Old Mutual is a firm believer in the African opportunity, and our people reflect the continent’s diversity, resilience, and potential. As part of our continued commitment to operational excellence and technology-led service delivery, we are inviting qualified and experienced professionals to apply for the position of Database Administrator at our Nairobi office. This is an exciting opportunity for a highly skilled and motivated individual to join a dynamic financial services institution and contribute to our mission of transforming lives through innovative banking and financial solutions.
Job Purpose Statement
The Database Administrator (DBA) will be responsible for managing, maintaining, and securing the bank’s database systems to ensure optimal performance, reliability, and integrity. This role supports the seamless execution of core banking operations and plays a key role in data-driven decision-making through well-managed, high-availability database environments.
This position requires a strong technical foundation in database technologies, performance tuning, and database security. The ideal candidate must be solution-oriented, collaborative, and able to handle mission-critical systems with diligence and precision.
Key Measurable Goals
To ensure accountability and measurable outcomes, the DBA will be expected to achieve the following objectives:
- Database Uptime: Maintain a minimum of 99.9% database uptime across all systems.
- Backup Success Rate: Achieve 100% successful backup for all mission-critical databases.
- Query Performance: Optimize database queries to reduce execution times by 10% annually.
- Security Compliance: Maintain full compliance with internal and regulatory data security policies.
- Incident Resolution: Resolve 90% of all database-related incidents within two hours.
- Data Integrity: Uphold 100% data integrity without any data corruption or unauthorized data loss.
- User Satisfaction: Achieve at least 90% satisfaction from end-users and stakeholders.
- Patch Management: Implement 100% of critical patches within 7 days of release.
Key Responsibilities
1. Database Management and Maintenance
- Install, configure, and manage Database Management Systems (DBMS) such as Oracle, SQL Server, PostgreSQL, and MySQL.
- Monitor system performance and proactively resolve bottlenecks and performance issues.
- Ensure high availability and disaster recovery readiness through backup planning and restore drills.
2. Database Security
- Implement and maintain access controls, encryption, and audit trails in line with internal policies and regulatory frameworks such as PCI DSS and GDPR.
- Perform vulnerability assessments and database hardening to prevent unauthorized access.
- Conduct routine security audits and support internal and external audits as needed.
3. Database Design and Optimization
- Design and implement optimized database schemas, tables, and stored procedures to support application performance.
- Perform indexing, query tuning, and partitioning for enhanced data retrieval efficiency.
- Maintain high-availability configurations such as replication, clustering, and failover setups.
4. Data Integrity and Quality
- Implement validation mechanisms and constraints to ensure data consistency.
- Monitor for and rectify data anomalies, inconsistencies, and corruption.
- Design and manage data archiving and purging processes based on organizational data retention policies.
5. User Support and Training
- Provide timely and effective support to developers, data analysts, and end-users for database-related issues.
- Conduct knowledge-sharing sessions to build internal capacity on database best practices.
6. Documentation and Reporting
- Maintain updated technical documentation for all database systems, configurations, and procedures.
- Prepare periodic reports detailing system performance, database growth, capacity usage, and compliance metrics.
7. Collaboration and Innovation
- Work closely with application developers, system administrators, and data analysts to support business needs.
- Evaluate and recommend new tools and technologies to enhance database operations and scalability.
Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Responsibilities
As part of Old Mutual’s strong stance on compliance, the incumbent will:
- Implement and monitor adherence to AML, KYC, and sanctions policies and procedures.
- Conduct customer due diligence (CDD) and enhanced due diligence (EDD) where necessary.
- Detect and escalate suspicious activities and transactions to the Risk and Compliance Office.
- Support regular internal audits and regulatory reviews related to AML compliance.
Technical Skills and Knowledge Areas
- Proficient in DBMS such as Oracle, SQL Server, MySQL, and PostgreSQL.
- In-depth understanding of database design, normalization, indexing, and optimization.
- Strong expertise in backup, restore, and disaster recovery planning.
- Skilled in query performance tuning and load balancing.
- Familiarity with cloud-hosted databases such as AWS RDS or Azure SQL Database.
- Proficient in scripting for automation using SQL, PL/SQL, Python, PowerShell, or T-SQL.
- Experience with database security tools including encryption, user access control, and audit logging.
- Understanding of data lifecycle management, including data archiving and purging.
Experience Required
- Minimum of 3 years in database administration, preferably within the financial or banking sector.
- Hands-on experience managing large-scale, high-availability production database systems.
- Proven record in performance tuning, replication, high availability, and security compliance.
- Familiarity with ITIL practices and data governance principles is an added advantage.
Personal Attributes and Competencies
- Strong sense of ownership and commitment to delivering results under minimal supervision.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to articulate complex technical issues.
- High integrity, reliability, and discretion in handling sensitive information.
- Flexibility to work during off-hours or weekends as required for maintenance and upgrades.
- Self-starter with a proactive attitude and willingness to go the extra mile to meet deadlines.
- A team player who collaborates well across different departments and technical teams.
Infrastructure and Network Operations Responsibilities
Although primarily focused on database systems, the role will intersect with broader IT infrastructure functions:
- Maintain existing network systems, ensuring stability and performance.
- Support operational tasks including incident management, system monitoring, and disaster recovery tests.
- Participate in software and system testing to identify and address performance or functional issues.
- Identify and report software defects while suggesting corrective actions.
- Contribute to continuous improvement by proposing updates to existing processes and procedures.
Ongoing Development and Capacity Building
- Participate in internal and external training sessions for professional development.
- Stay informed of industry trends, emerging technologies, and evolving regulations.
- Build internal knowledge through collaboration, research, and continuous learning initiatives.
Core Competencies
The ideal candidate will demonstrate the following organizational competencies:
- Communicates Effectively: Clear and effective communication with both technical and non-technical audiences.
- Cultivates Innovation: Brings forward new ideas and leverages technology for process improvement.
- Decision Quality: Makes timely and informed decisions backed by data and analysis.
- Drives Results: Sets ambitious goals and delivers against them with quality and efficiency.
- Ensures Accountability: Accepts responsibility for outcomes and follows through on commitments.
- Optimizes Work Processes: Streamlines procedures for maximum efficiency and reliability.
- Tech Savvy: Comfortable navigating advanced tools, platforms, and digital technologies.
Minimum Education Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related discipline.
- Certifications in relevant database platforms or IT infrastructure areas will be an advantage.
Additional Information
- Job Requisition ID: JR-68926
- Work Location: Nairobi
- Posting Date: Recently posted
- Time Type: Full Time
- Application Deadline: 25 July 2025 at 23:59
This opportunity at Old Mutual is ideal for experienced database professionals looking to make a meaningful impact in a reputable financial institution that values integrity, innovation, and operational excellence. If you are driven by data, committed to performance, and excited by the prospect of working with cutting-edge systems in the financial services sector, we encourage you to submit your application.
