Location: Gulf African Bank
Department: Information Technology
Reports to: Senior Manager, IT infrastructure

Position Overview:

We are seeking an experienced Senior Systems Administrator to join our IT team at Gulf African Bank. The ideal candidate will be responsible for maintaining and managing the bank’s critical IT infrastructure, including both Windows and Linux-based systems. This role requires advanced technical knowledge, strong problem-solving skills, and the ability to manage complex systems in a fast-paced and security-sensitive environment. The Senior Systems Administrator will work closely with other IT teams to ensure the integrity, security, and optimal performance of our systems and services.

Key Responsibilities:

System Administration:

• Maintain, monitor, and troubleshoot Windows and Linux server environments.
• Ensure high availability and reliability of critical systems and applications.
• Implement system and application upgrades and patches on a regular basis.

Infrastructure Management:

• Administer virtualization platforms (e.g., VMware, Hyper-V) and manage server clusters and PR-DR replications.
• Oversee storage solutions (e.g., SAN, NAS) and backup systems e.g. Veeam backup and replication.
• Manage network services such as DNS, DHCP, and Active Directory.
• Manage Email and collaborative tools for M365 and G-Suite.
• Manage the Privileged Access manager (PAM)
• Datacenter management- power, cooling and optimal DC health.

Security and Compliance:

• Ensure system configurations meet regulatory and industry security standards e.g. via hardening and configuration of golden images for Windows and Linux
• Implement security best practices, including user access controls (Active directory), encryption (Trellix, MS defender for office & endpoint), and endpoint firewall management.
• Monitor, analyze, and respond to security incidents and vulnerabilities.

Performance Optimization:

• Monitor system performance and resource utilization, ensuring efficient operation of servers, Virtualization infrastructure, Storage and select applications.
• Troubleshoot performance issues, escalating when necessary, and recommend improvements.

Automation and Scripting:

• Develop automation scripts (using PowerShell, Bash, Python, etc.) to streamline system management tasks.
• Automate routine administrative tasks such as backups, patching, and reporting.

Collaboration:

• Collaborate with application teams, network engineers, and other IT staff to support the bank’s infrastructure needs.
• Participate in project planning, implementation, and execution for system upgrades, migrations, and new service deployments.

Disaster Recovery:

• Assist in the development and execution of disaster recovery and business continuity plans.
• Ensure that backup and restoration processes are regularly tested and optimized.

Qualifications:

• University degree in IT, mathematics, Computer Science or telecommunication/electronics engineering

Experience:

• 5+ years of experience in system administration with a focus on both Windows and Linux systems (e.g., Windows Server, Red Hat, Ubuntu).
• Strong experience in managing critical production environments within the banking or financial services industry is highly desirable.

Skills:

• In-depth knowledge of Windows Server administration (Active Directory, Group Policy, IIS, etc.).
• Strong understanding of Linux administration, including command-line skills, service management, and shell scripting.
• Experience with cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure) and containerization (Docker, Kubernetes) is a plus.
• Experience with monitoring tools such as SolarWinds, or Zabbix.
• Experience with backup and recovery solutions (e.g., Veeam, Veritas).
• Familiarity with network infrastructure, including TCP/IP, VPNs, firewalls, and load balancing.

Certifications (preferred):

• Microsoft Certified: Windows Server or Azure certifications (e.g., MCSE, MCSA, MS-900).
• Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA), or similar.
• CompTIA Security+, CISSP, or other relevant security certifications.

Soft Skills:

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to resolve complex technical issues.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Ability to mentor junior staff and contribute to the growth of the team.

Working Conditions:

• This position may require participation in on-call rotations.
• Occasional evening or weekend work may be necessary to perform upgrades, maintenance, or troubleshooting during off-peak hours.