IT Solutions Architect (Broader Africa Technology)

FirstRand Limited; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 1,800,000 - 2,800,000; Full time

Job summary

FirstRand Limited seeks a senior architect to govern cross-border payments platforms. You will define target architectures for SWIFT, ISO 20022, and settlement processes, ensuring alignment with enterprise standards, regulatory obligations, and overall payment strategy.

You will drive decisions on messaging, liquidity integration and real-time capabilities. You will partner with senior leadership to translate business goals into scalable technology roadmaps and maintain end-to-end visibility

Qualifications

• 10+ years in architecture focused on payment solutions.
• Financial banking experience with cross-border payments exposure.
• SWIFT MX/MT and ISO 20022 messaging knowledge.
• Ability to define target architecture for cross-border payments.
• Experience with governance, standards and architecture artefacts.

Responsibilities

• Define and maintain target architecture for cross-border payments across the organisation.
• Drive decisions on SWIFT FIN, ISO 20022 and cross-border settlement processes.
• Ensure solutions align with enterprise standards and regulatory obligations.
• Collaborate with senior leadership to translate objectives into technology roadmaps.
• Maintain end-to-end visibility of payment journeys across platforms and networks.

Skills

Solution Architecture

Cross-Border Payments

SWIFT

ISO 20022

Enterprise Architecture

Governance & Standards

Stakeholder Engagement

Payments Domain Knowledge

Regulatory & Compliance

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering or related field

Tools

Sparx Enterprise Architect

TOGAF

AWS

Azure

PASA

SWIFT Messaging (MX/MT)

Job description

Job DescriptionThe purpose of the role is as follows:To define, govern and implement technology solutions across the organisation's cross-border payments ecosystem, ensuring alignment with business strategy, regulatory requirements, industry standards, and enterprise architecture principles. Providing strategic technology solution leadership to support the modernisation the cross-border payment capability to ensure scalable, secure and resilient payment solutions are put in place to support the broader Africa business.You will be an ideal candidate of you can:Solution Architecture LeadershipDefine and maintain the target architecture for cross-border payments across the organisationDevelop solution architectures supporting payment hubs, SWIFT, ISO 20022, clearing networks, correspondent banking and cross-border settlement processesEnsure technology solutions align with enterprise architecture standards, payment strategy and regulatory obligationsEstablish and enforce architectural principles, standards and governance processes for the payments domainProduce conceptual, logical and physical architecture artefacts which are continiously maintained.Cross-Border Payments Domain Ownership for PlatformAct as the architecture authority for all cross-border payment initiatives on platformMaintain end-to-end visibility of payment journeys across customer channels, core banking systems, payment hubs, middleware and external payment networks that are part of the platforms ecosystemDrive architecture decisions relating to: SWIFT FIN and ISO 20022 messaging, Cross-border payment processing, Correspondent banking integrations, Treasury and liquidity management integration, Foreign exchange processing, Sanctions and compliance screening, AML transaction monitoring, Real-time and near real-time payment capabilitiesStakeholder EngagementCollaborate with senior leadership to translate the business objectives into technology strategies and architectural solutionsCollaborate with integrating capability areas to ensure there is alignment on solutions and architectural roadmapsDo you have the following:10+ years in architecture focused on payment solutionsFinancial banking experienceSWIFT Network exeperience (MX / MT)Agentic AIEnterprise SparxBachelors in Computer science, information systems , Engineering or related fieldBIAN , Cloud (AWS, Azure), TOGAF, SWIFT related qualifications, PASA#Post#RMB#LI-ZM1Important Closing Date NoteTake note that applications will not be accepted on the below date and onwards, kindly submit applications ahead of the closing date indicated below.02/11/26All appointments will be made in line with FirstRand Group’s Employment Equity plan. The Bank supports the recruitment and advancement of individuals with disabilities. In order for us to fulfill this purpose, candidates can disclose their disability information on a voluntary basis. The Bank will keep this information confidential unless we are required by law to disclose this information to other parties.