Solution Architect
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Tēnei tūranga – About the role
Reporting to the Manager Technology Strategy and Architecture, the Solutions Architect role is primarily responsible for overseeing the solution design process for ICT projects across MBIE’s eight branches. A Solutions Architect becomes involved with a project at inception and remains involved throughout the development lifecycle helping to ensure it is successfully delivered. This includes but is not limited to, requirements (providing assistance to the Business Analyst), solutions options analysis, high-level and detailed designs, along with vendor and stakeholder management throughout the full process.
A Solutions Architect may have a preferred architectural domain e.g., Cloud, infrastructure, network, information and data, service management design etc. and at times will be asked to collaborate with Domain Architects to contribute to the underlying standards, principles, strategies, and roadmaps for that domain. As and when required they will also be asked to provide their expertise and contribute to the solutions designed by other Solutions Architects.
Ngā herenga – Requirements of the role
Personal specifications
- A relevant tertiary qualification or equivalent knowledge, skills, and experience; and a commitment to ongoing professional development.
- Industry certification in an area of solutions domain speciality (e.g. MCSE, MCSD) or relevant and proven experience.
- Knowledge of, and certification preferable of an Architecture framework such as TOGAF.
- Several years’ experience in Solutions Architecture with a history of successfully delivering ICT projects.
- Excellent communication skills – both verbal and written with the ability to communicate techncial aspects in simple plain English to a variety of groups.
- Solid interpersonal skills including the ability to quickly establish and maintain strong working relationships by developing trust and credibility.
- Must have the legal right to live and work in New Zealand.
Takohanga tuhinga o mua – Key accountabilities and deliverables
Responsible for overseeing the architectural solution design process for ICT projects and providing the architectural expertise required for each project.
- Takes ownership for the solutions that they develop.
- Produces high quality solution architecture documents including concept documents, options analysis documents, high level design documents, and detailed design documents.
- Designs solutions that align to MBIEs architecture principles, strategies, policies and standards.
- Successfully presents solutions and documentation to the Architecture Review Board (ARB) and receives endorsement.
- Ensures internal and external delivery groups deliver solutions that align to the Solution Design documents.
Contributes to the development of the MBIE Architecture Practice
- As required provides input and feedback to the domain experts on principles, strategies, policies and standards for their area of expertise.
- As required provides expert assistance to other Solution Architects for specific components of the solutions they develop.
- Jointly own the solutions where they have contributed expert advice.
Wellbeing, health & safety
- Displays commitment through actively supporting all safety and wellbeing initiatives.
- Ensures own and others safety at all times.
- Complies with relevant safety and wellbeing policies, procedures, safe systems of work and event reporting.
- Reports all incidents/accidents, including near misses in a timely fashion.
- Is involved in health and safety through participation and consultation.
Tō tūranga i roto i te Manatū – Your place in the Ministry
The Solution Architect position reports into the Manager, Technology and Architecture within the ICT branch. The branch sits within the Digital, Data and Insights group.
To mātou aronga – What we do for Aotearoa New Zealand
Hīkina Whakatutuki is the te reo Māori name for the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment. Hīkina means to uplift. Whakatutuki means to move forward, to make successful. Our name speaks to our purpose, Grow Aotearoa New Zealand for All.
To Grow Aotearoa New Zealand for All, we put people at the heart of our mahi. Based on the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi / The Treaty of Waitangi, we are committed to upholding authentic partnerships with Māori.
As agile public service leaders, we use our breadth and experience to navigate the ever-changing world. We are service providers, policy makers, investors and regulators. We engage with diverse communities, businesses and regions. Our work touches on the daily lives of New Zealanders. We grow opportunities (Puāwai), guard and protect (Kaihāpai) and innovate and navigate towards a better future (Auaha).
Ngā matatau – Our competencies
Cultivates innovation We create new and better ways for the organisation to be successful by challenging the status quo generating new and creative ideas and translating them into workable solutions.
Nimble learning We are curious and actively learn through experimentation when tackling new problems by learning as we go when facing new situations and challenges.
Customer focus We build strong customer relationships and deliver customer-centric solutions by listening and gaining insights into the needs of the communities we serve and actively seeking and responding to feedback.
Decision quality We make quality and timely decisions that shape the future for our communities and keep the organisation moving forward by relying on an appropriate mix of analysis, wisdom, experience, and judgement to make valid and reliable decisions.
Action oriented We step up, taking on new opportunities and tough challenges with purpose, urgency and discipline by taking responsibility, ownership and action on challenges, and being accountable for the results.
Collaborates We connect, working together to build partnerships with our communities, working collaboratively to meet shared objectives by gaining trust and support of others; actively seeking the views, experiences, and opinions of others and by working co-operatively with others across MBIE, the public sector and external stakeholder groups.
Te Tiriti o Waitangi
As an agency of the public service, MBIE has a responsibility to contribute to the Crown meeting its obligations under Te Tiriti o Waitangi (Te Tiriti). Meeting our commitment to Te Tiriti will contribute towards us realising the overall aims of Te Ara Amiorangi – Our Path, Our Direction, and achieve the outcome of Growing New Zealand for All. The principles of Te Tiriti - including partnership, good faith, and active protection – are at the core of our work. MBIE is committed to delivering on our obligations as a Treaty partner with authenticity and integrity and to enable Māori interests. We are committed to ensuring that MBIE is well placed to meet our obligations under the Public Service Act 2020 (Te Ao Tūmatanui) to support the Crown in strengthening the Māori/Crown Relationship under the Treaty and to build MBIE’s capability, capacity and cultural intelligence to deliver this.
Mahi i roto i te Ratonga Tūmatanui – Working in the public service
Ka mahitahi mātou o te ratonga tūmatanui kia hei painga mō ngā tāngata o Aotearoa i āianei, ā, hei ngā rā ki tua hoki. He kawenga tino whaitake tā mātou hei tautoko i te Karauna i runga i āna hononga ki a ngāi Māori i raro i te Tiriti o Waitangi. Ka tautoko mātou i te kāwanatanga manapori. Ka whakakotahingia mātou e te wairua whakarato ki ō mātou hapori, ā, e arahina ana mātou e ngā mātāpono me ngā tikanga matua o te ratonga tūmatanui i roto i ā mātou mahi.
In the public service we work collectively to make a meaningful difference for New Zealanders now and in the future. We have an important role in supporting the Crown in its relationships with Māori under the Treaty of Waitangi. We support democratic government. We are unified by a spirit of service to our communities and guided by the core principles and values of the public service in our work.
What does it mean to work in Aotearoa New Zealand’s Public Service?(external link) — Te Kawa Mataaho The Public Service Commission
