Assistant Manager, Application Architect at Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA)

Department:     Corporate Support Services

Division:          Information and Communication Technology

Location /Work Station:         Nairobi, Times Tower

Job Summary 

The job holder is responsible for;

• Designing major aspects of the architecture of an application, including components such as user interface, middleware and infrastructure
• Providing technical leadership to the application development team
• Performing design and code reviews
• Ensuring that uniform enterprise-wide application design standards are maintained
• Collaborating with other stakeholders to ensure the architecture is aligned with business requirements

Key Responsibilities  

• Define and implement application architecture for diverse business processes, projects, and function
• Develop software solutions and strategy to meet the architectural goals and needs of a client
• Liaise with programmers and software development team to design and implement an architectural system
• Design the interface between multiple applications, databases, and middleware systems
• Carry out assessments to identify operational limitations and gaps in functional coverage
• Upgrade architectural systems and software life cycle to ensure improved processes
• Monitor the performance of architectural systems to ensure seamless interaction between components
• Conduct tests to ensure an application conforms to fundamental application standards and meets the requirements of the end user
• Ensure proper documentation of software design and developing processes in order to produce appropriate procedures for application use
• Design applications according to specific architectural design to improve overall system performance
• Develops the unit’s Annual Work Plan and draft budget and coordinates their implementation;
• Prepares monthly, quarterly, annual and ad hoc reports for the unit;
• Develops, mentors and coaches staff in the unit;
• Conducts performance management in the unit;
• Coordinates implementation of the work plans for the following corporate initiatives in the unit: Audit, Integrity, QMS and Risk Management.
• Ensure conformity to ISO (9001:2015 and 27001:2013) and data security requirements.

Academic and  Professional Qualifications   

Academic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Management Information Systems, Information Technology, Electrical / Electronic Engineering, Telecommunications or any other IT related field.
• Master’s Degree in Computer Science, Management Information Systems, Information Technology, Electrical / Electronic Engineering, Telecommunications or any other IT related field will be an added advantage.

Required Certifications/Trainings

• Professional Certification or Training in any one of the following areas is required:
• Enterprise or Solution/Software Architect Certification
• Systems Development i.e. Java Programming, Web Design and Development, Oracle Developer etc.
• Business Systems Analysis i.e. CBAP Certification / Training
• Systems Modelling and Design Techniques
• Process Modelling and Design Techniques

Desired Certifications

• Certification or training in any of the following areas will be an added advantage:
• Training in middle level management / Supervisory Skills courses.
• IT Governance i.e. ITIL or COBIT 4/5
• Project Management i.e. PMP or Prince 2.
• Training or Certification in Database Administration i.e. Oracle, PostgreSQL, MySQL or Microsoft SQL Server.
• Training in operating systems i.e. Windows, Linux or Unix.

Technical Skills Required:     

The Job holder must have:

• Proven skills in Oracle development and database management tools
• Proficiency in Java programming language and PL/SQL
• Expert knowledge of scripting languages (PHP, ASP, CSS, JAVASCRIPT, etc.)
• Working knowledge of structured programming and database design concepts
• Expert knowledge of web based technologies (HTML, XML, XHTML, DHTML, SOAP, JSON, etc.)
• Working knowledge of internet and messaging protocols i.e. HTTP, FTP, SOAP and REST
• Working knowledge of web development tools (Dreamweaver, Microsoft.NET, Drupal, Joomla, etc.)
• Working knowledge of Linux/Unix and Windows operating system platforms
• Working experience with relational databases (Oracle, MySQL, PostgreSQL, Microsoft SQL Server)
• Knowledge of system design and modelling techniques
• Working knowledge of systems design and modelling tools (Enterprise Architect, TraceCloud, etc.)
• Basic knowledge of the following tools: process modelling (MS Visio, etc.), Project Management i.e. MS Project and Presentation i.e. MS PowerPoint

Relevant Work Experience Required

• Proven experience in design, development and implementation of enterprise business systems. Experience in design and development of systems for tax administration will be an added advantage.
• Proven experience in integration of business systems in a similar large organization.
• At least four (4) years’ post qualification experience as an application architect in a large enterprise organization, which includes at least one (1) year at supervisory level.

Competencies 

The Job holder must:

• Have good understanding of the KRA’s goals and objectives.
• Be resilient, focused, results oriented and a team player.
• Have strong analytical, diagnostic, decision making and problem solving skills.
• Have strong abilities to conduct research affecting business and propose suitable solutions/products.
• Have ability to pay attention to details and work under minimum supervision and for long hours within constraints.
• Have strong interpersonal, written and oral communication skills.
• Have good negotiation skills.
• Be able to build and maintain strong relationships with contracted parties, third party organizations, users and staff.
• Have Change management skills.
• Ability to interact confidently with users to establish what the problem is and explain the solution
• Ability to prioritize competing work commitments and deliver on time
• Passion for innovation and creativity
• High levels of integrity
• Ability to work under minimum supervision