Senior Specialist: Solution Architect at Vodafone Global Enterprise

Role purpose:

To ensure that user requirements for the business are documented, developed and delivered on.

Your responsibilities will include:

Design / Architect / Implement Solutions and Develop Blueprints too:

• Application - Scalability: applications should be fully Cloud native, enabling horizontally scalability via auto scaling. This will be achieved through using OpenShift as PaaS - onPrem;
• Technology - Cloud Automation: Applications will utilize the DevOps tool chain to ensure automation and rapid deployment for the microservices. Jenkins/Gitlab is the preferred CI/CD tool; 
• Data Model  and API‘s (CSM) – data structures flat vs relational – high speed cache in support of services exposed to the channels; Scaling will be possible using containerization such as Docker; This will support the DXL integration;
• Operational – DevSecOps capability is inherent/embedded in the delivery pipeline from development into production i.e. monitoring, alerting and security;
• Determine optimal solutions of API design enabling Digital Channels/knowledge of microservice-based architecture
• Design and document Automation process – Infrastructure as code; Platform management through DevSecops using tools such as Ansible, Terraform, etc.
• Design and document data integration and distribution processes such as mediation of network elements; file management, event streaming (e.g. kafka), etc.
• To perform solution design activities by assessing requirements in terms of feasibility, impact and cost, thereby assisting to create and compile accurate user requirement documents.
• To provide technical input into system definition and design activities and facilitate the delivery of value added solutions.
• To research / investigate current industry trends and standards in terms of technologies deployed / planned to be deployed and how that can enhance / optimise systems.
• To act as a technical liaison between business and the technical teams and to ensure the required support from all areas to ensure delivery of quality solutions.
• To ensure that projects are delivered according to requirements, specified designs and that the technical and business teams are aligned around the same objectives and deliverables.
• To ensure that solutions are delivered through the agreed delivery processes and to support the technical teams with the delivery of solutions e.g. facilitation of configuration, testing, rollout coordination, etc.
• To research, define and maintain industry best practices within the Systems Division with respect to the above and other delivery processes
• To maintain, re-evaluate, optimise or automate existing business processes
• To create reports and feedback to executive and line management
• To perform quality assurance across business analysis documentation, vendor documentation, proposals, technical designs, test documentation and operational handover documentation
• To manage and mentor a team of Business Analysts

Program and project management

• Combination of waterfall and agile development and configuration management
• Manage and various projects from inception (cradle to grave)
• Release Train Engineer function
• Application release management 

Input into :

• Demand management enterprise alignment
• Delivery according to approved policies and practises and standards like ITIL
• Deployment across standardized environments and layered architecture
• Operations transition initiation and support

Compiled reports

Accurate reports delivered within agreed timelines

Delivery of reports at all levels incl. Executive reports, , Board, reports,  Projects, Systems Analysis reports , Ad-hoc reports

Provided Support to Operations  

Responsible for:

• Solution design and architecture, Quality, Products and Systems, Technology Implementation, Process Implementation, Commercial Issues, Application Development, Advice
• Improve Turn-around-time,  ensure Customer Satisfaction Index is improved
• Process modeling
• Solution(s) design and recommendations.
• Author business and systems requirements and design specification documents
• Generate technical artifacts like use cases, context diagrams, frameworks
• Development of training material, test cases, operations manuals
• Strategy development and implementation
• Devise business support system strategies
• Deliver enterprise planning and organising (in support of devised strategies)
• Liaise with a team of project managers and systems specialists to deliver on strategy
• Maintained Relationships
• Improve Customer Satisfaction Index
• Build relationships and collaborate with Call Centre-Internal, Customer Care, External Customers, Inter-Company, Inter-business Unit
• Oracle Technology
• Advantage (optional):
• Oracle Database Knowledge (SQL and Advanced SQL)
• Knowledge of Microservice architectures
• Knowledge of PaaS, SaaS

Technical Analysis    

• Data Analysis using SQL (preferably Oracle)
• Data Mining using SQL
• Knowledge Management
• Knowledge of network topology
• Knowledge of BIG DATA/Data Science

The ideal candidate for this role will have:
Matric – Essential

• 3 year degree/ diploma in  computer science, information technology, information systems degree  Essential
• Honours degree-advantage.
• BA diploma advantage.
• A minimum of 5-8 years relevant experience within an ICT Company is essential with specific focus on:
• Quantitative analytics
• Customer data
• billing management systems, financial reporting systems and process 

Job knowledge

• Knowledge of Billing and Financial Reporting
• Knowledge of Configuration Management
• Deep Quantitative analytical skills
• Customer data skills, i.e. understanding of customer data marts, etc.
• Campaign management systems, optimization technology and process 
• CRM operations – understanding of data and decision

Closing date for Applications: 24 November 2022