IT Infrastructure Windows Analyst

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Job Summary

This position is responsible for technical deployment, maintenance and support of all X86 Platforms used for bank operations. This includes capacity, patch, vulnerability and Data Centre management, Build, maintenance and support for servers, storage and backup systems, Virtual machines (VM) and Cloud Infrastructure-As-A Service (IaaS). The individual will be required to work closely with engineering and project delivery teams as well as other Absa regional/group windows server or platform specialists.

Job Description

Accountability: Deliver/Implement/Support X86 Platform services                        Time Split: 40%

  Outputs:

• Accountable for the delivery of assignments and tasks in the agreed timeframes, advice, design and implement technical solutions as per best practice to address customer requirements efficiently.
• Analyse and evaluate existing Windows platform solutions in conjunction with other Infrastructure service technology teams to review costs and effectiveness of solutions. This may include the evaluation of packaged solutions and/ or interfaces to existing Bank systems or the evaluation of new and upgraded products or services.
• Provide Support for live systems and resolve incidents and problems within the agreed SLA timelines. Support the implement of policies and strategies as defined by global Infrastructure service and Local CIO.
• Responsible to managing all local windows servers, emails, DNS, DHCP, Active directory, Domain controllers, File and Print and other servers to ensure optimal operations at all times
• Ensure an effective backup management in place for all systems hosted locally
• Monitor the operability of all locally hosted services to ensure maximum uptime
• Build and configure Servers in line with standard build and policies
• In-depth knowledge and understanding of the system and service management processes for infrastructure and technologies that is currently in use.
• Interface with other areas sharing technical knowledge and expertise and resolve issues as necessary
• Perform timely Patch management as per the Schedule & deployment of Monthly MS Fixes
• Understand our customers’ needs and pursue the success of our clients, enabling effortless delivery
• Analyse effectiveness of processes, systems and technologies used in the department and make recommendations for improvements.
• Manage technology changes impacting data Centre server environments minimizing risk and exposure.
• Agree targets and take accountability for the overall achievement of performance objectives in the business area in terms of employee satisfaction, customer experience, cost performance, return on investments, risk, compliance, and governance requirements
• Deliver service offerings to users within agreed SLAs (agree annually and measure monthly).
• Ensure Absa Group IT standards are adhered to strictly
• Patch and vulnerabilities management for Servers
• Problem-solving and support for Servers and Storge
• System Administration-Managing Users, Groups, Roles and Access Permissions.
• Setting up and monitoring performance monitoring and capacity planning.
• Managing Tasks, Events and Alarms
• Carry out daily ‘health checks’ on relevant system
• Produce reports providing management information and distribute to relevant audience

Accountability: Server Virtualization                                                    Time Split: 15%

• VMware Infrastructure 3.x/vSphere Installation & Configuration
• Support and maintain Network Attached Storage (NAS)
• Configuration, maintenance, and support for Nutanix AFS storage
• Planning and Designing VMware VI3/vSphere (ESXi 4.1 and VMware Virtual Center)
• Design, Implementation, Testing and Deployment of VMware Infrastructure
• Installation, Configuration and Administration of VMware VSphere.
• VMware vSphere client, Virtual vCenter Server.
• Virtual Networking (Virtual Switches, VM Kernel Ports)
• And Virtual Storage (Access Control and VMFS Datastores)
• Creation, Management and Configuration of Virtual Machines, Clone and Templates.

• Customizing guest operating system on Virtual Machines.
• Creation of DRS and Custom roles for users and Administrators
• Configure high availability, Clustering, VMotion, and Storage Vmotion.
• Setup Server Consolidation with VMware Converter (P2P and P2V Conversions)
• Deployment of Snapshot manager and restoration of a snapshot.
• System Administration-Managing Users, Groups, Roles and Access Permissions.
• Setting up and monitoring performance monitoring and capacity planning.
• Managing Tasks, Events and Alarms

Accountability: Build sustainable practices                                    Time Split: 10%

Outputs:

• Analyse effectiveness of processes and systems in use in the Distributed Technologies team and make recommendations for improvements.
• Keep abreast of industry and business unit changes by attending regular training, conferences, forums, reading and engagement with subject matter experts and industry peers.
• Stay abreast of industry and operational trends and ensure that Distributed Technologies is well positioned to provide competitive and industry leading services.
• Take steps to capture practices, procedures, and knowledge into bank databases to ensure the sustainability of
• Transformation and delivery practices
• Challenge the established practices and recommend improvements to continuously enhance and improve delivery within the Bank.

Accountability: Manage Risk, Controls, and compliance                                           Time Split: 15%

Outputs to deliver this accountability:

• Participate in snap checks as assigned by the team manager
• Ensure compliance with all procedures and controls in respect of the role
• Report all Risk Event that occurs in respective area
• Together with Risk and Compliance review the key risk and compliance challenges identified in the area and the key areas of concern/surveillance.
• Together with the Risk and Compliance team implement measures to address notable risks and regulatory challenges.
• Implement measures to review the risk and compliance performance of the unit/function on a regular basis and take corrective action.
• Complete all relevant Management Assurance or Risk reports and attestations as required.
• Ensure that processes, control requirements and risk management frameworks that impact the area are documented and understood by all members of the team.
• Work with Absa Internal Audit and Management Assurance during the scoping of audits to ensure fair coverage.
• Own and agree corrective action items with Internal Audit and Management Assurance for findings related to the functional area under management.
• Arrange issue assurance for closed audit findings.
• Understands all compliance requirements and call for the area's Compliance Officer to conduct briefing sessions if gaps are identified.
• Working with managers/professionals in the team, develop Detailed Risk and Control Assessments (DRACA's) for the function and update at the required intervals (normally quarterly). Complete attestations to testify to the adequacy of controls on request.

Accountability: Drive Service Levels                                                          Time Split: 20%

Outputs to deliver this accountability:

• Increase revenue potential for the business by effectively managing service levels of critical applications
• Minimize time-to-resolution (TTR) of business service disruptions through fast real-time root cause analysis that spans complex multi-tiered application environments
• Minimize cost of IT infrastructure through optimizing delivery and performance of business services
• Implement actions resulting from formalised service reviews (including questionnaires, production reporting, loss event reporting, etc).
• Continuously monitor service levels and implement tactical measures to improve customer satisfaction.
• Build and maintain effective stakeholder relationships within the Bank to understand the business needs and changes in customer needs.
• Participate in Bank wide forums and governance structures as required or directed.
• Communicate and track the achievement of Service levels (documented in Service Level Agreements) on an ongoing basis and take corrective action as required.
• Manage the operational teams to ensure they deliver reliable services.
• Perform all other duties as reasonably assigned.

Education/Experience Required

Essential

• University degree in the field of computer science and/or equivalent professional certification
• Experienced working knowledge in windows server 2016/2019 OS
• Experienced knowledge in Storage & data backup system
• Minimum 2 years’ experience in IT exposure
• Exposure to the Banking/ ICT Industry
• A thorough understanding of technology strategic issues in the banking or financial services sector
• ITIL Service Delivery experience
• Communicate effectively with business analysts, project leadership, architects, developers, and others across the organization
• Work collaboratively across the business and IT communities by working cooperatively with others to accomplish department and project objectives
• Be a team player that exhibits critical thinking and confidence and has credibility across the project team

 Preferred

• Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) certification
• ITIL v3 Certification
• Knowledge in VMware Technology with 2 years minimum experience in VMware servers (physical/virtualized).
• Data Centre support, management, and administration
• Minimum of 2-year service management experience
• Knowledge in cloud computing and Infrastructure-As-A-Service
• Experience with AD and Exchange 2016/2019 server administration

Knowledge & Skills

• Experienced in implementation, configuration, maintenance, and support for storage/server filers.
• An understanding of the bank’s project management methodologies.
• Translate Bus Requirements to Tech Solutions (Solid)
• Negotiation Skills (Solid)
• Strategic Thinking (Solid)
• ITIL - Governance Framework (Solid)
• Communication Skills (Written and Verbal) (Solid)
• Understand the IT service delivery within a corporate environment (Advanced)
• Conceptual thinking skills (Solid)
• Ability to analyse, make decision and initiate act (Solid)
• In depth knowledge of Absa Network Policies and other system governance frameworks, standards, and guidelines
• Support basic IT infrastructure and networking (Solid)
• Demonstrate baseline security skills for IT support professionals and patch management (Solid)

Competencies

• Delivering results and meeting customer expectations
• Adapting and responding to change
• Working with people
• Planning and organising
• Deciding and initiating action
• Applying expertise and technology
• Leading and supervising
• Deciding and initiating action

Physical work requirements

Must be able to handle pressures and setbacks and high levels of stress.

Travel to off-site for support technical assistance and meetings.

• Own accountability for deadlines
• Ability to take negative Criticism constructively
• Must be Agile / flexible

Education

Further Education and Training Certificate (FETC): Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences (Required)