Senior Research Officer (IT)

The Senior Research Officer (Information Technology) is responsible for the overall planning and execution of all IT functions at the Older Persons Standards Authority (OPSA). All IT operations, including support and maintenance of existing applications, and development of new technical solutions, are to meet business requirements.

The post reports directly to the respective Director.

Principal Responsibilities

The Senior Research Officer (Information Technology) is responsible to:

• Identify the business requirements for technology tools based on a sound understanding of a complex business environment as well as specific business needs.
• Manage the objective evaluation and selection of IT tools and systems.
• Create, maintain, and enforce standards and procedures for using and implementing technical solutions.
• Manage project implementation and support of technological operation systems and infrastructure.
• Manage all aspects of IT Operations within the Authority.

Essential Functions

The key functions of the Senior Research Officer (Information Technology) are to:

• Lead IT projects including infrastructure, business solutions, information security and IT Administration support.
• Provide general system administration services such as first-line technical support to end users, system updates, and infrastructure configuration as may be required by the Authority and its personnel from time to time.
• Set up onboarding and termination SOPs.
• Collaborate with key internal and external stakeholders as required by the Authority.
• Design, develop, implement and coordinate IT Systems.
• Provide regular awareness and education programmes to all Authority's staff.
• Execute project management tasks according to a documented schedule that meets or exceeds the Authority’s expectations.
• Be responsible for all IT hardware and software procurement documentation, process of selection and evaluations.
• Collaborate with all the Authority’s units and committees.
• Prepare ad-hoc and regular reports as may be required from time to time.
• Carry out any other duties as directed by the Director or the Chief Executive Officer.

Business Skills

• Analyse, evaluate, and prioritise IT business requirements.
• Demonstrate ability to bring the benefits of IT to solve business issues whilst also managing costs and risk.
• Able to develop solutions to bring the benefits of information technology to solve business needs.
• Project management skills supported by the ability to conceptualise, launch and deliver multiple projects on time and within respective IT budget.
• Identify and evaluate emerging technological developments and gauge their appropriateness with a particular emphasis on understanding trends in Information Technology and management.
• Ability to generate trust and build alliances with co-workers.
• Ability to oversee, plan, coordinate, direct and review all aspects of Information Technology Services.
• Ability to understand the needs of non-technical internal clients.
• Provide strong project monitoring and control.
• Possess good organisational skills with strong ethical values and high integrity.
• Have an analytical approach to work with an assertive personality as well as a demonstrated passion for excellence across all aspects of management regarding the Authority.

Knowledge

• Broad experience in managing information technology or related activities.
• A strategic thinker able to communicate with OPSA personnel and stakeholders.
• Ability to develop policies and procedures to improve the OPSA knowledge in IT related matters.
• Problem solver with an eye for detail.

Qualification and Experience Required

By the closing time and date of this call for applications, applicants must be:

1. Proficient, both verbally and in writing, in the Maltese and English languages;

And

1. In possession of a recognised Master`s qualification at MQF level 7 (subject to a minimum of 90 ECTS/ECVET credits, or equivalent, with regard to programmes commencing as from October 2008) in Computing or ICT or a relevant comparable professional qualification;

or

1. In possession of a recognised Bachelor’s qualification at MQF Level 6 (subject to a minimum of 180 ECTS/ECVET credits, or equivalent, with regard to programmes commencing as from October 2003) in Computing or ICT or a relevant comparable professional qualification, plus two (2) years relevant work experience.
2. In possession of a recognised Undergraduate Diploma qualification at MQF Level 5 (subject to a minimum of 60 ECTS/ECVET credits, or equivalent, with regard to programmes commencing as from October 2003) in Computing or ICT or a relevant comparable professional qualification, plus three (3) years relevant work experience.

*A recognised comparable qualification, as applicable, is only accepted subject to an MQRIC formal recognition statement being submitted with the application.

Terms and Conditions

The post of Senior Research Officer (Information Technology) is for an indefinite term and is subject to a probationary period of twelve (12) months. It carries an annual salary of €28,351.00 in 2026 with an annual Increment of €487.00, and any applicable allowances as per OPSA Collective Agreement 2022-2026.

Eligible applicants will be interviewed by a Selection Board to assess their suitability to carry out the mentioned duties. The maximum mark for this selection process is 100% and the pass mark is 50%.

Submission Requirements

1. Covering letter highlighting experience.
2. Curriculum vitae (CV).
3. A scanned copy of Qualifications and Certificates including Transcripts and Recognition Statements*.
4. Police Certificate of Conduct (issued within the last six (6) months from closing date).

*Submission of Recognition Statements in respect of Qualifications

1. With the exception of those qualifications referred to in paragraphs 2 and 3 hereunder, applicants are required to submit a recognition statement by the Malta Qualifications Recognition Information Centre (MQRIC) within the Malta Further and Higher Education Authority, which is to be obtained by submitting an online “Application for the Recognition of Qualifications” at https://mfhea.mt/academic-qualifications/.

2. Prior to requesting recognition statements as per paragraph 1 above in respect of their qualifications, candidates should first consult the “Malta Qualifications Database” of the MFHEA which can be accessed on http:/qualifications.ncfhe.gov.mt/#/dashboard. Applicants are exempt from submitting a recognition statement as mentioned in paragraph 1 if they are presenting qualifications listed therein. A print of such list including the qualification is to be submitted by the applicant.

3. No recognition statement by MQRIC is required in respect of qualifications issued by Maltese self-accrediting institutions, these being the University of Malta, MCAST and ITS; or any Maltese qualification that has been accredited by the MFHEA, which on the certificates states: The ‘Malta Further And Higher Education Authority deems this certificate to be MQF …….. ’.

Applications are to be sent electronically to [email protected]

Applications are to be received by not later than 12:00 hours (noon) (Central European Time) of Friday 27th November 2026. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that applications are received within this deadline as late submissions will not be accepted.

Applicants are granted up to two (2) working days after closing date or from date of notification, whichever is the latest, to submit any incorrect, incomplete, or missing documents.

The OPSA shall process information provided by candidates solely for the purpose of this vacancy. In the event of unsuccessful applications, the Authority may keep applicants’ personal data on file for a period up to twelve months following the date that the post applied for was filled. Applicants’ information will only be used to identify any future employment opportunities within the Authority for which applicants may be suited. Applicants are free to withdraw their application and their consent to the retention of their personal data, at any time.