Arnold Mashoko

Strategic IT Planning:

• Develop and execute IT strategies aligned with organisational goals.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and recommend their implementation to support business objectives.
• Collaborate with senior leadership to identify technology needs and drive innovation across the organisation.

IT Operations Management:

• Oversee the daily operations of the IT department, ensuring all systems are running efficiently and securely.
• Manage system administration, network management, and server infrastructure maintenance.
• Ensure timely resolution of IT-related incidents and issues, providing technical expertise when needed.
• Manage IT projects from conception to completion, ensuring they are delivered on time, within scope, and on budget.
• Implement project management methodologies to track progress, manage risks, and ensure successful project delivery.

Vendor & Stakeholder Management:

• Manage relationships with technology vendors and service providers, negotiating contracts and ensuring that service level agreements (SLAs) are met.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to understand IT needs and deliver tailored technology solutions.
• Ensure effective communication between IT and non-technical departments to foster understanding and support for IT initiatives.

IT Security & Compliance:

• Ensure that IT systems are secure and compliant with ISO 27001 regulations, data protection and cyber security standards.
• Develop and enforce IT security policies and procedures to safeguard organisational data.
• Implement and monitor disaster recovery plans, backup solutions, and business continuity strategies.

Budgeting & Resource Allocation:

• Manage the IT budget, ensuring cost-effective use of resources to meet departmental and organisational goals.
• Track IT expenditures, allocate resources efficiently, and identify opportunities to reduce costs without compromising service quality.
• Oversee IT asset management, ensuring that hardware, software, and licensing are properly tracked and managed.

User Support & Helpdesk Management:

• Oversee IT support and helpdesk functions, ensuring timely and efficient resolution of user issues.
• Maintain high levels of customer satisfaction by ensuring the IT team delivers excellent service to end-users.
• Identify and address recurring issues by implementing long-term solutions and improving helpdesk processes.

Team Leadership & Development:

• Lead and manage the IT team, ensuring they are productive and aligned with the department's objectives.
• Set performance goals, conduct regular performance reviews, and provide coaching and training opportunities for staff.
• Foster a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement within the IT team.

• Plan, implement, and manage company overall strategy and infrastructure to support company goals
• Design and deploy scalable, reliable, and secure solutions on Google Cloud Platform (GCP), using services like Google Compute Engine, Google Kubernetes Engine, Big Query, and Google Cloud Storage
• Create architecture diagrams and design documents using Azure services such as Azure Virtual Machines, Azure App Services, Azure SQL Database, and Azure Kubernetes Service
• Develop solutions on Microsoft Azure that meet client needs while considering security, performance, and scalability
• Implement automation using Google Cloud tools such as Cloud Deployment Manager and Cloud Functions
• Design and implement scalable and resilient architectures on Amazon Web Services (AWS) using services such as EC2, S3, RDS, Lambda, and VPC
• Ensure solutions are highly available and fault-tolerant using AWS services like Elastic Load Balancing, Auto Scaling, and Multi-AZ deployments
• Ensure security of data, network access, and backup systems
• Identify and recommend new technology solutions to improve productivity and efficiency
• Manage and optimize budgets and resources
• Maintain relationships with vendors and oversee all contracts
• Troubleshoot hardware and software issues and escalate as needed
• Ensure compliance with relevant regulations, including data protection laws
• Develop and implement policies and procedures
• Up to date with advancements in IT technology and industry best practices
• Provide leadership and mentoring to IT staff, fostering positive team environment.

• Infrastructure Planning
• Integrating TC group Technology stack
• Network Management
• Developing and implementing strategic plans for Transaction Capital's IT infrastructure, considering current and future technology needs and business requirements
• Server and Data Center Management
• Hardware and Software Management
• Security and Compliance
• Established a Cyber Committee for the group, to foster collaboration, idea sharing, and cost-cutting measures for Cyber insurance
• Backup and Disaster Recovery
• Implementing and testing backup solutions and disaster recovery plans to safeguard critical data and systems in case of emergencies
• Monitoring and Troubleshooting
• Vendor Management
• Collaborating with IT vendors, negotiating contracts, and ensuring service level agreements are met
• Budgeting and Cost Control
• Creating and managing IT infrastructure budget, optimizing expenses, and ensuring cost-effective solutions
• Team Management
• Project Management: Overseeing infrastructure-related projects, setting timelines, managing resources, and ensuring successful project completion
• Technology Evaluation: Assessing new technologies, tools, and methodologies to improve organization's IT infrastructure and operations
• IT Policies and Procedures: Developing and implementing IT policies and procedures, ensuring compliance and standardization across the organization
• User Support and Training: Providing support to end-users, addressing their IT-related issues, and organizing training programs to enhance their technology skills
• Achievements: Successfully launched the Group Cyber Committee
• Created a system architecture that ensures high availability and fault tolerance, reducing downtime to 0%
• Implemented IT Governance Frameworks across the group.

• Responsible for the company LAN infrastructure
• Monitoring technology alerts received from the various IT monitoring systems, recommend corrective action
• Resolved issues and assisted the outsourced partners where necessary Server and AD administration, maintaining user account passwords and Implementing Group Policies
• Supported Domino and Lotus notes
• Administered weekly, monthly and annual backups and tape rotation using VEAM for the Cloud
• Scheduled regular backup and restore test and perform integrity checks
• Managed the Virtualized Environments and maintained both clusters hosted on and off site
• Documented all procedures and IT processes in accordance with ITIL standards
• Managed VPNs and networks including troubleshooting using networking tools and sniffers also logging calls with service providers (Internet Solutions)
• Assisted with IT Annual budgets and strategic project planning
• Kept abreast of technology relevant to industry Research and monitored trends relevant to the IT industry
• Monitored network performance against agreed service levels Established and maintained network connectivity to the disaster recovery site in the event of a disaster
• Generated and implemented new ideas and approaches relevant to the role I was performing
• Managed project life-cycle: project scope, participate in design phase, project proposal, procurement, assembly, installation, commissioning, and hand over
• Deployed Cloud-based solutions IaaS, SaaS and supported the services
• Designed and implemented SQL clustering on client environments Designed and deployed
• Performed the virtualization of server infrastructure on Hyper -V and VMware vSphere ESX
• Achievement: Promotion from 2nd Line Technician to Systems Engineer in my first year
• Configured and maintained network security to protect the company's infrastructure from external threats
• Installed and configured servers, storage devices, and networking equipment to meet availability and performance requirements
• Monitored system performance and identified potential bottlenecks, resulting in a 42% improvement in system throughput
• Implemented a cloud-native architecture that reduced infrastructure costs by 37%.

• User Support Providing technical support to end-users, addressing hardware and software issues, troubleshooting problems, and resolving IT-related inquiries
• System Maintenance: Regularly maintaining and updating the organization's IT systems, including servers, workstations, networking equipment, and peripherals
• Network Management: Configuring and managing the organization's computer networks, ensuring connectivity, security, and efficient data flow
• Software Installation and Updates: Installing, configuring, and updating software applications on users' devices and ensuring they are properly licensed
• Data Backup and Recovery: Implementing and managing data backup solutions to protect critical information, and developing disaster recovery plans for data restoration in emergencies
• Security Management: Implementing security measures, such as firewalls, antivirus software, and access controls, to safeguard the organization's IT assets from cyber threats
• User Accounts and Permissions: Creating and managing user accounts, permissions, and access levels to various systems and resources
• IT Inventory Management: Maintaining an inventory of hardware and software assets, tracking licenses, and ensuring compliance with software usage terms
• IT Documentation: Creating and updating technical documentation, including system configurations, troubleshooting procedures, and user guides
• Patch Management: Applying security patches and updates to operating systems and software to ensure systems are protected against known vulnerabilities
• Monitoring and Performance Optimization: Monitoring system performance, identifying bottlenecks, and implementing optimizations to enhance overall efficiency
• IT Procurement: Assisting with IT equipment procurement, including sourcing and evaluating vendors and recommending suitable technology solutions
• Incident Response: Responding to and resolving IT incidents promptly to minimize downtime and disruptions to business operations.