Senior Information Technology Specialist

Senior Information Technology Specialist

Project Overview

The Kaizen Company (Kaizen) is an international development consulting firm and an incubator for innovative, scalable solutions that address emerging market challenges and opportunities. Our proven solutions catalyze locally driven organizational and institutional performance improvements and establish communities of practice that facilitate peer-to-peer learning and the achievement of shared goals. We aspire to transform the nature and impact of development assistance and work to strengthen organizations and institutions through innovative approaches to organizational development, reform, and change.

The Kaizen Company is seeking applications for a Senior Information Technology Specialist position under a USAID-funded activity in Jordan. The Enhancing School Management and Planning (ESMP) Project objective is to develop sustainable system and process improvements related to school planning, design, construction, and maintenance and enhance the staff capabilities within Jordan’s Ministries of Education (MOE) and Public Works and Housing (MPWH) to improve the school management and planning process, and the quality of school environments in Jordan.

The scope of this project is to provide assessment expertise, technical assistance, capacity building, collaboration, facilitation, and training to targeted stakeholders and counterparts to improve existing management systems and procedures used by the Government of Jordan (GoJ) in the education sector, improve performance and sustain these improvements.

Purpose of the Assignment

ESMP has worked extensively with the MPWH and MoE to develop the Construction Management Information System (CMIS) platform that helps the MPWH and MoE manage and follow up on their school infrastructure projects. The system also serves different stakeholders, such as consultants, contractors, and designers, and helps its users obtain information and detailed data regarding their ongoing and past projects. The CMIS is a responsive web application that can be used on mobiles, handheld tablets, and other devices.

As with any other intervention, system optimization and continuous improvements are a must. ESMP’s scope of work is to assess organizational needs, gather information, collect actual user requirements, and identify areas of improvement needed to expand the functionality of CMIS and provide the best value to its users.

Additionally, technology was a pivotal ingredient in the success of the ESMP’s physical assessment survey. ESMP deployed a paperless survey using the services of a cloud database platform, an affordable service used widely by humanitarian and development projects. In addition, ESMP uploaded the survey questions to 200+ tablets equipped with cameras, GPS capability, wireless connectivity, supplemental SD storage card slots, and laser measuring devices. ESMP provided viewing access to various implementing partners and donors that utilized the data in project planning and reviewing facilities’ maintenance needs, among other things. Currently, the physical assessment survey and platform are undergoing significant upgrades and updates that require a Data specialist to manage the Information and data management process with the development team.

ESMP is currently working with MoE and MPWH on supporting “Information on Demand” by providing access to timely, standardized, and relevant information. Effective and Efficient IT Services work on integrating data across multiple legacy systems, so users can generate business-critical reports by accessing only one platform, thereby saving valuable capital resources.

Finally, throughout the program implementation and in support of the aforementioned infrastructure technology interventions, ESMP-supported MPWH and MoE by assessing their IT infrastructure capacity and providing part of the needed hardware and software. However, significant efforts in this domain are still required to ensure the longevity and sustainability of these interventions. ESMP will continue working with MoE and the MPWH to assess their current and potential future needs and expand their hardware and software capabilities, such as procuring servers, personal computers, software, and licensing agreements to support their overall operations.

Scope of Assignment

The Senior Information Technology Specialist will lead data-driven decision-making initiatives within the MOE and MPWH, resulting in improved planning, construction, and utilization of ministry schools in Jordan. The position combines data analysis with change management skills, using data primarily from the Construction Management Information System (CMIS), from the Education Management Information System (EMIS), and through collaboration with partners. The .Specialist will lead the use of data to inform improved decision-making. S/he will work closely with the Planning and Procurement Lead and the Construction Management Lead. Together, they will work with partners to ensure data systems are utilized and accurate. The Sr. Specialist will work with ministry partners to develop key performance indicators and other key measures and reports that can enhance daily operations, improve budget planning, and identify future system and process improvement areas.

Responsibilities

• Lead the digital transformation of the construction management information system, including implementing new software and hardware solutions to improve efficiency, productivity, and quality of the construction process

• Manage the day-to-day operation and maintenance of the construction management information system, ensuring that it is secure, reliable, and meets the needs of all stakeholders

• Collaborate with stakeholders to identify opportunities for improvement and develop strategies for implementing changes

• Work with stakeholders to identify key performance indicators (KPIs) that will be tracked using the construction management information system

• Develop and maintain dashboards and reports that visualize KPIs and other data in a clear and concise manner

• Develop and maintain documentation related to dashboards, KPIs, and data sources used in the construction management information system

• Conduct a comprehensive assessment of the current state of digital transformation within the Ministry of Public Works and Housing

• Develop a strategic plan for digital transformation that aligns with the ministry's goals and objectives

• Develop policies and guidelines related to digital transformation, including data management, cybersecurity, and privacy

• Develop and implement training programs to educate ministry staff on the policies and guidelines related to digital transformation

• Work with external stakeholders, including other government agencies, industry associations, and technology vendors, to share best practices and identify opportunities for collaboration

• Develop and implement processes for measuring the success of digital transformation initiatives, and communicate progress to senior management and other stakeholders

• Lead System administration enhancement by enabling system configuration functionalities

• Perform quality control measures to ensure the quality of CMIS data and that published services meet different stakeholders' and users’ expectations, especially MOE and MoPWH staff.

• Study system behavior, transactions number, document sizing, database storage, and end users’ numbers to advise for expected future upgrading

• Implement Project Management and Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC) processes and standardize the rollout strategy for future interventions.

• Provide coaching and training to support system users, system O&M support, role-based authentication, conformity to data quality standards and procedures, and system remote connections.

• Lead the system integration and API development efforts with other GoJ entities and relevant private and public stakeholders.

• Lead the efforts of coordinating directly with the Ministry of Digital Economy and Enterpuernergip (MODEE) to successfully complete the systems’ deployment, hosting, and policy development and the required data infrastructure, data security, and network prerequisites.

• Establish and oversee the design and implementation of an ICT-based knowledge management system for all ESMP activities.

• Coordinate with donors and firms supporting Jordan's GIS and EMIS systems.

• Support the procurement of ICT-related items.

• Work with Queen Rania Center (QRC) to identify data-sharing protocols and mechanisms to access the facility audit data and avoid data duplication.

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, such as software engineering, statistics, business, economics, or computer science; a master’s degree (in a similar field) is preferred

• Minimum 8 years of professional experience in relevant employment fields such as business analysis, consultant, and quality assurance, where quantitative analysis tools were used

• Training experience, including peer-to-peer learning

• Proven skills in managing system and policy improvement activities, including process and system improvement consultants.

• Experience leading change management activities, including incorporating data-driven decision-making into system processes and procedures

• Previous experience in handing over web-based platforms, cloud hosting, and MODEE is preferred.

• Demonstrated ability to work with various government and donor community stakeholders.

• Effective cross-cultural interpersonal skills

• Demonstrated ability to resolve work issues with senior counterparts, donor representatives, construction firms, and senior-level staff

• Excellent command of written and spoken Arabic and English with excellent presentation skills

• Familiarity with donor-funded school construction projects implemented in the education sector in Jordan is preferred.

• Possession of logical thinking with strong analytical and systematic skills.

• Prior experience working with USAID-funded projects is preferred.

• Advanced skills in Microsoft, Google Suite, and Smartsheet products.

• Ability to organize work with minimal supervision.

At Kaizen, A Tetra Tech Company, we find strength in our diversity. We are committed to creating and sustaining an inclusive working environment where everyone has an equal opportunity to fulfill their potential. We know that we can only do development differently if we are open to and inclusive of new and unique perspectives. We encourage candidates of all abilities, ages, gender identities and expressions, national origins, races and ethnicities, religious beliefs, and sexual orientations to apply. Further, we urge parents and non-parents, married and unmarried, those from different or non-traditional educational backgrounds, and persons of all other diverse identities or experiences to apply. Kaizen is an equal opportunity employer.

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