Job Description
The Chief Technical Architect is an Executive Officer of the International Health Terminology
Standards Development Organisation (IHTSDO, the “Association”), filling the role
of Chief Technical Architect as set out in the IHTSDO Articles of Association.
The Chief Technical Architect makes a vital contribution to the work of the IHTSDO and
thus, by extension, the advancement of healthcare around the world. Working in a collegial
and collaborative manner with the other Executive Officers, the Chief Technical Architect
provides leadership in the specification and monitoring of the technical framework
for the development, maintenance, distribution, and uptake of SNOMED CT1 and its related
standards, as well as the Association’s other Terminology Products, in a way that is
consistent with the aims of the Association. This includes having SNOMED CT be fit-forpurpose
as the information standard underpinning the international interoperability and
conformance of patient care delivered by IT enabled healthcare systems. The Association
is to operate under governance processes that will ensure that uptake, collaboration,
alignment and the capacity for appropriate localisation are actively supported. As Chief
Technical Architect of the Association, the position is both subject to and will uphold:
- The Articles of Association and Regulations that arise from them, and
- Management Board policies, procedures, directions and guidelines.
Key result areas
The Chief Technical Architect, working as appropriate in consultation with others within
and outside IHTSDO, is responsible for:
- Developing and continuously improving the technical framework and technology
roadmap for the development, maintenance, distribution, and uptake of SNOMED
CT and its related standards and the Association’s other Terminology Products, in
consultation with the Technical Committee and other IHTSDO bodies and staff - Facilitating the development and execution of an annual programme of work related
to this framework and tools, working with the Technical Committee, support
organization(s), and other IHTSDO bodies and staff, as well as internationally distributed
volunteer contributors and relevant standards organizations as required - Provide technical leadership to the software development community wishing to
support the IHTSDO, particularly through the Members Operational Liaison Forum,
Affiliate Forum and partners in encouraging open source tools development. - Identifying and assessing important challenges related to the technical architecture
that will emerge in the 3-5 year time frame, as well as identifying and testing
options for addressing priority issues - Attending IHTSDO Technical Committee and Research and Innovation Committee
meetings to provide leadership, support, and advice as required - Attending Association Management Board meetings to provide support and advice
as required - Liaising with the IHTSDO Community of Practice, other partners, and relevant external
organizations to solicit input on, and promote awareness of, the technical
architecture - Drawing attention to and reporting on all relevant issues to the Chief Executive Officer,
the Technical Committee and other relevant IHTSDO bodies - Promoting, marketing, support building and advancement of the International
Health Terminology Standards Development Organisation
Accountability
The Chief Technical Architect reports to the Chief Executive Officer of the Association.
Working relationships
The Chief Technical Architect will develop and maintain:
- a close working relationship with the Technical Committee, the Research and Innovation
Committee, and all Executive Officers of the Association - a Liaison role on behalf of the Association with any of the Association’s Support
Organisations on technical matters - Effective networks and relationships with other relevant parties focused on technical
aspects of health terminology or related areas of health informatics and/or information
technology.
Person Specification
The Chief Technical Architect will have the following attributes:
- Technical - A minimum of five years recent experience at a senior level demonstrating
a strong level of knowledge of and/or experience with software architecture/
development issues. Experience in developing and implementing technical
tools and frameworks specifically related to terminology development and maintenance
would be an asset. - Quality-Focus – A commitment to, and demonstrated ability to contribute to, the
continuous improvement of SNOMED CT’s technical infrastructure and usability - Standards: A good level of knowledge or experience in international standards development
and approval processes. - Leadership & facilitation – Recent documented evidence of the ability to take a
positive leadership role, including the ability to bring together diverse groups and
opinions to agree on coherent solutions - at national and international meetings/workshops/seminars/conferences
- among delegates and individuals drawn from diverse interest groups
- related to both technical and non-technical issues
- Personal suitability – Strong interpersonal, cross-cultural, and communications
skills with the ability to demonstrate good personal impact, drive, enthusiasm, and
commitment. Ability to work independently. Demonstrated initiative. - Project management – Knowledge of, and experience with, Project Management
methodologies - Academic – Documentary evidence of appropriate tertiary qualifications in a relevant
field - Language - Ability to communicate effectively in English (IHTSDO’s business language)
is essential, both verbally and in written form. Working ability in other languages
desirable but not required. - Flexibility: Willingness to participate in the work processes of a dispersed international
organization, including conference calls scheduled to accommodate global
time zones and periodic international travel is essential.