Solution Architect

JOB PURPOSE
Apply technical knowledge and expertise to design integrated solution architecture and support the implementation of enterprise and specialised solutions that are aligned to the FIC strategy and targets of the Enterprise Architecture Business Unit.

KEY PERFORMANCE AREAS

Solution Architecture Design

• Engage with relevant business units to understand project requirements and translate complex business requirements into clear, comprehensive, and actionable technical specifications and architectural blueprints.
• Define solutions that encompass all architecture domains outlining solutions in line with business requirements, enterprise architecture principles and ICT standards to ensure standardisation and risk management.
• Design end-to-end solutions, including defining system components, interfaces, integration patterns, data flows, and infrastructure requirements.
• Research, evaluate, recommend and select appropriate commercial off-the-shelf and custom-built technologies, platforms and vendors to meet functional and non-functional requirements.
• Research, evaluate, and prototype new technologies, tools and architectural patterns to address emerging business needs or improve existing solutions.
• Review and ensure that solution architecture designs provide seamless integration, scalability, performance, cost effective measures and security in accordance with the prescribed enterprise architecture.
• Perform feasibility studies and experiments to determine the resolution of an identified business need.
• Translate complex solutions concepts and architectural designs into clear and understandable language for technical and non-technical audiences.
• Develop and maintain traceable solutions architecture blueprints for technical solutions,including technical specifications, diagrams and design patterns.
• Develop and maintain all solutions architecture templates and provide input for templates in other architecture domains for consistency.
• Interpret and apply approved enterprise architecture principles, policies, procedures in architecture work.

Enterprise Architecture Change Management

• Update and maintain the solutions architecture repository with all architecture artifacts as part of architecture implementation governance.
• Provide input into the maintenance of the Enterprise Architecture repository.
• Maintain the established solutions architecture domain (as-is, to-be and transition architecture) for the FIC.
• Perform impact assessment and options analysis as part of Enterprise Architecture facilitation.
• Present all technical solutions related changes to the organisation’s Governance structures as guided by policies.

Solutions Project Planning and Management

• Provide input to project schedules and related plans required to perform solution architecture tasks end-to-end.
• Contribute to the development and/or evaluation of Terms of Reference documents to assist business and ICT teams during RFI, RFQ, and RFP processes.
• Take accountability for the end-to-end delivery of solution/applications/systems and ensure alignment to the approved architecture.
• Develop and/or provide input into business cases as part of business change.
• Provide guidance in the implementation of solutions architecture to support efficient deployment and integration.

Data Governance

• Propose quality checks and validation processes to ensure data accuracy and consistency.
• Perform quality assurance tests on technical solutions to support systems integrity and quality protocols.
• Ensure the classification and protection of solutions assets as per agreed protocols.
• Maintain accurate and complete solution architecture documentation.
• Ensure that solution architecture designs adhere to set data governance protocols.

Architecture Advocacy and Awareness

• Provide guidance and technical advocacy on matters related to the solutions architecture domain in all enterprise architecture services as guided by Enterprise Architecture standards, procedures, and policies.
• Provide training and/or awareness to relevant stakeholders on advanced technical architecture solutions.
• Participate in the transfer of skills to team members to enhance overall effectiveness and capacity.
• Advise management of solutions architecture challenges as appropriate.
• Stay abreast of industry trends, best practices and new technologies in the enterprise architecture environment.

Stakeholder Management

• Coordinate briefings and presentations with internal stakeholders to gain insight and determine requirements for architectural and business intelligence support.
• Collaborate with relevant teams to provide solution architecture support as required.
• Ensure continuous stakeholder interface for seeking clarities, closing gaps, and enriching the solution architecture to enhance business decisions.
• Participate in cross-functional projects when required to ensure the execution of planned projects against agreed timeframes.
• Represent the organisation at working groups, meetings, conferences and seminars when required.
• Participate in the procuring of relevant technology services to enhance architecture solutions.

Risk and Compliance Management

• Provide input in the development and enhancement of standards, processes, and policies within the Enterprise Architecture division.
• Provide input into tactical plans and targets when required.
• Implement fraud controls, risk prevention principles, sound governance and compliance processes, and tools to identify and manage risks within the business unit.
• Assist in the monitoring of changes in the regulatory environment and the implementation of appropriate operational controls to address new requirements.
• Support and provide evidence to internal and external audit requirements when required.
• Maintain quality risk management standards in line with the organisation’s risk management framework.
• Maintain and enforce all related Service Level Agreements to minimise business risk and ensure business continuity.
• Adhere to all relevant laws, policies and Standard Operating Procedures throughout the organisation

REQUIRED EDUCATION

• Degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Information Systems, Mathematics or Business Intelligence (NQF 7).
• TOGAF Certification.

REQUIRED JOB OPERATIONAL EXPERIENCE

• 8 Years in Information Technology or Solutions Architecture
• 3 Years in Enterprise Architecture tools
• 6 Years in Solutions design, development and administration for large scale solutions
• 6 Years in solutions architecture design

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE (ADVANCED)

• Systems Analysis principles
• Scripting Languages
• Azure Cloud Platform
• Data Storage and Processing protocols
• Data Encryption Protocols
• Data Modelling principles and techniques
• Big Data technologies
• Open-Source Intelligence Collection
• Advanced analytics techniques
• Metadata Management
• Financial Intelligence Centre Act as amended
• AI and Machine Learning
• Scoping procedures

REQUIRED SYSTEMS/SOFTWARE KNOWLEDGE (ADVANCED)

• Microsoft Office Suite – Word, Excel, PowerPoint
• IBM Analyst Notebook
• GoAML Anti-Money Laundering System
• Microsoft SQL Server
• Azure Cloud Platform
• ETL/ELT for Cloud environment
• AI and Machine Learning platforms
• Microsoft Power BI
• Microsoft Productivity Tools
• Sparx Enterprise Architecture