Academic Applications Analyst

Job purpose

Main accountabilities

• Manage instructional technologies and services, including the learning management system; administer Blackboard and related tools.
• Advise on instructional technology adoption, explore new solutions, and develop and deliver workshops, training, manuals, and guidelines.
• Assist with policies and procedures and manage unit operations, services, and support.
• Coordinate regular system backups with system and database administrators.
• Install, upgrade, update, tune, configure, and archive systems; troubleshoot and document system problems and bugs.
• Integrate Blackboard with other systems using developed solutions or building blocks.
• Monitor technology developments and recommend improvements; prepare requested reports, analyses, and statistics.

Required skills

• Excellent oral and written communication and professional document preparation in Arabic and English; excellent customer service skills.
• Experience in system development and application support; good understanding of required software and hardware.
• Functional knowledge of higher-education Finance, Human Resources, student, or operations areas using Ellucian Banner ERP or administrative systems.
• Solid PL/SQL and SQL background, including analysis and coding with templates, common packages, and object libraries.
• Strong background in Argos, Crystal, or Discoverer reporting tools.
• Able to explain common errors to users, prioritize tasks, prepare reports under strict guidelines, and solve problems with attention to detail.
• Strong listening and questioning skills, confident user interaction, technical support capability, integrity, openness, and commitment to good governance.
• Flexibility and ability to work effectively as part of a team.

Desirable requirements

• A bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a related discipline is desirable.
• Two to four years of UAE experience in a similar role, preferably in higher education, is desirable.
• Knowledge of Ellucian Extensibility or ETHOS, Java, Groovy, Grails, or equivalent web application development is a plus.

Job location

• The job location is the University of Sharjah (Main).