Job purpose:

Perform deploy and operate work that pertains to MQ operations (as specifically allocated by line management from time to time in order to achieve optimal work load distribution amongst job holders.)The incumbent shall be accountability to perform the work as allocated that will pertain to one or more of the following MQ deploy and operate processes:

Perform and monitor day to day scheduled and ad hoc (as per task requests) inter-multiplatform messaging and file transfers utilising MQ Messaging and FTE and associated tools infrastructure.
Perform deployment work for projects on demand and in accordance with project schedules.

With respect to the MQ applications:

Perform day to day application and user administration and other application specific maintenance. In terms of user administration, ensure that user access and related permissions are managed in accordance with the user access management regime.
Deploy application patches, refreshes, and upgrades in accordance with related deployment and release schedules.
Maintain backups of the operational application to enable restore in cause of disaster recovery in accordance with the backup and restore regime.
Perform DR exercises as directed by the BCM regime.

Resolve incidents and problems and escalate 3rd level support requirements to 3rd party support contractor(s) and coordinate support provision. Service restore shall satisfy service level agreements.
Maintain run books for MQ operations utilising deployment- and maintenance guides directives originating from Products & Services.
Interact with Products & Services to optimise and maintain MQ infrastructure and operations service levels at a level that fully endorse GTI’s service level agreements with its customers.
Support Operational Controls processes (Audits, Risk and DR& BCM governance, business processes improvements, performance management, and finance and business management), supply requested information and implement corrective actions as applicable.

Qualifications:

National Senior Certificate
A formal qualification (preferably vendor certified) in the use and administration of MQ and two or more associated mainframe communication tools or protocols.

Knowledge:

Extensive knowledge and understanding of mainframe operating systems and multiplatform (Mainframe, Unix, MS) messaging and file transfer protocols and technologies used in the financial industry.
JCL, Assembler, SMP/E programming skills.
Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
Intermediate business writing and reporting skills.

Experience:

3-8 years experience in use and administration of mainframe operating systems and multiplatform communications, messaging, file transfers, monitoring and diagnostics tools and protocols (e.g. VTAM, TCP/IP, NCP, NetView, TPX, Connect Direct, Enterprise Extender, MQ, CICS, MVS, XCOM, Mainview, Omegamon, ISPF, etc.).
Demonstrable track record.
Good understanding of the current state of IT Infrastructure, specifically pertaining to file and data transfer for banking applications hosted on mutiplatform enviroments.

Technical competencies:

Basic ITIL exposure
Affinity for software and programming

Problem solving:

The incumbent must be able to frame problems within a business context and understand the business impact of problem and business value of solving them and be able to communicate that clearly to both staff and clients.
The incumbent must be able to provide quality solutions.
As a result of the dynamic nature of Group IT, the incumbent must be innovative and think out of the box so as to provide effective solutions to problems.
Planning
This role spans multiple services and so requires a high degree of consultation and engagement in all related activities.

Decision making:

Decisions are made rationally and professionally, with due regard for policies and standards.
In many cases decisions will need to be made based on limited or unclear data. The incumbent will be expected to use experience, judgement and management skill to limit risk of poor decision making.
This role has firm-wide effect on infrastructure service delivery to LoB. As such, decisions made can be far reaching and would impact the financial position and/or reputation of the Bank.