HOD: IT Strategy, Architecture & Innovation Job at Vodacom Tanzania Plc

Vodacom Tanzania Plc is seeking an experienced technology leader to serve as Head of Department (HOD): IT Strategy, Architecture & Innovation in Dar es Salaam. The role is responsible for shaping and executing the company’s technology strategy, driving digital transformation, managing technology investments, and ensuring that IT initiatives remain aligned with business objectives.

A major focus of this position is enterprise Artificial Intelligence (AI), including developing the AI strategy and roadmap, establishing responsible AI governance, and leading AI initiatives from pilot stage through large-scale implementation. The successful candidate will also oversee long-range technology planning, CAPEX and OPEX budgets, stakeholder relationships, innovation, and people development across the IT and Billing portfolio.

Responsibilities

• Define and continuously evolve the enterprise technology strategy.

• Align technology strategy with business objectives, digital transformation goals, and long-term organizational plans.

  

• Translate technology innovation into measurable business outcomes, including efficiency, revenue growth, resilience, and improved customer experience.

• Ensure innovation initiatives comply with enterprise architecture, cybersecurity, regulatory, security, and ethical requirements.

• Apply secure-by-design and ethics-by-design principles to technology initiatives.

• Own and manage the technology and innovation strategy roadmap.

• Prioritize technology initiatives and manage investment trade-offs.

• Identify and reduce duplication across the technology environment.

• Develop and execute the enterprise AI strategy and roadmap.

• Prioritize high-value AI use cases based on business objectives, customer experience, digital transformation, and investment plans.

• Establish AI governance covering architecture, data privacy, cybersecurity, regulatory compliance, ethics, and responsible AI.

• Lead AI projects from pilots through scaled deployment.

• Track the business value and benefits generated by AI initiatives.

• Continuously optimize the AI and technology portfolio.

• Manage long-range technology planning.

• Track budgets and major technology programmes.

• Manage CAPEX and OPEX spending within the IT and Billing portfolio.

• Build and maintain relationships with customers and key stakeholders.

• Develop internal innovation capabilities, skills, tools, and working methods.

• Promote experimentation, learning, and continuous improvement.

• Support employee growth through upskilling and reskilling initiatives.

• Manage employee performance and contribute to effective people management.

Qualifications and Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Engineering, or another relevant academic background.

• Minimum of 3 years of experience in a similar environment.

• Strong understanding of GSM and Mobile Money products and services.

• Understanding of how GSM and Mobile Money solutions are implemented and how they interact with other network elements.

• Experience in the telecommunications industry.

• Strong analytical skills and business acumen.

• Experience in strategy formulation and execution.

• Knowledge and experience in project management.

• Experience with digital transformation and change management.

• Knowledge of enterprise architecture.

• Understanding of Artificial Intelligence and AI strategy.

• Experience with Agile ways of working.

• Strong people-management and leadership skills.

• Strong stakeholder-management capabilities.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

• Strong negotiation skills.

• Managerial and budgeting skills.

• Excellent planning and organizational abilities.

• Conflict-resolution skills.

• Ability to build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders across the value chain.

Key Skills

The role particularly emphasizes:

• IT Strategy and Enterprise Architecture

• Digital Transformation

• Artificial Intelligence

• Telecommunications

• GSM and Mobile Money

• Technology Innovation

• Strategy Formulation and Execution

• CAPEX and OPEX Management

• Budgeting and Long-Range Planning

• Project Management

• Agile Methodologies

• Change Management

• Stakeholder Management

• People Leadership

• Business Acumen

Job Details

• Job Title: HOD: IT Strategy, Architecture & Innovation

• Employer: Vodacom Tanzania Plc

• Location: Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

• Employment Type: Full-Time

• Deadline: 18 August 2026

• Experience: Minimum 3 years in a similar environment

• Salary: Negotiable

How to Apply

Interested and qualified candidates should submit their applications through the official Vodafone careers portal:

Applicants should ensure their CV clearly demonstrates leadership experience in technology strategy, telecommunications, enterprise architecture, digital transformation, AI, budgeting, stakeholder management, and people leadership.

The application deadline is 18 August 2026.