Network infrastructure

Career Opportunity: Network infrastructure & Systems Manager Department: Operations and Technology

Location:
Kigali, Rwanda Application Deadline: October 30th, 2026, by 6:00PM Office

Location:
Kigali Plot 314, Avenue de la Paix About Ecobank Ecobank is the leading pan-African banking group, operating in 34 African countries, with 4 representative offices outside Africa: Paris, London, Dubai, and Beijing. We are committed to driving financial integration and economic transformation through accessible, innovative, and inclusive banking solutions. In Rwanda, we play an essential role in enabling businesses to grow, trade, and thrive in a rapidly evolving economy. Our Values – We RACE IT Our culture is rooted in a shared set of values that define how we work, lead, and grow together:
• Respect: We treat others with dignity and listen actively.
• Accountability: We own our responsibilities and deliver on our promises.
• Customer Centricity: We put clients at the heart of every decision.
• Excellence: We strive for high performance and impactful results.
• Integrity: We do the right thing—always.
• Teamwork: We believe in collaboration across teams, countries, and cultures. Together, we RACE IT — with courage, purpose, and a shared vision for a stronger Africa. About the opportunity: Ecobank Rwanda is seeking a Network Infrastructure & Systems Manager to oversee the Bank’s network and systems environment, ensuring secure, reliable, and efficient IT operations. Reporting to the Head of Technology, the Network & Systems Administrator is responsible for the end-to-end administration, availability, performance and security of Ecobank Rwanda’s network and server infrastructure, covering Cisco routing and switching, Next-Generation Firewalls (NGFWs), Microsoft infrastructure, Azure cloud services, Linux servers and the VMware ESXi virtualization platform. The role operates within the Ecobank Group operating model, executing affiliate-level operations in line with Group Technology standards, change and incident processes, and providing accurate operational and management reporting to local management and Group counterparts. If you believe you have what it takes to uphold these standards and contribute meaningfully to our operational excellence, we encourage you to apply and become part of our dedicated team. Job Context
• Availability management – Ensure network, server and platform availability in line with agreed SLAs/OLAs (minimum 99.9% for critical services) across head office, branches, ATMs and DR site.
• Group alignment – Operate under Group Technology Operations frameworks, including the Group Hardening Standard, change management (CAB), incident escalation, approved device lists and Group security policies.
• Security and compliance – Maintain infrastructure in compliance with Group Information Security policies, BNR regulatory requirements, PCI DSS and internal/external audit expectations.
• Resilience – Support business continuity and disaster recovery readiness, including periodic DR tests and failover of critical services.
• Reporting – Produce timely, accurate and decision-ready reports for the Head of Technology, local management committees and Group Technology.

Key Responsibilities
Network Administration (Cisco & LAN/WAN)
• Install, configure, maintain and troubleshoot Cisco routers, switches and wireless infrastructure across head office, branches, ATMs and the DR site.
• Administer routing and switching protocols (BGP, OSPF, EIGRP, HSRP, VLANs, STP, QoS) and maintain WAN/ISP links and redundancy.
• Manage network access control and AAA (Cisco ISE, TACACS+, 802.1X) in line with security standards.
• Configure and support site-to-site and remote-access VPNs for staff, vendors and third-party integrations.
• Maintain network diagrams, IP address plans, configuration backups and device inventory; track device lifecycle and End-of-Life (EOL).
• Coordinate with the Group NOC and Command Centre for monitoring handover, escalations and Group-wide network changes. Next-Generation Firewall (NGFW) & Network Security
• Administer, monitor and troubleshoot NGFWs (e.g., Check Point, Cisco Firepower/ASA, Palo Alto, FortiGate), including policies, NAT, IPS, application control, URL filtering and SSL/TLS inspection.
• Conduct periodic firewall rule reviews and clean-ups; enforce least-privilege access and network segmentation.
• Apply the Group Hardening Standard to new and existing devices; disable weak protocols and ciphers (e.g., legacy TLS/SSL) and insecure services.
• Remediate vulnerabilities from scans and penetration tests within agreed timelines and provide closure evidence.
• Upgrade firmware and software on network and security devices through approved change windows. Microsoft Infrastructure & Azure Cloud
• Administer Windows Server environments: Active Directory, Group Policy, DNS, DHCP, file and print services and certificate services.
• Manage user and privileged accounts, access rights and periodic access reviews in line with Group IAM policy.
• Support Microsoft 365 and Entra ID (Azure AD) services, including identity synchronization, MFA and conditional access, in coordination with Group teams.
• Provision, configure and monitor Azure resources (virtual machines, virtual networks, NSGs, storage, backup) with attention to security, cost and performance.
• Apply Windows patches and security updates (WSUS/SCCM/Intune or Group tooling) and report on compliance levels. Linux Server Management
• Install, configure, harden and maintain Linux servers (RHEL, Oracle Linux, Ubuntu, CentOS) hosting banking and supporting applications.
• Manage users, permissions, services, storage (LVM), cron jobs, logs and system performance.
• Apply patches and security updates; automate routine tasks using Bash, PowerShell or Python. Virtualization (VMware ESXi / vCenter)
• Administer VMware ESXi hosts and vCenter: VM provisioning, templates, snapshots, vMotion, HA/DRS, datastores and virtual networking.
• Perform capacity planning (CPU, memory, storage) and report on resource utilization and growth.
• Maintain host firmware, ESXi and vCenter versions within vendor support and Group standards. Backup, Business Continuity & Disaster Recovery
• Monitor backup jobs, ensure success rates meet targets and perform periodic restore tests.
• Maintain DR configurations and participate in scheduled DR tests and failover exercises; document results and gaps. Group Operations, Change & Incident Management
• Raise, document and implement changes through the Group change management process (CAB) with rollback plans and post-implementation reviews.
• Log, resolve and escalate incidents and service requests within SLA/OLA via the ITSM tool; perform root-cause analysis for major incidents.
• Work with Group Technology Operations, Group Information Security and vendors on joint projects, rollouts and escalated issues.
• Implement Group directives, standards and technology roadmaps at affiliate level and provide status feedback. Management Reporting & Documentation
• Prepare weekly and monthly operational reports covering availability, incidents, capacity, patch compliance, backup status and vulnerability remediation.
• Contribute input to management packs (e.g., ITSC, BRCC, Exco), audit and regulator responses, and risk and control self-assessments.
• Track and update audit findings and corrective action plans relating to network and systems, with supporting evidence.
• Maintain up-to-date documentation: configurations, SOPs, network diagrams, asset registers and runbooks. Vendor & Asset Management
• Manage network, server and ISP vendors against SLAs; support technical evaluation of quotations and contract renewals.
• Maintain the infrastructure asset inventory and support EOL replacement and CAPEX planning. Key relationships: Internal:
• All departments Who We’re Looking For: Qualifications & Experience
• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Information Technology, Telecommunications or a related field.
• Minimum 4–6 years’ hands-on experience in network and systems administration, preferably in banking or financial services.
• Cisco certification preferred (CCNA minimum; CCNP Enterprise or Security is an advantage).
NGFW certification is an advantage (e.g., Check Point CCSA/CCSE, Palo Alto PCNSA/PCNSE, Fortinet NSE).
• Microsoft certification is an advantage (e.g., AZ-104 Azure Administrator, Windows Server Hybrid Administrator).
• VMware (VCP-DCV) and Linux (RHCSA/LPIC) certifications are an advantage.
• ITIL Foundation; working knowledge of ISO 27001, PCI DSS and regulatory IT requirements.
• Prior experience working within a multinational or group-structured organization is strongly preferred. Skills & Capabilities
• Strong Cisco IOS/IOS-XE expertise: routing, switching, wireless, ISE and VPN technologies.
• Hands-on administration of NGFWs, including policy design, IPS, SSL/TLS inspection and troubleshooting.
• Solid Windows Server, Active Directory, DNS/DHCP and Group Policy administration.
• Practical experience with Microsoft Azure IaaS, networking and identity services.
• Linux system administration and shell scripting.
• VMware ESXi/vCenter administration, including HA, DRS and capacity management.
• Experience with monitoring tools (e.g., SolarWinds Orion, PRTG, Zabbix) and ITSM platforms. Personal Attributes
• Ability to produce clear, accurate management reports, dashboards and executive summaries.
• Strong understanding of group governance, change control and escalation structures.
• Excellent analytical, troubleshooting and documentation skills; proficiency in MS Excel, PowerPoint and Visio.
• Effective communicator with local management, Group teams and vendors.
• High integrity, attention to detail and ability to work under pressure and outside business hours when required.
• Commitment to continuous learning and knowledge transfer within the team. What You’ll Get
• An inclusive and growth-driven workplace.
• Regional exposure and career development opportunities.
• Performance-based incentives and a supportive team culture.
• The chance to make a meaningful contribution to Rwanda’s corporate banking space. To Apply Submit your application by September 09th, 2026, by 6:00PM via our career portal. Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Commitment Ecobank is committed to providing equal opportunities to all and fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace. To this end, we encourage applications from individuals regardless of their nationality, race, gender, age, social class, religion, beliefs, and disability while fully adhering to the local laws and regulations established where Ecobank operates. Women are strongly encouraged to apply. We ensure fair treatment and equal opportunity at every step of our recruitment process. Recruitment Integrity
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
• Employment is conditional upon successful background checks and verification.
• All offers of employment are subject to satisfactory references.