ICT Applications Architect

Teagasc - the Agriculture and Food Development Authority - is the national body providing integrated research, advisory and training services to the agriculture and food industry and rural communities. Our vision is to be a globally recognised leader in developing innovative science-based solutions for the sustainable transformation of our land resources into products and services for the benefit of society. Our mission to be provide scientific leadership and support to Irish farmers and food companies in achieving a sustainable food system is underpinned by our recently launched organisational values of 'Respect, Excellence and Integrity'.

Permanent. A panel may be formed from which future similar vacancies may be filled; such a panel will remain active for a maximum period of 12 months.

The Teagasc ICT Department provides services to 50+ offices and approximately 1,400 employees, along with students and contractors, throughout the country. There are currently in excess of 3,000 PCs deployed.

The Teagasc ICT Applications suite consists of over 40 business systems with a mixture of bespoke, package and SaaS applications. The systems are housed between on-premises and the cloud and support Teagasc Research, Advisory, Education and Corporate business units, The systems vary from client facing applications such as Profit Monitor, Pasturebase and Nutrient Management Planner to administration systems such as CRM, Finance and HR systems. Teagasc engages external vendors, through public procurement, to supply many of its ICT services, including some application development, support and maintenance.

The ICT Department has 34 staff members currently organised into seven units – Applications Systems, Applications Development, Infrastructure, Service Delivery, Research & Innovation, Cyber Protection, and Security Operations.

Teagasc is currently working on a new organisation strategy, and the Applications Systems unit will play a key role in supporting the digital transformation initiatives emerging from this strategy.

The successful applicant will have organisation wide responsibility for leading the adoption and use of business systems to support the organisation's digital transformation. They will be responsible for developing and maintaining an overall architecture for Teagasc's Applications Systems, and for leading and managing a team of Applications Analysts (the Application Systems Team). The team is responsible for working closely with other business units across the organisation to identify and exploit opportunities for digitisation. This includes process optimisation, the identification and analysis of business requirements and the design, acquisition, integration, testing, delivery and support of solutions, including, where required, project management.

Note: This position requires occasional attendance outside normal working hours and some travel between Teagasc offices.

Applications under the Home Working and/or Remote Working polices of the Agile Working Programme may be considered for up to 2 days per week.

At all levels in Teagasc, we believe in growing and keeping alive an open, diverse and inclusive workplace which is respectful to all and nurtures different perspectives, for the benefit of all in the organisation. We are committed to the principles of "Equal Opportunities, No Barriers, Active Inclusion". We actively welcome applications from people from diverse backgrounds.

• Manage and lead the Teagasc ICT Applications Team consisting of eight Application Analysts.
• Manage/lead the Application Analysts to work closely with different business units across the organisation to:
• Identify opportunities where digitisation and bring value
• Review and lead improvements to business processes
• Identify user requirements for Application Systems
• Analyse the requirements and Design an optimal solution
• Select an external service provider, to either build a bespoke solution or to provide a package and configuration services (the external service provider will also be expected to implement the solution).
• Support the testing, training, change management and implementation of the solution
• Project manage the solution implementation throughout Teagasc and
• Ensure that the solution is properly supported and managed
• Ensure that the solution is properly integrated with other Teagasc systems
• Manage the performance and personal development of team members.
• Develop and maintain an overall architecture for all of Teagasc's Application Systems and their interfaces, working closely with the Applications Development Manager (who manages in-house software development).
• Manage the quality, standards and work approach of the team to ensure they follow industry best practice.
• Manage the planning, budgeting and procurement of the above activities at the team level.
• Oversee the management of relationships with all of the external service providers supplying Application solutions to Teagasc with a view to maximising value for money.
• Lead and manage the relationships between the Applications Team and other business units within Teagasc.
• Work closely with the Head of ICT and other ICT Managers as part of the ICT Department Management Team.
• Work in close cooperation with other members of the ICT team in order to deliver quality services to our clients
• Assist Teagasc in meeting the commitments of the Quality Customer Service Charter and Action Plan through adherence to best practice protocols
• Actively participate in the annual business planning and risk management processes
• Maintain responsibility for own performance and development through active participation in PMDS and ensure continuous self-development in matters relating to this post.
• Fully co-operate with the provisions made for ensuring the health, safety and welfare of oneself, fellow staff and non-Teagasc staff and co-operate with management in enabling Teagasc to comply with legal obligations including full compliance with the responsibilities outlined in the Safety Statement
• Other duties as may be assigned from time to time

This job specification is intended as a guide to the general range of duties and responsibilities and is intended to be neither definitive nor restrictive. It will be reviewed from time to time with the post-holder.

Skills Requirement

Qualifications

• A QQI Level 8 Degree in Computer Science, Information Technology or other relevant qualification at this level.

Desirable

• Masters in IT/Leadership

Knowledge / Skills

• A proven track record of at least five years of Applications Development experience covering business analysis, systems analysis, process and database design, and implementation involving business change
• Extensive experience of ICT Project Management
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Procurement and Vendor Management Skills
• Experience of leading/ managing/ a team

Desirable

• PRINCE2 certification
• Qualification in formal systems development/enterprise architecturemethodology e.g. TOGAF
• Qualification in process improvement methods such as lean, six sigmaetc.
• Experience of Planning and budgeting across multiple projects
• Public sector procurement experience

Behavioural Competencies

• Ability to persuade and influence others to appropriate course of action
• Ability to lead and develop team members
• Self-disciplined, organised and methodical
• A systematic, considered approach to planning and monitoring
• Ability to set clear standards and take a quality customer service approach to work
• Flexible with an ability to adapt to changing requirements/priorities
• A proactive, solutions-focused approach to work
• Strong strategic and operational decision-making capacity
• A commitment to on-going personal and professional development

Other

• As this role will involve travel between Teagasc centres around the country, the candidates must satisfy and continue to satisfy during employment with Teagasc, the legal requirements to drive unaccompanied on Irish public roads.

Note: The 'essential' qualifications, knowledge, skills and behavioural competencies outlined above are 'must-have' which will be used in the selection process.

Why Join Us?

• At all levels in Teagasc, we believe in growing and keeping alive an open, diverse and inclusive workplace which is respectful to all and nurtures different perspectives for the benefit of all in our organisation.
• We are committed to the principles of 'Equal Opportunities, No Barriers and Active Inclusion'. We actively welcome applications from people from diverse backgrounds.
• Be part of a forward thinking organisation committed to positive change
• Work in a collaborative environment that values your unique perspective
• Drive initiatives that make a lasting impact on workplace culture

Join Teagasc in creating a workplace where everyone thrives and diversity is celebrated.

#If you require reasonable accommodation for any part of the recruitment process please contact a member of our Recruitment Team at recruit@teagasc.ie.