Senior Systems Analyst 263 views2 applications

Position: Senior Systems Analyst

Contract: Permanent and full-time

Reporting to: Head of MIS Unit

Location of Work: Based in the Development Pathways’ office in Nairobi, Kenya, or Development Pathways’ UK Office, with international Travel of up to 3 months per year.

Salary: Negotiable and commensurate with experience, plus benefits.

Summary of Job

Do you have a lot of experience working in the ICT sector as a Systems Analyst? Would you like to use your skills in international development and be at the cutting edge of building management information systems to help reduce poverty?

If so, this is the job for you! We are looking for an experienced systems analyst to join Development Pathways’ ICT team to support our work across Africa and Asia in developing management information systems for social security, education and health services.

You will have the opportunity to work with our in-house team and external consultants, leading MIS projects across the world while engaging in and supervising innovative designs for the delivery of public services.

About Development Pathways

Development Pathways is an international advisory organisation with a strong focus on the development of innovative and effective ICT solutions that enhance governments’ capacities to deliver core public services. Since our foundation in 2010, we have worked across Africa and Asia in support of governments seeking to improve their ICT systems, by designing and implementing software solutions, initially in social security but increasingly we are also engaging in supporting education and health service provision. Our particular strength is in the development of electronic management information systems (MISs) that enable governments to manage their public services efficiently and effectively. We have, for example, developed MISs for social security schemes in Ethiopia, Kenya, Liberia, Uganda, Rwanda, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Angola and Uzbekistan and provided high-level advisory services on social security ICT in many other countries, including Indonesia, Vietnam, Pakistan, the Seychelles, China, Zambia, Nepal and Tajikistan.

Although our main office is in London, we have an ICT hub in Nairobi, where our in-house software development capacity resides; we also work with ICT consultants from around the world. Our Principal MIS Specialist – Richard Chirchir – is regarded as a thought leader internationally and in very high demand both in the design of ICT systems and as a trainer and speaker.

Our ICT work is only part of the services provided by Development Pathways and you will have the opportunity to work closely with our other specialists, who engage across a wide range of areas including social security, livelihoods and women’s economic empowerment, payment services and financial inclusion, social development, research and training. As an organisation, we are committed to innovative, progressive and evidence-based social policy and are ICT work is firmly embedded within this vision. Across our work, we ensure that we support policies and programmes that are robust, strengthen human rights, promote gender equality and women’s empowerment and benefit all members of society, including the most vulnerable.

We currently have nearly 40 staff members, working alongside a global network of trusted consultants. Our offices are located in the Orpington area (Greater London, United Kingdom) and Nairobi (Kenya). As an employer, we put our staff first and are committed to flexible working practices and developing our staff’s professional capabilities. For more information about our organisation, please visit www.developmentpathways.co.uk

Purpose

We are growing rapidly and now need to further strengthen our senior ICT team by recruiting an experienced Systems Analyst with the capacity to transfer her/his skills into the design and development of management information systems for public services. The position will also require leadership and management skills as the successful candidate is likely to manage a range of IT projects and teams.

Ideally, the successful candidate would be based in Nairobi, but we are happy to consider candidates who would prefer to be based in our UK Office, as long as they have the right to work in the UK.

The successful candidate will be responsible for the design and implementation of management information systems for public services in projects undertaken by Development Pathways, leading teams of software developers and engineers, providing advice on ICT and MISs to governments and development organisations, and contributing to cutting-edge technology development.

A core component of the project-related work will be for the Senior Systems Analyst to translate the high-level requirements of system design into detailed system requirements including process maps, case diagrams, entity relationship diagrams and data flow diagrams, document system interfaces and develop data models.

Responsibilities

The Senior Systems Analyst have the following roles and responsibilities.

1. Provide technical leadership and quality control over the development and implementation of management information systems designed and implemented by Pathways;
2. Within projects, translate high level functional and technical requirements for management information systems into detailed designs including process maps, case diagrams and data flow diagrams; and, produce wireframes, user interface specifications and visual prototypes that ensure a high-quality user experience. This will require delivering high level documentation on the requirements and design of systems while effectively communicating with development teams.
3. Lead the development and implementation of MIS projects undertaken by Pathways, overseeing the performance and delivery of internal IT specialists and external consultants.
4. Advise governments and development agencies on ICT and MIS development across public services.
5. Identify business opportunities for Pathways and contribute technical inputs to bids that are led by our Business Development team.
6. Responsible for ensuring stakeholders are aligned with and aware of the strategy, vision, capability and constraints of the Social Protection MIS platform and operating model;
7. Manage and mentor software developers and system analysts in Pathways and build their technical skills in systems analysis and design;
8. Undertake research on the latest frameworks for ICT development and develop innovative products that can be implemented by Pathways;
9. Support Pathways’ communications strategy on MIS development, including contributing papers, blogs and content for our website
10. Undertake training on MIS development and delivery.

Person Specification

The Senior Systems Analyst must have the following qualifications, skills and competencies:

Essential

· A degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Information Science or related degree. A Master’s Degree in Computer-related field is preferable;

· Strong documentation skills with capacity to write quality MIS proposals, System Specifications and publish articles on Social Protection Programme Operations and MIS;

· A minimum of 10 years of technology experience working in ICT industry with at least 5 years’ hands-on expertise managing projects with strong Social Protection component;

· 5 years of experience in user interface and user experience design as well as experience with relevant tools, such as Adobe Experience Design, Macaw, Axure RP, and Balsamiq.

· Strong experience in conducting business process reviews, functional gaps and overlaps in the programs, particularly for integrated programs;

· Good interpersonal and time management skills;

· Effective communication, negotiation and relationship-building skills;

· Extensive knowledge of data processing, hardware platforms, and enterprise software applications;

· Technical experience with systems networking, databases, Web development, and user support;

· Sound knowledge of MISs or other relevant information systems; and

· Fluent in English.

Desirable

· International work experience in developing countries conducting similar work is an advantage; and

· Proficiency in French, Portuguese and/or Spanish.

Equality Statement

Equality and diversity is at the core of Development Pathways’ values. In the selection of our staff, we are committed to gender balance and diversity without distinction as to race, sex or religion, and are inclusive of persons with disabilities: well qualified candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

Our staff and consultants are expected to work collectively and individually to promote a constructive and sensitive approach to others from a variety of backgrounds, where the work of others is valued and respected.

Terms of Employment and Benefits

Salary will be assessed during the selection process, to reflect level of experience and qualification.

The successful candidate would receive an attractive package of the following:

· Entry into the company pension scheme;

· Entry into the company bonus scheme;

· Flexible working hours;

· 30 days holiday in a year if based in the UK or 26 days holidays in a year if based in Kenya (excluding public/bank holidays);

· Company laptop;

· Group life assurance; and

· Access into the company private health insurance scheme.