Chief Data and Analytics Architect
Listing reference: nwu_002280
Listing status: Under Review
Apply by: 12 December 2023
Position summary
Industry: Education & Training
Job category: University and Academy
Location: Potchefstroom
Contract: Permanent
Remuneration: Market Related
Introduction
NORTH-WEST UNIVERSITY (POTCHEFSTROOM CAMPUS)
DIVISION: DVC CAMPUS OPERATION
DEPARTMENT: INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
POSITION NUMBER: NEW
POSITION: CHIEF DATA & ANALYTICS ARCHITECT
PEROMNES GRADE: P7
EMPLOYMENT TYPE: PERMANENT APPOINTMENT
Job description
PURPOSE OF THE POSITION:
The purpose of the Chief Data & Analytics Architect is to conceptualise, design, and supervise the data architecture of the North-West University (NWU), continually aligning it with NWU’s Strategic Plan.
The Chief Data & Analytics Architect is responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining NWU's comprehensive data landscape. This involves creating and integrating related microservices, data pipelines, and service meshes that facilitate seamless data operations across software and infrastructure layers.
The Chief Data & Analytics Architect assumes accountability for the implementation and governance of NWU’s Data and Analytics Strategy & Operating Model (DASOM). This strategy is critical for systematically managing, analysing, and utilising NWU's data assets. This role enables NWU to cultivate a data-driven decision-making culture, enhancing operational efficiency and contributing to superior organisational performance.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Strategic Planning (ITSP):
- Work with key stakeholders across NWU to establish and promote a vision and culture that manages data as an enterprise asset.
- Champion efforts to exploit the value of NWU data assets to deliver quality analytics and insights for timely decision making and regulatory reporting.
- Establish a comprehensive data operations framework that feeds into NWU’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Intelligent Automation (IA) programme.
- Collaborate with relevant stakeholders including Information Governance and IT to ensure Data Privacy and Security across the institution.
- Promote NWU’s Digital Business Strategy (DBS) highlighting the critical role played by Data & Analytics in the achievement of the DBS. Empower Data Stewards and other business users on understanding NWU’s Data Landscape for optimum and secure data utilization.
2. Data & Analytics Strategy and Operating Model implementation (DASOM):
- Lead the formulation of an integrated DASOM strategic framework that complements and enhances the NWU’s overarching strategic management vision. This framework should align with the objectives set forth in the NWU Strategic Plan for 2024 onwards.
- Directs the translation of the DASOM strategic framework into actionable plans, ensuring that its implementation is coherent with the broader business strategy. This includes resource allocation, risk assessment, and establishment of performance metrics.
- Oversees the effective communication of DASOM strategy to internal and external stakeholders. Engage with key stakeholders to advocate for DASOM’s strategic importance and its role in facilitating data-driven decision-making across the NWU.
- Periodically conducts a rigorous review of DASOM-related strategy and plans to ensure they remain aligned with the evolving business objectives and challenges. Adapt the strategy as necessary to meet new requirements or to leverage new opportunities.
3. Data management (DATM):
- Derives an overall strategy of Master Data Management (MDM) that supports the development and secure operation of information and digital services.
- Develops organisational policies, standards, and guidelines for data management, aligned with ethical principles.
- Plans, establishes and manages processes for regular and consistent access to external information from multiple sources and for independent validation of that information.
- Designs and oversees data integration from various internal and external sources to create a unified and accurate view of the NWU’s data landscape.
- Defines data integration strategies, working with IT to select appropriate technologies, and implement data integration processes to ensure seamless data flow across systems.
- Establishes NWU data lifecycle management processes, such as data gathering, storage, consumption, archival, and disposal.
- Defines date categorization, data retention policies, data archival strategies, and data purging processes to optimise data storage and ensure regulatory compliance.
4. Data modelling and design (DTAN):
- Develops models and diagrams to represent and communicate data requirements and data assets.
- Sets standards for data modelling and design tools and techniques, advise on their application and ensures compliance. Manages the investigation of enterprise data requirements based upon a detailed understanding of information requirements.
- Coordinates the application of analysis, design and modelling techniques to establish, modify or maintain data structures and their associated components.
- Manages the iteration, review and maintenance of data requirements and data models.
- Designs the NWU’s data models, which define data entities' structure, relationships, and constraints.
- Creates conceptual, logical, and physical data models, ensuring data integrity, consistency, and efficient access.
- Consider data integration, scalability, and performance requirements.
5. Database design (DBDS):
- Specifies, designs and maintains mechanisms for storing and accessing data.
- Provides specialist expertise in the design characteristics of database management systems or data warehouse products/services.
- Provides expert guidance in the selection, provision and use of database and data warehouse architectures, software and facilities.
- Ensures that physical database design policy supports transactional data requirements for performance and availability.
- Ensures that data warehouse design policy supports demands for business intelligence and data analytics.
- Determines the most suitable data storage and infrastructure solutions based on data requirements, volume, and performance needs.
- Evaluates and select database management systems, data warehouses, data lakes, and cloud storage options.
- Designs data storage structures and optimise storage performance.
6. Data engineering (DENG):
- Designs, builds, operationalise, secures and monitors data pipelines and data stores.
- Leads the selection and development of data engineering methods, tools and techniques.
- Develops organisational policies, standards, and guidelines for the development and secure operation of data services and products.
- Ensures adherence to technical strategies and architectures regarding storage, access and use of data.
- Plans and leads data engineering activities for strategic, large and complex programmes.
- Evaluates new tools, platforms, and methodologies and recommend their adoption based on business needs.
- Contributes to the NWU’s technology roadmap by identifying opportunities for innovation and improvement in data management.
Minimum requirements
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
· A bachelor's degree (NQF level 7) in Information Technology, or Business Intelligence and IT Architecture or related OR a Diploma (NQF level 6) in Information Technology or related with relevant IT certificates.
· A minimum of 5 years’ experience in strategic management, leadership and team management, data governance and compliance, database management, data modelling and design and big data technologies.
RECOMMENDATION:
· An honour’s degree (NQF level 8) in Information Technology / Business Management
KEY FUNCTIONAL/ TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES:
· Advanced data management and governance
· Strategic analysis and business modelling
· Project management and strategic leadership
· Data architecture and engineering
· User-centric design and visualisation
· Foundational understanding of data science
BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES:
· Autonomy - Works under broad direction. Work is often self-initiated. Is fully accountable for meeting allocated technical and/or project/supervisory objectives. Establishes milestones and has a significant role in the delegation of responsibilities.
· Influence - Influences organisation, customers, suppliers, partners and peers on the contribution of own specialism. Builds appropriate and effective business relationships. Makes decisions which impact the success of assigned projects i.e. results, deadlines and budget. Has significant influence over the allocation and management of resources appropriate to given assignments.
· Complexity - Performs an extensive range and variety of complex technical and/or professional work activities. Undertakes work which requires the application of fundamental principles in a wide and often unpredictable range of contexts. Understands the relationship between own specialism and wider customer/organisational requirements.
· Business skills - Advises on the available standards, methods, tools and applications relevant to own specialism and can make appropriate choices from alternatives. Analyses, designs, plans, execute and evaluate work to time, cost and quality targets. Assesses and evaluates risk. Communicates effectively, both formally and informally. Demonstrates leadership. Facilitates collaboration between stakeholders who have diverse objectives. Understands the relevance of own area of responsibility/specialism to the employing organisation. Takes customer requirements into account when making proposals. Takes initiative to keep skills up to date. Mentors colleagues. Maintains an awareness of developments in the industry. Analyses requirements and advises on scope and options for continuous operational improvement. Demonstrates creativity and innovation in applying solutions for the benefit of the customer/stakeholder. Takes account of relevant legislation.
· Good organising and planning skills.
· Able to work independently with little direct supervision.
· Excellent oral and written communication skills.
· Able to work under pressure towards monthly deadlines.
· Accuracy and attention to detail.
· Understand and interpret work related documents.
REMUNERATION:
The annual total remuneration package will be commensurate with the level of appointment as advertised and in line with the NWU policy guidelines.
ENQUIRIES REGARDING JOB CONTENT MAY BE DIRECTED TO: Mr CE Pretorius, Tel: 018 299 4615
ENQUIRIES REGARDING RECRUITMENT PROCESS MAY BE DIRECTED TO: Mr Zenyo Seboko, Tel: 018 299 4951
CLOSING DATE: 13 December 2023
PLANNED COMMENCEMENT OF DUTIES: As soon as possible
Kindly take note: applications must be submitted online through the official nwu vacancy website.
Incomplete applications and those submitted through any other platform will not be considered.
The University subscribes to and applies the principles of Employment Equity (EE) Act and is committed to transformation. Preference will be given to candidates from the designated groups, in accordance with the principles of the EE Act and NWU Employment Equity Plan.
The University reserves the right not to make an appointment. Communication will be limited to shortlisted candidates only.
If you are not contacted within two months from the closing date of this advertisement, please accept that your application was unsuccessful.
