Head of Technology - Information Security. Fintech CEO's Office

We at MMC are a purpose and value-led organization.

At MMC we believe that understanding our people’s needs and aspirations is key to creating experiences that delight you at work, every day. We are committed to fostering an environment where every member of our Y’ello Family is heard, understood, and empowered to live an inspired life. Our values keep us grounded and moving in the right direction. Most importantly, they keep us honest. It is not something we claim to be. It is in our DNA.

As an organisation, we consider it our mission to create an exciting and rewarding place to work, where our people can be themselves, thrive in positivity and ignite their full potential. A workplace that boosts creativity and innovation, improves productivity, and ultimately drives meaningful results. A workplace that is built on relationships and achieving a purpose that is bigger than us. This is what we want you to experience with us!

Our commitments go beyond an organisational promise. It is in our leadership and managerial ethos to meaningfully partner with our employees, customers, and stakeholders with a vision to realise our shared goals. 

Our values dubbed, LIVE Y’ello, are the cornerstone of our culture.

Lead with Care

Can-do with Integrity

Collaborate with Agility

Serve with Respect

Act with Inclusion

Key Deliverables

The Head of Technology & Information Security will be accountable to achieve the following objectives:

Strategy Implementation

• Abide by the strategy cascaded by functional lead and assist in the creation of the sub-functional strategy 
• Ensure effective implementation of the functional strategy 
• Assist in review of the sub-functional strategy and roadmap, to ensure its alignment with the changing dynamics of the internal and external ecosystem

Staff Leadership and Management

• Source, induct and manage talent in accordance with legislative guidelines and directives from the CEO.
• Continually develop a culture of strong collaboration and effective team working.
• Ensure open communication channels with staff and implement change management interventions when required, and under supervision from the CEO. 
• Provide definition of roles, responsibilities, individual goals, and performance objectives for the team.
• Set KPIs and provide regular performance feedback through a well implemented performance review program.
• Assist in the development and implementation of a training plan in order to build and develop skills within the team.
• Manage resource performance in accordance with HR policy and legislation where necessary.
• Promote a ‘Fintech centric’ and ‘partnership approach’ to develop strong relationships with other working groups and ensure adherence to Group governance.

Operational Delivery

Sub-Functional Leadership: 

As the sub-functional leader of the Information Security vertical, this role is accountable to:

• Align the results of the vertical, collectively and in individual work areas in MMC, ensuring that the Group guidelines are duly complied with.
• Measure the impact and benefit of the sub-function to MMC and report the true-value metrics. Drive continuous improvement across all verticals. 

Delivery Leadership: 

As the delivery leader of the Information Security vertical, this role is accountable for:

Strategy & Analytics, Budgeting, Data and Reporting

• Implement and execute policies, procedures and guidelines cascaded by the functional lead and ensure the team complies with the same
• Comply with the set governance mechanisms, under supervision from the CEO Fintech and ensure team does the same
• Cascade the Group Fintech budget, analytics, and reporting framework in the sub-function, under direction from the CEO.
• Evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of Information Security strategies, propose, and offer suggestions for improvements.

Information Security Operations

• Direct the implementation of group security governance and security strategies, including the definition and delivery of MMC-wide implementation plan, in accordance with group strategy, corporate governance and international security standards.
• Ensure implementation and adherence to the Information Security standards, guidelines & processes as prescribed by MTN Group Information Security teams and Group DigiFin Information Security teams.
• Lead and direct the adoption of newly implemented security solutions to operational environment as well as in-depth security testing in order to eliminate security risks to the OpCo’s assets and networks and ensure response time to security threats at a minimum. 
• Lead timely action-taking in response to fraudulent activities related to the information system informed by reports received from specialists. 
• Drive regular security trainings, building of a knowledge repository and distribution of security governance documents (covering end-to-end security) as part of the overall objective of promoting and ensuring awareness of security standards, policies, and procedures amongst the employees.
• Support group and technology team in designing, reviewing, and implementing security architecture plans and blueprints.
• Lead and direct adapting, testing (UAT, performance, functions) and piloting of new/extended security services/systems as well as their implementation with the view to minimise the negative impact on operations.
• Direct the creation of long- and short-term implementation roadmaps to meet all identified security requirements.
• Direct the development of business continuity and disaster recovery plans for security systems, in collaboration with the Ethics, Risk and Compliance team, so as to implement action plans that respond quickly and effectively to potential disasters.
• Build and maintain relations with government representatives, as required.
• Where required, escalate unsolvable issues to CEO in a timely manner.
• Execute other tasks and duties, as assigned.

Education:

• Minimum of 3 years of university in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Systems, Information Technology, or related field.
• MBA/ Masters will be advantageous.
• Professional Qualification – CISM/CISSP, ITIL, TOGAF, CCIO

 

Experience:

• A minimum of 8 years of total experience in an IT environment, including a minimum of 5 years in managerial positions.
• A minimum of 3 years’ experience in Fintech, banking, or Mobile Money industry.
• Experience working in a global/multinational enterprise with a good understanding emerging markets is preferred.
• Deep knowledge and experience in Technical Architecture and solutioning for Mobile Technologies, IT Applications and VAS platforms
• Solid understanding of AI/ML tools and Data analytics
• Worked across diverse cultures and geographies
• Entrepreneurial spirit, self-driven and ability to motivate a fast-paced team.
• Attitude of Innovation, inventiveness and thought leadership.

Competencies

Functional Knowledge: 

• IT Security governance and compliance
• IT Risk Management
• IT Security Operations and Cyber Defense 
• Privacy controls & management 
• Next Gen Network Deployment
• IT Architecture & Operations
• Microservice Architecture
• Cloud Architecture
• Cloud Engineering & Security
• Data Architecture & Engineering
• Data Science (AI/ML)
• Data / Process / Systems / IT infrastructure analysis
• IT strategy and planning
• Systems design and integration/reengineering
• API Portfolio Management
• DevOps/ML Ops
• SCRUM
• UX/UI Design
• RPA & Automation
• Agile Methodologies

Financial Acumen

Skills:

• Analytical thinking
• Continuous improvement
• Analytics and Data interpretation
• Delivery focused
• Business Acumen
• Strategic Thinking
• Organizational Agility
• Digital mind-set
• Decision Making
• Conflict Management
• Negotiation
• Culture & Change Champion
• Project Management

 

Behavioural Qualities:

• Adaptable
• Relationship Management
• Complete Candour
• Culturally aware
• Emotional Maturity
• Innovative
• Operationally Astute
• Integrity
• Team Player

MTN Group Limited is a South African multinational mobile telecommunications company, operating in many African, European and Asian countries. Its head office is in Johannesburg. MTN recorded 232.6 million subscribers, making it the eighth largest mobile network operator in the world, and the largest in Africa. 
With more than 17510 professionals, working in over 20 countries around the world.
MTN recruiters are always searching for brilliant candidates with an entrepreneurial spirit, looking for a work culture where innovation is the goal, hard work is expected, and creativity is rewarded. MTN employees enjoy competitive salaries, excellent health benefits, and a network of like-minded co-workers that drive innovation across the entire telecommunication industry.