Software Architect (P-3)

Principal Functions

Reporting to the Head of the Data Analytics, Reporting and Quality Control Section and in accordance with the OPCW Core Values of Integrity, Professionalism and Respect for Diversity/Gender Equality, the Software Architect performs the following duties:

1. Following the organisation’s quality assurance principles in all performed activities and following the Software Development’s methodology, manage application development projects for the Verification related IT systems, primarily for the Verification Information System (VIS) and related software tools, components and modules in all phases of the software development life-cycle with minimal or no direct technical supervision: analyse business requirements in cooperation with stakeholders, prepare functional specifications, design, code, test and implement client/server and web-based applications; co-ordinate with the users the formalisation of the functional requirements for the development of those applications; design, develop and test any code, software components and add-ons needed to run the applications;  define and design the relational databases; define and design the necessary reporting models and reports; integrate and implement the OPCW security standards and measures in the developed application systems;
2. Keep abreast with the new developments in information technology, in particular related to software architecture, design and development; recommend the new approaches appropriate to the organisation’s needs and take lead in preparing technical and commercial evaluations of software products and/or application packages;
3. Perform acceptance tests and carry out the initial installation of systems components in production; provide software support and post-implementation evaluation of systems performance and functionality;
4. Produce detailed technical and system documentation for all the accomplished work; assist in preparing the appropriate user documentation; provide and coordinate user training and support.  
   
   

Knowledge and Experience

Education

Essential

An advanced university degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Mathematics or other relevant field; a first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience (minimum 7 years) may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience

Essential 

1. At least five years of experience with an advanced degree (or seven years with a first-level degree) as software architect with at least 3 years’ experience with Microsoft Technology Stack.
2. At least five years of experience with an advanced degree (or seven years with a first-level degree) in planning, design, development, implementation, operation, and/or maintenance of complex integrated systems in web and client/server environment; 
3. Experience using collaborative platforms like Azure DevOps; 
4. Experience in continuous deployment/integration; 
5. Experience in managing software development projects following an industry-standard project management methodology, such as PRINCE2 or PMP.
   
   

Desirable 

1. Experience in implementing application systems in a highly secured environment;
2. Experience in writing technical documentation, implementation manuals or user guides;
3. Experience in working for an international organisation and/or in a multi-cultural environment;
4. Experience with Document Management and/or Enterprise Content Management Systems.
   
   

Skills and Abilities (key competencies)

1. Solid knowledge of Agile Software Development methodologies and practical knowledge of developing, testing, deploying and maintaining medium to large web-based and client/server applications;
2. Solid experience with client-side frameworks and libraries such as Angular, React, Razor or Blazor;
3. Knowledge of the Qlik Sense Business Intelligence (BI) or similar platform;
4. Proficiency with XML and XSL transformation;
5. Qlik Sense or similar BI and one or more Microsoft certifications in the area of software development are highly desirable;
6. Certification in IT standards for project and service management such as PRINCE2, PMP, PMP-ACP and ITIL is desirable;
7. Ability to analyse problems and react quickly in problematic situations with minimum supervision;
8. High-level understanding of the business processes and the stakeholders involved;
9. Excellent organisational skills;
10. Must be project-oriented, customer-focused and responsive with excellent communication skills, both oral and written.

Language Requirements

Fluency in English is essential and a good working knowledge of one of the other official languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, and Spanish) is desirable.