The CTO is responsible for defining and executing Ghazanfar Pay’s overall technology vision and architecture. This includes oversight of the EMI platform, mobile applications, switching and integration layers, cybersecurity frameworks, data management, and technology operations. The CTO will ensure that Ghazanfar Pay’s technology infrastructure is secure, scalable, interoperable, and compliant with EMI regulations and industry best practices. The role is critical in enabling product innovation, transaction reliability, operational resilience, and business continuity in a fragile and high-risk operating environment.

Technology Strategy & Architecture

• Develop and execute the overall technology strategy aligned with Ghazanfar Pay’s business objectives and regulatory requirements.
• Design and maintain enterprise architecture covering Ghazanfar pay platforms, mobile applications, middleware, switching, APIs, and data layers.
• Ensure scalability, modularity, and high availability of all technology systems.
• Lead technology roadmaps for new product enablement, system upgrades, and digital transformation initiatives.
• Ensure interoperability with national payment systems, APS, switches, telecom partners, and banking platforms.
• Establish technology governance frameworks, standards, and documentation.

Core Platforms & Application Management

• Oversee implementation, configuration, and lifecycle management of Ghazanfar pay systems, wallet platforms, and transaction engines.
• Ensure stability, performance, and resilience of mobile apps, portals, and backend services.
• Lead integration of merchant systems, agent platforms, billers, and third-party fintech solutions.
• Manage change management, version upgrades, and release cycles.
• Ensure strong QA, UAT, and production deployment processes.
• Support rapid and secure rollout of new digital products and features.

Cybersecurity, Infrastructure & Data Protection

• Establish and enforce comprehensive cybersecurity frameworks aligned with regulatory and international standards.
• Oversee security architecture, access controls, encryption, network protection, and endpoint security.
• Lead implementation of SOC monitoring, vulnerability management, and incident response mechanisms.
• Ensure compliance with data protection, privacy, and consumer information security requirements.
• Conduct regular penetration testing, system audits, and disaster recovery drills.
• Develop and maintain business continuity and disaster recovery systems.

Systems Operations & Reliability

• Ensure 24/7 system availability, monitoring, and performance optimization.
• Oversee transaction processing efficiency, uptime management, and system health dashboards.
• Establish SLAs and performance frameworks for internal systems and third-party vendors.
• Implement automated monitoring, alerting, and failover mechanisms.
• Lead root cause analysis and continuous system improvement initiatives.
• Ensure operational readiness for high transaction volumes and national-scale services.

Vendor, Integration & Innovation Management

• Lead technology vendor selection, contracting, performance monitoring, and risk assessments.
• Manage system integrators, cloud/service providers, telecom partners, and fintech collaborators.
• Oversee API ecosystems and secure partner connectivity frameworks.
• Identify emerging technologies to enhance efficiency, security, and service delivery.
• Promote innovation in payments, AI-enabled operations, digital identity, and analytics.
• Ensure cost-effective, future-proof technology investments.

Regulatory, Risk & Compliance Enablement

• Work closely with Compliance, Risk, and Internal Audit to embed regulatory controls into system design.
• Ensure platforms support AML/CFT monitoring, transaction surveillance, and regulatory reporting.
• Facilitate system readiness for Central Bank inspections and audits.
• Maintain documentation of system controls, data flows, and security governance.
• Ensure traceability, audit logs, and regulatory reporting capabilities are fully embedded.

Data, Analytics & Digital Enablement

• Lead data architecture, warehousing, and analytics platforms.
• Enable real-time dashboards for management, operations, compliance, and risk monitoring.
• Promote data-driven decision-making and customer insight capabilities.
• Oversee AI, automation, and digital optimization initiatives.
• Ensure data quality, availability, and integrity across systems.

People, Capability & Performance Management

• Build, lead, and mentor a high-performing technology and digital team.
• Establish continuous learning and certification programs.
• Define clear KPIs, performance dashboards, and service accountability frameworks.
• Promote a culture of innovation, resilience, cybersecurity awareness, and operational discipline.
• Ensure succession planning and local capacity development.
• Enforce ethical, professional, and secure technology practices.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or related field (Master’s preferred).
• Professional certifications such as CISSP, CISM, TOGAF, ITIL, or cloud/security certifications highly desirable.

Experience

• Minimum 8–10 years of experience in technology leadership roles within EMI, fintech, telecom, banking, or payment services.
• At least 3–5 years in a senior management or CTO/Head of Technology role.
• Proven experience implementing large-scale digital payment platforms and high-availability systems.
• Strong expertise in cybersecurity, systems integration, APIs, and payment switching.
• Demonstrated experience working with regulators, audits, and compliance-driven environments.
• Strong understanding of mobile money ecosystems, EMI platforms, and digital financial infrastructure.
• Experience in emerging markets or fragile operating environments preferred.
• Fluency in English required; local languages an asset.
• Experience supporting humanitarian or large-scale digital payment programs is a strong advantage.

Key Competencies

• Strategic technology leadership and execution capability.
• Strong systems architecture and cybersecurity expertise.
• Operational resilience and crisis management skills.
• Innovation mindset with strong delivery discipline.
• Vendor and stakeholder management capability.
• High integrity, accountability, and regulatory awareness.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical thinking.
• Ability to operate in high-risk, fast-changing environments.
• Expertise in interoperability and national payment infrastructure.
• Commitment to building sustainable local technology capacity.