ABSA BANK
Job Summary
Oversee the design, development and setup of database platforms to enable In Country data and analytics initiatives. This role will ensure secure and optimized design of database systems and will provide support to the data and analytics and digital transformation teams ensuring robust, secure and reliable database systems are in place and always accessible.
Job Description
Key Accountabilities.
Database Management & Administration:
Install, configure, and maintain database systems (e.g., SQL Server, Oracle, MySQL, PostgreSQL, Sybase) – Proficiency in both Oracle and Sybase is required Databases.
Monitor database performance and implement necessary improvements for optimal speed and efficiency.
Ensure regular database backups and data recovery in case of system failure.
Implement and maintain database security policies to safeguard sensitive data.
Data Integrity & Security:
Perform regular database audits to identify and mitigate potential risks.
Implement encryption and other security measures to protect data.
Enforce user access controls and monitor user activity for compliance with company policies.
Database Optimization:
Analyze and optimize queries, indexing, and database design to improve performance.
Fine-tune database performance for high-availability systems, ensuring minimal downtime.
Ensure efficient data storage and retrieval, reducing redundancy and improving data access times.
Support & Troubleshooting:
Provide support for database-related issues, resolving technical problems efficiently.
Assist in troubleshooting and resolving issues with database connections, performance, and backups.
Work with other teams to implement database solutions for business applications.
Documentation & Reporting:
Maintain accurate and up-to-date documentation on database configurations, processes, and maintenance schedules.
Provide regular reports on database performance, security, and backups.
Collaboration:
Collaborate with software developers, data analysts, and IT teams to ensure the databases support business applications.
Participate in project planning for database-related projects, including migrations, upgrades, and data integration.
Performs any other work-related tasks as may be allocated through the department leadership.
Accountability: Test Management
Responsibility is to ensure that proper testing occurs for all servers and hosts, and related changes released into the production environments as assigned to you by Line Management
Key Activities
Work closely with Release Analysts
Be part of Back and Restoration tests.
Play a key role in Disaster recovery test activities whenever scheduled
Review releases and assign appropriate release testing tasks
Compile and review the Testing Deliverables
Conduct installation procedure tests
Participate in functional, performance, and integration testing results
Coordinate user acceptance testing
Coordinate back out testing
Conduct supporting documentation review
Compile test results
Conduct release test review
Coordinate post release testing
Validate and communicate results of testing activities
Accountability: Risk Management
Build relationship with country IT Risk and Governance team and provide support wherever required.
Contribute and deliver to the improvement of the risk profile by delivering improved governance, risk management, controls and compliance requirements.
Accountability: People Management
Responsible for driving own Performance Development, collating relevant documentation, preparing for and arranging reviews.
By utilizing skills matrix, identify training and development requirements, formulating own plan to be agreed with team leader. Responsible for ensuring own plan is completed within agreed timescales.
Undertake all necessary training in order to perform the role to the required standards, including gaining accreditation where appropriate.
Competencies
Delivering results and meeting customer expectations
Good analytical skills
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
Knowledge And Skills
Knowledge of Operational Management Principles and Practices(Advanced)
Knowledge of People Management principles and practices(Advanced)
Knowledge of Financial Management principles and practices(Solid)
Knowledge of Risk Management principles and practices(Solid)
Leadership Skills (Advanced)
Analytical Skills (Solid)
MS Office Skills (Solid)
Stakeholder Management Skills (Solid)
Experience And Qualifications
The successful candidate must have experience in, and be able to -:-
Essential / Minimum
At least 3 + years of experience in a similar DBA role, in a sizeable organisation with a global footprint (30000+ employees), which provides a functional and serviceable platform for the business, across multiple hardware and software platforms.
Experience in UNIX systems administration.
Strong knowledge of database management systems (DBMS) such as SQL Server, Oracle, MySQL, PostgreSQL. NOTE:- ORACLE proficiency is highly desirable.
Exposure to the Banking/ ICT Industry
A good understanding of technology strategic issues in the banking or financial services sector
ITIL V2/V3 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 seen as a team player that exhibits critical thinking and confidence and has credibility across the project team
Thin/Slim client technologies, Desktop hardware and associated peripheral.
Preferred / Advantage
Certifications in Database Management in any of the following (Oracle Certified Professional, Oracle Certified Associate, Oracle Database 19c Data Guard Administration, Microsoft SQL Server certification) is highly desirable.
Experience in database backup, restore, and disaster recovery processes.
Familiarity with cloud-based database services (e.g., AWS RDS, Azure SQL).
ITIL certification.
Knowledge of database security practices, including access control, encryption, and auditing.
Experience with database performance monitoring tools (e.g., SQL Profiler, Oracle Enterprise Manager).
Education
Higher Diplomas: Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences (Required)
