Job Description

ABOUT THE COMPANY

We are a JSE-listed company selling innovative mobile commerce technology to emerging markets in South Africa and abroad. Our users are rich, poor, urban and rural, and we allow them all to interact and transact on an equal footing. We reach them by using both physical and virtual distribution channels. We target many of our services to people who do not have easy access to bank accounts, and we allow them the convenience of being able to transact where and when they want to. Our good reputation is our license to operate.

JOB PURPOSE

Responsible to ensure the stability, integrity, and efficient operation of the in-house information systems that support core organizational functions through monitoring, maintaining, supporting, and optimizing all networked software and associated operating systems. Responsible for establishing the Centre of excellence within Technology and being the specialist for bringing innovation.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Operational Planning and Management

• Gauge the effectiveness and efficiency of existing systems; develop and implement strategies for improving or further leveraging these systems
• Propose and create system design models, specifications, diagrams, and charts to provide direction to development teams
• Perform server and security audits, system backup procedures, and other recovery processes in accordance with the companyxe2x80x99s disaster recovery and business continuity strategies
• Integrate servers, including database, e-mail, print, and backup servers and their associated software into enterprise systems
• Ensure system connectivity of all servers, shared software, groupware, and other applications
• Create and maintain documentation as it relates to system configuration, mapping, processes, and service records
• Ensure compatibility and interoperability of in-house computing systems. Coordinate and perform in-depth tests, including end-user reviews, for modified and new systems
• Monitor and test system performance; prepare and deliver system performance statistics and reports
• Provide orientation and training to end users for all modified and new systems. Maintain a service-orientated IT operations function that supports ongoing operations to drive efficiency, quality and customer service
• Ensure adherence to service level agreements and manage to deliver on agreed performance levels for application availability, response time, and network performance
• Ensure the protection of IT assets and the integrity, security, and privacy of information as per defined policies
• Drive the implementation of strategies and plans for the technical infrastructure, operational enhancements, and application architecture and execute the plan
• Identifying and evaluating inefficiencies and recommending optimal operations business practices, and system functionality and behavior
• Manage the existing solutions and IT operational applications
• Provide onsite or remote access diagnoses and resolution of computer hardware and software problems using a highly integrated set of diagnostic tools and techniques
• Serve as a technical expert providing support to the other IT Technicians and IT Operations team in general
• Provisioning of servers according to strict guidelines with attention to detail and documentation
• Installation and upgrading of complex IT equipment, networks and systems Maintaining and documenting of all work performed as well as strict usage of the call logging systems to ensure open communication with the whole team Administer, implement, and provide technical support of applications and associated hardware utilizing a specialized set of diagnostic tools with elevated privileges
• Operation and administration of most of the IT systems used to manage, monitor and configure all the technical systems in the environment

Acquisition and Deployment Management

• Collaborate with systems architecture and operations teams to ensure smooth and reliable operation of software and systems for fulfilling business objectives and processes
• Work with executive team members, decision makers, and stakeholders to define business requirements and systems goals, and to identify and resolve business systems issues
• Execute planned operations and deployment activities, as well as preventive maintenance
• Postproduction monitoring, and troubleshooting of product/services Proactive monitoring, evaluating, recommending, testing of new and existing platforms
• Thorough understanding of the application architecture, functional capabilities and technical infrastructure, both current and future state

Data Centre Infrastructure Management Specialized

• Strong Experience with Linux-based operating systems required xe2x80x93 Red Hat Enterprise Linux certified (RHCE or better) or other appropriate Linux/Unix certification. RHEL, CentOS, and Ubuntu
• Experience in cloud environments (Amazon Web Services / Azure)
• Backups Experience xe2x80x93 Commvault, or Veeam required
• Basic Mimecast administration
• Microsoft xe2x80x93 Windows Server Deployments - Active Directory, Exchange, Group Policies, and Office365 experience is required
• Proven experience in and with a large, Enterprise environment and infrastructure xe2x80x93 HPE Blade Server Technology
• SAN storage solutions xe2x80x93 Experience in FC, and FCOE storage technologies is required
• Ability to troubleshoot network issues - LAN Routing and Switching troubleshooting (VLANs, IP Subnetting, DHCP, DNS)
• Load Balancer technology experience xe2x80x93 F5 and HA Proxy etc
• Monitoring and alerting experience with Open-Source technologies such as Nagios, Zabbix, and/or Logstash
• SAN storage solutions i.e., HPE or Dell xe2x80x93 Experience in FC, and FCOE storage technologies are required
• Own transport and driverxe2x80x99s license beneficial in the rare circumstance where emergency onsite support is required at the data centre.
• Professional diagramming and completing of relevant documentation Network monitoring, troubleshooting, and systems management experience Data centre disaster recovery planning and testing

• Knowledge of infrastructure and software environments, programs, methodologies, procedures, and policies
• Advanced troubleshooting skills, with deep experience in systems, network, and server infrastructure, with a proactive problem prevention-oriented problem- solving mindset

Production Environments

• Bash, python, ruby, and/or PHP scripting experience advantageous
• Network/OS clustering knowledge advantageous
• Containerisation (Docker/Kubernetes) knowledge advantageous
• Use of CD/CI tools (Ansible/Puppet/Terraform) advantageous
• Public Cloud vendor experience (Amazon Web Services/Azure)
• Basic networking, from Ethernet to IP xe2x80x93 HPE Comware, Aruba, ProCurve
• Virtualization technologies such as KVM, RHV-H or VMWare are advantageous

Work collaboratively

• Build a culture of respect and understanding across the organization
• Recognize outcomes which resulted from effective collaboration between teams Build co-operation and overcome barriers to information sharing, communication, and collaboration across the organization
• Facilitate opportunities to engage and collaborate with external stakeholders to develop joint solutions

BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES

• Assertive
• Analytical
• Flexible
• Confidence
• Honest and Fair
• Positive Attitude
• Courage
• Tenacity
• Achieves Results

EDUCATION

• Matric
• Tertiary qualification in Information Technology preferred

EXPERIENCE

• Minimum 5+ years of related experience in Dev Ops preferred
• Strong Microsoft Office productivity tools knowledge (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook)
• Atlassian and Jira knowledge (advantageous)
• Agile and new Tech Principles and ways of working
• Must be VMware vSphere Certified
• Must be Veeam Certified
• HPE or Dell Certified
• Microsoft Certified xe2x80x93 MCSE
• Experience using client, console web-based management tools
• Experience in working with Application and Infrastructure monitoring solutions Data Centre experience
• Minimum of 2 years in a system administrative position
• Minimum of 2 years working experience with Linux/Unix or derivative
• Minimum of 2 years working experience with troubleshooting hardware and/or software stacks

Blue Label Telecoms