JOB PURPOSE: The Head of Information Technology is responsible for driving the company’s technology vision, strategy, and execution to support business growth, innovation, and operational efficiency. As a key member of the executive team, the HOIT ensures the company leverages cutting-edge technology to enhance customer experience, improve security and compliance, and maintain a competitive edge in the fintech sector.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Technology Strategy & Leadership

1. Develop and execute a comprehensive technology strategy aligned with business goals, ensuring the company remains at the forefront of fintech innovation.
2. Provide visionary leadership to the IT team, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, agility, and high performance.
3. Communicate the technology vision, strategy, and priorities to internal and external stakeholders, including the board of directors, partners, and regulatory bodies.
4. Identify and implement emerging technologies, such as AI, blockchain, and cloud computing, to enhance digital financial services.

Product Development & Infrastructure

1. Oversee the design, development, and deployment of scalable and secure financial technology platforms, ensuring interoperability with banks, mobile money operators, and other financial service providers.
2. Ensure the seamless integration of new digital payment solutions, savings and lending platforms, microinsurance, and pension systems to expand financial inclusion.
3. Lead the company’s digital transformation initiatives, optimizing core systems, APIs, and infrastructure for efficiency and innovation.

Cybersecurity & Compliance

1. Establish and enforce best-in-class cybersecurity frameworks, ensuring robust data protection, fraud prevention, and regulatory compliance.
2. Work closely with regulatory authorities, including the Bank of Uganda, to ensure compliance with national and regional fintech regulations.
3. Develop and maintain disaster recovery, business continuity, and risk mitigation strategies to safeguard IT infrastructure and customer data.

IT Operations & Vendor Management

1. Oversee IT operations, ensuring high system uptime, reliability, and performance.
2. Develop and manage IT budgets, optimizing technology investments for cost-effectiveness and scalability.
3. Lead vendor selection, contract negotiations, and partnerships with technology providers, cloud service providers, and fintech ecosystems.

Team Management & Innovation Culture

1. Recruit, mentor, and retain top IT talent, fostering a culture of innovation and continuous learning.
2. Implement agile development methodologies to accelerate product launches and system enhancements.
3. Drive cross-functional collaboration between IT, business, and operations teams to align technology with customer needs and market demands.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

1. Proven Experience: Minimum 7-10 years in a senior technology leadership role, preferably in a fintech, digital banking, or payments environment.
2. Strategic Vision: Ability to translate business needs into a long-term technology roadmap.
3. Technical Expertise: Strong background in cloud computing (AWS, Azure, or GCP), API architecture, cybersecurity, data warehousing, and digital payments infrastructure.
4. Product Development: Experience leading the development of scalable fintech platforms, mobile applications, and financial APIs.
5. Regulatory Knowledge: Familiarity with financial regulations, compliance requirements, and risk management in the payments and banking sector.
6. Leadership & Collaboration: Strong ability to lead diverse IT teams, manage vendors, and engage with regulatory bodies and industry stakeholders.
7. Problem-Solving & Innovation: Proven ability to drive digital transformation, optimize processes, and implement emerging financial technologies.

QUALIFICATIONS

1. Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Information Technology, Software Engineering, or a related field.
2. Master’s degree (MSc/MBA) in Technology Management, Business Administration, or a related discipline is an advantage.
3. Professional certifications in cybersecurity, cloud computing, or IT governance (e.g., CISSP, AWS Certified Solutions Architect, TOGAF) are preferred