GROUP SOLUTIONS ARCHITECT

The Group Solutions Architect’s role is to architect information technology solutions in line with the overarching enterprise architecture and strategic plan.

SCOPE OF JOB:

The Group Solutions Architect’s role is to architect information technology solutions in line with the overarching enterprise architecture and strategic plan. This encompasses all software solutions, related activities and processes related to the development of, and integration of software programs, applications, and third-party solutions as required to meet the business requirements.. The solution architect will also provide guidance to the project teams on their overall high level solution approach. He/she will submit solution designs and artifacts to the Group Enterprise Architect for approval and thereafter the architecture committee and business stakeholders for formal architecture reviews and architecture committee approval.

The solution architect will be required to document changes/enhancements to IT architecture models and their lower level components resulting from the solutions designed.  He/she will also be required to support with the maintenance of IT architecture models and their lower level components in the Enterprise Architecture (EA) Library/Repository once reviewed and approved by the Group Enterprise Architect.

This individual will provide recommendations or approaches to the testing of the interoperability of application modules under development by in-house software development teams, commercial off-the-shelf software deployed in the organization, and with external third parties as necessary.

This individual will apply proven problem-solving skills, and knowledge of best practices to assist project teams on issues related to the design, development, integration and deployment of mission-critical information and software systems.  This individual should possess proven communication skills, and problem-solving skills critical to successful performance in this role.

Strategy & Planning

• Support the development and maintenance of application and technology architecture blueprint for the organization.
• Perform compliance checks on integration projects and corresponding strategies between business units and development teams to ensure solution requirements are met.
• Collaborate with technical teams on the integration of new applications into existing systems and software throughout the enterprise.
• Ensure that solution designs are aligned with strategic business goals and the company’s overall strategic vision.
• Recommend to the Group Enterprise Architect standards and processes to support and facilitate projects and initiatives.
• Advocate EA principles and be prepared to champion the EA process, its outcome and ongoing results.
• Document/assess solution approach, gain acceptance of solution, and ensure decisions are made and deviations from standards are properly identified and addressed. Escalate to the EA committee if needed.
• Create and deliver the relevant architectural artefacts to support each stage of the Digital Transformation programme in collaboration with the vendors and wider Group IT teams
• Inform stakeholders of Solution Architecture review outcomes.
• Ensure that the IS, Data, and IT Architecture interests are taken into account and engagement with the respective architects, suppliers and technical teams occurs for all solutions.
• Ensure that all individual solution architecture artifacts and changes are documented as per process standards and stored in the company’s EA Library/Repository to facilitate compliance, organization, and access.
• Coordinate with other architects and development teams for project solution architecture.
• Make recommendations to continuously improve the design and implementation of Solution Architecture processes and artifacts.
• Make recommendations to the Group Enterprise Architect, high level solutions approach and overall enterprise solution architecture patterns and EA principles.

Acquisition & Deployment

• Conduct research and make recommendations on products and services in support of procurement and development efforts.
• Collaborate with analysts, designers, and system owners in the testing of newly integrated software programs and applications.
• Liaise with software developers and engineers to address issues in program logic and the interoperability of new applications with existing systems software.
• Build relationships with software development and infrastructure teams to gain an understanding of application and technology architectures and required functionality.
• Build relationships with vendors of application software deployed in the organization’s IT environment to learn about and provide feedback on their technical integration capabilities.

Operational Management

• Ensure the collection and coherent interpretation of the various business processes affected by integration efforts.
• Work diligently to enhance or improve business and IT processes as necessary.
• Evaluate results of IT projects, then report and make recommendations based on findings as it relates to compliance to solution designs and adherence to EA principles and standards.
• Where necessary, provide guidance to junior members of the team.

EDUCATION, TRAINING & WORK EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

Formal Education & Certification

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, system analysis or a related field, or equivalent experience
• Minimum of 6 years of hands-on design and implementation of business solutions supported by IT.
• Certifications in key Technologies utilized by the organization (e.g. Microsoft or Temenos).
• Certification in TOGAF or similar Architecture Frameworks would be a distinct advantage
• Project Management experience would be a distinct advantage

Knowledge & Experience

• Exposure to multiple, diverse business systems, technologies, and processing environments.
• Experience with project solution architecture.
• Experience with adopting IT Architecture Frameworks
• Knowledge of all aspects of enterprise architecture.
• Proven experience in developing solution level architectural designs.
• Proven experience in overseeing the linking of cross-functional applications between disparate business units and systems.
• Experience with business and technical requirements analysis, business process modeling/mapping, methodology development, and data mapping.
• Strong background in risk management methodologies as they relate to integration/software engineering.
• Knowledge of relational database design and management techniques.
• Good project management skills and/or substantial exposure to project-based work structures, project lifecycle models, etc.
• Competency with XML constructs and schemas.
• Confidence and experience with API protocols and schemas such as SOAP and REST.
• Competency with ArchiMate® Modelling Language and developing artifacts such as Data Interaction Sequence Diagrams
• Excellent interpersonal skills in areas such as teamwork, facilitation, and negotiation.
• Excellent planning, facilitation, and organizational skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent analytical skills
• High degree of knowledge of IT solutions for financial service industry including banking, investment and remittance
• Working knowledge of financial sector instruments, laws, regulations, ethics and professional jargon.
• Knowledge of applicable data privacy practices and laws.
• Ability to understand the long-term ("big picture") and short-term perspectives of situations.
• Ability to translate business needs into solution architecture requirements.
• Ability to estimate the financial impact of individual solution architecture alternatives.
• Ability to define multiple solution options to business problems.
• Basic knowledge of business process re-engineering principles.
• Basic knowledge of information principles and policies.
• Understanding of application development methodologies, DevOps and Software Development Lifecycle.
• Understanding of SOA, object-oriented analysis and design, or client/server systems, enterprise rich internet applications, B2B, B2C.
• Ability to quickly comprehend the functions and capabilities of new technologies.