Chief Information Officer (CIO)

Chief Information Officer (CIO)

Overview of the Health Regulation Authority (HRA)

The Health Regulation Authority (HRA) was established under the Ordinance, cited as the Health Regulation Ordinance 2016 (Ordinance 22 of 2016), in alignment with the Turks and Caicos Islands Government’s, post-2015 United Nations Development agenda preparations and focus to achieve the new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of 2030. Particularly SDG 3, which brings into sharp focus the need to ensure healthy lives and to promote well-being for all, at all socioeconomic levels.

Essentially, the HRA was established to function as an independent, statutory, health regulatory organization, mandated to manage the regulation of the entire healthcare system of healthcare facilities and services, across both the public and private sectors, (i.e., the provision of healthcare by Government and private institutions) in the Turks and Caicos Islands. The significance of the HRA’s independent operations is apparent, considering its legal responsibility to, equally, regulate the Government’s administered and contracted healthcare facilities. As such the HRA’s functionality is premised on the best practice benchmark of the separation of duties, which is a prudent building block for sustainable risk management and internal controls and neutralization of the threat of a conflict of interest.

Overview of the Position

The CIO is a key member of the Senior Executive Team and is responsible to the Board, through the CEO, for the efficient management of all HRA Information Technology (IT) and administrative data processing functions. As a Senior Executive, the CIO is expected to bring a modern, business approach to the leadership of the IT function. The required leadership encompasses leading the development and implementation of the overall business operations technology strategies to support the attainment of the HRA’s organisational goals and objectives. Therefore, to achieve the hereinbefore stated outcome, the HRA requires an innovative, result-oriented individual with a vision and desire to take on the challenge of business and management tasks including and beyond the required technological infrastructure support duties of designing and installing complex computer networks, databases and applications.

Job Purpose:

As a key member of the Senior Executive Team, the CIO will report to the CEO and assume a strategic IT administrative role in the overall management of the HRA. This role encompasses addressing all: networking; database data management; hardware; system and software applications; as well as systems administration; in a manner not limited to the following:   

• Executing, with the general guidance of the CEO, primary and direct daily responsibilities for: researching, planning, recommending, implementing and maintaining hardware, software, network and communication strategic solutions: identifying and solving potential and actual security problems; and directing all HRA data integrity and IT related activities;

• Managing adequate IT support staff - to daily effect availability of the requisite, technological applications and infrastructure to support the HRA’s business operations.

Key Responsibility:

The CIO is accountable for the IT and administrative, data processing functions of the HRA, and is required to:

• Develop and maintain: operational strategies; policies; quality systems and processes, with apt strategy metrics and the perpetual development and monitoring of control systems (i.e., a comprehensive set of controls and budgets) designed to:

• Ensure the delivery of all systems design and development, requisite technology applications, complex computer networks, databases and data security - to support the HRA’s business operations;

• Provide enabling support for the HRA’s corporate sustainability through ongoing, appropriate leveraging of relevant MIS, network, ICT and operating protocols technological infrastructure - to: enhance departmental functions; allow easy access to information; and underpin transparency, accountability and control on a cost-effective, technology-centric, service delivery platform;

• Mitigate risk by maintaining the highest level of data security via security mechanisms, conditional access and encryption - to ensure the protection of the HRA’s data;

• Provide overall definition and management of all HRA computer systems, data processing and communication activities, via a strategic direction, leadership role in daily IT operations – to facilitate the HRA’s organizational/internal growth path;   

• Review all computerized and manual systems, data processing and document imaging equipment and software for: acquisition, storage and retrieval purposes; enhanced functionality and key decision-making;

• Produce periodic, accurate, relevant, reliable and timely reports detailing, but not limited to, the performance and outcomes of IT functions and related matters including the situational significance of: data integrity and security within the HRA’s computing environment; help desk technical support for hardware and software; communication networks (voice and data); software applications; program development; and Information Systems (IS) operations.

Essential Job Results

The principal accountabilities for the position of CIO are:

Planning and Management

1. Lead the business planning process for setting the HRA’s overall technology direction, goals and related strategies, policies and documents, in support of business operations and strategic targets - to engender the implementation of an effective IT strategy and the technical direction of the HRA;
2. Assist in formulating and determining the HRA's organization-wide strategy, business goals, policies, procedures and tactical support initiatives in detailed, strategic direction planning consultations with the Senior Executive Team;
3. Participate in directing and monitoring the implementation of the HRA’s strategic business plans and policies;
4. Provide leadership in developing the requisite, annual, span of control work-plan and ensuring the continuous, performance management evaluation of aligned IT strategies, objectives, and related short to long-term policies;
5. Provide sound and expert advice, guidance and support to the Senior Executive Team, and staff, on all aspects of the HRA’s IT functions, data processing, policy and procedural issues not limited to explaining: why equipment must be retrofitted or replaced and justifying aligned expenditures as a result; and how to remain abreast of the current technology/advancements and requirements in the field to ensure the HRA does not lag behind;
6. Evaluate and advise the Senior Executive Team on the IT impact in relation to: creating cost reducing business development and e-business opportunities; transformation aligned with achieving organisational change objectives through the implementation of systems and procedures; short and long range planning; and the regulatory environment;
7. Establish and maintain strong, in-depth collaborative relations with Senior Executives in order to: identify, plan, coordinate, and facilitate computer-related departmental activities; analyse the computer and information needs from an operational and strategic perspective; and determine immediate and long-range personnel and equipment requirements support for the full range of HRA operations;
8. Plan and recommend the HRA’s: databases, complex computer networks, Internet and intranet sites, systems design and software programming; installation, maintenance, and upgrading of hardware, systems and applications software; and security for the HRA’s data and technological infrastructure;
9. Execute full technical, managerial responsibility for coordinating and achieving all HRA IS needs, as a direct requirement of daily IS operations and result of key technological developments, not limited to: voice and data communication networks, computer programs, software applications and database development; data management and integrity; technical, help desk, hardware and software support; and secured IS operations and IT functions;
10. Maintain a documented system of IT policies and procedures;
11. Participate in finalizing span of control capital request, budgeting and financial forecasting processes and the production of the emanating annual budget and forecasts;
12. Develop relevant IT KPI’s and other performance measures that support the HRA's strategic direction;
13. Recommend international best practice benchmarks against which to measure the HRA’s IT performance relative to the HRA operations.

Operations and Support

1. Participate in making key operational decisions as a member of the Senior Executive Team;
2. Contribute in working with the Senior Executive Team to train the HRA IT staff and enhance their competencies as needed;
3. Review computerized and manual systems, IS communication hardware and software specifications, and document imaging systems for: completeness and compatibility with other system/communication network capabilities; storage and retrieval; acquisition, and implementation - to ensure daily systems availability and streamlined, optimized benefits aligned with the HRA’s strategic data processing, digitalization and communication systems operations;
4. Install and maintain computers, operating systems and peripheral equipment; write and modify program code and software applications as needed; configure and modify existing hardware systems; and implement new technological infrastructures/IS - to ensure operating efficiency and integrity;
5. Analyse user requests; identify user, databases and network requirements; design and set up major databases with complex structures; and perform and test database modifications - to suitably organize and store the HRA’s data via the DMS software, effect support and optimize the HRA’s database computer network operations;
6. Design and install, the HRA’s LAN, WAN, Internet, intranet, email and other voice and data communications systems – to: install new applications; distribute software upgrades; monitor daily activity; enforce licensing agreements; facilitate data processing, communication and storage management; provide for routine backups, remote access, ongoing maintenance and support; perform and test network communications software/hardware modifications; and enhance network performance;
7. Analyse statistics relative to database and network capacity and performance; and develop and implement recommended, network and relational database applications configuration, modification projects - to effectively administer the HRA’s MS SQL Server, RDMS, Client/Server Architecture environment spanning one or multiple domains, as required;
8. Manage system security measures; conduct hardware and software tests; evaluate operating systems; and investigate and correct systems, networks and database security and integrity problems - to ensure: potential problems are identified at the earliest point possible; and reliable, secured access to the generated volume of HRA’s sensitive data, computers, databases and networks;
9. Develop and coordinate high availability, fault tolerance and disaster recovery plans, policies and procedures - to ensure “five nines” (99.999%) network up time; and the continuity and recovery of mission critical computers and systems after disruptive and disastrous events via: apt SLAs; scheduled backups of systems and data; and backup components (hardware/software) taking over operations when primary components fail;
10. Design, develop, and maintain user-friendly HRA’s Web sites and aligned servers; and execute responsibilities for all technical aspects including: performance issues such as speed of access; site content approval; and day-to-day site creation/design;
11. Identify, document, share and implement IT operational best practices adequate for the HRA’s organizational structure and for achieving departmental goals and objectives;
12. Ensure the IS and IT administration functions are implemented efficiently and cost-effectively, through the ongoing management of support staff and the required focus on established priorities - to adequately support the HRA’s programmes;
13. Lead in monitoring advancements in IT and ensuring the evolving applicability of existing HRA designed/customized technological systems and platforms, taking into account: the advancing dynamism of the IT industry/changes in technology, practice, legislation, and regulation; and competencies for delegation requirements, when necessary - to keep pace with progressive IT that adds maximum value, facilitates business success and guides the HRA’s future direction;

IT Information and Reports

1. Research, write, generate and oversee the issuance of timely and complete IT proposals, status reports, problems and progress summaries; system utilization reports; other related reports from MIS etc.; and policy documents relating to the IT and data processing operations of the HRA;
2. Calculate and issue, succinct and comprehensive, IT, data processing and departmental operations metrics and provide leadership in interpreting this information and highlighting the key issues, to the Senior Executive Team, for consideration and follow-up;
3. Monitor and validate the HRA’s compliance with its security policies and report, to the Senior Executive Team, timely and accurate data integrity, system/application software, data backup/systems, database, network and security analyses, along with any increasingly aligned, significant aspects, that identifies malfunctions for rectification;
4. Provide recommendations to strategically enhance customer experience via HRA hybrid IT/line-of-business initiatives and opportunities facilitating internal growth performance;
5. Provide relevant documentations, reports and proposals: recommending major system installations and hardware and/or software modifications; prepared changes in IT procedures or other solutions; information about system capabilities; and completed service activities, to the Board of Directors and other internal and external stakeholders etc. as required;
6. Provide informational support via: troubleshooting and technical assistance/instructions and/or training to system users and IT personnel; and answering questions through constant interactions as a vital part of improving system utility and performance;
7. Contribute in developing and distributing: hardware, software, system and user documentation including manuals/on-line help functions; recommended technological infrastructure routine maintenance practices and procedures; monitoring and control techniques; interface specifications/protocols and problem resolutions etc.  

Risk Management and Compliance

1. Develop, maintain and monitor reliable control systems, as needed, to ensure effective internal controls are in place to engender the efficient use of resources, e.g.: staff; networks and computer-based IS software and applications; network and computer hardware; peripheral equipment; and supplies etc.;
2. Manage the departmental budget by effectively operating within the allocated budgetary limits in compliance with the HRA’s financial management plan and policies;
3. Ensure that the design and use of the HRA’s technological infrastructure, data processing and monitoring procedures complies with all legal and regulatory requirements and the aligned operations are within the confines of the HRA’s vision, mission mandate, policies and standard operating procedures;
4. Monitor the technological infrastructure; analyse problems; and manage, lead and provide support to users - to ensure adequate: record keeping; data integrity; daily onsite administrative support and the required availability and continuity of secured data, IS, technological infrastructure, computing resources and services, in place and necessary, to support the HRA operations and objectives;
5. Develop and maintain systems and processes to ensure that work is appropriately prioritised and allocated, and that effective supervision is in place to support work delegated to staff;
6. Participate in identifying, analysing and reporting risk issues to ensure the Board of Directors is informed of any problems related to the HRA’s computer hardware, operating systems, applications, databases and networks; and assist in developing strategies to solve issues plausibly;
7. Setup, administer, troubleshoot and monitor: the printing environment; system and applications backup and recovery procedures; and interfaces – to: maintain systems, network and database performance; and complete recovery operations in the event of destruction or loss of all or part of the operating system, database or other system components requiring database reorganizations/modifications and software maintenance/enhancement according to specifications;
8. Provide technical support and troubleshoot operating systems, database applications, computers, networks/data communications and network authentication issues, and peripheral equipment; and monitor database and data communications performance and response times to maintain quality service;
9. Oversee network security to direct Internet operations and protect the HRA’s technological infrastructure Internet and intranet sites from hackers, viruses, malware and other acts of cyber-terrorism – to mitigate recent worldwide threats via: the requisite technical proficiency in understanding how systems are vulnerable; given the integrity of the HRA’s computing environments is of utmost concern; and the need to  prevent, identify and solve potential and actual security problems expeditiously;

Stakeholders and Third Parties

1. Participate in, speak for and represent the HRA’s interest: in internal and external stakeholder meeting’s; conference calls; on committees and task groups; and in high-level, external planning activities concerned with the HRA’s technological infrastructure and IS development etc. as requested;
2. Ensure that a positive image of the HRA is projected and maintained via IT strategies, techniques and IS emphasis interactions demonstrating leadership, knowledge, and credibility within the HRA, wider IT community and related external agencies;
3. Coordinate and direct IT-related project teams, encompassing relevant stakeholders and conferring with internal and external clients, vendors, consultants, and computer specialists, relative to: the analysis, design, development and implementation of systems and system enhancements; custom computer programming; data and systems backup; security upgrades; systems integration, computer facilities management, and disaster recovery services etc.;
4. Coordinate vendor supplied systems and support personnel, database software, system software fixes, and hardware and software elements of the communications network etc. - to facilitate administration activities of the HRA’s technological infrastructure and IS and solve procedural, operational and technical problems;
5. Liaise with computer system users, external bodies, IS providers and legislative authorities on matters related to the HRA’s technological infrastructure and IS, not limited to:  licensing agreements and SLAs etc. - to ensure optimal performance of all IT functions within the corporation;
6. Provide employee relations support and advice that ensures effective communication between management and employees;
7. Work closely with the security company providing security services for the HRA’s premises, as a key stakeholder, - to enable the requisite premises and data security outcomes.

Other Tasks 

In addition to the principal duties and key responsibilities set out hereinabove, the HRA reserves the right to require you to undertake additional or other duties, within your capacity/purview of the function of CIO, as may, from time to time, be reasonably required and necessary to meet the needs of the HRA.

Qualifications and Essential Experience

• Educated to, at least, the Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems (CIS) or Management Information Systems (MIS) or Business Administration with CIS or MIS concentration; and postgraduate qualification of a Master of Science degree in: IT Management; or Computer Science; or Software Engineering; with valid Database, Networking, and Virtualization or Security certifications training.
• Demonstrable post qualifying experience of a minimum of ten (10) years in broad-based IT operations, with executive management experience, within the public sector or for a major company or division of a midsize to large corporation. Progressively accountable experience in occupations such as systems analyst; programmer/software engineer, network/database administrator or IT consulting/business manager is desirable.
• Detailed knowledge of the Turks and Caicos Islands’ Health Regulation Ordinance is desirable;
• Excellent, in-depth and advanced technical knowledge of IT systems, technological infrastructure, office software packages and other programs are essential;
• Excellent and solid understanding of data analysis, budgeting and business operations;
• Experience in designing/developing IT systems and planning and executing IT implementations via use of a broad range of IT skills and strategic business mind-set/insight;
• Experience in developing and successfully implementing a business savvy, IT management and transformation strategy aligned with achieving organisational objectives/change (i.e., bringing modern, progressive approaches to the IT function through the implementation of systems and procedures);
• Proven ability to manage the overall work process of a IT unit to ensure effective work assignments, supervision, development and the availability of competent and well-motivated staff; 
• Experience in training and developing others.

Skills

• Excellent written, presentation and verbal/public speaking communication skills;
• Strong strategic ability and business acumen to develop and articulate a clear strategic vision of IT management;
• Superior analytical and problem-solving/troubleshooting capabilities;
• Superb leadership, organizational, interpersonal, negotiation, influencing, and project and conflict management skills;
• Excellent administrative and good time management skills;
• Ability to manage and motivate teams to achieve targets and to achieve organisational change;
• Ability to ‘sell’ ideas/concepts;
• Ability to interact effectively with counterparts and other organizations;
• A proven ability to consistently meet strict deadlines (mandatory).

Personality / Aptitudes / Motivation

• Outward looking and ability to influence new ways of working;
• Strategic thinking and management oriented;
• Collaborative and supportive approach to Executive Management and strategic development planning;
• Dedication to the implementation of robust and substantive, strategic business plans;
• Coach/mentor with understanding of human behaviour and motivation;
• Assertive with strong commitment to corporate vision, mission and goals;
• Personable with stakeholder focused outlook;
• Passionate about IT management and up-to-date on current advancements and requirements in the field via research and personal development to remain abreast.

Languages

• Fluency in English, both oral and written (essential)

Compensation:          Salary USD $59,553. per annum

                                    Conditional Allowances ranging up to $15,960. per annum.

Requirements:

An application must include: A Cover Letter; Resumes with current contact information; Two Reference Letters - one preferably from a former employer; Copies of Educational Certificates; and Copied Passport Photo Page. An applicant, if selected, is required to submit a valid Police Certificate prior to an interview.

Hand delivered and posted applications, are to be addressed to the: Health Regulation Authority, c/o Ministry of Health, Second Floor, Town Centre Mall, Downtown, Providenciales; 

The vacant position of interest must be clearly indicated on the sealed envelope and in the subject line of the email respectively.

Application Deadline:         June 23, 2019

Please note, that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview while remaining candidates will receive a timely notification relative to the status of their applications.