Solutions Architect

Minimum requirements:

• A Bachelor degree in Engineering/ Bachelors Degree in Information Technology/ similar qualification.
• Industry qualification (TOGAF, ITIL or similar).
• Some core network certification and knowledge a plus.
• A Management qualification or a Masters qualification (an advantage).
• Certification in Digital / Telco / Financial subsystems a plus.
• A Minimum of 7 years technical experience which should be inclusive of:
• 3 years in Solutions Design experience
• 3 years System integration experience and application design experience
• 2 years experience using a UML tool (Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect will be an advantage)
• Practical experience in Systems analysis, Design and Development
• Java development/NET /C# etc (Some sort of Dev background.)
• Advanced use of Sparx Enterprise Architect UML Tool.
• Complex systems design and multiple integration a must i.e.:
• BSS
• ESS
• Financial
• Transactional
• Network
• Software Bus

Knowledge, skills and attributes:

• Practical knowledge and experience of Databases, SQL, PL/SQL, Web Services, Web Service Protocols, Network Principles.
• Proficient in the use of the UML.
• Experience in core network design in the Telecommunications industry an advantage.
• Ability to influence and be a change agent in a team.
• Experience or well versed with understanding of latest and emerging technologies.
• Ability to encourage changes in behaviour and set ways towards an agreed target operating process and model.
• Embrace diversity and inclusivity and use effective communication skills to respectfully interact with courtesy.
• Effective time management, adhering to deadlines.
• Incumbent must be a team player, with a keen focus on quality and continuous self-improvement.
• Display active adoption and understanding of the Company's strategic objectives and growth pillars.
• Active displaying of Systems and Design thinking capabilities.
• Proficient in data modelling.
• Proficient in integration modelling.
• Proficient in activity modelling.
• Proficient in component modelling.
• Proficient in breaking down architectural elements into its constituents.
• Proficient in User Interface requirements design.
• Experience in the below would be an added advantage
• Huawei BSS
• Core network design in the Telecommunications industry an advantage.
• DBMS

Responsibilities:

• Solution Architect, serving Wholesale, Retail, Digital and Core network business units.
• Design and implement solutions using existing and new technology to support strategic business objectives.
• Maintaining or enhancing procedures, processes and designs for existing technology systems and applications to deliver superior service to all internal customers as well as to external integrating Partners.
• Analyse and evaluate requirements against existing and future architectures and propose the best solution for the requirement.
• Provide technical and design guidance to internal customers, external vendors and integrating partners.
• Liaise with internal and external stakeholders to create and maintain future proof solutions that are easily scalable, maintained and supported.
• Analyse existing and recommend change in technology and business support procedures and processes related to all new designs.
• Analyse and identify risks and opportunities in the business requirement (BRS) and present mitigating actions, and new possibilities in the solution.
• Ensure solution designs follow design directives and are captured correctly in the Architectural Repository.
• Take ownership of assigned projects and actively contribute towards maintaining the components and diagrams affected in the architectural repository
• Actively contribute towards transforming into a capability-based architecture environment in support of agile work methods and projects.
• Apply systems thinking during solutioning to ensure comprehensive and due consideration for all affected domains, business units and systems.
• Provide input into the definition and evolution of Solution Architecture team design strategy.
• Provide input into the definition of the design architecture and process to support business objective in the medium and long-term.
• Constantly evaluate and ensure alignment of solution designs against Business Requirement Specifications.
• Provide insight based on expert knowledge, into the solution approach of projects.
• Provide input into definition and periodic amendment of software development life cycle (SDLC) approaches.
• Demonstrate effective solution design strategies and activities.
• Understanding and implementation of the end-to-end delivery lifecycle of technical design projects.
• Understanding of telecommunication system building blocks required to ensure the successful integration into the various dependent systems in a typical Telco environment.
• Analyse, design and implementation support for projects in the technology space in support of business objectives.
• Define effective user acceptance testing (UAT) strategies during the design phase.
• Assist with and guide in the creating of Work Order Breakdowns (WBS) for integrating partners and service providers.
• Liaise and work with technical teams of supporting and integrating partners to define integration and operational architectures of the new system.
• Drawing from prior technical, consulting and business experience to provide robust and fit for purpose solutions.
• Drawing from the knowledge of implemented systems, provide support to business at a technical level in the analysis of new or enhancing product activities.
• Actively participating and contributing towards the establishment and maintenance of a reference architecture repository.
• Ensure alignment between requirements and solution development.
• Review of quality assurance for testing and validation of requirements (Requirements Traceability Matrix - RTM).
• Present new designs to the design authority to ensure constant adherence to target enterprise architecture for all design solutions / requirements.
• Documentation of application components, use cases, process flows and configuration requirements.
• Collaborate with the MVNO/ PMO on reporting project status, issues, risks and benefits.
• Provide Assessments subject matter experts (SME) consultation for development of technical solutions.
• Ensure joint architecture design (JAD) sessions take place if / when necessary.
• Facilitate development of cross- business and domain solutions processes.
• Provide support in delivery of related projects within the business support systems (BSS) domain.
• Working across highly complex environment with multiple business areas involved in the solution.
• Efficient use of Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect tool to do designs, and build and maintain a reference architecture repository.
• Active participation in Architectural Forum collaborative design discussions.
• Active participation and continuous thought contribution towards streamlining the architectural domain and delivery process.
• Manage own relationships with project managers, peers, superiors, vendors and service delivery managers
• Manage own relationship with enterprise architects, fellow architects, and various technical bodies and SMEs in the organization.
• Attend meetings with Solution Architecture team, and technical forums to stay abreast of methodology, changes and enhancements in the architecture domain.