Job Summary

The incumbent is primarily responsible for managing and overseeing the IT enterprise Architecture both in development and production environments. The incumbent will be responsible of the re-engineering of existing and new IT systems and products to optimize performance; implement latest design standards and adopt latest technologies. The incumbent will also help select the best development platform and ensure that user requirements are provided for by the latest and most effective tools available in the IT market.

Main Responsibilities

A. Shareholder & Financial:

• Provide the comprehensive and cost effective solutions to internal and external applications.
• Coordinate with the SVP IT Strategy & Governance to provide architectural recommendations that fall inline with the Group's overall strategy and vision.
• Coordinate with other AVPs and VPs on suggested changes that would impact their systems.
• Implements KPI's and best practices for Enterprise Architecture
• Promote cost consciousness and efficiency and enhance productivity, to minimise cost, avoid waste, and optimise benefits for the bank.
• Act within the limits of the powers delegated to the incumbent and delegate authority to the respective staff and monitor exercise of the same.
• Demonstrate clear understanding of the important factors behind the bank's financial & non-financial performance.

B. Customer (Internal & External):

• Liaise with the concerned business unit for their application requirements and follow-up as and when required to answer their business needs.
• Meet with internal managers and project owners to understand and document their requirements prior to providing suitable solutions.
• To assist customers in all their queries on Bank's product and seek solution to their requests.
• Maintain activities in accordance with Service Level Agreements (SLAs) with internal departments/units to achieve improvements in turn-around time.
• Build and maintain strong/effective relationships with related departments/units to achieve the Group's objectives.
• Provide timely/accurate data to external/internal Auditors, Compliance, Financial Control and Risk when required.

C. Internal (Processes, Products, Regulatory):

• Develop and deliver against the organization's strategy and successfully implement Enterprise Architecture through active engagement delivery and investment programs.
• Use industry standard architecture methodologies such as TOGAF to successfully implement and grow the Enterprise Architecture of the bank.
• Present case and high-level execution plans to senior management.
• Develop and maintain the logical Enterprise Information Architecture that enables seamless information interoperability of all banking systems from transaction systems, document management systems and information delivery systems.
• Supervise the operations of the different architecture layers: Business Architecture, Application Architecture, Data Architecture, and IT Architecture to ensure smooth and secure flow of data.
• Design and Build a Service Oriented Architecture Integration layer to ensure smooth and seamless propagation of data between systems and subsystems.
• Cover all internal systems as well as their dependence on multiple vendor products and services.
• Work with stakeholders and subject matter experts to build a holistic view of the organization's strategy, processes, information, and information technology assets.
• Derive IT strategy from business strategy and key processes of the bank and document how the current and future needs will be met in an efficient, sustainable, agile, and adaptable manner.
• Propose new enterprise standards based on business need, IT need and technology advances. Assist project teams to implement the standards into business applications.
• Employee and enforce IT industry standards such as ITIL.
• Performs architecture reviews with application development teams and infrastructure, Internal Risk management (IRM) and audit teams to ensure adherence to standards, information risk management policies, re-use of components and reduced functional redundancy
• Research, design, document, build, and pilot prioritized topics within the enterprise.
• Lead key enterprise architectural design solutions/projects that are scalable, adaptable and in synchronization with changing business needs.
• Work closely with Solution team, Infrastructure, and project teams to understand their needs and ensure the best enterprise standard is implemented.
• Coach and mentor architects in the delivery of architectures and execution of the target architecture.
• Participate in thought leadership initiatives and represent the Bank at industry events where required.
• Identify gaps in the Corporate Information/Data Model and address them actively in collaboration with the business support teams.
• Participate in enterprise-level information technology roadmap planning and information technology governance activities in general.
• Maintains a technology watch to identify emerging technologies that are relevant to the line of business. Builds awareness of key emerging technologies and promotes to the business in order to address their issues.
• Lead technical team in procurement initiatives (RFI, RFP) and associated activities.
• Lead the preparation and maintenance of documentation and standards for the different activities and systems user guides as per the overall documentation policy.
• Ensure that design and development standards are integrated with the Group's governance framework.
• Ensure compliance and adherence to existing standards and policies in regards to IT security, internet and VPN security, and BCP and disaster recovery.
• Carry out requirements as directly assigned by the SVP IT Strategy & Governance and in accordance with the overall business plan.
• Continuous Improvement:
• Set examples by leading improvement initiatives through cross-functional teams ensuring successes.
• Identify and encourage people to adopt practices better than the industry standard.
• Continuously encourage and recognise the importance of thinking out-of-the-box within the team.
• Encourage, solicit and reward innovative ideas even in day-to-day issues.

D. Learning & Knowledge:

• Understand user requirements and existing systems in order to provide the proper solutions by enhancing the existing systems or providing new systems.
• Strong knowledge of systems architecture and limitations in deciding on methods of problem solving which may impact overall resource availability and time to deliver changes. Perform careful analysis to ensure changes are in congruence with the Group's long term planning and approved strategy.
• Initiate regular meetings which aim to add value by discussing progress, problems, and any other issues of concern.
• Identify areas for professional development of self and direct reports and act to enhance professional development of self and others.
• Proactively identify areas for professional development of self and undertake development activities.
• Seek out opportunities to remain current with all developments in professional field.
• Hold meetings with staff and assess their performance and your teams overall performance on a regular basis.
• Take decisive action to ensure speedy resolution of unresolved grievances or conflicts within the team members.
• Identify development opportunities and activities for staff and facilitate/coach them to improve their effectives and prepare them to assume greater responsibilities.

E. Legal, Regulatory, and Risk Framework Responsibilities:

• Comply with all applicable legal, regulatory and internal compliance requirements including, but not limited to, Group Compliance Policies and Procedures (AML & CTF, Sanctions Policy, Data Protection Policy, Fraud Control Policy, Whistle Blowing Policy, Conflict of Interest and Insider Dealing Policy).
• Understand and effectively perform your role under the Three Lines of Defence principle to identify measure, monitor, manage and report risks.
• Ensure systematic good outcomes for clients in accordance with Conduct Risk policy.
• Support the framework of RCSA, KRI, Incident reporting and remediation, as appropriate, in accordance with the Operational Risk Management requirements.
• Maintain appropriate knowledge to ensure full qualification to undertake the role.
• Complete all mandatory training provided by the Bank, attain, and maintain the required levels of competence.
• Attend mandatory (internal and external) seminars as instructed by the Bank.

F. Other:

• Ensure high standards of data protection and confidentiality to safeguard commercially sensitive information.
• Maintaining utmost confidentiality concerning customer and internal bank information obtained during the course of business and provide such information on a need to know basis only to Senior Management of QNB, Audit and Compliance functions, and relevant Regulators.
• Maintain high professional standards to uphold QNB's reputation and to strengthen its market leadership position.
• All other ad hoc duties/activities related to QNB that management might request from time to time.

Education and Experience Requirements

• 
  Bachelor's Degree in Banking, Finance, Accounting or MIS.
• At least 10 years of relevant experience, preferably within a highly rated international bank.
• Specific courses in IT security and Enterprise Architecture.