Principal Specialist Infrastructure

Job Description

Principal Specialist Infrastructure

Job Objective

Manage the planning, development, implementation, and maintenance of a robust and stable IT infrastructure, while ensuring scalability, availability, and business continuity of IT services within service levels agreement (SLAs) in order to meet UAE Accountability Authority’s (UAEAA) business needs in an efficient manner.

Key Responsibilities/Duties

• Strategy and Planning
• Develop and manage the implementation and update of the section related policy, procedures manual, delegation of authority, systems user manuals and standard forms, and ensure compliance across the Authority and alignment with UAEAA’s overall policies and procedures.
• Develop and manage the implementation, and update of the section’s strategic, budget and procurement, and operational plans ensuring alignment with the department and sector’s strategy and objectives, and UAEAA’s mission and vision.
• Ensure effective cascading of the department and sector’ strategy and objectives, and UAEAA’s mission and vision into the section’s strategic, budget and procurement, and operational plans to achieve UAEAA’s overall objectives.
• Develop the section’s Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) in line with UAEAA’s overall objectives and ensure individual KPIs are met to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
• Operations (with sub-headings)
  
  

IT Governance And Strategy

• Contribute to the development of an IT governance framework covering IT risk management, IT services, IT infrastructure and compliance in line with a best practice frameworks.
• Manage implementation of IT operational standards across UAEAA g to achieve maximum efficiencies and synergies in IT operations.
• Ensure the security architecture and management procedures are implemented through the use of appropriate hardware and software configurations.
• Manage the design, development, implementation and communication of IT policies, procedures and operational standards for IT Infrastructure in accordance with industry’s best practices and ensure implementation across UAEAA to achieve maximum efficiencies and synergies in IT infrastructure.
  
  

IT Infrastructure

• Manage the development of technical infrastructure and ensure continuous update in accordance with the IT policies, procedures Industry’s standards, and best practices to support IT business continuity in an efficient and effective manner.
• Manage the performance of UAEAA’s IT infrastructure by using proactive monitoring systems, response to technical malfunctions and incidents and development of appropriate solutions in coordination with the relevant internal and external stakeholders.
• Manage the preparation of IT infrastructure technical scope of work document in accordance with IT international best practices to ensure their applicability when procuring IT infrastructure.
• Manage the planning and implementation of IT infrastructure initiatives, identifying opportunities for automation, cost savings, and service quality improvement.
• Manage the development and implementation of disaster recovery plan for IT infrastructure to ensure adequate back up, availability of all information and business continuity in case of disruption or emergencies.
• Manage the development and evaluation of proposals for hardware / software standards and acquisition for enhancement of the UAEAA’s IT infrastructure, maintenance of security architecture, as well as support infrastructure applications as required.
• Deploy and manage IT solutions, and provide advice on information technology requirements including software, hardware, and network infrastructure to meet the UAEAA’s needs.
• Manage and approve Service Level Agreements (SLA) with the external vendors for hardware and software, monitor the performance of vendors in line with the SLA and take remedial action in case of deviation.
• Ensure the Authority’s IT systems are up to date with the latest technology, compliant with licensing laws, fully protected to ensure maximum network security and provide secure access to the network for remote users.
  
  

Network Infrastructure

• Manage the operation of network connectivity to maintain and monitor users’ accessibility from inside and outside UAEAA network to ensure continuity of work and connection to systems applications, subscriptions, e-mail and the Internet.
• Manage the design, configuration and monitoring of UAEAA’s system networks and ensure that data recovery systems are in place.
  
  

Cloud And System Infrastructure

• Manage the design, installation, upgrade, monitoring and maintenance of IT systems including servers, PCs, printers, routers, phones, IP Phones, databases, active data network, converged infrastructure, remote connectivity, and all associated hardware to ensure uninterrupted operations and services.
• Manage and lead the upgrade of all infrastructure appliances, operating systems and software including developing, testing, evaluating and installing enhancements, and confer with vendors.
• Manage the development and implementation of policies and procedures related to the use of cloud-based systems services including establishing connections to and from various cloud network types, managing firewalls, managing requests for new technology, establishing a secure cloud environment, and ensuring appropriate availability of services, also known as uptime.
• Manage the administration of the cloud system through patches, permissions and service deployments including overseeing the monitoring and analysis of network performance to match on-demand requests and communicate with IT and non-IT professionals to ensure effective use of all services.
  
  

Network Security

• Manage the provision of technical support services for the internal and external network and network security system in coordination with the information security team and based on advanced technical programs and systems.
• Manage the development of security profiles for all staff in order to ensure that appropriate security access measures are in place and the system is protected against external threats.
• Mange the configuration of the numerous computing, networking, and security services within the cloud environment to ensure that the right users have access to the right services and ensure that the company does not incur unexpected or unnecessary charges.
• Talent Management and Development
• Manage the effective achievement of assigned section operational goals through effective leadership by setting individual objectives, managing performance within the section, and developing and motivating the team to maximize performance.
• Monitor a section’s training plan to ensure that the team attends all trainings and development activities required for the role for continuous performance improvements.
• Conduct performance evaluation of subordinates against KPIs by monitoring individual performance, reviewing progress reports, recommending corrective actions and providing overall assessment to support the achievement of UAEAA’s overall objectives.
• Manage team workload within the section through the appropriate delegation of work.
• Motivate subordinates, especially focusing on developing capabilities of UAE National employees, to develop a motivated and high performance team.
• Corporate
• Ensure employee adherence and compliance with all UAEAA corporate policies, procedures and guidelines (HR, IT, Procurement, Finance, Health and Safety etc.) within the assigned section.
• Manage and review section’s related correspondence such as e-mails, memos, and letters to ensure professionalism, completeness and accuracy of information.
• Manage the retention, documentation, preservation, and archive of section’s related physical and electronic records in accordance with relevant policies and procedures.
• Manage any section related queries and ensure that required response and support are provided to relevant UAEAA’s organizational units and employees as and when required.
• Ensure relevant technologies used within UAEAA are utilized by employees in order to optimize work efficiency.
• Ensure compliance with UAEAA’s values, Code of Business Conduct and ethics at all times to support the establishment of a value driven culture within the Authority.
• Ensure the implementation of the relevant health and safety legislation, policies and procedures, in the performance of duties within the assigned section.
• Lead the identification of opportunities for continuous improvement and sustainability of systems, processes and practices considering global standards, productivity improvement and cost reduction.
• Ensure that all reports are prepared accurately, submitted timely and meet UAEAA requirements and quality standards.
• General
• The level of performance should reflect the academic qualification, type of courses in the field of specialization, employee job level, and the level of productivity.
• The academic and professional certificates required and approved by UAEAA should be acquired within the period specified and based on the employee’s Individual Development Plan.
• Perform the task and responsibilities independently unless an approval or directive was obtained to delegate the task to other employees in case of incapability to perform the tasks and responsibilities.
• Ensure teamwork, collaboration and dedication in performing duties.
• Showcase a strong leadership to the team members.
• Knowledge and awareness about the capabilities of the subordinates and showcase a strong knowledge in the field of specialization.
• Provide the required support and guidance to the subordinates.
• Take responsibility of the decisions made.
  
  

Requirements Minimum

Academic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field
  
  

Professional Certifications

• Microsoft Certified System Engineer (MCSE) status or
• CISCO certified internetwork expert (CCIE)
• Certified Network Engineer (CNE)
• Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)
• Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL)
  
  

Professional Experience

• 10 - 12+ years of relevant experience in IT strategy formulation, policies, processes, systems development and infrastructure or equivalent with preferably 6 years in supervisory role.
  
  

Language Proficiency Proficiency in Arabic and English.