Context

Eaux de Wallonie carries a strong ambition to leverage data as a strategic asset shared among operators.

This ambition is part of the sector-wide approach led by Eaux de Wallonie, which unites public water operators (SPGE, OAA, and distributors) around efficient, fair, and shared management of sector data.

This call for applications originates from the business side, which oversees the project.

It calls upon the expertise of Digit’Eaux, engaged “as a Service.” Digit’Eaux is the preferred partner of water sector stakeholders in Wallonia for the execution of digital transformation projects.

The strategy concerning sector data is driven and shared within the Digital platform, which regularly brings together operators to coordinate joint data initiatives, notably:

• the implementation of master data management;
• data harmonization and interoperability between operators for business needs;
• sharing dashboards and quantitative data between organizations;
• leveraging data as a true asset to optimize our investments.

In this context, Eaux de Wallonie wishes to benefit, through Digit’Eaux (“as a Service”), from the services of an experienced data architect / data governance lead in order to design and deploy the sectoral data governance framework and data architecture (data dictionary, master data repository, target data model) to serve water sector operators (wastewater and drinking water), with a controlled sharing and interoperability approach between organizations.

The sought profile will ensure the coherence of their deliverables with the standards and directions collectively defined within the Digital platform.

The consultant will collaborate with the architecture team, Data leads, business process data representatives, as well as various teams from the concerned partners. The Data representatives ensure cross-functional coherence and maintain the link with the field, while the business representatives master the data in their domain and feed the cross-functional governance.

Mission

The Chief Data Architect will be responsible for the end-to-end management of defining and implementing the sector’s data governance framework and data architecture, according to the phasing and schedule agreed with the sector.

They will notably be responsible for preparing (in very close interaction with the various sector stakeholders) and presenting the following deliverables:

• Data governance and architecture roadmap
• Data dictionary
• Master Data Management (MDM) repository and associated business rules
• Target data model and architecture
• Data governance framework: policies, roles, and standards
• Classification scale and ownership principles
• Data quality catalog and indicators
• Repository of sector-specific KPIs
• Mapping of data flows and interoperability
• Consideration of regulatory requirements – NIS2, GDPR,…
• Register of data decisions and arbitrations (master conflicts, classification exceptions, backlog prioritization)
• Presentation materials for the Digital sector platform

The Chief Data Architect is accountable for all project deliverables and their compliance with quality, scheduling, and governance requirements.

To achieve this, they will rely on internal teams, including Data leads, internal enterprise architects, business representatives, as well as all other relevant business stakeholders from the concerned organizations, who contribute to the production of these deliverables.

Nevertheless, the Chief Data Architect remains responsible for the overall coherence, quality, and validation of the produced deliverables, as well as their presentation to the project governance bodies (Digital sector platform).

Skills

Required general experience

• Minimum 10 years of experience in data governance, data architecture, or data management.
• Proven experience in implementing data governance frameworks and repositories (MDM, data dictionary, quality catalog).
• Experience in strategic consulting assignments with executive committees / management boards.
• Experience in multi-business or multi-entity organizations (public, semi-public, utilities, etc.).

Relevant sector experience desired

Experience in:

• Public services / intermunicipal organizations / local authorities
• Utilities (water, energy, …)
• Technical organizations handling industrial and geospatial data

Valued knowledge:

• Water business systems and associated data
• GIS / geomatics (distribution zones, networks)
• SAP (master data)
• SCADA data / sensors / IoT
• Asset management (asset data)

Data governance and architecture skills

The profile must combine collaborative facilitation, technical data expertise, and cross-functional governance, from data dictionary to master data, throughout the asset lifecycle.

Expected skills:

• Data dynamic facilitation & structuring
• Leading workshops, data communities, and change management
• Facilitating the community of owners and stewards and the circle of representatives, with a population-specific awareness plan
• Explaining data-related challenges in accessible terms
• Education and awareness-raising about data
• Facilitation
• Diplomacy, management, and alignment of inter-organizational stakeholders
• Strategic vision linking data to public service missions

• Reporting to governance bodies

• Technical mastery of data

• Data dictionary and metadata management
• Master Data Management (MDM) and data quality
• Data modeling and architecture
• Data interoperability and exchange (API, standards)

• Data asset lifecycle

• Cross-functional governance & compliance

• Governance framework: roles, policies, and standards
• Cross-functional use throughout business processes
• Integrated regulatory compliance – NIS2, GDPR
• Value-driven management and quality indicators

• End-to-end data security and trust

• Appreciated frameworks and standards:

• DAMA-DMBOK
• DCAM
• ISO 8000 / ISO 11179 (quality and metadata)
• TOGAF / ArchiMate (Information/Data layer)

Understanding of public sector issues

Valued knowledge:

• Data sharing between operators
• Digital transformation of public services
• Public budget constraints
• Open data and data sharing

Mission conditions

Duration: 6 months to one year, extendable if necessary

Start date: As soon as possible.

End of mission: The first expected deliverables must be provided within 6 months of the mission start.

Workload: 120 days.

Work location: The main site is located in Loyers. Travel will be required to operator offices.

Work organization: In-person meetings and exchanges should be prioritized. All consolidation work and report writing can be done remotely.