Solution Architect

October 17, 2023
Posted by: humanitarianweb
Category: Humanitarian Jobs

Organization: Norwegian Refugee Council
Posted: 17 Oct 2023
Closing date: 6 Nov 2023

Context

Are you a qualified Solution Architect with solid experience in systems project management or software development and with the ability to synthesize large and complex problems and develop a long-term roadmap and vision for digital products? We are looking for you!

NRC’s global strategic plan for 2022 – 2025 includes Digital Transformation as a strategic enabler for the organisation and a key element in expanding the reach of our assistance towards the 2030 ambition. To do so, NRC is increasingly adopting digital solutions to drive internal efficiencies and provide digital services to the people it serves. Key to all this will be NRC’s ability to secure systems, applications, and the data these will process to ensure privacy and confidentiality and avoid causing digital harm.

A central component of NRC’s future digital ecosystem will be “CORE”, a system to track all interactions with and services offered to the people NRC serves. CORE will provide case-management functionality to follow and update program client interactions over time, processing sensitive personally identifiable information. Eventually, CORE will connect with several other NRC digital solutions, including but not limited to: data collection, indicator reporting, complaints and feedback mechanisms, two-way communication systems, digital cash, and more. Based on open-source software, CORE is being developed by NRC’s internal software development team.

What you will do

Under the supervision of the Project manager and in compliance with the NRC standards for product development, you will be responsible for leading the technical roadmap and strategy for CORE development. You will also collaborate with other technical stakeholders to ensure a coherent technical ecosystem across NRC and might provide support (up to 20%) to other organisational digital projects and initiatives.

Some of your specific duties and responsibilities include:

Own the project’s technical strategy, ensuring it aligns with the organisation’s technical strategy and the project’s business requirements.
Lead the system architecture design. Collaborate with clients, stakeholders, and development teams to understand business requirements and translate them into robust and scalable technology solutions.
Review any validated change request impacting the data architecture, ensuring adequate and logical changes.
Review technical propositions from development suppliers (resources, delivery timeline, technical choices) and ensure their coherence with the project’s overall technical strategy.
Manage the technical engagements with suppliers on the project and review the quality of their deliverables.
Support development teams during the implementation phase by providing guidance, clarifications, and architectural oversight.
Work with NRC technical leadership and other technical stakeholders to design NRC’s technical ecosystem and standard practices.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including developers, business analysts, project managers, and infrastructure teams. Engage with clients and stakeholders to gather feedback, address concerns, and ensure alignment between business goals and technical solutions.
Network with internal and external peers to share knowledge.
Ensure all work fits the humanitarian context specificities.

What you will bring

Advanced degree in Computer Science, Information Systems Engineering, or a similar field.
5 – 7 years of professional experience in systems project management or software development.
Previous humanitarian work experience is a strong plus.
Experience in working with modern development practices and technologies, including relational databases, frameworks, and system design patterns.
Strong knowledge of cloud platforms, preferably Microsoft Azure.
Knowledge of local server configuration/basic infrastructure on Linux is a plus.
Experience in suppliers’ management and deliverables quality control.
Ability to synthesize large and complex problems and develop a long-term roadmap and vision for digital products.
Advanced analytical skills (complex research, systems development, and evaluations).
Knowledge about own leadership skills/profile.
Fluency in English, both written and verbal. Knowledge of other NRC working languages (Arabic, French, and Spanish) is a plus.

We know that you are curious and would like to learn more about this role; please click here to access the full Job Description.

What makes this position attractive?

A challenging and exciting opportunity with an international team dedicated to advocating for the rights of people forced to flee.
A chance to develop digital products that serve the needs of NRC staff and the people we serve;
Salary and benefits according to NRC’s salary scale and terms and conditions in Oslo, Berlin, Brussels, Jordan, Nigeria, Kenya, or London. Open to receiving applications from other countries where NRC has an office.

We are also looking for people who share our values:

To be dedicated to what we do;
To be innovative with our solutions;
To act as one unified and inclusive team;
To be accountable to the donors that make our work possible; the beneficiaries that we exist to serve; and to each other… the members of our NRC family.

We will be assessing candidates on an ongoing basis; therefore, early applications are recommended.

For any questions, please write to ho.recruitment@nrc.no with “Job Title” as a subject.