NSW Justice CIO Appointed as Acting Technology Leader at Department of Customer Service

Summary Overview

• Naomi Youness has been named interim CIO for the NSW Department of Customer Service (DCS).
• Youness is currently the CIO at the NSW Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ).
• She is taking over the role formerly held by Aarti Joshi, who is currently on maternity leave.
• Joshi’s time in office included significant digital advancements and SAP cloud integration.
• DCJ now oversees the state’s ERP merger and shared services with DPHI.

Naomi Youness Takes on Interim CIO Role as Aarti Joshi Begins Maternity Leave

The NSW Department of Customer Service (DCS) has announced Naomi Youness, the present Chief Information Officer (CIO) at the NSW Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ), will take on the interim CIO position. This decision comes as Aarti Joshi, the current Group CIO, begins her maternity leave.

This setup ensures a smooth leadership transition in the state’s digital services sector, maintaining the continuity of essential projects and operational management.

Youness Offers Extensive IT Expertise in the Public Sector

Naomi Youness has been serving as the CIO at DCJ since July 2019. Throughout her tenure, she has spearheaded various digital transformation projects designed to modernize justice and community service systems throughout the state. Her qualifications encompass managing shared services, data governance, and extensive IT integrations.

Her interim position at DCS comes at a crucial juncture, as the department seeks to propel major enterprise IT advancements, such as migrating its enterprise resource planning (ERP) system to SAP’s managed cloud platform.

Aarti Joshi’s Transformative Impact at DCS

Since her appointment as Group CIO in July 2023, Aarti Joshi has guided several significant technology projects, notably consolidating the state’s ERP system. During her tenure, over 60,000 users were transitioned to the new centralized platform. This initiative aims to enhance operations across multiple agencies and elevate service delivery standards.

In a recent post on LinkedIn, Joshi reflected on her experiences at DCS, saying, “It’s been a period of transformation, enhancing foundations and equipping the team for the future.” She expressed her appreciation for the backing she received from her colleagues, clients, and mentors as she embarks on this new chapter in her life.

Modernising ERP and Cloud Migration within the NSW Government

The NSW Government has been making substantial investments in digital transformation, particularly emphasizing cloud-first methodologies. The ERP consolidation initiative, estimated at more than $200 million, forms part of a broader strategy to centralise and upgrade back-office systems among departments.

After DCS’s initial implementation, management responsibilities for the ERP system were allocated to DCJ in late 2021. DCJ now supervises the system under a shared services agreement with the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI). The migration to SAP’s managed cloud is anticipated to improve scalability, security, and performance in essential government functions.

Repercussions for the NSW Digital Government Strategy

With Youness now managing both the interim CIO responsibilities at DCS and her ongoing role at DCJ, this shift indicates a robust collaborative effort among crucial state departments. Her leadership is anticipated to guarantee the sustained success of the government’s digital transformation initiatives and maintain forward momentum on vital IT projects during Joshi’s leave.

This transition also emphasizes the NSW Government’s dedication to consistent leadership and the critical nature of fostering female leadership within the realm of public sector technology.

Recap

Naomi Youness has been designated as the interim CIO for the NSW Department of Customer Service while Aarti Joshi is on maternity leave. Youness brings extensive experience from her current position as the CIO at the Department of Communities and Justice. Under Joshi’s guidance, DCS experienced notable digital transformation, including transitioning 60,000 users to a new SAP-based ERP framework. Youness will now manage the ongoing development of these initiatives as the NSW Government progresses with its digital strategy.

Q: Who is Naomi Youness and what is her current role?

A:

Naomi Youness serves as the Chief Information Officer at the NSW Department of Communities and Justice. She has been in this position since July 2019 and is now taking on the interim CIO role at the Department of Customer Service.

Q: Why is Naomi Youness assuming the interim CIO role at DCS?

A:

Youness is temporarily stepping in to fill the CIO role while Aarti Joshi is on maternity leave, ensuring leadership continuity during a critical stage of DCS’s IT transformation.

Q: What major projects has Aarti Joshi spearheaded at DCS?

A:

Joshi has directed a major ERP system consolidation and cloud migration, affecting upwards of 60,000 users across various NSW Government departments. Her initiatives have paved the way for a more integrated and effective public sector IT framework.

Q: What makes the ERP consolidation initiative significant?

A:

The ERP project is integral to the NSW Government’s digital vision. It centralizes financial, human resources, and procurement systems across agencies, benefiting efficiency, transparency, and scalability.

Q: What is the role of DCJ in the ERP program?

A:

DCJ has assumed management of the ERP consolidation from DCS and is now in charge of overseeing the system through a shared services agreement with the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI).

Q: How does this appointment influence NSW’s digital transformation strategy?

A:

With an adept leader like Youness in charge, the digital transformation efforts at DCS are expected to maintain momentum. Her dual role guarantees cooperation between DCJ and DCS throughout this transition.

Q: Which cloud platform is utilized for the ERP system?

A:

The NSW Government is transitioning its ERP system to SAP’s managed cloud infrastructure. This strategy enhances performance, adaptability, and scalability for government operations.

Q: What implications does this leadership transition have for public sector IT in NSW?

A:

This leadership shift showcases the abundance of talent within NSW’s public sector IT and highlights a robust continuity strategy to ensure relentless progress on essential digital projects.