Vacancy
Background:
In 2016 the OSCE Secretariat received a request from the State Border Guard Service (SBGS) of Ukraine, seeking the OSCE’s assistance to improve co-operation mechanisms and capacities to address cross border trafficking in weapons, ammunition and explosives (WAE). In July 2016, the OSCE Secretariat conducted a preliminary fact-finding mission to Ukraine, to clarify the details of the potential technical assistance initiative and held meetings with the other relevant national law enforcement agencies, which expressed their interest to become beneficiaries in a future project. As a follow up, the OSCE conducted a National Assessment Roundtable in Ukraine, with the participation from: SBGS, National Police (NP) and the State Emergency Service (SES) of the Ministry of Interior (MoI), the Customs Service (CS) of the State Fiscal Service (SFS), and the National Security Service (NSS) of Ukraine. During the Roundtable, the participants outlined specific areas where technical assistance and institutional support was required and discussed the scope of the potential project.
In March 2017 the OSCE Secretariat held high-level meetings with representatives from all relevant Ukrainian institutions who agreed to participate in a comprehensive needs assessment. The assessment will provide detailed information and quantify the specific needs of the various units responsible for combatting trafficking in WAE. The representatives of the OSCE Secretariat and Ukraine will review the assessment results and elaborate work plans for their implementation through follow-up extra-budgetary projects.
The SBGS, the NP, the SES of the MoI, CS of the SFS, and the NSS of Ukraine collect and record various data related to the seized, found and surrendered WAE. So far, no thorough assessment has been undertaken on institutions’ capacities to collect, record, store, maintain and share that data for the purposes of tracing illicit trafficking in WAE. Therefore, as a part of the overall assessment, the need has been identified to produce a mapping study of the existing databases of seized WAE, as well as service weapons and ammunition. The study will encompass the mandates for their establishment, the data which is captured, the technical architecture of the deployed solutions, the IT infrastructure, the resources required to maintain them, and the existing capability for information exchange among the relevant authorities.
Please note that this is a consultancy assignment of approximately 20 working days in the course of 2 months. The consultant will be required to work from home with the ability to travel if necessary.
Task:
The OSCE Secretariat is seeking for a national expert to produce a system analysis and design on the existing databases for seized, found, surrendered WAE, service weapons and ammunition and analyse the existing gaps. The expert will report to the Border Adviser, Transnational Threats Department/Border Security and Management Unit (TNTD/BSMU).
The analysis will also provide recommendations for improving the existing record-keeping solutions, which will enhance the capacities of the relevant Ukrainian authorities for tracing and sharing information on intra-agency, inter-agency and international level. The purpose of the assessment is to provide a baseline for developing projects to target the identified gaps and needs so that the relevant agencies can improve capacities to address illicit trafficking in WAE.
The expert is expected to:
• Evaluate the existing system architectures, the interfaces, and the principles that guide their organization, software design and implementation. • Provide technical recommendations to improve the design and implementation of the existing systems, including aspects such as the data models, database designs, data integration, data movement, data replication, data quality, reference and master data management and data governance.
The expert is expected to provide:
- Work Plan: together with the Business Analyst, provide a work plan for the business and technical analysis activities, including: • A schedule of the proposed activities. • A list of inputs that will be required from the OSCE and the relevant Ukrainian authorities. • Planned dates for the delivery of draft and final documentation deliverables. • A Table of Contents for the WAE Systems Architecture Document.
- WAE Systems Architecture Document: this is the main Solutions Architect deliverable. It shall align with and refer to the WAE Systems Requirements Review document to be produced by the Business Analyst. This will cover the existing WAE systems within the SBGS, the NP, the SES of the MoI, CS of the SFS, and the NSS of Ukraine, and should include:
• A high-level summary of the architecture of each system with views of the software packages, components, subsystems, deployment, processes, and interactions. Sample usage scenarios shall be used to illustrate the architecture.
• A description of the databases used by each system (relational, non-relational, data warehouse, etc.), including data models for these databases.
• A review of the main programming languages, software platforms, tools, libraries, databases, services and other technical dependencies used to implement each WAE system, including any license requirements.
• A description of the infrastructure and hosting environments of each WAE system, including non-production environments.
• A technical description of any integration interfaces with other systems, including protocols, data formats, data volumes, triggers, and frequency of integration.
• A description of the nature and size of the development, operation and support teams responsible for each WAE system, including external vendors or consultants.
• Identification of the location and ownership of each WAE system’s source code and other technical artifacts, and estimates of the size, complexity, and maintainability of the software.
• A review of important software and infrastructure-level security controls.
• A summary of any known technical issues that affect the functional and non-functional capabilities of each system.
• A general comparison between the WAE systems of their technical architectures and their technical suitability/fit to the relevant authorities’ requirements.
- WAE Gap Analysis and Solution Options Paper: together with the Business Analyst, provide a paper that shall:
• Include a gap analysis of the WAE systems that identifies any areas where the current systems do not meet the individual and collective business requirements of the Ukrainian authorities.
• Describe multiple options for improving the functionality, integration and benefits of the WAE systems used by these Ukrainian authorities. Example solution options might include enhancement of individual systems, improved integration between systems, building/buying a new shared WAE system, or continuing with the status quo. Each option should include an analysis of its strengths and weaknesses, estimates of effort/cost for implementation and operation, and a risk analysis.
Necessary Qualifications:
• University degree in computer science, information systems, mathematics, statistics, or computer engineering; • Minimum 6 years of relevant experience, preferably as a solutions architect or development team technical lead; • Experience of data modelling – logical, physical, relational and dimensional; • Excellent knowledge of Ukrainian, working knowledge of English would be an asset; • Excellent communication skills.
Note: A contract will be signed only after security clearance is obtained from the relevant Ukrainian authorities. The OSCE will submit the request for security clearance and inform the selected candidate about the outcome of the procedure.
Remuneration Package: According to the PCU consultancy fees guidelines.
This position is for residents of Ukraine only. We strongly encourage applicants to use the online application system at https://jobs.osce.org; the Vacancy Number is VNUKRC00478. The deadline for applications is 13 September 2017. If you have difficulties with the online system you may use the OSCE's off-line Application Form available at https://jobs.osce.org/uk/resources/document/anketa-na-vakansiyu; you should complete the Application Form and send it via e-mail to oscepcu-recruitment@osce.org indicating the title of the position on the Application Form and in the cover message subject. Applications received after the published deadline will not be considered. Due to the high volume of applications, only short-listed candidates will be contacted. Details of the assignment and contract may be further discussed during the interviews.
The OSCE retains the discretion to re-advertise the vacancy, to cancel the recruitment, to offer an appointment with a modified job description or for a different duration.
The OSCE is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious, ethnic and social backgrounds to apply to become a part of the organization.
Please be aware that the OSCE does not request payment at any stage of the application and review process.