Lead Architect - Absa Bank


ADVERTISEMENT - SCROLL DOWN ↓






Absa Bank IT Jobs in Accra


Thinking about applying?

Before you submit your application, take a moment to go through all the details carefully.

Scroll down to read the full job description, including responsibilities, requirements, and benefits — and see if it’s the right fit for you.



ADVERTISEMENT - JOB DESCRIPTION BELOW ↓

CONTINUE BELOW ↓





Overall Job Purpose

The Lead Architect is one of the key conduits between Enablement (that is, Technology and Change) and the rest of the functions within the Bank, with a primary responsibility of ensuring that the requisite capabilities and building blocks are designed and implemented resulting in fit-for-purpose Infrastructure, Connectivity, Platforms, Systems, Applications and Services that drive the Bank’s service delivery and enable achievement of strategic goals.

He/she must:

  • Develop and maintain suitable Technical, Reference, and Future-state Architectures that reflect both the current and ongoing situations, as well as the proposed or go-to end-state, based on the Bank’s operations and proffered Strategy
  • Act as a Champion and Gatekeeper (via an Architecture Review Board) to ensure that all changes, solutions and implementations not comply with Regulatory requirements and internal / international standards and best practices, but are also aligned with the approved Future-state Architecture
  • Develop a Service Quality and User Experience framework and use this as part of a Quality Assurance system to protect production environments and deploy fit-for-purpose solutions by ensuring that only quality and approved changes and implementations are deployed
  • Work with the CIEO and other senior stakeholders to properly align Projects and Strategic Initiatives (and Investments) to the evolving architectural landscape, ensuring that the Future-state (and therefore Strategy) is not compromised
  • Ensure that risks are duly and sufficiently mitigated – using appropriate automated controls – during the design, build and deployment of technology-based tools and services


ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW ↓

CONTINUE BELOW ↓


Key Accountabilities

Accountability: Architectural Development & Strategy Alignment (35%)

  • Support and contribute to pan-Bank and intra-function Strategy formulation efforts, ensuring that the requisite Technology, Digital and Process elements are appropriately included.
  • Using the Bank’s Strategy and ambitions as a base, develop suitable Technical, Reference, and Future-state Architectures that reflect both the current and ongoing situations, as well as the proposed or go-to end-state, to be used as a basis for service delivery, solutioning, change-related decisions etc.
  • Contribute to the compilation and delivery of the Bank’s Investment Portfolio (Book of Work, covering both local and Group-wide initiatives) to ensure that its prioritization is based on best value to the Bank (in conjunction with Strategy).
  • Monitor KPIs and SLAs against applicable benchmarks, and either adjust Architectures or make recommendations to Management that would improve productivity and performance.

Accountability: Process, Programme Management & Change Delivery (30%)

  • Implement and Co-Chair an Architecture Review Board that will oversee, review and approve (or reject) new initiatives and changes to ensure that they are in line with the Bank’s Strategy, the Reference and Future-state Architectures, Enterprise Risk Management requirements, and applicable international standards. Ensure that the output is duly adopted by Product Risk and Governance Committee (PRGC).
  • Champion and support the drive by Change Governance (PMO) to ensure that all are delivered via an appropriate Methodology and within time, cost, risk, and quality constraints.
  • Ensure that effective Change Control is in place, and, in conjunction with a suitable Service Quality and User Experience framework, protect all applicable production environments from unauthorised or inappropriate changes that could create undue risk, and assure that Technology and Digital Assets are operating within normal / required tolerances.

Accountability: Governance, Control & Risk Management (20%)

  • Champion and support the management and mitigation of material risks across the Technology, Digital and Change spaces to improve delivery, performance and productivity.
  • Drive a proactive posture to risk management and compliance, including root-cause identification and mitigation and thematic risk management. Include these considerations in the development of Architectures and in the approval of changes.
  • Ensure timely and productive risk assessments to support 2nd and 3rd line assurance efforts, including appropriate Committees.
  • Track and identify any architectural nonconformities and escalate accordingly to the appropriate Management Forums.
  • Ensure solutions are delivered and implemented according to correct design, allowing for tactical changes according to longer term strategic plans that comply with applicable policies and standards.
  • Maintain proper documentation of the Estate, its Architecture and all relevant Configuration Items / Assets.

Accountability: Technology & Change Management (15%)

  • Partake in the periodic prioritization of the Projects within the Bank’s Investment Portfolio (i.e. Book of Work), ensuring that it is reviewed against Architectural Principles, business priorities, and Standards and best practices.
  • Effectively engage and liaise with Functional Heads to ensure strong promotion, buy-in and adoption of Architecture Principles and related Standards.
  • Ensure that the application of Principles and Standards, and the mitigation of domain risks, do not become bureaucratic exercises that would hamper timely and quality deliveries. Escalate quickly and convincingly in the event that this is likely to occur.
  • Ensure, for all new Projects and System Change Requests, that a thorough risk assessment is conducted to determine the interdependencies between projects, and the impact any proposed changes may have on seemingly unrelated processes and systems.


ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW ↓

CONTINUE BELOW ↓


Role / Person Specification

Education & Experience Required

  • Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in computer science or related field (e.g. Systems or Information Systems Engineering, Software Engineering, IT, Applied Computing)
  • Minimum of 3 years prior Solutions / Systems Design or Architecture experience
  • Minimum of 3 years work experience in the Telco / Banking industries
  • Knowledge (or Certification) in Agile methodologies and / or Design Thinking
  • 3 – 5 years Project Management experience or PMP or similar Certification
  • Business-related Degree or Certificate would be an advantage

Knowledge & Skills

  • Strong Project Management, Risk Management, Stakeholder Management skills
  • Strong Communication skills
  • Prior SOA (Service Oriented Architecture) and TOGAF experience
  • Demonstrable knowledge of Robotic Process Automation (RPA) and other Emerging Technologies
  • Demonstrable knowledge of UML, DevOps and Agile, Cloud, Enterprise (.NET) and Open API methods
  • Advanced knowledge of Core Financial Services (Banking, MFS etc) platforms
  • Knowledge in developing Service Management (e.g., ITIL) and ISO processes
  • Appreciation of ISO27001-based Security requirements and PCI/DSS

Competencies

  • Passionate about delivering excellent solutions, results oriented
  • Deciding and initiating action, setting and managing priorities
  • Persuading and influencing, networking
  • Creating and innovating, top-notch problem-solving
  • Formulating strategies and concepts
  • Ability to work under pressure and strict time constraints
  • Excellent self-organization and self-direction, including time management

Education

Bachelor's Degree: Information Technology

👉 STOP: Ready to Apply?

Don't miss out on this opportunity! Carefully review the job details one last time. Once you're ready, scroll down to the bottom of this page to access the How to apply button.

Hurry—applications for this cycle are closing soon!


← View More IT Jobs

ADVERTISEMENT - APPLY BUTTON BELOW ↓

CONTINUE BELOW ↓





🔥 SIMILAR JOBS YOU MAY LIKE → APPLY



FIND CURRENT JOBS IN GHANA 2026 TODAY

JOB OPPORTUNITIES IN GHANA AND SOUTH AFRICA


Discover the latest job vacancies in Ghana and South Africa across top industries including finance, healthcare, IT, logistics, customer support, and remote work. Whether you're based in Accra, Johannesburg, Cape Town, or Kumasi, find trusted career listings, CV building resources, and cover letter writing tips to help you get hired faster. Our job board features opportunities in government, NGOs, internships, graduate programs, and international companies hiring in Africa.

EXPLORE REMOTE JOBS, ONLINE WORKS, AND FREELANCE OPPORTUNITIES

Work from anywhere with flexible remote jobs and freelance projects in tech, content writing, customer service, design, data entry, and virtual assistance. Whether you're in Ghana, South Africa, or abroad, start earning online with global companies hiring remote workers. Access guides for setting up your freelance profile, optimizing your CV for remote roles, and tips to get hired on platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer. Perfect for students, stay-at-home parents, and professionals looking to work from home. Discover online job opportunities that fit your skills and schedule — start your remote career today.

Receive daily job alerts, explore career development advice, and access tools that support job seekers, recruiters, and professionals at all stages of their careers.

BEST PERSONAL LOAN AND SALARY MANAGEMENT TIPS FOR PROFESSIONALS

Manage your salary wisely. From budgeting and savings to online loans, mobile money comparisons, tax filing, and personal insurance — get the financial knowledge you need to succeed in your new role. Our expert tips help job seekers and professionals across the world take control of their money and plan ahead.

🔗 Visit our Personal Finance Hub for career-driven financial advice.

TOP CAREER ARTICLES FROM EXPERTS