Principal Backend Engineer at NCBA Group

JOB PURPOSE STATEMENT

The Principal Backend Engineer will be responsible for all development and maintenance of software integrations done by the digital business. This is a planning and development role whose focus is the analysis, design, development, and management (technical support) of the division’s integrations and API Strategy. The role leads the team that does integrations and API management.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES)

• Systems Analysis, Design and Development of NCBA Digital Business Integrations (30%): Responsible for the Design and Development of NCBA Integrations in accordance with Business Requirements. Champions the NCBA Digital Business API strategy for increasing market share.
• Expert Advice on Integrations and Owner of NCBA Digital Business Code Intellectual Property (25%): The incumbent will be the in-house expert on Integrations best practice. He / She will oversee code reviews (internal, and where necessary externally produced code) and in charge of maintaining the NCBA Code Repositories.
• Group IT Architecture (25%): Will contribute to the definition of the NCBA Digital Business IT Architecture and own the areas that specifically cover NCBA Internal Applications. The incumbent will be responsible for the refinement of the Architecture to ensure Application Development work carried out adheres to, and advances the GITA.
• Second Level Support and Problem Management (20%):  The role is responsible for proactively identifying commonly escalated Application issues and then researching, troubleshooting and providing more enduring solutions to these persistent issues for Internal Applications. The incumbent will lead the team responsible for 2nd Level Support on Internal Applications.

Main Activities

• Design and develop, and continuously improve, of the Bank’s Internal Middleware applications
• Provide expert guidance on 2nd level escalations on the bank’s Internal Software Applications to the team’s running the applications on a day-to-day basis
• Ensure that all the assigned bank integration platforms keep pace with technological innovations and developments as a way of protecting investment in technology.
• Evaluate, plan, implement and maintain the assigned work packages in IT Projects within agreed time and budget constraints.
• Provide input into the development and maintenance of Business Continuity Plan and Data Security Plan for the Internal Software Applications in order to guarantee continuation of services at all times. Ensure the systems he/she is responsible for adhere to the NCBA BCP and Data Security Plan
• Carry out code reviews on internally developed applications and where contracted, for externally developed code
• Maintain and ensure the consistency and back up of the NCBA Code Repository, in line with the BCP plan
• Knowledge Transfer on Internal Software Applications to the IT Operations and IT Applications Teams to allow for smooth day to day IT systems operations
• Provide expert input (on bespoke software applications) in the development and continuous improvement of the NCBA GITA.

JOB SPECIFICATIONS

Academic:

• A Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology or related field.
• A Master’s degree in Technology or Business-related course is an added advantage.
• Certification and experience implementing best practice frameworks e.g., ITIL, PRINCE2

Desired work experience:

• Minimum 8 years’ experience in IT systems development within a large highly digitized organization designing, implementing and managing mission critical systems, with at least 5 of those years within systems development on Web, Mobile, Windows and Solaris/Linux platforms.
• Experience in leading teams of security analysts will be an added advantage.

JOB COMPETENCIES

Technical Competencies

• Hands on experience in software development with major languages Java, C++, C# and practical experience using relation RDBMS e.g., Oracle and MS SQL etc.
• Hands-on experience in Mobile development on Android, iOS. Windows Mobile development is an added advantage
• Hands on experience in Web Development (AngularJS, NodeJS, Asp.Net) and Web Servers (Apache, Tomcat, IIS and Nginx)
• Experience with Code Repository (Version Control) tools (SVN, Git)
• Deep understanding of industry standard formats and protocols (JMS, SOAP, XML/XPath/XQuery, REST and JSON)
• Excellent analytical, problem solving and reporting skills
• A good knowledge of the systems and processes within Financial Services industry

Behavioural Competencies

• Relate easily and naturally with executives, business managers, technical teams and customers. Has excellent listening skills and understands the desires and challenges of all our leaders and customers.
• Ability to form trusted relationships with technical teams and customers
• Possess broad knowledge of business and has an interest in market trends. Have intricate knowledge of our business: its vision, mission, strategy, values and how it operates.
• Clearly communicate and share the planned cyber initiatives, reports, and risks with executives, business leaders, and stakeholders across the organization - in a manner that leaves them all touched, moved and inspired.
• Passionate about innovation. Loves technology and possesses both a deep and broad understanding of the technology market and cutting-edge technology and Cyber trends.
• Continuously listening to our stakeholder’s feedback and coming up with new architectures and enhancing existing ones to leverage these cutting-edge technologies.
• Self-motivated and self-managing.
• Have a material impact in attracting new customers, delighting existing customers, increasing our market share and enhancing our organizations efficiency and profits.
• Delivery model is organized around delighting our customers, increasing our profitability, and increasing the businesses efficiency.