Storage & Linux

Job Summary

Storage Management

• Monitoring Storage Systems: Regularly checking storage systems for performance, capacity utilization and health using monitoring tools.
• Capacity Planning: Assessing current storage usage and forecasting future storage needs to ensure there is adequate capacity.
• Storage Provisioning: Allocating storage space to servers or applications as needed, either manually or through automation tools.
• Troubleshooting: Investigating and resolving storage-related issues such as performance bottlenecks, storage failures or data corruption.
• Patch Management: Applying patches and updates to storage hardware and software to ensure security and stability.
• Documentation: Maintaining documentation of storage configurations, procedures and troubleshooting steps for future reference.
• Security Management: Implementing and maintaining security measures such as access controls, encryption and data protection policies.
• Performance Tuning: Optimizing storage performance through configuration adjustments, workload balancing or storage tiering.
• Collaboration: Working with other IT teams such as network administrators, system administrators and application developers to ensure seamless integration of storage solutions with other infrastructure components.

Linux Administration

• System Monitoring: Monitoring server performance, resource usage and system logs to identify and address any issues promptly.
• User Management: Creating, modifying and removing user accounts and groups, managing permissions and access controls.
• Package Management: Installing, updating, and removing software packages using package management tools like apt, yum or zypper.
• Configuration Management: Managing system configurations, including network settings, filesystems, and kernel parameters.
• Security Management: Implementing and maintaining security measures such as firewall configurations, user authentication and intrusion detection/prevention systems.
• Backup and Recovery: Setting up and managing backup solutions to ensure data integrity and facilitate disaster recovery.
• Patch Management: Applying patches and updates to the operating system and installed software to address security vulnerabilities and improve stability.
• Scripting and Automation: Developing scripts and automation tools to streamline repetitive tasks and improve system efficiency.
• Troubleshooting: Diagnosing and resolving system-related issues, including network connectivity problems, application errors and performance issues.
• Documentation: Documenting system configurations, procedures and troubleshooting steps to maintain a comprehensive knowledge base and facilitate knowledge sharing within the team.

Job Description

Storage & Linux

• Assesses malfunctions of hardware and software applications for the purpose of determining appropriate actions to maintain computer, network and database operations;
• Creates, tests and executes data management languages;
• Analyzes and sustains capacity and performance requirements;
• Monitors systems and platforms for availability;
• Oversees backup, clustering, mirroring, replication and failover;
• Implements and maintains infrastructure functions on windows and other hardware components i.e storage media, virtual environments and file servers;
• Develops, manages and tests restored data from backup systems;
• Develop a road map for capacity planning for infrastructure requirements and oversee the end to end sourcing process;
• Prepares written materials for the purpose of documenting activities, providing written reference, and conveying information;
• Prepares and distributes reports, including but not limited to weekly and monthly status reports to the Head of Infrastructure Services;
• Attends seminars, conferences, in-service training and staff meetings as required;
• Manages virtual and physical servers with Windows Server and RHEL operating systems;
• Manage Active Directory, Microsoft Office 365 and server and workstation patching with SCCM;
• Manage the physical and virtual environment (VMware);
• Ensure the security of the server infrastructure by implementing industry best-practices regarding privacy, security and regulatory compliance;
• Develop and maintain documentation of current environment setup, standard operating procedures, and best practices;
• Manage end user accounts, permissions, access rights, and storage allocations in accordance with best-practices;
• End to end management of NBC Virtualization environment from physical server, cabling, capacity planning, license management and resource allocation as part of daily operational activities;
• Perform and test routine system backups and restores;
• Anticipate, mitigate, identify, troubleshoot and correct hardware and software issues on servers, and workstations. Escalate incidents accordingly;
• Practice server asset management, including maintenance of server component inventory and related documentation and technical specifications information;
• Recommend, schedule, and perform software and hardware upgrades, patches and reconfigurations;
• Develop required reports in response to business user and management needs;
• Manage vendors, outsourcers and contractors to secure software products and services
• Manage the physical environment of the server racks including cable management, documentation, labeling and configuration of KVM switching for console and remote access;
• Build and deploy new servers on the network as required;
• Ensure timely installation firmware and security patches on servers and database;
• Actively participates in planning the installation of new organization-wide systems and applications;
• Monitors the efficiency and effectiveness of all database resources and ensures uninterrupted flow of work owing to technology;
• Ensures maximum service through identification of opportunities for improvement and recommends changes accordingly;
• Continuous review and evaluation of the software, hardware, service delivery, and updates as and when required;
• Maintains data standards and security measures through the implementation of information technology thorough plans, policies and standards.
• Troubleshoots problems, finds resolutions and ensures full data restoration with minimal damage if any;
• Keeps upto date with new and upcoming trends and innovations in the IT field through continuously researching on the emerging products and enhancements and executes special projects for remodeling and upgrades;
• Monitors changes in regulations, technology and its impact on operations and implements better ones accordingly;
• Promotes and develops both tactical and strategic ways to drive productivity and efficiency, analyze effectiveness of processes, systems and technologies used and make recommendations for improvements;
• Understands our customers’ needs and delivers solutions effortlessly;
• Articulates business strategy and vision, and is able to translate vision into objectives, for the greater team in order to reach desired goal;
• Coordinates the efforts of the different operational areas under management to ensure minimal duplication of efforts, maximum efficiency and value for money;
• Provide holistic support of NBC servers and virtual environment availability to Business users whenever required;
• Take actions to achieve reductions in frequency and duration of incidents that impact NBC servers and storage availability;
• Ensure shortfalls in NBC servers, backup and storage availability are recognized and appropriate corrective actions are identified;
• Take action on agreed appropriate actions with Head of Infrastructure Services to maintain or improve GTIS servers, backup and storage availability levels;
• Review performance of the area/unit against balanced scorecard components as prescribed, discuss gaps and agree action plans to close gaps;
• Provide and maintain detailed backup and recovery procedures by ensuring that daily and monthly backups on supported servers are performed.

Risk and compliance

• Together with Risk and Compliance review the key risks and compliance challenges identified and the key areas of concern/surveillance;
• Together with the Risk and Compliance team implement measures to address notable risks and regulatory challenges;
• Implement measures to review the risk and compliance performance of the unit/function on a regular basis and take corrective action;
• Complete all relevant Management Assurance or Risk reports and attestations as required;
• Complete required compliance and SOX attestations and ensure that impacted team members complete theirs;
• Ensure that processes, control requirements and risk management frameworks that impact the area are documented and understood by all members of the team;
• Work with Absa Internal Audit and Management Assurance during the scoping of audits to ensure fair coverage;
• Own and agree corrective action items with Internal Audit and Management Assurance for findings related to the functional area under management;
• Arrange issue assurance for closed audit findings;
• Continuous review of open audit related items and timely closure of issues before due date;
• Ensure that the team understands all compliance requirements and call for the areas Compliance Officer to conduct briefing sessions if gaps are identified;
• Work with managers/professionals in the team, develop Detailed Risk and Control Assessments (DRACA's) for the function and update at the required intervals (normally quarterly). Complete attestations to testify to the adequacy of controls on request;
• Ensure that managers/team leaders in the team understand their responsibilities in terms of risk and compliance Build relationship with country IT Risk and Governance team and provide support wherever required;
• Contribute and deliver to the improvement of the risk profile by delivering improved governance, risk management, controls and compliance requirements;
• Ensure the security controls under servers and Database are within the agreed thresholds;
• Be audit ready by providing required artifacts in acceptable turnaround time.

Service Delivery

• Increase revenue potential for the business by effectively managing service levels of critical applications;
• Minimize time-to-resolution (TTR) of business service disruptions through fast real-time root cause analysis that spans complex multi-tiered application environments;
• Minimize cost of IT infrastructure through optimizing delivery and performance of business services;
• Raise the profile of the team as a key service provider to the relevant business units, serving as its customers;
• Adhere to and chair governance structures and frameworks to ensure effective customer management including actively participating in all internal client reviews from a service perspective. Where applicable, and within control, external vendors also need to be effectively managed;
• Implement actions resulting from formalised service reviews (including questionnaires, production reporting, loss event reporting, etc.);
• Continuously monitor service levels and implement tactical measures to improve customer satisfaction.
• Build and maintain effective stakeholder relationships within the Bank to understand the business needs and changes in customer needs.
• Participate in Bank wide forums and governance structures as required or directed;
• Communicate and track the achievement of Service level Agreements on an ongoing basis and take corrective action as required;
• Manage the operational teams to ensure they deliver reliable services.

Cost Management

• Adhere to sound financial and governance controls to support sound resource management and financial control within the unit;
• Manage departmental budgets including signing off of invoices and quotes within mandate. Escalate out of budgets items to the relevant parties for approval;
• Sign off capital expenditure within budget. This includes approving purchase or sell decisions for desktop computers, laptops, departmental equipment etc.

People Management

• Develop a high performing team by embedding formal performance development and informal coaching. Encourage frequent knowledge sharing between team members;
• Establish and maintain a succession plan for the team;
• Ensure leave plans are adhered to;
• Motivate the team and ensure that their performance and efforts are recognized;
• Participate in the creation and implementation of Employee Opinion Survey (EOS) actions for the entire team.

Qualifications & Experience

• At least 5 years in IT technical and operations role;
• Degree (or equivalent) in Computer Science or related field;
• Microsoft Certified (MCTS, MCSE), RHCA, ITIL, VMware Certified Design Expert 5 (Preferred), Oracle certified Associate(OCA) and Cloud Computing (Azure and AWS);
• Working experience with Microsoft software, Linux, Database (Oracle, MS SQL),
• Good understanding of ITIL processes and associated concepts;
• High level of commercial awareness with sound understanding of key contractual obligations and risks to maximize benefits;
• Strong customer liaison and relationship management skills;
• Excellent communication and presentation experience;
• Must be able to work under pressure, take clear ownership of issues and projects and drive to ensure a successful closure for the customer, peers and IT Production;
• Financial management – budget preparation and managing to budget;
• Working within a Global or Regional role;
• Familiarity with ITIL-style management procedures and mainstream project management styles a distinct advantage;
• Experience of financial services preferred.

Qualifications

• Analytical Thinking - Basic (Meets all of the requirements)
• Bachelor's Degree - Computer and Information Science
• Digital affinity (Meets all of the requirements)
• Enabling team success (Meets some of the requirements and would need further development)
• Experience in a similar environment at junior specialist level
• IT Infrastructure & Assets (Meets some of the requirements and would need further development)
• Openness to change (Meets some of the requirements and would need further development)
• Quality orientation (Meets some of the requirements and would need further development)