Cloud Application Architect

Group: Information Systems & Technology Business Unit: Architecture

Reporting to: Chief Information Officer Career Level: 7

Direct reports: 0

Parliamentary Service
Parliamentary Service supports New Zealand’s democracy by providing excellent service to
Members of Parliament, our stakeholders and the public. Our support services to members
include providing support staff, travel arrangements, policy advice, HR support, finance, research
and information services, IST, security and catering services. We also look after the buildings and
grounds of the parliamentary precincts.

Parliamentary Service works closely with The Office of the Clerk of the House of Representatives,
which provides specialist advice on procedure and parliamentary law and secretariat services to
the House and to its committees.

Our core values are at the heart of how we work; Integrity, Manaakitanga, Accountability,
Whanaungatanga and Empowerment. These values support our vision which is to have the best
people supporting the best parliament in the world.

Purpose of the IST Group

The Information Systems & Technology (IST) Group delivers information systems, technology and
communications services, guidance and strategic direction to the Parliamentary Service, The Office
of the Clerk of the House of Representatives, and partnering parliamentary precinct agencies,
encouraging and facilitating the appropriate application of IST to business operations.
IST Operations purpose is to effectively and efficiently manage the operations of Parliamentary
Service’s IST environment and to ensure that the information and communication infrastructure
and systems are maintained and secure, reliable services are delivered to agreed service levels. It
is responsible for the quality of IST service to its customers and champions a customer service
focus across the IST Group and outsourced service providers.

Purpose of the Position

The Cloud Application Architect (hereafter referred to as the Architect) holds responsibility for
leading the development, maintenance and governance of the Parliamentary Service cloud
application architecture standards and practices. This includes:

 The specification and design of cloud application solutions, including patterns for
integration and security, utilizing best practices and working in conjunction with other
domain architects (network, security, infrastructure, etc.).
 Architecture governance and review processes across our virtual, software-defined, cloud,
and (where applicable) physical infrastructure. Examples include our network, network
boundary protection, virtual servers, operating systems, containers, and SDLC (CI/CD)
environments.
The Architect also leads and implements the production of associated infrastructure assets and
deliverables, and the role consequently includes a significant hands-on engineering component.

The Architect works closely and collaboratively with a wide variety of roles across the business and
IST team, and actively contributes to the delivery of solutions to the business and our customers
as part of an agile delivery team.

Finally, the Architect assures vendor-provided services and deliverables, including review of
designs and related artefacts (such as code, delivery plans, and configuration assets).

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities

Cloud Application Architecture

The Architect performs the necessary leadership, analysis and design tasks related to the
development of our cloud application architecture. This includes preparing designs for new
environments, technology refreshes, upgrades, new technology, and initiatives to meet business
capability needs and capacity forecasts.

• Creates solution designs, which need minimal rework.

• Provides technical input to the business approval process to make a recognised technical
contribution to business approval meetings.
• Specifies work packages and estimates (being aware of cost impact of design decisions) with
input to management on technical risks and remedies and proposed acceptance methods.
• Develops and assists in the identification of risk mitigation strategies.
• Drives solution development by guiding and mentoring delivery teams throughout
development.
• Develops and maintains our cloud architecture in compliance with reference architectures.
• Designs and leads the implementation of solutions based on business needs and IT strategy, as
well as to rectify gaps and pain points within the current state.
• Provides oversight and assurance on the architecture and design of our cloud environment.
• Develops target conceptual and logical architectures for applications and systems.
• Documents all architecture design and analysis work.
• Creates, develops, and maintains our reference architectures.
Architecture Governance

Takes the lead to develop, maintain and govern the Cloud Architecture across the Parliamentary
Service. This role is also responsible for ensuring related assets are created in accordance with
good practice (including appropriate review and acceptance), and for leading the integration of
those processes with related business and IT processes.

• Assist with designing the governance activities associated with ensuring architecture
compliance.
• Consult on application development projects to fit systems to the technical architecture and
identify when it is necessary to modify the technical architecture to accommodate project
needs.
• Facilitate the evaluation and selection of software product standards, as well as the design of
standard software configurations.
• Identify the organisational impact (for example, on skills, processes, structures or culture)
and financial impact of deliverables.
• Work closely with the project managers and delivery leads to ensure alignment of plans
with what is being delivered.
• Define the principles to guide solution decisions for the Parliamentary Service.
Development

Working with the Business Analysts, Business representatives, Developers, Project Managers, and
Delivery Leads, the Architect takes the lead in researching, developing, and implementing cloud
services and infrastructure in both legacy and DevOps-style environments.

• Design, construct, deliver and document maintainable and robust solutions which fulfil
business requirements.
• Contribute to identification and selection of processes and tools for use on projects.
• Produce unambiguous, clear and concise documentation and models (technical and business).
• Assist with the development of test plans.
• Help to define business acceptance test requirements.
• Perform artefact reviews to ensure quality targets are met.
• Provide technical leadership on projects and participate in peer reviews.
• Provide mentoring to developers on the use and implementation of cloud services as adopted
by the Parliamentary Service.
Relationship Management

Through excellent communication and relationship management, the Architect builds good
relationships with team members, IST group, the wider Parliamentary Service, and its customers,
understanding their needs, and translating those needs into business-focused systems and
services.

• Liaise widely across the Parliamentary Service and partnering agencies to build sound
understanding of business uses and needs for information services and technology.
• Liaise with other government agencies in the design of information technology standards.
• Contribute to wider whole of government IST initiatives within the cloud space, including e-
government and inter-agency co-operation and collaboration.
• Champion and communicate architecture standards within Parliamentary Service and to
vendors.
Note: The above role accountabilities may evolve with business developments, and there may be
other duties, relevant to your area of work, that you will be required to be performed from time to
time.

The above expected results are provided as a guide for performance standards. The annual
performance plan and measurements will be discussed and agreed between the position holder
and manager as part of annual performance planning and development.

Decision Making Authority

The Architect supports the Chief Information officer and IST senior management team to
implement and govern areas of accountability within the IST strategic plan, capital delivery plan,
and operations.

The role is accountable for the development and maintenance of architecture and technical
designs, and decision-making related this responsibility.

Key Relationships
Internal

• IST management team

• Business unit managers (Select Committees, Finance, etc.)
• IST Delivery and Operations teams
External

• Key customer representatives (e.g., party whips, Office of the Clerk & DIA Ministerial Services
stakeholders)
• IT service and support providers
• IST staff in other Parliamentary agencies
Working relationships

 Other Parliamentary Service staff

 Government agencies

Person Specification
Educational Qualifications and/or equivalent practical experience:
• 7+ years of experience in IT, with a minimum of four years in systems design (senior technical
or solutions architecture)
• Demonstrated experience designing and implementing cloud solutions, including integration
and operation within a ‘hybrid’ environment
• Certification in, or equivalent experience working with, recognised architecture frameworks,
methodologies and vendors, with a focus on Microsoft Azure and Amazon AWS, and familiarity
with Google Cloud and OpenStack-based providers.
• Familiar with Agile methodologies and Lean development.

Technical Skills
• In depth and demonstrated understanding of public, private, and hybrid solutions, and
experience in integrating public cloud into traditional hosting and delivery models with a
specific focus on Microsoft Azure. Experience with Amazon Web Services is advantageous.
• Experience in planning and executing digital transformations and implementations.
• Experience in conducting cloud service maps, TCO analysis, security considerations as part of a
wider cloud adoption framework.
• Strong knowledge of the Microsoft Azure reference architectures and design templates.
• In-depth expertise in Microsoft Windows infrastructure including Windows server, Microsoft
Exchange, Active Directory, SCCM and SharePoint.
• Expertise in the Microsoft Azure cloud services, including identity management, security,
compute, storage, mobility management, data management, messaging, media services and
CDN, development, environment management, and Azure CI/CD services.
• Expertise in the deployment and management of cloud productivity suites, including Microsoft
365.
• Knowledge of cloud integration patterns, design, and engineering practice, including
architectural patterns and protocols.

Professional Skills
• Knowledge of the NZ Public Sector and systems is desirable.
• Strong written and oral communication skills, including the ability to present complex issues
clearly and concisely to a wide variety of audiences.
• Demonstrated planning and organisational skills.
• Strong presentation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically and provide a strategic perspective to developing
solutions that will meet current and future needs of Parliamentary Service and agencies.
• Demonstrated relationship management skills including the ability to establish and maintain a
high level of trust and confidence with key stakeholders.
Personal Characteristics
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• High level of self-motivation.
• Ability to conceptualise and think creatively.
• Able to identify and analyse new problems and to research and present solutions which
both meet the needs of customers and the required outcomes of the Parliamentary
Service.

Health and Safety

 Displays commitment through actively supporting all health, safety, and wellbeing
initiatives
 Contributes to all staff maintaining adequate safety standards on the job through
consultation, training and supervision.
 Demonstrates need to maintain own and others safety at all times
 Complies with policies, procedures and safe systems of work
 Reports all incidents/accidents, including near misses in a timely fashion
 Is involved in improving health and safety through participation and consultation

Ngā Take Māori

 Shows an awareness of, and commitment to, the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
 Demonstrates knowledge of Māoritanga and its relevance to work practices and service
delivery.
 Creates and sustains an environment that promotes biculturalism and responsiveness
to Māori issues.

Parliamentary Service Competencies

Core Competencies

These are key areas of skill, knowledge and attributes that underpin successful performance in the
Parliamentary Service. These five competencies are required for everyone across the organisation
to achieve the professional standards that customers and colleagues expect.

Competency Description
Keeping the customer at the heart of what we do by building strong,
Customer Focus trusted customer relationships and delivering customer-centric
solutions
Developing and delivering different forms of communication that instils
Communicates trust and convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different
Effectively audiences
Ensures
Holding self and others accountable to meet commitments
Accountability
Building positive team cultures where members apply their diverse skills and
Builds Effective Teams
perspectives to achieve common goals
Rebounding from setbacks and adversity and showing courage when facing
Being Resilient
difficult situations