Principal Specialist: Technology Arch. at Vodacom

Role Purpose:

• The Vodacom Group Technology Architecture team is responsible for end-to-end architecture design & governance across all Technology Domains, including Network, IT, Fintech & Enterprise, for Vodacom Group and all markets.
• In this role you would be expected to provide thought leadership and guidance on strategic technology capabilities, develop designs, reference architectures and operating models for Group Platforms and/or strategic projects, participate and facilitate in Group-wide Architecture Governance Forums, and draft architecture principles, specifications and roadmaps for all Technology Domains in all markets to realise the Commercial and Technology strategies.
• You will report to the EHOD: Technology Architecture, and will be expected to advise, present and build relationships with all stakeholders at all levels of seniority – both in Technology and other areas of the business.

Your responsibilities will include:
 

Key accountabilities and decision ownership:
Technology 

• To drive and guide Key Strategic Initiatives from an architectural perspective, that provide thought leadership or strategic direction by liaising with and aligning (when required) Technology and all other relevant BU’s to provide technical and non-technical guidance for a particular area of focus.  Key to this objective is to drive technology awareness to the Technology Leadership Team.
• To develop Architecture Principles and Specifications based on industry standards, best practices, and strategic objectives, and ensuring their implementation through effective Architecture Governance in all technical domains.
• To define technical Target Architectures for technical domains in order to facilitate business requirements and/or technical optimization / evolution of relevant technologies within those domains, and to lead the creation of Strategic Architecture Roadmaps that guide such technical domains to evolve their current platforms & systems towards their Target Architecture based on relevant industry standards, market trends, and relevant business needs.
• To conceptualize strategic guidance and architectural leadership as well as to drive and execute on the technical input for Procurement of new technologies and systems through various Supply Chain Management (SCM) processes.
• To Communicate effectively and maintain sound Relationships at all levels within the Company in accordance with agreed strategies with Line Management. This includes:
• To work closely with the CTO’s office and Technology Strategy in defining and supporting the Vodacom Group Technology Strategy from an architectural perspective.
• To be able to communicate at all levels within the organization through documented outputs tailored to the specific project/initiative, engagement, audience and desired outcome. This could include written documents, presentations, memos, meetings, workshops, etc.
• To lead and mentor Technology Architecture specialist and senior specialist architectures in requesting and providing peer review and guidance on initiatives and deliverables.
• To compile reporting information to be presented to all levels of management with specific focus on executive and director level reporting.

The ideal candidate for this role will have:

• Matric/Grade 12 (or SAQA Accredited equivalent) is essential 
• A relevant 3 year Degree / National Diploma in Electrical Engineering/Information Systems (or SAQA Accredited equivalent) is essential
• A relevant Honours, Masters or Doctorate degree is highly desirable 
• A minimum of 8 years total experience in the Telecommunications or the wider ICT Industry is essential. 4 years of the above 8 years’ experience should ideally be in Architecture, Systems Planning or Systems Design.

In depth knowledge/experience in at least four of the following domains: 

• Mobile, Wireless & Fixed Telecommunications technologies, including Access, Transmission and Core Network knowledge (both Circuit and Packet switched) domains, and OSS systems & tools
• Telecommunications BSS knowledge including (but not limited to) CRM Systems, Charging and Billing Systems, & BI Technologies
• Cloud & Platform technologies, including virtualization & containerization, API definition & management, microservice development, CI/CD pipelines & DevOps tools, and hyperscale cloud platforms such as AWS and GCP
• Big Data Analytics & Automation technologies, including ChatBots, AI/ML, data ingestion, cleaning, modelling & visualisation, and data warehouses & lakes 
• Fintech technologies & applications, including payment gateways, POS devices, AML, IMT, eCommerce, insurance, credit, wealth management, and savings
• General knowledge of key technology concepts that impact Telecommunications and the broader ICT industry in order to provide thought leadership
• Enterprise Architecture Methodologies, Standards and Best Practices as defined by industry architectural bodies.
• Communications skills including interpersonal skills, presentation skills, negotiation skills, relationship building ability, management reporting etcetera.
• Demonstrable experience in driving large, complex technology projects to completion under demanding timelines and with limited resources.

Closing date for Applications: 20 June 2021 

The base location for this role is, Midrand, Vodacom Campus

The Company’s approved Employment Equity Plan and Targets will be considered as part of the recruitment process. As an Equal Opportunities employer, we actively encourage and welcome people with various disabilities to apply.
Vodacom is committed to an organisational culture that recognises, appreciates and values diversity & inclusion.