JOB COMPETENCY PROFILE

TECHNICAL ADVISOR, CS 03
APPLICATION DEVELOPMENT
LARGE AND MEDIUM ORGANIZATIONS
JOB NUMBER GNCS030011

Organizational Readiness Office

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction ......................................................................................................... i

Job Competency Profile Technical Advisor, Application Development

Competency Summary Technical Advisor, Application Development............. 1
Analytical Thinking ............................................................................................. 2
Client Focus ....................................................................................................... 2
Communication .................................................................................................. 3
Continuous Learning.......................................................................................... 3
Creative Thinking ............................................................................................... 4
Teamwork .......................................................................................................... 4
Application Development/Support & Maintenance ............................................. 5
Architecture........................................................................................................ 5
Business Analysis .............................................................................................. 6
Database Design & Management ...................................................................... 6
IT Project Management...................................................................................... 7
Security/Information & Application Protection .................................................... 7

INTRODUCTION
Job Competency Profiles (JCPs) are one of many products developed as part of IT
Community Generics. Our goal is to provide you with a consistent and coordinated
approach to managing resources across government, with IT employees regarded as
community resources. Within the IT community, jobs are categorized within a work
stream which represents a function. There are currently eight IT streams in the large
and medium organizations 1 and a competency profile has been developed for each
generic job/role within each stream. Because the Job Competency Profiles are
designed based on the organizational models and the Generic Work Descriptions, they
should only be used in conjunction with the implementation of IT Community Generics.
The Job Competency Profiles for the community describe the essential behavioural and
technical competencies that employees must demonstrate and maintain throughout the
course of their careers as IT professionals. In addition to representing current
requirements, the competencies also reflect the dynamic and evolving nature of the IT
discipline. They are therefore the foundation from which IT professionals can base their
continuing professional development. In summary, then, a JCP is a set of competencies
and associated behaviours at the appropriate proficiency level, that link directly to work
that needs to be done in order to achieve overall strategic priorities.
A competency profile can be used by individuals and groups as a source document for a
variety of human resources activities. The level of detail will depend on the application.
For example, when establishing the staffing requirements of a role/position, it is
generally necessary to focus only on the bring competencies those that are identified
as key to immediate successful performance on the job. These are often behavioural
and technical competencies the candidates must have learned, developed or acquired
prior to commencing in the position. The learn competencies, on the other hand, are
critical to successful performance once the employee is on the job. These would
therefore not be assessed during the recruitment and selection process but could be
included in the employees learning plan.
When you use the Job Competency Profiles for staffing, learning and development and
career planning, please provide us with your feedback. We intend to continue making
revisions to the Profiles based on your experience.
For further information, please refer to the following documents on the ORO website
www.ITgenerics.gc.ca:
o
o

Implementation Guide;
Behavioural and Technical Dictionaries, which provide an in-depth
description of competency proficiency levels.

The IT Job Competency Profiles were developed through a series of consultation

sessions with subject matter experts from across government. We wish to thank all
participants in the process for their assistance and guidance.

Large and medium organizations are based on the size of the CS population. Medium: 150
499. Large: greater than 500.
i

COMPETENCY SUMMARY
TECHNICAL ADVISOR, APPLICATION DEVELOPMENT
COMPETENCY

COMPETENCY DEFINITION

PROFICIENCY
LEVEL

Analytical Thinking

Interpreting, linking and analyzing information to

understand issues.

Client Focus

Identifying and responding to current and future client

needs; providing service excellence to internal and
external clients.

Communication

Listening to others and communicating in an effective

manner that fosters open communication.

Continuous
Learning

Identifying and addressing individual strengths and

weaknesses, developmental needs and changing
circumstances to enhance personal and organizational
performance.

Creative Thinking

Questioning conventional approaches, exploring

alternatives and responding to challenges with
innovative solutions or services, using intuition,
experimentation and fresh perspectives.

Teamwork

Working collaboratively with others to achieve common

goals and positive results.

Application
Development /
Support and
Maintenance

Knowledge and ability to design, define, construct,

enhance, support and maintain application software on
one or more platforms.

Architecture

Knowledge and ability to apply architecture theories,

principles, concepts, practices, methodologies and
frameworks.

Business Analysis

Knowledge and ability to apply the principles of business

analysis in the planning, reengineering, requirement
gathering for government business environments,
operations, processes and practices.

Database Design
& Management

Knowledge and ability to apply the methods, practices

and policies that are used in the design and the
management of databases.

IT Project
Management

Knowledge and ability to apply formal project

management principles and practices during the
planning, implementation, monitoring and completion of
projects, ensuring effective management of scope,
resources, time, cost, quality, risk and communications.

Security /
Information &
Application
Protection

Knowledge and ability to ensure there are adequate

technical and organizational safeguards to protect the
continuity of IT infrastructure services by the
implementation of IT security principles, methods,
practices, policies and tools that are used in securing IT
resources including information and operations security,
physical security, business continuity/disaster recovery
planning, methods to deal with security breaches and
security assessment in a technical environment.

Job Competency Profile

Technical Advisor, Application Development (CS 03)

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BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES
ANALYTICAL THINKING
Analytical thinking involves interpreting, linking and analyzing information to understand issues.

WHY THIS COMPETENCY MATTERS

Application Development Technical Advisors must be able to both understand and respond to
complex issues. They see the connections between problems and issues and manipulate that
information in order to develop short- and long-term plans and recommendations for
management, clients and other stakeholders. When conducting research and feasibility studies,
they make sound inferences from available information and draw logical conclusions. They are
capable of adapting their thinking style, using cause and effect relationships to analyze problems
in a step-by-step way or by making connections between situations or things that are not
obviously related.

TARGET LEVEL: 3 Analyzes complex relationships

Fully competent Application Development Technical Advisors:

Analyze complex situations, breaking each into its constituent parts

Recognize and assess several likely causal factors or ways of interpreting the information
available

Identify connections between situations that are not obviously related

CLIENT FOCUS
Client Focus means identifying and responding to current and future client needs and providing
service excellence to internal and external clients.

WHY THIS COMPETENCY MATTERS

Application Development Technical Advisors realize the importance of making a commitment to
clients to meet their expectations. They take the time to collect, firsthand, client information
regarding technology requirements and they can describe the organizations various IT
applications in terms of their ability to help clients deliver results. When necessary, Technical
Advisors must be prepared to use their creativity and flexibility to ensure that the assistance they
provide addresses their clients needs. They frequently ask for feedback from clients regarding
the service they provide and ensure that this feedback is reflected in any advice they offer and
any corrective action they take.

TARGET LEVEL: 2 Builds positive client relations

Fully competent Application Development Technical Advisors:

Contact clients to follow up on services, solutions or products to ensure that their needs have
been correctly and effectively met

Understand issues from the clients perspective

Monitor services provided to clients and make timely adjustments as required

Keep clients up-to-date with information and decisions that affect them

Job Competency Profile

Technical Advisor, Application Development (CS 03)

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COMMUNICATION
Communication involves listening to others and communicating in an effective manner that
fosters open communication.

WHY THIS COMPETENCY MATTERS

Application Development Technical Advisors serve as liaison between the IT/IM organization and
the business clients. Their ability to communicate effectively is critical to their success in this role.
They must use active listening skills asking questions to check their understanding,
summarizing and challenging to ensure they clearly understand both explicit and implicit
messages. As an intermediary between the technical and business areas and as a technical
expert in the field of application development, they must also be able to adapt their
communication style to the widely varying needs of various groups management, project teams,
working groups and clients.

TARGET LEVEL: 3 Adapts communication to others

Fully competent Application Development Technical Advisors:

Adapt content, style, tone and medium of communication to suit the target audiences
language, cultural background and level of understanding

Take others perspectives into account when communicating, negotiating or presenting

arguments (e.g., presenting benefits from all perspectives)

Respond to and discuss issues/questions in an understandable manner without being

defensive and while maintaining the dignity of others

Anticipate reactions to messages and adapt communications accordingly

CONTINUOUS LEARNING
Continuous Learning is identifying and addressing individual strengths and weaknesses,
developmental needs and changing circumstances to enhance personal and organizational
performance.

WHY THIS COMPETENCY MATTERS

As a recognized authority in IT Applications, Technical Advisors continually upgrade their skills
and knowledge in this discipline as well as in all related fields. Their commitment to learning and
self-development is a cornerstone of their role and they use a variety of techniques to stay
current. They focus on acquiring knowledge that will help them meet high standards of
performance on the job and thereby help the organization to better achieve its objectives. An
effective Applications Development Technical Advisor also shares knowledge with others.

TARGET LEVEL: 3 Seeks learning opportunities beyond current

requirements
Fully competent Application Development Technical Advisors:

Set challenging goals and standards of excellence for themselves in view of growth beyond
the current job

Actively pursue self-development on an ongoing basis (technically and personally)

Pursue assignments designed to challenge abilities

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Technical Advisor, Application Development (CS 03)

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CREATIVE THINKING
Creative Thinking involves questioning conventional approaches, exploring alternatives and
responding to challenges with innovative solutions or services, using intuition, experimentation
and fresh perspectives.

WHY THIS COMPETENCY MATTERS

In an environment of rapid, unpredictable change, it is critical to be able to break through
traditional methods and approaches and think innovatively. Application Development Technical
Advisors, when advising and guiding project teams, working groups and business clients, keep an
open mind to new ideas and look for innovative solutions, challenging the status quo and
accepted thinking. They understand long-term business objectives and how new approaches can
help achieve them. By identifying weaknesses in current processes and activities, Technical
Advisors are able to devise new and, at times, unconventional methods to overcome these
weaknesses.

TARGET LEVEL: 3 Introduces new approaches

Fully competent Application Development Technical Advisors:

Search for ideas or solutions that have worked in other environments and apply them to the
organization

Use existing solutions in innovative ways to solve problems

See long-term consequences of potential solutions

TEAMWORK
Teamwork involves working collaboratively with others to achieve common goals and positive
results.

WHY THIS COMPETENCY MATTERS

When teams are used to solve problems and make decisions, different resources can be brought
together to interact and develop options that would not be available if an individual was acting on
his/her own. The Application Development Technical Advisor is critical to team effectiveness,
demonstrating flexibility, openness, support for others contributions and a commitment to
business goals. When necessary, the Technical Advisor takes on a leadership role, emphasizing
the teams goals, helping to define the problem/issue and treating others with respect.

TARGET LEVEL: 3 Demonstrates leadership in teams

Fully competent Application Development Technical Advisors:

Build relationships with team members and with other work units
Foster team spirit and collaboration within teams
Discuss problems/issues with team members that could affect results
Communicate expectations for teamwork and collaboration
Facilitate the expression of diverse points of view to enhance teamwork
Capitalize on the strengths of all members
Give credit for success and acknowledge contributions and efforts of individuals to team
effectiveness

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Technical Advisor, Application Development (CS 03)

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TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES

APPLICATION DEVELOPMENT/SUPPORT & MAINTENANCE

Application Development/Support and Maintenance is the knowledge and ability to design, define,
construct, enhance, support and maintain application software on one or more platforms.

TARGET LEVEL: 4 Advanced

Fully competent Application Development Technical Advisors:

Demonstrate in-depth knowledge and capability in software construction, testing,

infrastructure, configuration, a wide range of system development methodologies and
operating standards

Demonstrate knowledge in multiple applications, data management systems and

technologies or in a single area of expertise

Demonstrate application and corporate knowledge and understand how a change would
affect multiple applications

Makes recommendations/decisions I application and program design, standards and program

enhancements

Debug very complex or urgent problems

Analyze and model business functions, processes and information flow within or between
systems

Provide guidance/mentor on programming practices and techniques to individuals and crossfunctional teams

ARCHITECTURE
Architecture is the knowledge and ability to apply architecture theories, principles, concepts,
practices, methodologies and frameworks.

TARGET LEVEL: 3 Intermediate

Fully competent Application Development Technical Advisors:

Focus on a single area of expertise

Produce analytic and candidate design models to be used for further analysis (e.g.,
telecommunications, networks)

Demonstrate awareness of other architectures

Sign off functional models

Validate models created by projects and/or junior staff

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Technical Advisor, Application Development (CS 03)

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BUSINESS ANALYSIS
Business Analysis is the knowledge and ability to apply the principles of business analysis in the
planning, reengineering and requirement gathering for government business environments,
operations, processes and practices.

TARGET LEVEL: 3 Intermediate

Fully competent Application Development Technical Advisors:

Understand the clients roles, requirements, planning and processes

Understand and work within governance principles

Understand audit and compliance principles, change management principles and the impact
of changes

Understand how technologies can enable business processes

Translate business requirements into technical requirements

Develop clear requirement statements

Develop simple business cases

Carry out simple business process reengineering models and redesign processes

DATABASE DESIGN & MANAGEMENT

Database Design and Management is the knowledge and ability to apply the methods, practices
and policies that are used in the design and the management of databases.

TARGET LEVEL: 3 Intermediate

Fully competent Application Development Technical Advisors:

Demonstrate working level understanding of a single DBMS relevant operating system,

applications business rules and its dependencies with other applications, databases and/or
business partners

Apply a wide range of concepts to the corporate/vendor environment (e.g., database security
and/or individual profiles)

Make recommendations on logical / physical models (e.g., convert from logical model,
implement and maintain physical model to meet storage, availability and performance
requirements)

Develop, code, test and review complex database access modules

Solve problems that impact on the business or service, resolve data integrity issues and
implement data integrity safeguards, and use diagnostic and monitoring tools to prevent
problems/enhance performance and availability

Demonstrate a solid knowledge of system testing and integration environments

Develop, select, recommend and implement strategies for backup and recovery, data populations and
migration
Conduct general impact analysis on database change management

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IT PROJECT MANAGEMENT
IT Project Management is the knowledge and ability to apply formal project management
principles and practices during the planning, implementation, monitoring and completion of
projects, ensuring the effective management of scope, resources, time, cost, quality, risk and
communication.

TARGET LEVEL: 2 Basic

Fully competent Application Development Technical Advisors:

Understand project reporting

Develop simple project plans including work breakdown structure and estimates
Identify and escalate issues and potential delays
Manage small, straightforward projects or specific components of larger projects

SECURITY/INFORMATION & APPLICATION PROTECTION

Security/Information and Application Protection is knowledge and ability to ensure there are
adequate technical and organizational safeguards to protect the continuity of IT infrastructure
services by the implementation of IT security principles, methods, practices, policies and tools
that are used in securing IT resources including information and operations security, physical
security, business continuity/disaster recovery planning, methods to deal with security breaches
and security assessment in a technical environment.

TARGET LEVEL: 2 Basic

Fully competent Application Development Technical Advisors:

Understand concepts of IT security and its application to computer systems architecture

Job Competency Profile

Technical Advisor, Application Development (CS 03)

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