IT Business Analyst

Job Title: IT Business Analyst (2)

Reporting To: Senior Programs Manager

Duty Station: Association of Microfinance  Institutions in Rwanda (AMIR)

Project Reference: Automation of 11 non-Umurenge SACCOs

Duration of Employment: 8 months (renewable)

Background Information

• The core objective of AMIR is to become a strong and efficient organization that contributes to the development of the microfinance industry through the promotion of transparent management systems in MFIs, innovative and market-led financial services and products
• The core objective of AFR is to stimulate the financial sector to remove systemic barriers, which hinder access to financial services by putting the poor at the center of its interventions in Rwanda. Improving access to financial services for the rural poor and women is a particular focus.
• The Government of Rwanda recognizes the need to increase access to and usage of financial services in Rwanda as a key poverty reduction strategy. It is in this regard that it has supported different initiatives to promote financial inclusion including building the capacity of Savings and Credit Cooperatives (SACCOs).
• It is important to note that despite their invaluable contribution to financial inclusion, some of the SACCOs still operate manually, and face capacity gaps which make them less efficient and competitive in delivering good service to their members and are prone to errors and fraud.
• Therefore, AMIR in partnership with Access to Finance Rwanda (AFR) has secured funding to support a project for the automation of the operations of eleven (11) non-umurenge SACCOs through procuring a core banking system (CBS) and installing it in a form of a shared IT platform, where all the institutions to be automated, will use the same solutions.

Role

• The IT Business analyst’s Primary Role is helping Non-umurenge SACCOs implement technology solutions in a cost-effective way by determining the requirements of the project or system and communicating them clearly to stakeholders and consultants.
• The IT Business analyst operates under general or minimum supervision and performs duties with broad latitude for judgment. The IT Business analyst independently performs business process analysis; comparison of the same to proposed software; document, recommend, and make process and configuration changes to one or more operating functions and/or the proposed software; perform software testing and perform strategic business analysis to support Non-umurenge SACCOs staff. Tasks assigned to this level require an in-depth and broader understanding of problem identification, analysis, and resolution. Final products may be reviewed upon completion with regard to business and technical soundness and appropriateness. The IT business shall provide support to the non-umurenge SACCOs staff in the usage of the new software.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Defines and documents customer business functions and processes.
• Consults with functional unit management and personnel to identify, define, and document business needs and objectives, current operational procedures, problems, input and output requirements, and levels of systems access.
• Acts as a liaison between departmental end-users, technical analysts, information technology analysts, consultants, and other stakeholders in the analysis, design, configuration, testing, and maintenance of the proposed software to ensure optimal operational performance.
• Analyzes the feasibility of, and develop requirements for, new systems and enhancements to existing systems; ensures the system design fits the needs of the users.
• Tracks and fully documents changes for functional and business specifications; writes detailed universally understood procedures for permanent records and for use in training.
• Identifies opportunities for improving business processes through information systems and/or non-system driver changes; assists in the preparation of proposals to develop new systems and/or operational changes.
• Reads and interprets the proposed software and functional technical literature and translates in terms understandable to the end-users.
• Plans, organizes and conducts business process reengineering/improvement projects and/or management reviews specific to the Non-umurenge SACCOs
• Researches and prepares statistical reports using data from the Non-umurenge SACCOs and from internal surveys. Consolidates information into cohesive and understandable correspondence or other written form for use in management decision-making.
• Assists in developing an overall change management strategy for Non-umurenge SACCOs.
• Conducts change impact analysis to assess the potential implications of changes and documents the Non-umurenge SACCOs business rules, functions and requirements.Develops test scripts for the user acceptance testing
• Participates in user acceptance testing and testing of new system functionality.
• Provides technical assistance in training, mentoring, and coaching professional and technical staff.
• Develops training curriculum and conducts formal training sessions covering assigned systems module.
• Directs or participates in studies of new and existing programs and special projects to determine feasibility, resolve problems including organizational, procedural, technical and operational. Develops policy and procedures to improve efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and/or improve internal and external customer service; develops information system documentation to support efficiency of the Non-umurenge SACCOs operations. Prepares reports and written findings and recommendations; and monitors changes.
• Provides work direction to one or more technical or clerical staff or acts as a team lead on designated projects or assignments.
• Any other task assigned by the Senior Programs manager

Qualification

Education and Training:

• A Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university in a field directly related to Computer Science or Software engineering.
• Proof of Professional certifications related to this job is an added value

Experience: At least five (5) years of experience in business process analysis, major computer system implementations, change management.

Experience includes, but is not limited to working with banking or SACCO software; use of other software applications including presentation, spreadsheet, flowcharting, and word processing applications; methods of developing business process specifications; procedures and methods for testing business functions within computer systems; principles and practices of producing effective project documentation including business functions, desk manuals, and configuration documentation; organization and management, business information systems and practices; principles, practices, and techniques of customer service; customers’ current business processes; group decision making processes, project team development, facilitation techniques, methods and techniques of problem-solving; time management and organizational skills; project management techniques; techniques for managing change; English grammar, punctuation, spelling, and usage. Experience in the Automation of Microfinance institutions (MFIs, SACCOs)

 Ability to:

Perform duties independently under general, minimal supervision within specific assignments; analyze and make recommendations on administrative, management and procedural practices and other complex business problems; analyze, evaluate and integrate business processes and procedures; apply creative thinking in the use of Non-umurenge SACCOs systems and development of business processes; write logical, comprehensive, concise reports and correspondence; communicate effectively orally and in writing using language understandable to management and employees; acquire subject matter expertise in the functions and activities of the assigned work unit, including banking operations; establish and maintain effective and cooperative working relationships; use troubleshooting and analytical skills; apply technical competency with strong computer skills; utilize time management skills and multi-tasking capabilities; develop and document business and processes, functions and procedures; handle multiple and parallel projects.

Ability to occasionally travel throughout the country is required.