Freelance klantspecifiek EQUALMINDS

Assignment context

As part of the modernization of biometric capabilities and the management of identification data, the administration is responsible for the development, integration, and operation of a series of IT applications.

This includes, among others:

• A platform for managing and using a national digital photo database.

• Applications for dactyloscopic (fingerprint) and facial recognition expertise, provided by an external service provider within the public contract.

• Interfaces with existing systems of the Integrated Police.

• Support for the migration of biometric and photographic data.

In this context, the administration wishes to recruit a senior project manager who is responsible for coordinating internal and external application developments, managing the development teams involved in these projects, and supporting the Program Manager in the overall management of the program.

In addition, the candidate must also ensure the operational coordination and monitoring of the work and deliverables of the external supplier responsible for the solution related to dactyloscopic and facial recognition expertise.

The entire assignment must be carried out in close collaboration with the technical architects designated by the administration, and in compliance with the architecture principles, technical standards, and technological guidelines established by them.

Role

The project manager acts as the main coordinator of application developments within the program.

He/she is responsible for the planning, organization, monitoring, and coordination of the activities carried out by the various teams involved in the development, integration, and production implementation of the solutions.

The project manager ensures the coherence of the work performed by internal teams and external suppliers (in accordance with the specifications and their offer), monitors technical and functional dependencies, and coordinates with the functional project manager designated by the administration.

In addition, he/she provides direct support to the Program Manager in terms of governance, coordination, and program management.

Responsibilities

• Monitoring developments related to the platform for managing photos linked to biometric data.

• Organizing and coordinating the activities of the application development teams and overseeing projects related to the management and use of the platform.

• Ensuring the interoperability of the various solutions, particularly in terms of investigation files, judicial files, and international alerts.

• Ensuring smooth communication between the teams involved.

• In the role of coordinator with the external supplier:

  • Acting as the operational contact point for fingerprint and facial recognition expertise solutions.

  • Coordinating development and industrialization activities.

  • Establishing periodic reporting for stakeholders and management.

• Consolidating schedules of internal teams and external suppliers in collaboration with the supplier, monitoring milestones and deadlines, identifying the impact of delays or project dependencies, and establishing indicators and dashboards.

• Working closely with the organization's technical architects.

• Ensuring compliance with the organization's architectural standards.

• Ensuring overall coherence of the implemented solutions in collaboration with the functional project manager.

• Contributing with management to the development of quality processes and acceptance procedures within the public contract of the program.

Profile sought

You have strong leadership skills, can unite various stakeholders (technical teams, management, and clients) around a common goal, and quickly build a relevant network.

You show empathy but can also demonstrate sufficient firmness when the situation requires it.

You can adapt your management style to different personalities, characters, and diverse profiles. Additionally, you are able to correctly assess the competencies and capabilities of team members so that the right tasks are assigned to the right individuals.

You can manage priorities to achieve objectives within the set deadlines and adjust these priorities when unexpected situations or difficulties arise.

You are proficient in English and one of the two national languages. An active knowledge of one national language and at least a passive knowledge of the other is a significant asset.

Knowledge of the police environment, and more specifically the Federal Judicial Police, is a major advantage.

Technical competencies

• Knowledge of information systems, architecture, business applications, and application integrations.

• Mastery of project methodologies such as Agile, Scrum, DevOps, and GitLab.

• Thorough knowledge of the application lifecycle.

• Experience with management and collaboration tools such as Jira, OpenProject, SharePoint, Microsoft Teams, etc.

• Experience in program management in a multi-stakeholder environment.

• Knowledge of testing, validation, and acceptance processes for software.

Soft skills

Ability to connect people
Able to align diverse profiles around a common goal.

Perseverance
Maintain course and not give up, even in the face of major difficulties.

Ability to put things into perspective and manage tensions
Calm conflicts, maintain a constructive atmosphere under pressure, and act as a mediator between stakeholders and the team.

Initiative
Act proactively, identify challenges in a timely manner, and initiate project dynamics without always waiting for approval.

Setting priorities
Identify critical tasks to achieve objectives, maintain a long-term vision, and reorganize work based on unforeseen circumstances or new elements that arise during the project.

User/customer orientation
Manage priorities considering the real needs of the field and user experience.

Clear and spontaneous communication
Communicate effectively, deliver the right message at the right time and level, and explain technical concepts to non-technical profiles.

Helicopter view
Integrate technical, human, organizational, and political aspects in decision-making.

Analytical thinking
Look beyond symptoms and identify the underlying causes of problems.

Work schedule

Telework is allowed.

Practical information

Start: asap

Schedule: full-time, with 2 days in the office

Location: Brussels Kruidtuin

Languages: preferably trilingual

Skills

• Service-Oriented and Event-Driven Architecture Level Confirmed Most recent experience Any time

• Knowledge of information systems, architecture, business applications, integration between applications Level Confirmed Most recent experience Any time

• Multi-Stakeholder Program Management Level Confirmed Most recent experience Any time

• Project Management Level Expert Most recent experience Any time

• Testing, validation process management Level Confirmed Most recent experience Any time

• GitLab Level Confirmed Most recent experience Any time

• JIRA Level Confirmed Most recent experience Any time

• OpenProject Level Confirmed Most recent experience Any time

• Scrum Level Confirmed Most recent experience Any time