API Support Analyst at NCBA Group

Job Purpose Statement

The API Operations Analyst is responsible for defining, deploying, and monitoring APIs using the bank's standards. This role requires an understanding of business capabilities of APIs, client application needs, and collaborative work across functional units to identify ecosystem and process gaps. The analyst evaluates API performance, identifies bottlenecks, develops solutions, and implements them with developers' assistance. Additionally, the role involves testing and evaluating functional and non-functional requirements for new and existing software. Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work in an agile team are essential to ensure quality throughout the development process.

Key Accountabilities (Duties and Responsibilities)

• API Operations (40%): Design, develop, and continuously improve API integration platforms. Document APIs with detailed requests, responses, and error handling.
• API Documentation (10%): Create and maintain API documentation, including descriptions, requests, responses, and error messages.
• Support and Problem Management (10%): Provide timely technical support to clients, vendors, and internal teams integrating with APIs.
• Governance (10%): Adhere to internal policies and procedures for application development, maintain and audit service lifecycle artifacts, and comply with ITIL and other best practices.
• Stakeholder Management (10%): Manage relationships with technical platform owners and internal business owners.
• Continuous Improvement (20%): Advise internal customers on technology improvements to achieve business objectives.

Job Specifications

Ideal Job Specifications:

• Experience in core banking software design and development, preferably T24.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, Java, C#, or JavaScript.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Knowledge of financial services systems and processes.
• Familiarity with issue/bug tracking tools (e.g., TestRail, JIRA) and continuous integration tools (e.g., Gitlab CI, Jenkins).
• Experience with API testing tools and test automation.
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in IT systems development, working with APIs, and providing technical support.
• Understanding of REST APIs, SOAP, JSON, authentication, and authorization technologies.

Core Value Behaviors:

• Driven: Decisive, bold, and passionate, aiming to deliver high standards and explore full potential.
• Open: Inclusive, respectful, and transparent, with candid interactions.
• Responsive: Proactive, quick to act, and customer-focused.
• Trusted: Team-oriented, with high integrity and accountability.

Technical Competencies:

• Understanding customer requirements and project KPIs.
• Implementing API deployment, testing, automation tools, and IT infrastructure.
• Managing stakeholders and external interfaces.
• Defining development, test, release, update, and support processes for API operations.
• Reviewing, verifying, and validating software code.
• Troubleshooting and advising on code fixes.
• Monitoring processes for adherence and improvement.
• Encouraging automated processes.
• Implementing API security measures.
• Managing incident response and root cause analysis.
• Coordinating and communicating within the team and with customers.
• Reporting progress to the line manager.

Behavioral Competencies:

• Excellent interpersonal skills, relating easily with executives, business managers, technical teams, and customers.
• Commercial acumen with broad business knowledge and interest in market trends.
• Strong leadership and communication skills, able to inspire and rally the technology team.
• Innovative and adaptable, with a passion for technology and continuous improvement.
• Self-driven and results-oriented, with a focus on customer satisfaction, profitability, and efficiency.

Job Dimensions

• Reporting Relationships: No direct reports; indirect reports include consultants from technology vendors.
• Stakeholder Management: Liaise with internal digital bank heads, line managers, IT heads, and external vendors, partners, customers, public organizations, and regulators.
• Decision Making Authority: Empowered to make strategic decisions on technical architecture, design, development, governance, security, and optimization, as well as operational decisions on change management.
• Work Cycle and Impact: Short-term planning (1-3 months).