Role Type: Contract Location: Dubai Duration: 1 Year, rolling Start: ASAP

Role Purpose

In the capacity of Infrastructure Solution Architect, you will play a pivotal role in steering our strategic vision and offering technical guidance for the design and execution of our infrastructure architecture. Your responsibilities will extend to delivering key outcomes that contribute to the technical roadmap for the delivery of Infrastructure services, encompassing network, shared infrastructure services, systems, cloud services, and wireless portfolio. This multifaceted role demands a diverse skill set that is not only limited to technical abilities. It will range from a keen understanding of business dynamics and meticulous documentation throughout the infrastructure lifecycle to technical proficiency spanning networking (LAN and WAN), compute, storage, cloud solutions, related domains.

Role Details - Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities:

• Designs Network and Infrastructure Solutions for complex technical projects encompassing group wide delivery.
• Works collaboratively across the organization, leading the analysis and design of new and existing infrastructure & cloud computing architectures.
• Defines and selects Infrastructure & Cloud Technologies required to build efficient group-wide reusable solutions that are aligned with the IT Strategy and Architecture Vision.
• Takes complete ownership of infrastructure and networking solutions for the group wide initiatives and makes solution & technology choices keeping both short- and long-term objectives in view.
• Participates as an SME in the Infrastructure Architecture & Design Sessions and Project
• Presentations. Leading presentations for specific initiatives.
• Demonstrable ability to develop comprehensive conceptual and logical architectures, and system documentation essential for effective implementation, integration, and deployment of solutions for group wide initiatives
• Work closely with other architectural disciplines and various global services teams to ensure the appropriate specification of the infrastructure is proposed for deployment and ensuring the technical integrity and quality of Infrastructure solutions.
• Oversight experience on transformational projects and successful transitions to implementation support teams.
• Participates in proof of concepts to assist, explore and define solutions and technology direction thus aligning with business strategy.
• Participates in drafting RFPs, RFIs and RFQs for defining solutions, specifications, and scope of work for various projects/requirements.
• Effectively communicates with strategic partners and solution vendors to assist in matters of technical direction as required. May need to manage the installation and deployment of new technologies and solutions as they arise.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills leveraging all available resources
• Assess efforts, risks, costs, and complexity related to solution deployments.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication

Definition of Success

• Successful Delivery of assigned initiatives and projects.
• Solution Discovery, Design for the Defined Architectures for Groupwide Initiatives with scalable, cost effective and optimal technologies and solutions.
• Defined process and templates on architecture documentation (as-is), creation (new/to-be), and standards.
• Technical guidance and mentorship on infrastructure topics, fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.
• Methodically and continuously identify and address legacy infrastructure design issues.
• Ensuring deployed solutions follow compliance requirements by establishing architecture governance, contributing to higher success rate of technology implementations.
• Must take initiatives to harmonize designs and solutions across the group

Desired Qualifications:

Industry specific qualifications related to the role, by example:

• Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) and Cisco Certified Design Professional (CCDP)
• Microsoft Certified: Windows Server certifications (e.g., MCSA, MCSE)
• VMware Certified Professional (VCP)
• CompTIA Server+ and CompTIA Network+
• ITIL Foundation certification
• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
• Additional certifications in Cloud technologies are an added benefit.

Functional/Technical Competencies

• Subject matter expert knowledge of multiple infrastructure technologies, including Data Cente Networks, Enterprise Networks, Large Scale Hyperconverged Server Platforms, Storage Systems,Hypervisors & Virtualisation, Microsoft Technology Stack, Mobility, Security (end point, throughto externally facing website, Firewall, and gateway infrastructure)
• In-depth knowledge of Active Directory Domain Services, PowerShell, Group Policy, Microsoft Azure service stack and server platforms (on premise and cloud), VMWare ESXi, Virtual Desktop, Backup systems, Storage Area Network and Monitoring solutions.
• Experience of solutioning different Data Storage solutions including EMC, HP, PURESTORAGE etc.
• Experience of solutioning Hyperconverged infrastructures such as Cisco UCS, Cisco Hyperflex etc.

Network Competencies

• Expert knowledge of IP, Ethernet, routing and switching within LAN/WAN/Data
• Centre/Public Cloud Network environments.
• Subject matter expert with solutioning experience on LAN/WAN, Software Defined
• Networking, Wireless, Data Center, Spine & Leaf Networks, Firewalls, Routing Protocols,
• Network Management & Automation.
• Security Products including Palo Alto Firewalls, FireEye, Cisco Firepower, FortiGate,
• Meraki MX
• Network Virtualization such as VRFs, MPLS-VPNs, VXLANs, Ethernet VPNs etc.
• Solutioning Routing Protocols including OSPF & BGP etc.
• Experience of solutioning public cloud environments such as AZURE & AWS
• Understanding of common information architecture frameworks and information models.
• Knowledge of Enterprise Architecture such as TOGAF or COBIT are preferred but not required.

Personal Characteristics and Required Background:

• Ability to elicit and communicate technical and non-technical information in a clear and concise manner, excelling at solving problems and thinking creatively.
• Excellent analytical and technical skills. Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Value driven mindset, keeping customer at the centre of decision making.
• Technology agnostic, remaining unbiased toward any specific technology or vendor choice, and is more interested in results than personal preferences.
• Motivated and driven by achieving successful long-term business outcomes.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills, including teamwork, facilitation, and negotiation.
• Ability to communicate, influence and persuade peers and stakeholders.
• Ability to propose and estimate the financial impact of solution architecture.
• Experience designing, integrating, and managing complex infrastructure and networking solutions with an ability to delivery technical system solutions that meet business needs.
• Ability to quickly comprehend the functions and capabilities of new infrastructure, cloud, and networking technologies.
• Proven ability to work well with others, and as a team.