Network Solution and Security Engineer at Ecobank Nigeria

JOB PURPOSE 

The Network Solution and Security Engineer will provide technical leadership of both operations (Problems) & engineering as well as longer-term service improvement of existing Networks and Network Security (LAN and WAN) across the group.

The post holder will be the responsible for the Architecture, design and implementation of Data networks, security devices and act as lead to the affiliate’s network administrators / engineers.

The Network Solution and Security Engineer will work with the Head, Networks Engineering to ensure infrastructure standardization of the key areas in accordance with International Standard and best practices.

He/she is expected that to be involved in technical decision of the team’s activities. The holder of the post is expected to engage fully with the CDA, Change management and all other relevant required activities.

The Network Solution and Security Engineer will work closely with the business, partners, and OEMs to ensure cost saving, best practice, and implement measures to achieve them.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES 

The Network Solution and Security Engineer will:

Innovation / Standardization 

• Drive technology innovation by keeping up to date on technology that can translate into cost saving and competitive advantage for the group. 
• Designing, Documenting Networks Solutions according to best practice and products, particularly in the LAN, WAN and Network security. 
• Identity areas of improvement and potentials for Network optimization. 
• Develop standards, guidelines and frameworks for Data Networks, Network Security, and communication links, including LAN, WAN, ATMs. 
• Translate information security policies and other corporate policies into Standards.

Technical Lead 

• Act as the technical thought leader providing directions and initiatives on Data Networks, Network Security and Data Communications. 
• Understand stakeholder business requirements and translate them into technical requirements. 
• Act as the technical lead on larger projects, dividing work among multiple resources, providing guidance, and mentoring to IT Operation staff members. 
• Support the IT Operation staff by occasionally acting as a subject matter expert, specifying the necessary hardware/software required, and writing statement / scope of works. 
• Lead the strategy for network architecture and network services to support data, and other network dependent traffic. 
• Look at ways of optimizing the current network through thoughtful changes in the current architecture and design. 
• Continuous identification of simplification opportunities in the infrastructure's architecture, processes and drive these efforts to completion. 
• Design and recommend network solutions to integrate with current and planned infrastructure.
• Identify and implement high availability architectures for infrastructure that are identified to have single points of failure. 
• Work with senior leadership and IT partners to formulate the tactical plan to meet the strategic direction of the network infrastructure team. 
• Provide advice and consulting support to the project teams directly or through team members. 
• Drive continuous improvement in service delivery processes to accelerate provisioning of new systems. 
• Collaborate with other enterprise architects to ensure data center designs are aligned with the business requirements. 
• Identify the required network architecture components and frameworks. Prioritize the architecture deliverables and establish short term, mid-term, and long-term plans. 
• May be required to work on other technology areas outside networks such as defining Strategy, Standards, and other areas of Information technology.

Implementation 

• Must have the experience and skills to implement and configure Network Devices (Cisco routers, switches, firewalls, Palo Alto Firewalls, F5 load balancers.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

Qualifications

• Experience in Networks, Data Communication and Network Security. 
• 5 + year experience in Data Networks and minimum 2 of which must have been spent in Networks Architecture, Design, and Implementation. 
• Demonstrate experience at the CCNP, CCDP level or higher. 
• Expert level, hands-on experience in installing, upgrading, designing, and configuring routers, firewalls, Content Switches or load balancers, Cisco, Palo alto, Checkpoint, Fortinet, F5 in larger customer environments. 
• Experience of the following Solutions: Cisco routers and switches including IOS, NXOS, Cisco Firewalls, Juniper Firewalls, Palo Alto, Checkpoint, Fortinet Firewalls. 
• Solid understanding of Network design principles such as Hierarchical, High Availability, Scalability, Secure etc. 
• Solid understanding of routed and switched architecture, network bandwidth and traffic prioritization and QoS concepts. 
• Solid Understanding of Network Security design and implementation, such as Firewalls, Access Control list, route filtering etc.
• Solid understanding and experience of designing and implementing QOS, PBR, Queuing and traffic engineering and prioritization techniques. 
• Solid understanding and application of the OSI model in troubleshooting, fault finding and problem resolution. 
• Have the experience and ability to translate business requirement document into High level design and ability to translate High level design into Low Level design or detailed design that is fit for implementation. 
• Understanding and experience of various Layer 2 LAN and WAN technologies such as Ethernet, Etherchannel, Port channel, LACP, Spanning Tree, VPC, OTV, MPLS.
• Understand and have the experience of various Layer 3 LAN and WAN technologies such as IP Addressing, Summarization techniques, Routing Protocols such as Static, OSPF, BGP, route redistribution and route filtering. 
• Ability to work with service providers on various access options for voice: PRI, CAS, E1, ISDN.
• Understanding of core data infrastructure: LAN/WAN services and basic troubleshooting. 
• Ability to communicate and build rapport with customer and co-workers of all levels and to maintain strong working relationships. 
• Ability to manage multiple projects and manage customer and project manager expectations. 
• Perform the installation and configuration of network equipment such as routers, switches, Firewalls, and other network devices. 
• Research and evaluate new configurations and equipment with the management team; make recommendations to the team. 
• Assist with development of tools to ensure smooth functioning of IT Support 
• Basic understanding of Microsoft Windows servers, VMware, and data replication. 
• Understanding of ITIL and Service Management SLAs

Skills and Experiences

• Leadership skills in leading people in different countries. 
• People and stakeholder management skills. 
• Time Management and quick turn-around times is highly essential. 
• Strong interpersonal skills in influencing and working in multiple countries with different culture, mind set and language. 
• Able to work on multiple tasks, dealing with multiple functions and manage multiple resources in a matrix organization. 
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to explain technology solutions in business terms, establish rapport and persuade others. 
• Documentation and presentation skill are highly desirable, especially using Visio, Word, Power Point and Microsoft Project. 
• Must be flexible and willing to travel at short notice.