Technology Enterprise Architect

African Parks Network; Randburg; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 800,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading conservation organization in Randburg is seeking an Enterprise Architect to design and implement systems architecture essential for managing data across 23 national parks. The ideal candidate will have experience in systems architecture, network management, and vendor relations. This role offers the opportunity to contribute to conservation efforts through innovative technology solutions that enhance operational efficiency and data-driven decision-making.

Qualifications

• Proven experience designing scalable systems architecture.
• Ability to manage complex data integration projects.
• Strong understanding of IT security and network management.

Responsibilities

• Define and maintain the organization’s systems architecture processes.
• Create enterprise architecture diagrams for system integration.
• Manage vendor relationships and contractual obligations.

Skills

Systems architecture

Data integration

Vendor management

Network infrastructure

Business continuity planning

Education

Degree in Computer Science or related field

Certifications in Enterprise Architecture frameworks (e.g., TOGAF)

Tools

API Management tools

Data warehouse solutions

Project management software

Job description

JOB OVERVIEW

The organisation was founded in 2000 in response to the dramatic decline of protected areas due to poor management and lack of funding. We have a clear business approach to conserving Africa’s wildlife and remaining wild areas. We currently manage 23 national parks and protected areas in 13 countries covering over 20 million hectares.

Our Organisation

African Parks has more than 5700 employees, all of whom are conservationists. We operate in dynamic environments, demanding resilience, adaptability, and a deep respect for nature to ensure the African Parks Model functions optimally. Learn more about our model.

Our Technology

AP has interconnected systems with varying operating models and environmental challenges, especially offline systems due to intermittent/poor connectivity. This creates a hybrid-hosted model of systems, security, and accessibility. Master-data management is challenging due to offline data sources.

Why you should join our team

African Parks is developing an innovative solution for data-driven decision-making across ecological, social, financial, and management systems. The enterprise architect will play a crucial role in building this system, enabling land cover, species distribution, community projects, security efforts, and deployment data to be accessible in one environment. The role requires a solution-oriented individual capable of upskilling on diverse technologies and integrating data into our data warehouse for analytics.

Our conservation technology department supports on-the-ground teams with various tools, from locating wildlife to patrolling for illegal activities, ensuring decisions are based on accurate, comprehensive information.

The conservation technology aspect

This role offers a chance to transform conservation across Africa through innovative technology and data solutions, improving protected area management, collaboration, and operational efficiency. It involves working with cutting-edge tools, aligning technology strategy with conservation goals, and fostering professional growth.

Systems aspect

The position involves designing and implementing scalable systems to enhance protected area management, collaboration, and operational efficiency, working with advanced tools and technologies in a purpose-driven environment.

IT Aspect

Our IT team supports operations across 24 parks in 13 countries, often in remote locations with connectivity challenges. The role involves driving digital transformation, supporting biodiversity protection, ecosystem management, and climate response through strategic IT initiatives. The Enterprise Architect will integrate complex systems, ensure security, scalability, and facilitate data flow between diverse systems and vendors.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Define, implement, and maintain AP’s systems architecture processes.
• Ensure system understanding and integration among business owners and technical teams.
• Create enterprise architecture diagrams illustrating system integrations.
• Manage vendor relationships and contractual obligations.
• Maintain data integrity, reconciliation, and audit processes.
• Establish error management, disaster recovery, and business continuity procedures.

Additional Responsibilities

• Develop architecture diagrams, API definitions, and middleware roles.
• Oversee error resolution, vendor responsibilities, and data profiling.
• Manage network infrastructure, monitoring, and security protocols.

KEY RELATIONSHIPS

Stakeholders include technology vendors, management, system owners, regional teams, park officers, end users, and audit teams.

JOB SPECIFICATION

• Engage with business and vendors to define architecture models, security, and hosting requirements.
• Manage data flows, segregation, and offline system management.
• Design network management and system accessibility strategies.
• Advise on business process analysis, master data management, and data integrity rules.