Chief Technology Officer (Re Announced)

Job Summary

Technology Strategy & Architecture

• Develop and execute the overall technology strategy aligned with Ghazanfar Pay’s business objectives and regulatory requirements.
• Design and maintain enterprise architecture covering Ghazanfar pay platforms, mobile applications, middleware, switching, APIs, and data layers.
• Ensure scalability, modularity, and high availability of all technology systems.
• Lead technology roadmaps for new product enablement, system upgrades, and digital transformation initiatives.
• Ensure interoperability with national payment systems, APS, switches, telecom partners, and banking platforms.
• Establish technology governance frameworks, standards, and documentation.

Core Platforms & Application Management

• Oversee implementation, configuration, and lifecycle management of Ghazanfar pay systems, wallet platforms, and transaction engines.
• Ensure stability, performance, and resilience of mobile apps, portals, and backend services.
• Lead integration of merchant systems, agent platforms, billers, and third-party fintech solutions.
• Manage change management, version upgrades, and release cycles.
• Ensure strong QA, UAT, and production deployment processes.
• Support rapid and secure rollout of new digital products and features.

Cybersecurity, Infrastructure & Data Protection

• Establish and enforce comprehensive cybersecurity frameworks aligned with regulatory and international standards.
• Oversee security architecture, access controls, encryption, network protection, and endpoint security.
• Lead implementation of SOC monitoring, vulnerability management, and incident response mechanisms.
• Ensure compliance with data protection, privacy, and consumer information security requirements.
• Conduct regular penetration testing, system audits, and disaster recovery drills.
• Develop and maintain business continuity and disaster recovery systems.

Systems Operations & Reliability

• Ensure 24/7 system availability, monitoring, and performance optimization.
• Oversee transaction processing efficiency, uptime management, and system health dashboards.
• Establish SLAs and performance frameworks for internal systems and third-party vendors.
• Implement automated monitoring, alerting, and failover mechanisms.
• Lead root cause analysis and continuous system improvement initiatives.
• Ensure operational readiness for high transaction volumes and national-scale services.

Vendor, Integration & Innovation Management

• Lead technology vendor selection, contracting, performance monitoring, and risk assessments.
• Manage system integrators, cloud/service providers, telecom partners, and fintech collaborators.
• Oversee API ecosystems and secure partner connectivity frameworks.
• Identify emerging technologies to enhance efficiency, security, and service delivery.
• Promote innovation in payments, AI-enabled operations, digital identity, and analytics.
• Ensure cost-effective, future-proof technology investments.

Regulatory, Risk & Compliance Enablement

• Work closely with Compliance, Risk, and Internal Audit to embed regulatory controls into system design.
• Ensure platforms support AML/CFT monitoring, transaction surveillance, and regulatory reporting.
• Facilitate system readiness for Central Bank inspections and audits.
• Maintain documentation of system controls, data flows, and security governance.
• Ensure traceability, audit logs, and regulatory reporting capabilities are fully embedded.

Data, Analytics & Digital Enablement

• Lead data architecture, warehousing, and analytics platforms.
• Enable real-time dashboards for management, operations, compliance, and risk monitoring.
• Promote data-driven decision-making and customer insight capabilities.
• Oversee AI, automation, and digital optimization initiatives.
• Ensure data quality, availability, and integrity across systems.

People, Capability & Performance Management

• Build, lead, and mentor a high-performing technology and digital team.
• Establish continuous learning and certification programs.
• Define clear KPIs, performance dashboards, and service accountability frameworks.
• Promote a culture of innovation, resilience, cybersecurity awareness, and operational discipline.
• Ensure succession planning and local capacity development.
• Enforce ethical, professional, and secure technology practices.

Job Requirements

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or related field (Master’s preferred).
• Professional certifications such as CISSP, CISM, TOGAF, ITIL, or cloud/security certifications highly desirable.

Experience

• Minimum 8–10 years of experience in technology leadership roles within EMI, fintech, telecom, banking, or payment services.
• At least 3–5 years in a senior management or CTO/Head of Technology role.
• Proven experience implementing large-scale digital payment platforms and high-availability systems.
• Strong expertise in cybersecurity, systems integration, APIs, and payment switching.
• Demonstrated experience working with regulators, audits, and compliance-driven environments.
• Strong understanding of mobile money ecosystems, EMI platforms, and digital financial infrastructure.
• Experience in emerging markets or fragile operating environments preferred.
• Fluency in English required; local languages an asset.
• Experience supporting humanitarian or large-scale digital payment programs is a strong advantage.

Key Competencies

• Strategic technology leadership and execution capability
• Strong systems architecture and cybersecurity expertise
• Operational resilience and crisis management skills
• Innovation mindset with strong delivery discipline
• Vendor and stakeholder management capability
• High integrity, accountability, and regulatory awareness
• Strong problem-solving and analytical thinking
• Ability to operate in high-risk, fast-changing environments
• Expertise in interoperability and national payment infrastructure
• Commitment to building sustainable local technology capacity