Key Performance Areas: Core, essential responsibilities / outputs of the position (KPA’s)
Key Tasks
Tactical Strategic Input
Provide feedback and input to MTN Architecture teams on strategies, frameworks, principles, standards and policies across all Enterprise Architecture domains (business, application, data, integration, security, infrastructure, etc), in order to improve the quality and completeness of the Enterprise Architecture practice
Understand how business and IT requirements can be met using the correct blend of existing and new IT technologies, as well as the correct blend of out-of-the-box commercially available software and bespoke systems development per project.
Provide input to infrastructure and application development areas on application roadmaps to fit in with business and IS strategies, Enterprise Architecture and industry trends.
Provide input to technological roadmaps from an architectural perspective
Solution Design
Perform all the analysis, design, modelling and documentation tasks necessary to create solution architectures for complex (multi-application) business and technical projects. Lead projects (from a design perspective) through the systems development life cycle, including the successful adherence to all relevant MTN IS governance.
Ensure alignment of solution architectures to MTN Enterprise Architecture strategies, frameworks, principles, standards and policies across all Enterprise Architecture domains (business, application, data, integration, security, infrastructure, etc).
Focus solution designs on simplifying the IT architecture, reducing costs, improving effectiveness and efficiencies of the IT environment.
Ensure that technical designs for systems & applications are integrated end-to-end; are consistently applying MTN Enterprise Architecture standards; are technically sound and sustainable; are aligned to IT best practises; are suitable within the MTN context.
Design IT solutions that meets business and IT requirements, and includes functionality, processes, data, products to be used, application interfaces internal and external to MTN
Efficiency and Documentation
Update the Enterprise Repository and other architecture artefacts.
Assist with administrative requirements and compliance to policies, guidelines, processes and other governance.
Liaise with other departments to ensure efficient processes, quality and integrity of information and the flow thereof.
Ensure reasonable and practical adherence to all industry standards and best practices MTN IS subscribes to (like TM Forum Frameworx, TOGAF, etc).
Maintain appropriate end-to-end enterprise solution architecture models by appropriately aggregating project and initiative solution architectures into an enterprise architecture repository.
Ensures the strategic alignment of IT architecture with agreed business outcomes within the portfolio, relevant IT Architecture Enterprise principles, key approved decisions and enterprise wide programmes
Relationship Management
Maintain close contact with business operations, strategies, information requirements, and priorities in order to align with IS architecture.
Build and group relationships with MTN architecture, applications and operations teams to keep up with strategic direction, future direction and technology plans.
Consult with IS advisory bodies (Gartner, Tele Management Forum, etc) and vendors, as well as media scanning.
Ensure that project architectural risks are properly identified, assessed and handled/mitigated, and highlight/resolve inter-project technical dependencies.
Continuously review, improve and integrate processes and systems, in order to overcome fragmentation.
Mentoring and Coaching
Provide consultancy to process analysts, business analysts and other business stakeholders at a project level on application, data, security, infrastructure, testing and operational designs through interactions with other MTN architects, applications and operations subject matter experts.
Mentor and coach juniors and graduates
Supervisory / Leadership / Managerial Tasks
Technical leadership of project teams (not project management)
Role Dependencies
MTN business units (All, including Marketing, Sales, Service, Finance, IS, Network Group, etc)
MTN IS Architecture teams (Enterprise, Infrastructure, Security)
MTN IS Applications teams (Billing, CRM, ERP and others)
MTN IS Operations
MTN Business Architecture
MTN business strategy including MTN Group strategy
Lateral Dimensions: These indicate the areas where the individuals could contribute uniquely in addition to the indicated duties, as
well as how they could be affected by others or circumstances not necessarily under their control.
Creativities (improvement / innovation inherent)
Technical design process improvements
Implement and enhance IT continuity discipline
Investigate and research best practices in IS technology architecture and related disciplines with a view to leveraging for MTN
Opportunities for consolidation of software use, application and servers, functional boundary control to ensure applications are fit for purpose
Input and leadership in analytical thinking for MTN
Vulnerabilities (control span)
Dynamic business and industry trends – business direction
Dynamic and rapid industry changes
Increasing complexity & business pressures
Obsolete technologies
Multi source application vendors
Collaboration: Refers to formal and informal relationships
Responsibility towards:
Matrix reports: Dotted line reporting to the Project Managers
Key customers: All departments within MTN SA plus MTN Group
Key suppliers: All major software and hardware vendors and IT research companies including various application development and maintenance partners
Relations: All departments in MTN SA and MTN Group, notably Enterprise Architects and Managers, Application development managers, IT Security, IT Operations, Project Managers, Business Analysts
Discretionary Space: The degree to which individuals are allowed to exercise independent thought and judgement.
Independent thought and Judgment:
Leadership in tactical technical roadmaps for projects
Make tactical decisions to resolve mission critical problems and issues
Provide input into strategic forums with longer term holistic view
Authorities:
Recommendations on application strategies, technologies and development frameworks
Implementation of defined enterprise strategic vision and mission of information technology artefacts
Qualifications
Minimum Requirements
Education:
BSc or BCom in IT (Preferable) or Diploma in IT
Fluent in English and language of country preferable
Experience:
Minimum of 3 years multi-disciplinary IT experience with a strong focus on system analysis, design and development, architecture disciplines (notably application architecture, service oriented architecture and middleware), application management, database management, and operations.
Experience working in a medium organization
Experience in supervising others
Training:
Communication (written and verbal)
Negotiation skills
IT specific – application development qualifications in various domains, including commercial off the shelf applications in areas like ERP, CRM, Billing; middleware
Competencies
Head – Big Picture Focus (10)
• Analytical Thinker – Manages the alignment and execution of tactical activities
• Problem Solver – Assists in solving business challenges but looks to others for advice and guidance
• Operational Value Creator – Executes on innovative commercial practices and identifies areas for continuous improvement
Heart – Emotionally Intelligent (20)
• Culture and Change Champion – Role models ethical practices by living the MTN values and vital behaviours for others to follow
• Supportive People Manager – Is self-aware and supports team capability development through opportunity creation for realising potential
• Relationship Manager – Builds relationships with customers and teams to uphold the MTN brand
Hands – Results Focused (50)
Results Achiever – Drives team objectives and contributes to sustainability of results
Operationally Astute – Clarifies priorities, plans, organizes and co-ordinates the work of others
Knowledge:
Knowledge of all components of the enterprise architecture
Basic knowledge of business process, planning and organizational skills
Knowledge of IT and IT technical roadmaps including commercial off the shelf vendor products in CRM, ERP, Billing systems, middleware integration technologies (SOA, BPM, BPEL, EAI), data warehousing and MIS, portal technologies
Knowledge of data analysis concepts aligned to data mining and data analysis
In depth knowledge of analysis and design concepts
In depth knowledge of IT systems modelling
Awareness of IT and telecommunication industry key trends
Broad knowledge of implementation platforms
Knowledge of IT industry standards and frameworks
Skills / physical competencies:
Good interpersonal skills, including teamwork, facilitation, and negotiation
Strong application leadership with creative thinking and planning skills
Legal understanding
Ability to translate business needs into requirements for technical architecture
Ability to estimate financial impact of the solution architecture alternatives
Ability to apply multiple information technology solutions to business problems
Ability to quickly comprehend the functions and capabilities of new applications and technologies
Excellent communication skills
Ability to embrace new ideas of alternative initiatives
Strong problem solving skills
Highly self-motivated / managed individual
Applied lateral thinking ability
Focussed with a proactive stance to innovation
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with others at all levels
Open mindedness to criticism
Strong analytical ability with attention to detail
Diversity facilitation / sensitivity
Openness to change / flexibility
Ability to balance the long-term (“big picture”) and short term implications of individual decisions
Behavioural qualities:
Agnostic towards technology / application vendor and product choices – focus on results rather than personal preferences
Has a reputation for integrity and displays a high degree of solution intellectual integrity
Respected individual, specifically by the application development group
Future visioning
Professional ethics
Assertive
Initiative
Foresight
Perseverance and empathy towards colleagues
Networking abilities
Team builder / player
Ability to adapt to change
Passion for IT




