Specialist, Data Integration

About the Role

At First Quantum Minerals, we embrace a distinct culture known as the “First Quantum Way,” which encourages independent thinking, challenging norms, and delivering exceptional outcomes in unique environments. We aim to empower our people to excel by taking innovative, smarter approaches to identify opportunities, solve issues, and produce tangible results.

We are seeking a Specialist, Data Integration to join our IT & Digital Department within the Data Analytics & AI section at our Kansanshi Mining PLC site in Solwezi, Zambia. Reporting to the Superintendent, Data Analytics & AI, this role focuses on collaborating with business units to uncover and implement digital innovations that generate operational value throughout the mining value chain.

Key Responsibilities

• Engage with stakeholders from operational and IT teams to diagnose challenges, surface opportunities, and gather, prioritize clear business requirements.
• Analyze and document business processes to convert operational needs into pragmatic digital solutions that streamline workflows.
• Support organizational change and adoption while measuring realized value to ensure solutions deliver meaningful operational improvements.
• Design scalable, manageable, and secure digital solutions consistent with enterprise architecture standards and the existing technology landscape.
• Evaluate technology platforms to guide decisions on reuse, purchasing, or building, balancing capabilities with cost-effectiveness and long-term maintainability.
• Implement security and integration frameworks to safeguard data and ensure reliable system interconnections across the enterprise.
• Develop and sustain robust data pipelines and integrations linking business and operational technology systems, ensuring dependable data flow.
• Apply advanced data engineering techniques for modeling, storing, and transforming data into trustworthy, governed business assets.
• Create analytical solutions that convert operational data into actionable insights aiding decision-making across mining processes.
• Implement generative AI and machine learning innovations to enhance productivity, refine decision quality, and elevate operational performance.
• Develop and deploy AI and knowledge engineering solutions grounded in reliable enterprise data and domain expertise, following ethical and responsible AI practices.
• Construct, deploy, and maintain integration software that addresses real business challenges and generates operational benefits.
• Maintain high-quality code using sound software design principles, including SOLID, and testing methodologies (both manual and automated).
• Utilize DevOps practices and modern platforms to automate software delivery and ensure secure, stable production environments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, computer science, or information systems is required; a Master's degree is an added advantage.
• All academic credentials must be validated by the Zambia Qualifications Authority (ZAQA).

Experience

• A minimum of three years practical experience in solution design and delivery, functioning as an implementation consultant, developer, or solution architect across diverse platforms.
• Background as a business or systems analyst or developer with demonstrated competence in eliciting requirements, process mapping, and translating needs into viable solutions.
• Exposure to open-pit mining and knowledge of mining applications such as fleet management, process/smelter systems, safety, and data collection is advantageous.
• Capability to design scalable, secure, and supportable solutions aligned with enterprise architecture standards, making sound buy, build, or reuse decisions.
• Strong proficiency in data engineering, including database management, SQL, system integration, and data governance to create reliable data assets.
• Experience in delivering analytics and implementing AI or machine learning solutions, including generative AI, with comprehension of responsible AI principles.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as C#, Python, JavaScript, HTML/CSS, with a solid grasp of SOLID principles, design patterns, and testing protocols.
• Experience with Git, DevOps, and CI/CD pipelines, employing Agile methodologies, UX design, and design-thinking approaches, complemented by robust problem-solving abilities.
• Business acumen and project planning skills with a cooperative attitude towards collaboration with vendors and stakeholders; membership in ICTAZ or EIZ is favorable.

Behavioural Traits

• Understands mining operations deeply and applies product-oriented thinking to address actual business challenges.
• Utilizes structured, systems-level thinking to dissect complex problems.
• Demonstrates pragmatic decision-making under uncertainty and shifting priorities.
• Adopts agile methodologies delivering iterative solutions with an innovation-driven, continuous learning mindset.
• Communicates effectively, showing strong technical writing and presentation skills.
• Engages productively with stakeholders and vendors to achieve desired outcomes.