Information and Data Architect

Position summary:The Technology department is responsible for the Development, Realization and Implementation of the strategic Digital Product Roadmap for Rainforest Alliance (including all supporting Technology processes), for all Global Business Initiatives and Assurance programs. “Information Office’ ‘is one of the four teams under Technology Department.

It’s responsible for planning and leading implementation of leading technology ecosystem that will enable achievement of the 2030 strategy. Ensure alignment of technology investment and initiatives with the business goals, requirements and expectations and ensure optimal utilization of investments in technology and delivery of services by the technology vendors across the organization.

Within the Information Office, the 'Digital Strategy & Technology Architecture' team takes charge of crafting and facilitating the exchange of information. This team assumes the responsibility of ensuring that digital strategy and technology architecture seamlessly align with organizational objectives, fostering an environment conducive to innovation, and improving the efficiency of digital solutions. As a pivotal member of this team, the Information and Data Architect plays a central role in creating and being responsible for the information lifecycle, orchestrating seamless data integration strategies, and championing the extension of the information model.

The Information and Data Architect collaborates with cross-functional teams to establish a robust foundation for the exchange of information, maximising advanced technologies to enhance the overall digital and technological vision. Their focus lies in creating and retaining ownership of information assets, ensuring data flows with integrity and efficiency across various systems. Additionally, the Information and Data Architect actively contributes to the evolution of the information model, shaping it into a dynamic and adaptive framework that aligns with the evolving needs of the organization.

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Information & Data Architect to join our dynamic team. The ideal candidate will possess expertise in upgrading technologies, proficiency in various programming languages, and a deep understanding of information modelling. The Information & Data Architect will play a pivotal role in realizing the information model in DAP (Data Analytics Platform), from data collection to ready-for-use data marts. This role encompasses both Information Architect and Data Governance Lead functions, ensuring a holistic approach to data architecture, governance, and management.:

Responsibilities: 

• Develop, maintain, and lead the Rainforest Alliance Enterprise Information Architecture based on the Rainforest Alliance’s strategies, priorities, and value propositions to its key stakeholders, as well as the Rainforest Alliance business model and capabilities;

• Develop and maintain guidelines for the entire data architecture process, ensuring seamless data flow and integration across systems.

• Apply a structured architecture approach and methodology to the alignment, design, and development of the Rainforest Alliance digital solutions; 

• Share output of the information architecture with business/user departments in RA to enable business-lead implementation of the Information Strategy

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define and implement data architecture strategies, covering source systems, integration layers, and the data platform.

• Link Information model to Business process, user groups and applications in architectural framework.

• Metadata: work with Solution Architects, Product Owners/Managers to ensure relevant metadata is captured and usable;

• Work closely with business domain owners and data owners to establish and enforce data governance policies and procedures.

• Take a lead role in data quality, security, and compliance initiatives to ensure the integrity and confidentiality of organizational data.

• Define each platform/solution information model and assess implementation by teams.

• Participate in the design and implementation of data marts, supporting end-to-end data analytics solutions.

• Provide technical expertise in resolving integration-related issues and contribute to the continuous improvement of integration deliverables.

• Collaborate with database and system administration teams to optimize system performance and troubleshoot data-related challenges.

• Scope, spec, and validate information migration strategies.

 Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in computer engineering or related field (master’s degree preferred);

• 5+ years' work experience, including 3 years in a similar role;

• Strong information modelling experience, conceptual, logical as well as physical.

• Understanding and qualification of Lean/Agile development frameworks;

• Demonstrated project experience and skills in information requirements gathering, current state analysis and information architecture.

• Stakeholder management skills;

• Excellent interpersonal skills including the ability to work effectively with all personality types.

• Strong presentation skills and experience in a strategic and consultative technical role;

• Excellent interpersonal skills with a demonstrated ability to work in a cross functional team environment.

• Proven experience as an Information & Data Architect or similar role, with a strong focus on Azure data solutions.

• In-depth knowledge and hands-on experience with Azure Data Vault, including the design and implementation of data warehousing solutions on the Azure platform.

• Proficiency in utilizing Azure Data Catalogue to facilitate the discovery, understanding, and management of organizational data assets.

• Demonstrated expertise in Azure Data Transformation services, with a track record of designing and implementing data transformation pipelines for diverse data sources using Azure Data Factory.

• Hands-on experience with Microsoft Azure services and tools relevant to data integration, storage, and analytics, with a specific emphasis on Azure Data Factory.

• Strong programming skills, including proficiency in languages commonly used in Azure environments (e.g., Python, SQL).

• Experience in implementing and enforcing data governance policies using Azure services.

• Excellent understanding of data security and compliance considerations within the Azure ecosystem.

• Effective collaboration and communication skills to work seamlessly with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

• Business acumen with the ability to align technical solutions with organizational goals.

• Relevant certifications in Azure Data Solutions, Data Management, or related fields will be a significant advantage.

Job level: 3B

Deadline: 31 March 2024

Notes: Only candidates authorized to work in Kenya, the Netherlands or the UK will be considered.

If you have any questions about the job vacancy, please contact the HR department: recruitment@ra.org


WHO WE ARE:The Rainforest Alliance is creating a more sustainable world by using social and market forces to protect nature and improve the lives of farmers and forest communities. To achieve our mission, we partner with diverse allies around the world to drive positive change across global supply chains and in many of our most critically important natural landscapes.

Our alliance spans 70 countries and includes farmers and forest communities, companies, governments, civil society, and millions of individuals. Together we work to protect forests and biodiversity, take action on climate, and promote the rights and improve the livelihoods of rural people.

As an international nonprofit organization with more than 30 years of experience in sustainability transformation, we understand that the social and economic well-being of rural communities is tightly connected to ecosystem health. This knowledge has shaped our rigorous programs to advance sustainable land-use and commodity production.

At the Rainforest Alliance we combat climate change, protect forests and biodiversity, promote human rights, and improve livelihoods. The enormity of the social and environmental challenges we are facing requires working together in a broad alliance. This is why we bring farmers, forest communities, companies, and consumers together to change the way the world produces, sources, and consumes.

WhyTo protect nature and improve lives it’s becoming increasingly urgent that we approach the way we use our land and produce food and other products in more sustainable ways. For this to succeed we need to fundamentally change the way that businesses operate and source, and the choices we all make as consumers.

HowOur growing global alliance aims to transform our relationship with our natural resources and each other, to create a better future for people and nature together.

The Rainforest Alliance encourages diversity and inclusion across the global organization. With this commitment to diversity, we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, color, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, ages, disability, and any other protected group.