IT Solutions Architect (Broader Africa Technology)

FirstRand Bank Limited; Sandton; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 2,000,000; Full time

Job summary

FirstRand Bank Limited is seeking an experienced Solution Architect to lead cross-border payments architecture across the group. You will define the target architecture, ensure alignment with regulatory and enterprise standards, and drive modernisation of the cross-border payment capability for scalable, secure, and resilient solutions.

You will engage senior leadership, translate business objectives into technology strategies, and govern platforms involving SWIFT, ISO 20022, payment hubs, and

Qualifications

• 10+ years in architecture focused on payment solutions.
• Financial banking experience.
• SWIFT Network experience (MX/MT).
• Agentic AI Enterprise Sparx.
• Bachelor's in Computer science, information systems, Engineering or related field.
• BIAN, Cloud (AWS/Azure), TOGAF, SWIFT related qualifications, PASA.

Responsibilities

• Define and maintain the target architecture for cross-border payments across the organisation.
• Maintain end-to-end visibility of payment journeys across channels, core banking systems, payment hubs, middleware and external payment networks.
• Drive architecture decisions relating to SWIFT FIN and ISO 20022 messaging, cross-border payment processing, correspondent banking integrations, treasury and liquidity management integration, FX processing, sanctions and AML screening, real-time payments.
• Collaborate with senior leadership to translate business objectives into technology strategies and architectural roadmaps.

Skills

Solution architecture

Payments domain

Regulatory compliance

Stakeholder management

Cloud (AWS/Azure)

ISO 20022

Education

Bachelor's in CS/IS/Engineering

Tools

Sparx EA

Job description

Job Description The 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 Leadership

• Define and maintain the target architecture for cross-border payments across the organisation
• Develop solution architectures supporting payment hubs, SWIFT, ISO 20022, clearing networks, correspondent banking and cross-border settlement processes
• Ensure technology solutions align with enterprise architecture standards, payment strategy and regulatory obligations
• Establish and enforce architectural principles, standards and governance processes for the payments domain
• Produce conceptual, logical and physical architecture artefacts which are continiously maintained.

Cross-Border Payments Domain Ownership for Platform

• Act as the architecture authority for all cross-border payment initiatives on platform
• Maintain 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 ecosystem
• Drive 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 capabilities

Stakeholder Engagement

• Collaborate with senior leadership to translate the business objectives into technology strategies and architectural solutions
• Collaborate with integrating capability areas to ensure there is alignment on solutions and architectural roadmaps

Do you have the following

• 10+ years in architecture focused on payment solutions
• Financial banking experience
• SWIFT Network exeperience (MX / MT)
• Agentic AI Enterprise Sparx
• Bachelors in Computer science, information systems , Engineering or related field
• BIAN , Cloud (AWS, Azure), TOGAF, SWIFT related qualifications, PASA

Important Closing Date Note Take note that applications will not be accepted on the below date and onwards, kindly submit applications ahead of the closing date indicated below. 02/11/26

All 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.

FirstRand provides a comprehensive range of financial services in South Africa and certain markets in broader Africa. The group also offers certain niche products and services in the UK and India. Listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) and the Namibian Stock Exchange (NSX), FirstRand Limited is the largest financial institution by market capitalisation in Africa. The group follows a multi-branding approach. Its portfolio of financial services businesses includes FNB, RMB, WesBank, Ashburton Investments, Aldermore, MotoNovo and DirectAxis. Many are leaders in their respective segments and markets, offering transactional, lending, investment and insurance products and services The FirstRand Corporate Centre houses many of the critical functions required by a large and complex financial services group. The group's track record of delivering superior returns to shareholders has been achieved through a combination of organic growth, acquisitions, innovation and the creation of completely new businesses. The group’s purpose of delivering Shared Prosperity provides many opportunities for employees to innovate to address social and environmental challenges in our markets. All of our businesses have successful Volunteering programmes which also allow employees to adopt and support causes close to their hearts.