Digital Payments Solutions Architect Job Vacancy in Monze, Zambia – Banking & Financial Services

Job Description

Position: Digital Payments Solutions Architect

Company: Absa Bank Zambia

Location: Monze, Zambia

Experience: 5+ years in digital payments architecture, solution design, and implementation

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems or related field

Employment Type: Full-time

Industry: Banking & Financial Services

Department: Digital Innovation

Salary: SSP 120,000 – 180,000 per month

Vacancies:1

Company Overview

Absa Bank Zambia is a leading financial institution with a strong commitment to innovation, customer centricity, and sustainable growth. As part of the broader Absa Group, the bank leverages global expertise while maintaining deep local insight, delivering a comprehensive suite of banking services across the nation.

Operating in more than 30 African countries, Absa Bank Zambia has built a reputation for financial inclusion, digital transformation, and community development. The bank’s strategic focus on technology-driven solutions positions it at the forefront of the evolving financial landscape in Zambia.

With a workforce of over 2,000 professionals, Absa Bank Zambia invests heavily in talent development, fostering a culture of continuous learning, collaboration, and ethical conduct. The organization prides itself on creating an inclusive environment where diverse perspectives drive innovation.

Absa’s digital platforms serve millions of customers, offering mobile banking, online account management, and a suite of payment solutions that simplify everyday transactions. The bank’s commitment to secure, reliable, and user-friendly services has earned it numerous industry accolades.

In Monze, Absa Bank Zambia is expanding its digital footprint to better serve the Southern Province’s growing population. The region’s economic activities, ranging from agriculture to small‑scale manufacturing, demand robust digital payment infrastructure, and the bank is poised to meet this need.

Absa’s corporate social responsibility initiatives focus on education, entrepreneurship, and environmental stewardship, aligning with national development goals. By partnering with local schools and NGOs, the bank contributes to skill development and community empowerment.

The bank’s technology division collaborates closely with global partners, ensuring that solutions are built on best‑in‑class platforms, adhere to stringent security standards, and comply with regulatory requirements.

Absa Bank Zambia’s vision is to become the most trusted digital bank in the country, delivering seamless experiences that empower individuals and businesses alike.

As part of this vision, the Digital Payments Solutions Architect will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of payments, driving innovation, and enhancing the bank’s competitive edge.

Join a forward‑thinking team that values creativity, technical excellence, and a passion for delivering transformative financial services.

Job Overview

The Digital Payments Solutions Architect will lead the design, development, and integration of cutting‑edge payment solutions across Absa’s digital channels. This role requires a deep understanding of payment ecosystems, emerging technologies, and regulatory landscapes within Zambia and the broader Southern African region.

Working closely with product managers, engineers, and compliance officers, the architect will translate business requirements into scalable, secure, and high‑performance architectures that support mobile wallets, QR code payments, and real‑time settlement.

The position involves evaluating third‑party providers, overseeing API strategy, and ensuring seamless interoperability with legacy banking systems. The architect will also mentor junior engineers, fostering a culture of technical excellence.

Key performance indicators include system uptime, transaction success rates, time‑to‑market for new payment features, and adherence to security standards such as PCI DSS.

Absa Bank Zambia is committed to leveraging the latest fintech innovations, including blockchain‑based settlement, AI‑driven fraud detection, and open banking APIs. The architect will champion these initiatives, aligning them with the bank’s strategic objectives.

Collaboration with the risk and compliance teams ensures that all solutions meet local regulatory requirements, including the Bank of Zambia’s guidelines on electronic payments.

Regular interaction with business stakeholders will help prioritize enhancements, gather feedback, and drive continuous improvement of the digital payments portfolio.

For more information about Absa’s digital strategy, visit Absa Bank Zambia Careers.

Key Responsibilities

• Design end‑to‑end digital payment architectures that support mobile, web, and API‑based channels.
• Lead integration projects with fintech partners, payment processors, and third‑party service providers.
• Develop and enforce technical standards, security protocols, and best practices for payment solutions.
• Collaborate with product owners to translate business needs into technical specifications.
• Conduct performance testing, capacity planning, and optimization of payment systems.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to development teams.
• Monitor emerging payment technologies and recommend strategic adoption.
• Ensure compliance with PCI DSS, local regulations, and internal risk policies.
• Prepare architectural documentation, roadmaps, and impact assessments.
• Participate in incident response and root‑cause analysis for payment‑related issues.

Required Skills

• Strong expertise in payment processing platforms (e.g., ISO 8583, EMV, NFC).
• Proficiency in API design, RESTful services, and micro‑services architecture.
• Experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure) and containerization (Docker, Kubernetes).
• Deep knowledge of security standards, encryption, and tokenization.
• Ability to work with agile development methodologies.
• Excellent problem‑solving and analytical skills.
• Effective communication and stakeholder management abilities.
• Leadership experience in guiding cross‑functional technical teams.

Education

A Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Software Engineering, or a related discipline is required. Professional certifications such as TOGAF, AWS Certified Solutions Architect, or PCI DSS Practitioner are advantageous.

Experience

Minimum of five (5) years of experience in designing and implementing digital payment solutions, preferably within a banking or fintech environment. Demonstrated experience with large‑scale transaction processing and regulatory compliance is essential.

Salary

The position offers a competitive salary range of SSP 120,000 to SSP 180,000 per month, commensurate with experience and qualifications. Performance‑based bonuses and incentives are also part of the compensation package.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health insurance covering medical, dental, and vision.
• Retirement savings plan with employer contributions.
• Generous paid leave, including annual, sick, and parental leave.
• Professional development allowance for certifications and training.
• Employee assistance program and wellness initiatives.

Training

• Onboarding program covering Absa’s digital ecosystem and security protocols.
• Continuous learning opportunities through internal workshops, webinars, and external courses.
• Mentorship from senior architects and industry experts.

Working Environment

Absa Bank Zambia offers a modern, collaborative workspace in Monze, equipped with state‑of‑the‑art technology and flexible work arrangements. The culture promotes innovation, accountability, and work‑life balance.

Application Process

Interested candidates should submit their updated CV and a cover letter outlining relevant experience through the online portal on the Absa careers page. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Absa Bank Zambia is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees, regardless of gender, race, religion, age, disability, or sexual orientation.