Business Analyst - PMO

Job Purpose

This role involves partnering with various departments within the bank to comprehend and translate change or technology requirements into detailed business cases. It includes supporting the Request for Proposal (RFP) and vendor selection processes as well as managing the bank's internal testing services to optimize cost-effectiveness, ensure successful solutions deployment, and promote ongoing enhancements.

Key Responsibilities

• Collaborate cross-functionally to identify change, systems, or technology needs and develop viable solutions prior to formal business case creation.
• Assist departments in formulating business cases that clearly outline needs, benefits, and critically analyze cost implications.
• Work alongside IT teams to conduct comprehensive analysis ensuring alignment with the bank's technology architecture and standards, including market research for optimal solutions.
• Coordinate with business units to assess project priority, costs, impact, and complexity for incoming initiatives.
• Provide guidance during RFP preparation, reviewing tenders to validate scope and clarity before vendor engagement.
• Support vendor evaluation and selection by thoroughly reviewing proposals for compliance and highlighting deviations.
• Develop and recommend testing management guidelines to improve testing processes in alignment with approved projects and change requests.
• Create and monitor the use of templates, forms, and presentations related to testing management across departments.
• Establish policies and procedures aimed at continuous enhancement of IT project and change request testing services.
• Ensure project plans and charters are well-aligned and adhere to agreed standards, specifications, and timelines.
• Provide training assistance to project managers on project management tools where needed.
• Help execute projects within schedule and budget while maintaining quality and managing risks and issues effectively.
• Oversee activities of project team members and third-party consultants to ensure milestones are met.
• Facilitate the management and execution of testing for technology solutions, ensuring scope adherence and performance verification under varied conditions.
• Analyze testing reports, identify defects, and coordinate corrective actions with relevant teams.
• Support the preparation of test plans and aid business and IT users in developing test scripts.
• Generate test closure reports and manage defect tracking by utilizing designated tools and templates.
• Adhere to departmental policies, procedures, and operating standards to guarantee consistent and controlled work execution.
• Contribute to the timely preparation of departmental reports and statements in accordance with required standards.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Information Systems, Computer Science, or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 10 years in increasingly responsible business analyst roles, including at least 4 years within a bank or financial institution.

Job-Specific Skills

• Fluency in both English and Arabic is mandatory.
• Comprehensive understanding of banking technology systems, covering front and back office applications.
• Experience in supporting business change initiatives, RFP development, and procurement processes.
• Knowledge of Islamic banking principles and their application within business and technology analysis.
• Strong planning and organizational capabilities with an ability to meet deadlines efficiently.
• Result-driven approach to achieving project goals within set timeframes.