upgrades on a timely basis, within accepted costs and quality; operation, support and maintenance of the ab6ve assets to deliver prescribed levels of service.

Responsible for managing user demands, prioritization of activities and enhancements; coordination with other program leads and other units in OIST for efficient and effective flow of information and resolution of cross-cutting issues; overall risk management, compliance to prescribed standards and timely resolution of audit recommendations.

Work within a framework of broad policies, principles and goals, applying a high degree of autonomy in selection of work methods.

Expected Outcomes

a. Application Management

- Plans, manages and controls the program, its projects and activities. Prepares the annual work plan and provide 3- year rolling work program consistent to the priorities and strategic direction of OIST, Reports periodically on the performance of the program based on agreed metrics to relevant audiences
- Proactively, manages the user demands, priorities the projects and activities in consultation of concern parties, and ensure budgetary resources are available to meet the requirements.
- Provide guidance and supervision to application management leads to ensure timely delivery of solutions, upgrades of platforms, enhancements, fixes to application assets; and helps them resolve issues or escalate them when needed to the appropriate parties.
- Provide leadership in adopting and promoting ITIL services relevant to software development life cycle and ensure compliance.
- Manages the risks of the unit/program and ensuring mitigation are done timely and monitored closely
- Reviews and provides feedback on the quality of deliverables of the unit/program and division met with the desired criteria and ensure defects identified are corrected timely.
- Manages the budgetary resources including staffing for the program, coordinates within Division, works with ITPMU on appropriate sourcing options for the projects and application maintenance.
- Works with vendors on outsourced projects and activities and monitors the performance of the vendors according to the agreed contractual terms and service agreements.
- Ensure compliance with solution architecture process and guidelines; participates in enterprise architecture governance to ensure alignment of directions and the development of long-range plans in information systems.
- Provides leadership role in the technical innovation in application development and support, derives plans to utilize appropriate techniques and technologies to improve overall productivity and in support of future ADB business change.
- Promotes team work, internal coordination with peers; develops and manages effective working relationships with other departments, groups including steering committees and personnel with whom work must be coordinated or interfaced.
- Work with Solution Delivery Unit on acceptance criteria of application assets completed by them and accept those assets accordingly and assign responsibilities to team leads.
- Ensure deliveries are properly coordinated with Business Change Management and customer support units on user training, communication and roll-out/deployment requirements with other units and appropriate third parties
- Participates in the development of software/hardware policies or procedures recommended or required by the information function of ADB.
- Recognizes and identifies potential areas where existing policies and procedures require change, or where new ones need to be developed, especially regarding future business expansion.
- Ensures that all software problems are solved in a timely and efficient manner including participating in business continuity and disaster recovery operations and involved personnel.
- Assists in defining which software policies or procedures are recommended or required by the division.
- Demonstrates leadership in sharing of knowledge and as well as promoting the sharing of knowledge
- Participates in ICT projects of the Operation departments and serves as an advisor or subject matter expert to other departments as and when required.
- Ensures proper coordination with Infrastructure Support Unit and Service Desk to jointly analyze and identify root cause and resolve problems and performance issues in application services. Turns over to the service desk knowledge (known errors, work around, etc) relevant for efficient first level application support and ensures that ITIL processes like Change Management, Incident Management and Problem Management are enforced in the unit.
- Participates in the development of the set of standards that establishes:

a. Documentation procedures including version control and change management for different applications;

b. Quality assurance procedures for the release of new functionality;

c. Identification of file maintenance standards and procedures; and

d. Examination procedure for systems developed as independent islands to ensure that they do not conflict with enterprise needs and that any necessary interfaces are constructed.

b. Knowledge Sharing
- Participate in and contribute to relevant internal and external training and conferences and other activities for advocacy, dissemination and knowledge building.

c. Staff Supervision

- Create and lead multi-disciplinary teams and ensure the overall quality of its work
- Supervise the performance of teams and individuals, providing clear direction and regular monitoring and feedback on performance
- Provide coaching and mentoring to team and individuals and ensure their ongoing learning and development

Educational Requirements:

• Master’s degree, or equivalent, in computer science, information technology, or related fields. University degree in computer science, information technology, or related fields, combined with specialized experience in similar organization/s, may be considered in lieu of a Master’s degree.

Relevant Experience And Other Requirements:

• Suitability to undertake the responsibilities mentioned above at the required level.
• At least 12 years of relevant experience with track record in management of large Systems Development and Maintenance functions as well as of change management principles and techniques associated with application management.
• Preferably with experience in large scale system development projects.
• Experience in Mainframe, Oracle ERP, IBM Websphere, FileNet, Domino, and relevant technologies deployed in ADB like ACBS, Summit, and Cognos. System development tools like JIRA, Subversion, MS Project.
• Proven management and leadership qualities.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• International experience working in several countries

Core Competencies:

Application of Technical Knowledge and Skills

• Provides supervision to others in completing their technical tasks
• Called upon for advice and guidance based on expertise gained by working in different countries and organizations
• Contributes advanced knowledge and expertise to different parts of the Department

Client Orientation

• Proposes effective services and solutions to staff beyond presenting issues and past challenges
• Assists colleagues adapt to the cultural and business norms of diverse clients and country situations
• Gains respect for the breadth and depth of expertise demonstrated in effectively managing diverse clients and country situations
• Called upon to resolve client situations that may impact their long-term ADB relationship

Achieving Results and Problem Solving

• Resolves situations where client needs are not being met
• Shares past experiences from different projects, organizations, and countries to help achieve quality results
• Ensures that thorough analysis includes current and relevant factors from different countries and contexts
• Sought out for guidance and experience in overcoming the most challenging situations
• Draws on long-term relationships with stakeholders to help plan for and achieve results

Working Together

• Addresses team members not contributing to required standards
• Commits to delivering timely and high quality work to assist in the team’s success
• Develops and maintains good internal and external peer and senior level relationships
• Helps teams understand common features to build rapport and overcome challenges

Communication and Knowledge Sharing

• Provides stakeholders with the level and quality of information required to achieve outcomes
• Encourages others to seek long-term solutions to address feedback opposed to focusing on immediate concerns or reactions
• Uses breath of multi-country and multi-client knowledge to equip clients and staff for more effective outcomes
• Designs and implements project and program knowledge and services

Innovation and Change

• Consistently seeks more effective and practical ways for the Departmental delivery of services, products, and processes
• Proposes new ways to improve the quality and relevance of products and services
• Includes the core benefits and reasons for change when developing comprehensive change roll out plans
• Influences and persuades decision makers by presenting business cases supporting the proposed changes

Immediate Reporting Relationships / Other Information:

• Supervisor: Director
• The following staff positions may be supervised by the incumbent:
• Administrative Staff
• National Staff

Women are encouraged to apply.