Senior Mainframe DB2 Engineer at Absa Group Limited (Absa)

Job Summary

• Build high-performing, scalable, enterprise-grade Platform services & build capability in others to do the same. This includes but is not limited to applying critical thinking, design thinking and problem solving skills in an agile team environment to solve complex technical problems with high quality solutions & leading all phases of the development lifecycle to deliver against business requirements at an optimal cost to serve.

Job Description

• Infrastructure Services is a team based in South Africa and Rest of African countries. We are accountable for delivering and supporting resilient, secure infrastructure technology and services to customers, clients and colleagues, both in South Africa and Rest of Africa.
• The role is as an Engineer Database Specialist working in the Mainframe Infrastructure team to provide technical maintenance and support for DB2 Databases.

Key Responsibilities

• Support for end user programmers and application teams.
• Natural and Cobol / Rexx and Assembler
• Writing of and analyzing SQL statements.
• Extensive performance tuning and enhancements
• Creating DB2 databases, table spaces, tables, indexes, fields, for Test / Dev / QA and Production environments.
• Partitioning
• Automation of processes
• Responsible for data and object housekeeping and maintenance.
• Reorg/Run stats/Backups 
• Automation of processes
• Database availability: Uptime and stability.
• High availability and SYSPLEX knowledge.
• Database backups and environmental restores.
• High availability
• Recover procedures
• Automation of processes.
• Database structure support.
• Altering table spaces, table, indexes, and fields.
• Manage, monitor and configure database security.
• DCL (Data Control Language)
• RACF
• TWS
• Maintain processes and schedules.
• DB2 Installation and upgrades.
• Version upgrades.
• Patching.
• ZParm parameters.
• All the mentioned duties included the daily operational functions to keep the systems running, as well as project involvement.
• The projects would eventually slot into the ‘daily operations’ and it was essential to get the design standards and procedures in place upfront. In doing this, operationally the projects would need very little ‘down time’ to correct. Especially the high focused ones.
• A good understanding and work relationship with the various stakeholders within the environment i.e. OS , Storage , Networks etc also assisted in delivering first class support to the stakeholders and business.

SOFTWARE PRODUCTS AND VERSIONS WORKING ON:

• DB2 VERSION 10
• DB2 VERSION 11 (zOS, 2.4)
• DB2 VERSION 12
• Not mentioned in detail is the zOS operating system knowledge. This knowledge is essential to maintain PDS, copy/create/edit files on zOS

Key Accountabilities

• System Basic configuration Version and RU (maintenance) level zParms up to date (vs defaulted or ‘hidden’)  
• Logging setup Size and frequency of archive Checkpoint frequency
• Bufferpools Size, hit ratio, alerts   Locking Lock contention and deadlocks Components DRDA, IRLM   Memory pools and caches
• Application Databases Tablespaces Size, type Invalid objects, Fragmentation, Extents and Space Usage
• Bufferpools Tables Appropriate Page size Table / Index Partitioning Indexing Primary key / unique constraints
• Bufferpools Referential Integrity support and Clustering
• Maintenance Runstats Reorg Backup Automation
• Application Plan/Package Out of date binds    Dynamic Package list usage   Stored Procedures   WLM integration
• Security SysAdm, DbAdm (Privileged users) Public grants
• Problem diagnosis performance issues and identify the culprit or cause through the use of analytical skills, supporting colleagues to learn new skills in problem diagnosis
• Able to make and implement changes to the Mainframe DB2 Databases.
• Able to provide 24x7 standby support for the DB2 Databases.
• Able to identify Incidents and Problems within the DB2 Database environment with no backup support
• Provides architecture solutions to the issues which are in line with new technologies and able to communicate benefits of it
• Support implementation of new DB2 Database versions and exploit new features and enhancements
• Support implementation of new Mainframe and zOS software and understand the impact on DB2 Databases

Stakeholder Management and Leadership

• Good communication skills required, ability to communicate complex concepts to a broad audience
• Ability to summarize and deliver key messages efficiently to senior stakeholders
• Able to understand and articulate technical issues to a non-Mainframe/non-technical audience
• Represents Mainframe area at project meetings and provide any inputs to help plan projects.
• Ability to articulate the technical aspects of the Mainframe DB2 Databases senior managers and collaborate with program and project managers.
• Decision-making and Problem Solving
• Excellent Analytical skills required, high attention to detail
• Initiative and determination are essential for this role
• Proven desire to improve processes
• Patience and resilience 
• Risk and Control Objective
• Ensure that all activities and duties are carried out in full compliance with regulatory requirements, Enterprise Wide Risk Management Framework and internal Absa Policies and Policy Standards.

Person Specification

• Delivers on promises, works to and exceed where possible agreed timeframes for activity completion
• Ability to learn from mistakes made and ensure that the same mistakes do not happen again
• Constantly demonstrates flexibility and adaptability in order to achieve shared objectives
• Capable defining own performance objectives for service and process improvements
• Works without support from colleagues
• Produces written documentation and manuals for different tools and processes based on own experiences and lessons learnt
• Creates and pursues individual development plans and the expansion of knowledge and skills
• Acts as a mentor for less experienced colleagues
• Ability to work under pressure and maintain high quality levels of technical support
• Can influence senior stakeholders
• Demonstrates broad-based view of business issues and activities
• Experience & Qualifications Required:
• 15 years working experience in a mainframe environment
• Expert understanding of z/OS operating systems, mainframe hardware and memory usages and how it is used
• Able to communicate at all levels
• Excellent understanding of Mainframe operating systems as well as supporting hardware components, Disks, Tape, CPU, memory
• Good understanding of the following subsystems: - IMS, DB2, MQ, CICS, VMAX disks, IBM VTS and tape
• Able to work under pressure
• Strong stakeholder management skills
• Several years practical experience working as an Engineer DB2 Specialist
• Provide 24x7 standby support

Desirable skills/Preferred Qualifications:

• A broad understanding of the business issues facing Absa well as having a depth of understanding of a few business issues and emerging trends in the IT industry  
• Should maintain a detailed understanding and knowledge of how Absa’s systems, technical architectures, and the nature of the work demand portfolio, so that they are fully aware of the impact of their own work on Absa.

Education

• Bachelor's Degree: Information Technology

End Date: November 5, 2025