M-Pesa Africa - Systems Architect at Safaricom Kenya

JOB DESCRIPTION

Reporting to the Head of Architecture, M-Pesa Africa, the Systems Architect is responsible for producing and reviewing detailed application and infrastructure architecture designs covering the functional/non-functional requirements for the Mobile Payments platform. The Architect will also work closely with the Head of Architecture, Release Train Engineers, Systems Teams, local market technology and business stakeholders to ensure that the platforms meet the needs of the business within the boundaries of the architectural roadmap and strategy. 

The Systems Architect for M-Pesa Africa will have the opportunity to learn and grow within a dynamic IT and Fintech environment while contributing to the efficiency and reliability of our systems.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Ensure that M-Pesa Africa has a fit for purpose, future proof, highly resilient and performant infrastructure to deliver services across existing and future markets
• Define a set of purposeful system strategies, blueprints and roadmaps and initiatives which enhance solution design, performance, and usability
• Provide guidance for inter-team design and synchronize architectural implementation activities of systems
• Designing architecture that enables testability, deploy ability and releasability.
• Security: Security is a top priority. Infra Architect to design security measures to protect data, systems, and networks, including firewalls, encryption, intrusion detection systems, and access controls.
• Provide the technical basis for a fully evolutionary and incremental implementation approach.
• Performance Optimization: Continuously monitor and optimize the infrastructure for performance, resource utilization, and cost efficiency.
• Virtualization: Implement virtualization technologies to optimize resource utilization, improve scalability, and simplify IT management.
• Cloud Integration: Evaluate and integrate cloud computing solutions when appropriate, including public, private, or hybrid cloud deployments.
• Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity: Develop disaster recovery and business continuity plans, including backup and recovery strategies, to ensure data and system availability in case of disruptions.
• Define Systems that comply with local regulatory requirements around data sovereignty by implementing Cloud, Hybrid or On-prem solutions as required. 
• Promoting and building trust in the Continuous Delivery Pipeline for Agile Release Trains to independently explore and test ideas in a true production environment.
• Audit solution implementations to ensure alignment with Infrastructure Operations Design and M-Pesa architecture standards.
• Collaborating with Solution Architects to ensure discrete solutions created by ARTs (Agile Release Trains) and Suppliers fit into and support the larger capabilities of the overall solution
• Collaborate with Operations to ensure systems adhere to availability SLAs (Service Level Agreements).
• Define enabler capabilities and NFRs
• Participate in Pre- and Post-PI Planning to work with relevant stakeholders and define the architectural approach and high-level objectives for the upcoming PI planning
• Collaborate with Release Management to assess releasability of elements of the solution in line with the Release Strategy
• Actively working with Agile Teams to ensure that emergent design choices minimise technology complexity and avoid unnecessary duplication of capabilities

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, IT, Electrical Engineering or related fields
• 5+ years of experience inclusive of software architecture, software design and software development lifecycle
• Certification in Solution Architecture, TOGAF, Cloud expertise is desired
• Expertise in deploying, configuring, and supporting physical and virtual infrastructure – hardware, storage, and networking
• Experience in implementation of VMWare, IP networking and Firewall rules (design and guidance only) 
• Previous experience of AWS (Amazon Web Services hosting), and/or Azure public and private cloud technologies  (actual hands-on work will be required)
• Windows and Linux Operating Systems Administration, Active Directory design,SQL Server and Oracle Administration skills 
• Experience in any J2EE middleware and System & monitoring 
• Experience of working with vendors from own & other countries and COTS products
• Experience in Service Management and knowledge of ITIL
• Experience of implementation projects
• Knowledge and interest in market leading Mobile Money technologies, suppliers, and innovations
• Ability to mentor/coach developers and other architects in architecture principles
• Strong business acumen and leadership mindset with the ability to communicate and influence others
• Domain experience in Financial Services and Financial technologies will be an added advantage 
• Has demonstrable knowledge and experience in both Agile and Waterfall methodologies