Senior Specialist – Technology

ABOUT THE ROLECERT is looking for a Senior Specialist – Technology to lead end-to-end technical project delivery, driving solution architecture, AI/ML implementation, and cloud platform development aligned to our strategic objectives. You will serve as the primary technical interface between CERT's business functions, government and institutional clients, and external technology partners — taking solutions from requirements through to client acceptance while maintaining quality standards and SLA commitments.This is a hands-on senior role for someone equally comfortable designing cloud-native architectures, building and deploying AI/ML pipelines, leading pre-sales conversations, and mentoring development teams.KEY RESPONSIBILITIESSolution Architecture & Technical Project DeliveryLead full project lifecycles — requirements gathering, solution design, development, deployment, and client acceptance — ensuring delivery against business objectives and SLA targets.Architect scalable, cloud-native enterprise platforms on AWS and Azure using Infrastructure as Code (IaC) and CI/CD best practices.Develop and maintain strategic technology roadmaps; evaluate emerging technologies and drive adoption that improves delivery speed and operational efficiency.Apply agile methodologies to accelerate release cadence and reduce time-to-market for new capabilities.AI/ML & Cloud Platform ImplementationArchitect and deploy AI/ML solutions: computer vision (YOLO-based object detection, EasyOCR/OpenALPR), facial recognition (FaceNet/ArcFace), LLM/RAG systems (AWS Bedrock), and ML-driven analytics platforms.Manage the full MLOps lifecycle — automated model deployment pipelines, containerised serving, production monitoring, drift detection, and automated retraining (AWS SageMaker, Azure ML).Design and execute cloud migration strategies (AWS, Azure, GCP) with measurable cost and efficiency outcomes; implement microservices, event-driven messaging (Kafka, Azure Service Bus, AWS SQS/SNS), and robust database architectures (PostgreSQL, MS-SQL).Cybersecurity & ComplianceImplement and maintain cybersecurity protocols and compliance frameworks (UAE PDPL, GDPR) across all projects; conduct risk assessments and support internal and external audits.Ensure data privacy standards are embedded in solution design from inception through deployment.Pre-Sales & Stakeholder EngagementLead technical pre-sales initiatives — prepare comprehensive RFP responses, develop solution proposals, and deliver technical presentations to government and institutional clients (MoF, MoE, HCT, ADPF, and equivalent).Build and maintain strong relationships with clients and technology partners; manage vendor contracts and SLA adherence.Team & Vendor LeadershipLead and coordinate cross-functional development teams and external development partnerships, scaling resources to meet project demand while maintaining quality.Mentor team members; define development standards, testing strategies, and deployment workflows.Attend internal governance meetings; prepare regular project status and performance reports for senior leadership.WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FORExperience15+ years in technology, software development, or solution architecture — with at least 5 years in a senior or technical leadership capacity.Proven delivery of enterprise-scale cloud and AI/ML platforms for government or semi-government clients in the UAE or GCC.Track record of measurable outcomes: cost reductions, efficiency gains, and on-time client acceptance.Experience coordinating cross-functional teams, managing vendor relationships, and supporting pre-sales and RFP processes.Technical SkillsCloud: AWS (Bedrock, Lambda, API Gateway, S3, EC2, OpenSearch, SageMaker, CodeCommit) and Azure (Container Apps, DevOps, Front Door, Application Gateway, Key Vault); Infrastructure as Code (IaC)Languages: Python, TypeScript (React, Remix).NET / .NET Core: 10+ years of hands-on development experience in .NET / .NET Core (WebAPI, MVC, ASP.NET); deep understanding of enterprise application design patterns, performance optimisation, and secure codingVibe Coding & AI Development: Hands-on experience using Claude Code (Anthropic) for AI-assisted development; expertise in reviewing and validating AI-generated code for correctness, security, and maintainability; proven ability to mentor and upskill team members in responsible vibe coding practicesDatabases & Messaging: PostgreSQL (PostGIS, TimescaleDB), MS-SQL; Kafka, Azure Service Bus, AWS SQS/SNSAI/ML: Computer vision (OpenCV, YOLO, RetinaNet, EasyOCR), LLM/RAG (AWS Bedrock), MLOps (SageMaker, Azure ML), CI/CD for ML pipelinesPractices: Microservices architecture, CI/CD automation, DevOps, Agile/Scrum, security-first developmentOther RequirementsKnowledge of UAE PDPL, GDPR, and cybersecurity frameworks applicable to government technology projects.Strong communicator — able to present technical solutions clearly to non-technical stakeholders and at client level.UAE or GCC experience is mandatory; familiarity with a multi-cultural working environment.NICE TO HAVEAWS Certified Solutions Architect, Azure Solutions Architect Expert, or equivalent cloud certification.PMP, PRINCE2, or equivalent project management certification.ML Specialization (Stanford/Deeplearning.AI) or equivalent formal AI/ML credential.Experience with supercomputing, IoT platforms, or fleet management systems.Familiarity with Arabic language in a professional context.QUALIFICATIONSBachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or a related field (minimum). Postgraduate qualification in IT, AI/ML, or Business Administration is preferred.UAE NQF Level 7 or equivalent; overseas qualifications must be attested by UAE MOHE.Language:English – RequiredArabic - PreferredWORKING CONDITIONSLocation: Office-based, Abu Dhabi, UAE — with occasional site visits as requiredHours: Standard: Monday – Friday , 8:00 – 17:00Travel: Occasional (<10%), primarily within the UAEOn-Call: Availability required for critical production incidents outside standard working hoursContract: Full-time permanent; standard 6-month probation per UAE Labour Law