Senior Platform Architect

Job grade: AD08
Interagency job grade: AD08-AD09
Type of position: Temporary agent
Selection procedure reference: EMA/AD/9267
Job title: Senior Platform Architect
Deadline for applications: 27 October 2022 at 23.59 CET
Salary: 8,084.82 Euro(including local weighting) [1] plus benefits (see calculators on the right)

About this role

EMA is looking to recruit a Senior Platform Architect in the Information Management Division who will define and establish technological innovations and reliable platforms.
You will be responsible for evaluating and proposing new cloud technological component (Azure or AWS) and evolve the existing platform architecture to introduce new capabilities and functionalities to satisfy our client needs.
You will be responsible for assuring security and confidentiality (EUGDPR) of the platform adhere to markets best practices and legal requirements.
You will be reporting to the Head of Service and closely collaborating with your peers (Delivery Lead, Business Analyst, Platform Leads) as well as with colleagues across the Information Management division and EMA organization.
You will be leading and supervising supplier technical teams to set ambitious goals that exceed the targets and create plans to achieve them; ensure an efficient and responsible planning and management of resources.
Your work will be key to support the processes and procedures to approve medicinal products in Europe providing the tools and the necessary information to support the regulatory community.

Link to the full role description of the Senior Platform Architect outlining generic duties and responsibilities.

Apply if you meet those eligibility criteria:

1.Full rights as a citizen of a European Union Member State, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Norway;
2.Thorough knowledge of English (at least level C1) and a satisfactory knowledge of another official language of the European Union (at least level B2);
3.Fulfilled any obligations imposed by applicable laws concerning military service.
Specific conditions:
1.University degree minimum of four years that must have been obtained by the closing date of this vacancy notice, and at least 9 years of relevant professional experience from the time when a university degree was awarded
or
university degree of three years that must have been obtained by the closing date of this vacancy notice, and at least 10 years of relevant professional experience from the time when a university degree was awarded.
For general condition 1 and for specific conditions 1 and 2, you will be required to provide proof in the application form and at the interview stage. Failing to present these documents may result in the disqualification from the selection procedure.

You will also need:

• Experience in information architecture in complex large-scale environments, including, processes and methods of an established architecture function;
• Experience in architecture definition, specification, communication and change management, architecture oversight to IT delivery projects;
• Experience in leading and managing a technical team;
• Experience in procurement and supplier management;
• Experience in leading and managing a multi-disciplinary team including suppliers/vendors.
• Experience working with key users in a fast paced and changing business environment to design and develop software that meets business need;
• Experience using agile software development methodologies (i.e. Kanban, Scrum and other lean techniques);
• Strong experience in agile software delivery and service management

• Strong knowledge of Microsoft Dynamics 365, Microsoft Sharepoint Online and Power Platform suite;
• Collaborates with Business Analysis function in identifying and preventing risks from the requirements gathering phase and all through the lifecycle of the solution
• Supports continuous knowledge transfer to team members and transparent approach in sharing risks/issues/dependencies
• Autonomous in managing activities based on priorities given by the Project Manager
• Identifies potential improvements to the process and to the software products according to agreed designs/requirements;

Competencies you need to have:

Role competencies
Solution design and architecture Advanced
Data management Advanced

Sub-family competencies
Quality management Advanced
Emerging technology monitoring Advanced
Continuous improvement Advanced
Applied knowledge management Advanced

Grade competencies
Adaptability and agility Intermediate
Coping with pressures and setbacks Advanced
Analysing and problem solving Advanced

Core competencies
Ethics and integrity Intermediate
Team collaboration Advanced
Customer centricity Advanced
Results orientation Advanced
Communication Advanced
Cross-cultural sensitivity Advanced
Continuous learning and self-development Intermediate

For more information about definitions of competencies and associated proficiency levels, please refer to the EMA Competency Framework.

These are considered as nice to have:

• Cloud Architect certification (Azure, AWS or Google) are welcome with a preference for Microsoft Dynamics 365 + Power Platform Solution Architect
• Certification in SAFe or other Agile methodology certificate
• Service management ITIL certification

Only eligible candidates (see eligibility criteria) will be assessed by the selection committee. Suitability and qualifications of eligible candidates will be assessed against the assessment criteria (need to have and nice to have) in different steps of the selection procedure. Before the start of the selection procedure, the selection committee decides which assessment criteria will be used at each stage of the process. Certain criteria will be assessed / scored only for shortlisted candidates during interviews (and/or tests).

Shortlisting

In order to allow the selection committee to carry out an objective assessment of all candidates in a structured way, as part of their application, all candidates must answer the pre-defined set of questions based on the assessment criteria listed above (Need to Have and Nice to Have). Note: Need to Have requirements are essential to progress your application further.
The Selection Committee will therefore assess eligible candidates using solely the information provided in the responses to those questions. When answering a question, you should include all relevant information, even if it is already mentioned in other sections of your application form.
To carry out this assessment, the selection committee will first assign each question a weighting that reflects its relative importance, and each of your responses will be awarded points (1 to 10). The points are multiplied by the weighting factor and added up to identify those candidates whose profiles best match the duties to be performed.
Only the candidates with the highest total marks at the shortlisting stage will go through to the next stage. The Selection Committee may decide to limit the number of candidates invited to the next stages.

Assessments

Next steps of selection may include a preliminary assessment (Skype, remote test, etc.) and / or an interview and a test in EMA premises. Please note that due to current travel restrictions the assessment may be conducted remotely. All assessments are based on the assessment criteria listed in this vacancy notice.
At this stage, the selection committee will also look at the other sections of your application form (work experience, education, etc.).
Candidates may participate in cognitive (e.g. deductive reasoning) and personality assessments (e.g. SHL occupational personality questionnaire OPQ32) as part of the selection process.

Reserve list and job offers

As a result of the assessments, the Selection Committee will recommend a list of most suitable candidates for the vacant position. Non-selected, but qualified and suitable candidates may be placed on a reserve list (valid until 31 December 2024 with possibility of extension) for future recruitments. Each interviewed candidate will be notified in writing whether they have been placed on the reserve list. Candidates should note that the placement on the reserve list does not guarantee an offer of employment.
More information about selection and recruitment (including administrative complaint procedure) at the EMA is available at our careers website.

Conditions of employment

In principle, the Agency offers a five-year renewable contract. Contracts of a shorter duration may be offered to the candidates placed on the reserve list.

^[1] The local weighting adjusts salaries to the cost of living in the Netherlands compared to Brussels. The current weighting for the EMA's location in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, is 111.4. Please consult the Eurostat and Commission websites for more information on weightings.