Adviser, Data and Business Systems Vacancy
Organisation: Commonwealth Secretariat
Position: Adviser, Data and Business Systems
Division: Information and Communications Technology, Data and Analytics (ICTDA)
Grade: G
Reports To: Head of Information and Communications Technology, Data and Analytics (ICTDA)
Closing Date: 24 November 2026 at 17:00 GMT
About the Commonwealth Secretariat
The Commonwealth Secretariat is the principal intergovernmental organisation of the Commonwealth, supporting 56 member countries to advance democracy, good governance, sustainable development, peace, human rights, and prosperity.
The Information and Communications Technology, Data and Analytics (ICTDA) Section serves as a focal point for establishing relevant technology standards and supporting the use of computer technology to enhance staff productivity and improve the quality of the Secretariat’s output.
The Section contributes to the Secretariat’s ICT Strategy through technology selection, systems analysis, software acquisition, and support for the information requirements of programme areas. It also plays an active role in developing staff skills and knowledge in the use of computers and relevant software applications.
Job Summary
The Adviser, Data and Business Systems is responsible for the operational management and technical delivery of the Data and Business Systems function.
The postholder will supervise the Data and Business Systems team, manage operational performance and service delivery, and provide effective second-line support for the Secretariat’s business applications and databases.
The role provides specialist technical leadership in enterprise applications and ERP implementation, including requirements analysis, systems integration, data migration, testing, and transition into operational support.
The Adviser will also manage application lifecycles, support cloud-based business solutions and automation, implement approved data governance standards, strengthen data quality, and support analytics requirements.
Key Responsibilities
1. Team Management and Service Delivery
- Supervise the Data and Business Systems team, allocate work, and establish clear delivery expectations.
- Monitor operational performance, workload, service quality, and delivery risks.
- Develop team capabilities through technical guidance, coaching, knowledge sharing, and performance management.
- Provide technical guidance to Service Desk colleagues.
- Ensure effective escalation and resolution of business application and database incidents.
2. ERP and Enterprise Systems Delivery
- Provide specialist technical support for ERP and enterprise-system implementation.
- Translate business requirements into technical specifications.
- Support solution design, systems integration, interface development, and configuration.
- Plan and coordinate data migration, including mapping, cleansing, validation, reconciliation, and cutover.
- Coordinate system, integration, and user acceptance testing.
- Support operational transition, technical documentation, knowledge transfer, and post-implementation stabilisation.
3. Data Governance, Quality and Analytics
- Implement approved data governance policies, standards, and controls.
- Establish data-quality checks to improve accuracy, completeness, consistency, and timeliness.
- Maintain data inventories, data dictionaries, and technical metadata.
- Prepare and validate data for reporting and analytics.
- Provide specialist advice on database design, data management, and analytics requirements.
4. Business Applications and Technical Solutions
- Manage business applications throughout their operational lifecycle, including development, configuration, testing, release, support, maintenance, and retirement.
- Provide second-line support for enterprise applications, databases, and integrations.
- Design, develop, or oversee APIs, microservices, automation, and cloud-based business solutions.
- Undertake database administration, performance monitoring, optimisation, maintenance, and fault resolution.
- Identify opportunities for automation and service improvement.
5. Project, Supplier and Stakeholder Delivery
- Plan and deliver assigned data and business-systems projects within agreed scope, quality, timelines, and budgets.
- Coordinate technical suppliers and outsourced application-development services.
- Work with internal stakeholders to understand business processes, clarify requirements, and manage expectations.
- Monitor application utilisation, licensing, and service performance.
- Provide technical input into ICT planning, budgeting, and strategy implementation.
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree in Computer Science, Data Science, or a related field.
- Certification in Data Management.
Desirable
- Postgraduate qualification in an Information Technology-related field.
Experience
Functional Experience
Candidates should demonstrate:
- Substantial experience supervising a technical applications or data team, including work allocation, service performance, capability development, and delivery accountability.
- Experience engaging business stakeholders, analysing processes, translating requirements into technical specifications, and managing expectations.
- Experience coordinating technical projects and suppliers, including risks, dependencies, scope, quality, timelines, and budgets.
- Strong customer-service orientation and ability to communicate complex technical matters to technical and non-technical audiences.
Technical Experience
Candidates should demonstrate:
- Substantial enterprise applications and systems-analysis experience, including application support, systems integration, and database administration.
- Practical experience implementing or materially supporting ERP or comparable enterprise systems.
- Experience with data migration, testing, defect resolution, and transition into operational service.
- Experience in application lifecycle management, software development lifecycle controls, release and change management, technical documentation, and operational support.
- Experience implementing data governance standards, data-quality controls, data inventories, dictionaries, and data preparation for reporting and analytics.
- Experience designing, developing, or overseeing integrations, APIs, automation, and cloud-based business solutions.
- In-depth knowledge of Microsoft technologies, including Microsoft 365, Azure, and the Power Platform.
- Strong understanding of cloud and mobile technologies.
- Strong programming or solution-development capabilities, such as Power Apps, .NET, and C#.
- Experience with content-management or comparable business platforms.
- Experience applying IT service-management and change-control disciplines to enterprise applications and databases.
Other Requirements
- Strong leadership, interpersonal, and stakeholder-engagement skills.
- Excellent oral, written, and presentation skills.
- Ability to prepare clear technical documentation and concise recommendations for decision-makers.
- Ability to manage competing priorities and deliver through organisational and technological change.
- Sound judgement in resolving operational issues and escalating strategic, governance, commercial, or significant delivery matters.
- Proactive, collaborative, and customer-focused approach with a strong commitment to quality and delivery.
Core Competencies
Respect for Diversity
- Works effectively with people from diverse backgrounds.
- Treats everyone with dignity and respect.
- Demonstrates cultural awareness and promotes inclusive practices.
Working with Others
- Manages conflict and works towards mutually beneficial solutions.
- Builds constructive partnerships and professional relationships.
- Demonstrates diplomacy, negotiation, and influencing skills.
Managing Resources
- Manages programme and cross-team activities against agreed objectives.
- Uses available resources efficiently and effectively.
- Identifies appropriate resources to achieve organisational objectives.
Decision-Making
- Makes informed decisions on complex technical issues.
- Considers relevant information, context, and root causes.
- Exercises sound judgement when acting on behalf of senior colleagues.
Accountability
- Takes ownership of assigned responsibilities and meets deadlines.
- Ensures timely delivery within agreed cost and quality standards.
- Provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments.
Leadership and Development
- Provides guidance and direction on complex issues.
- Identifies and develops leadership skills in others.
- Supports professional growth and maximises team potential.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit the following:
- A comprehensive Curriculum Vitae (CV).
- A cover letter addressing the key criteria outlined in the person specification.
Important Application Instructions:
Covering letters should be structured to address the key criteria required in the person specification, providing clear and relevant examples demonstrating how the applicant meets each requirement.
Eligibility Requirement:
Applicants must be citizens of a Commonwealth country to be eligible for this position.
Closing Date: 24 November 2026 at 17:00 GMT.