Design Lead

• Want an opportunity to deliver end-to-end solution architecture across a multi-agency product?
• Looking to collaborate, lead, and consult architect to architect and architect to business?

Whakapuakanga Tangata Haere ki Aotearoa | New Zealand Traveller Declaration (NZTD) helps us ensure that people are only bringing in what they should be into our country, improving the safety and security of New Zealand.

We have an opportunity for you to be part of making a genuine change to how we deliver value to our customers and users in our new digital NZTD form used to collect information from travellers arriving at Aotearoa New Zealand via air and sea.

Opportunities for how we can now evolve our product to positively impact these travellers and all the Border Protection agencies involved in their journey is unlimited Our vision is for a modern, digital and streamlined border into New Zealand that supports seamless travel by air and sea.

This is a full-time permanent role. Preference for this role is to be based in Wellington, but we are open to applications from candidates' nationwide as this role could be based in any one of our Customhouses around the motu. Reporting directly to the Tower Manager (NZTD), the Solution Architect / Design Lead will be embedded in the NZTD Tower. You will provide high level architecture, review, and update our service designs and ensure architecture best practice across the NZTD system as a whole.

You'll also be consulting with the Product Manager to translate the product roadmap into a technology roadmap as well as working with the Product teams as an advisor on future state to ensure delivery of that technology roadmap. You will also be accountable for solution designs that are viable, feasible, sustainable, fit for purpose, and enable the delivery of real value to the customer.

Due to the other Government agencies involved in NZTD, the Solution Architect / Design Lead will also engage and drive conversations across agencies, and across business / operations and IS to ensure effective end to end technology solutions.

You will need to work closely with the IS Chief Technology Advisor and IS Architecture team to ensures that all solutions are also aligned to Information Services and Customs enterprise strategies and objectives, as well as contributing to the evolution of enterprise standards, principles, and strategies.

What we value in the NZTD Tower:

• Being customer/user focused to determine needs versus wants
• Leveraging data to make more effective decisions
• Visibility and transparency
• Focusing on delivering value earlier - over increasing delivery velocity
• Embracing diversity, inclusion, and belonging for our people

Ko wai koe | About you…

To help us achieve this vision, we are seeking a talented and motivated Solution Architect / Design Lead to join our newly established NZTD team to provide architectural leadership and direction for the NZTD Tower and all its technical componentry across Government agencies. To be successful as Solutions Architect / Design Lead you'll need to have had at least 5+ years as a Solution Architect of a 'live' and evolving business-critical product, and ideally have been public facing. Ideally you will also be able to demonstrate the following experience and knowledge:

• Translating product roadmaps into technical solution design that delivered tangible business value;
• Service design and alignment of architectural practices across systems;
• Working in a technical role within product driven software development teams within a complex environment across a wide range of technologies including messaging-based integration, Azure Cloud, Java Microservices, Kubernetes, and Restful APIs.
• Technical consultancy, facilitation, and presentation skills for business cases including development of feasibility studies, solution and implementation options, and total cost of ownership estimation;
• Working within an Agile delivery framework, ideally SAFe, as well as methodologies across DevOps, Lean and product management;
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal with strong stakeholder management skills to guide individuals to early and effective outcomes;
• Highly organised and results oriented with strong detailed planning and facilitation skills.

If you thrive in a complex environment and have a passion for continuous improvement and making genuine change, then we want you on our team

At Te Mana Ārai | Customs, we aim to create a great place to work, where our people have a sense of belonging and the capability and desire to meet our future challenges. We are an organisation that is clear about our mission, and this is underpinned by Te Pou Tokomanawa (the Foundations) and our Whanonga Pono (Values). Our work really matters to the safety and success of New Zealand.

We care about well-being, personal growth, and job satisfaction, which is supported through:

• offering on-the-job training, formal courses and leadership programmes, and the chance to move across diverse roles
• fostering inclusive and supportive team environment with vibrant social and cultural groups
• supporting flexible working - talk to us about how we can help you achieve your flexible working goals, within our operational requirements
• providing discounted health insurance, and free on-site gyms (in some locations)
• Three days of service holidays, in addition to four weeks of annual leave.

To join Customs in any role you must be a New Zealand citizen or New Zealand Permanent Resident. This means:

• a New Zealand Citizen or New Zealand Permanent Resident who has resided continuously in New Zealand for the last 5 years and resides in NZ at time of application; OR
• a New Zealand Citizen or New Zealand Permanent Resident who has resided in New Zealand for the last 5 years and resides in NZ at the time of application. You may have been absent from New Zealand for periods of six or more months within the past five years, preferably in one or more of the following countries: either Australia, Canada, UK or the USA. You will be required to provide overseas police certificates for these periods spent outside of New Zealand.

You must have a background history that is verifiable and can be assessed as appropriate by the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service towards a recommendation of suitability for security clearance at a higher level. Due to the nature of Customs work, you must have a clear Police record. The successful applicant will also be required to pass a drug test as well as being subject to random, ongoing drug tests during their period of employment with Customs. These requirements apply to all successful applicants for roles at Customs and Customs employees.

Me pehea te whakauru | How to apply…

To apply, please submit a CV outlining your skills and experience. We will also have some additional questions for you around why you are interested in the role and working at Customs.

Applications close at 11pm, Sunday 26 May 2024.

Please note Customs will be managing this recruitment independently in-house and will not be engaging with recruitment agencies at this stage.

New Zealand Customs Service | Te Mana Ārai o Aotearoa is a member of Diversity Works New Zealand and is committed to developing a diverse workforce and an inclusive workplace. We provide equal employment opportunities and welcome applications from everyone who can meet the requirements of the role. We also offer flexible working arrangements.

Note: You may be redirected to the employer's careers website.