Purpose of the position
The Software Architect is responsible for developing a coherent view across all the architecture domains and their interactions. They communicate with stakeholders about the problems they’re experiencing and determine how to address those issues through software. Software Architects track each aspect of an application to make sure that their team is producing the appropriate infrastructure to host a functioning software application.
Key Accountabilities
Strategic Leadership:
- Ensures the IT architecture meets the needs of the organisation & develops and advises on IT strategy.
- Provide neutral and independent solutions when dealing with technology, vendors, and senior management on technology.
- Direct solutions to support the overall strategy of the organisation.
Resourcing:
- Ensures a compelling technical and cultural offering to potential candidates.
- Participates in activities related to pipeline planning within technical teams, to ensure alignment to the needs of the organisation.
- Ensures BroadReach is an employer of choice.
Operational Efficiency:
- Ensures efficient execution of software development and related activities.
- Collaborate with stakeholders to determine functional and non-functional requirements.
- Use appropriate tools and methodologies to create representations and diagrams.
- Contribute to high-level product specifications with attention to system integration and feasibility.
- Oversee progress of development team to ensure consistency with initial design.
- Ensure software produced meets the needs of the organisation.
- Communicate successfully all concepts and guidelines to development team.
- Provide technical guidance and coaching to developers and engineers.
- Knowledge management standards monitored, and corrective action taken where appropriate.
- Participating in SOP definitions, audits and compliance activities.
Qualifications
Essential qualifications
- Relevant Degree or National Diploma (Computer Science/Information Systems/Engineering) or Professional Qualification e.g. Microsoft Accreditation MCTS
Desirable qualifications
- Masters Degree (Computer Science/Information Systems/Engineering)
Experience & Skills
- Minimum 3-5 years’ experience in a Software Architect role
- 8 + years working experience in the field
- Prior experience in a donor funded (ideally USG) project advantageous
- Prior experience working on health related systems such as DHIS2 and eRegister
- Broad understanding of coding and programming languages ideally within the Microsoft Azure Platform
- Experience with database design and data modeling
- Extensive knowledge of the software development process and corresponding technologies
- Excellent understanding of design patterns and architectural styles
- Proficient knowledge of the operation, development and design of agile software
- Expertise with content management systems (ideally Wikis)
- Excellent knowledge of UML and other modeling methods
- Familiarity with UI/UX design
- Understanding of software quality assurance principles
- A technical mindset with great attention to detail
- High quality organizational and leadership skills
- Outstanding communication and presentation abilities
- Outstanding Problem-solving skills
- Experience with PostgreSQL, MySQL or other relational databases
- Experience with design and development of Web APIs
Personal Qualities & Behavioural Competencies
- Ability to collaborate and work with cross-functional, multi-disciplinary teams.
- Self motivated and able to effectively prioritise and plan work.
- Ability to work effectively across a number of projects.
- Highly organised with a strong focus on attention to detail.
- Solution focused.
- Committed to high standards and continuous improvement
- Good influencing and interpersonal skills with people at all levels
- Ability to operate in a high-pressure environment with conflicting priorities and tight timelines
- Resourceful, creative and innovative approach to work
- Ability to build rapport and credibility with stakeholders
Capabilities
Winning, Enabling and Delivery of Projects
- Opportunity Development, Capture Management, Proposal Development, Organized, Disciplined, Analytical
People Leadership/Self Leadership
- Selections, Development, Delegation, Example, Self-Confidence, Independently responsible, Curiosity, Change Management
Strategic and Holistic Decision Making
- Governance and legal awareness, Financial acumen, Risk management, Strategic perspective
Relationship Management
- Institutional Representations, Taking the long view, Building common ground, Mutual respect, Responsiveness, Standing for the other, Engagement