Technical Advisor, Child Protection Information Systems at Palladium International

This Opportunity

The Child Protection Information Systems Technical Advisor is a critical member of the D4I Team, and has cross-cutting responsibilities for helping to manage client work, find new growth opportunities and develop and implement pathbreaking approaches to transform child protection through digital solutions.

The Technical Advisor is a problem-solver and facilitator supporting and managing client projects in the countries were D4I is currently operating. The role is responsible for coordinating the system analysis and design of informatics’ activities, managing software development projects in the field and managing a team of information systems in-country consultants.

The role reports to the Technology & Innovation Senior Technical Advisor.  As needed, the role may support other projects within Palladium. We have a positive, team-oriented culture that encourages collaboration across disciplines and geographies.

Primary responsibilities:

The Technical Advisor will manage and provide technical expertise to design, develop and implement digital solutions, in addition to overseeing software development, software project management, and software modelling for D4I child protection activities.

Technical Assistance in Child Protection Information Systems Design and Implementation:

• Oversee in-country software project managers and consultants and support the analysis, design, development and implementation of child protection digital technologies and tools, including activities such as requirement analysis and information systems design, resource planning and recommending the required human and technical resources to engineer and program the child protection information systems, stakeholder engagement, user acceptance testing, capacity building and documentation.
• Oversee software development teams to assure quality of applications before implementation, including conducting software testing, provide guidance and technical support on software frameworks, and components including databases and software packages and ensuring the completeness of software documentation.
• Identify, analyze, implement, experiment and advise on the use of technology platforms, especially case management information systems for child protection. This will require investigation of the platform’s software architecture, development framework, components and programming languages.
• Provide technical assistance to in-country counterparts in the analysis, design and implementation of enterprise architecture components, including transactional and strategic information systems, and interoperability of child protection information systems.  
• Lead information system assessments to evaluate and audit its effectiveness and performance in order to make recommendations for system optimization. These assignments will require meeting with clients, stakeholders and users and testing software to analyze and document data flow, usability, source code efficiency, scalability, software engineer standards, database optimization, computer networks requirements and local context capabilities.
• Coordinate and facilitate working sessions with Government counterparts to align expectations and gain consensus on the design, development and implementation of digital solutions and information systems.

Project Management:

• Manage project progress and adapt work as required to ensure that milestones are met and deliverables are completed.
• Provide technical input into project work planning, resource planning, budgeting, progress and financial reporting.
• Interface with clients and other project stakeholders to advise, plan, implement, review and report on projects as needed.

Reporting requirements

The role reports to the Digital Technology and Innovation Senior Technical Advisor. Reporting requirements include:

• Attendance at all weekly and/or management team meetings
• Regular updates with manager
• Monthly submission of activity reports
• Quarterly updates to management on project’s performance and revenue as well as any other areas of concern
• Other reports requested by the manager

Relationships

• The role will form part of the D4I team.
• The role will be required to liaise closely with Team Leaders, Senior Managers, other employees, Professional Service Providers, country missions and donors.

Authority levels

• Compliance with corporate delegated authorities
• Appropriate consultation with manager regarding important decisions involving your areas of responsibility
• Formulation of sound, evidence-based recommendations relevant to the areas of responsibility.

Required Qualifications:

Minimum experience required

• Relevant studies in informatics, computer science, management information systems, or closely-related field.
• Minimum 7 years of experience managing software development projects.
• Three or more years of experience working to apply digital solutions within in a developing country in social protection, education, health and other related international development areas.  
• Experience implementing case management information systems or digital systems for the child protection sector is a plus.

Key competencies and professional expertise required

• Knowledge of implementation of software development, diverse databases, software architecture and components required, knowledge of information systems used in the development sector and global goods a plus.
• Understanding of analytical tools and enterprise architecture components, such as data warehouses, interoperability layers, etc.
• Experience designing, developing, testing, and implementing digital technologies and tools, including mobile applications, transactional systems and business intelligence implementations.
• Experience managing software projects using tools to facilitate the DevOps process and agile development. Knowledge of Atlassian tools a plus.
• Possess technical writing skills and ability to review work products such as: Use Cases, Detailed Functional Requirements, Detailed Design Specifications, and Software Requirement Specifications.
• Experience working with government stakeholders a plus.
• Knowledge and experience applying the Principles for Digital Development.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Willingness to travel and work abroad 30% of the time in low-income countries and elsewhere

Core competencies

• Detail-oriented and deadline-driven with strong organizational skills
• Highly self-motivated and able to work independently as well as in team settings
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively as a member of a fast-moving and multicultural team while maintaining a client-centered focus
• Sound problem solving and decision-making skills
• Inquisitive mindset, creative, and desire to take initiative to learn new systems, technologies, and skills pertinent to the work of the D4I project and other areas of Palladium.