Our client requires the services of an Senior Agile Coach

POSITION: Contract until March 2022 (possible renewal-not guaranteed)

COMMENCEMENT: As soon as possible.

ROLE

• Actively coach and mentor teams into all aspects of Quality Assurance within the larger context of the Group IT (AWM IT-Processes, Internal Control Systems, IT-Security, Compliance on Work Instructions and Guiding Principles) under the guidance of the ZA Quality Management Specialist (QMS).
• Drives the Agile transformation actively and across teams within the organisation.
• Advises and coaches both Management and the teams in the transition
• Identifies obstacles in the context of agile transformation and eliminates them
• Provides regular feedback and guidance to management and teams
• Continuously develops the overarching specific Agile Working Model

• Explains the Agile Working Model to interface partners and actively integrates them
• Designs and specifies mandatory elements of the agreed Agile Working Model in cooperation with all other Agile Working Model roles
• Escalates observed grievances in the Agile Working Model (usually to the Departmental Manager)
• Educates teams and customers at all levels, on Agile principles, providing them with tools for implementing the process in their own work
• Implements Agile process, principles and practices across all levels and departments in the organisation
• Uses techniques that increase collaboration, predictability, transparency and promote a culture of experimentation and innovation
• Is responsible for process (not product) quality assurance in projects and ensures the application of the four eyes / double-check principle during all phases of projects
• Ensures end-to-end process quality management based on defined KPIs to meet the quality requirements of the organisation and satisfy stakeholder needs
• Provides formal classroom training on the theory and practical application of the Group ITPM & ITPM Agile frameworks
• Continuously contribute towards the development of the AWM in close collaboration with the ZA Hub Core AWM Team representative

REQUIREMENTS:

• 8-10 years’ experience as an active Scrum / Agile Master with several Feature Teams in an IT / SDLC context
• IT / Business Degree
• Degree / Certification / Diploma in Project Management (PMI / PMBOK / Prince II) (Advantageous)
• Certification / Diploma in Quality Assurance within an IT / SDLC context (Advantageous)
• Professional membership to international Agile Body
• Methodical skills and experience (as per minimum requirements above) in coaching teams in Agile adoption as Agile Coach or as a Scrum / Agile Master.
• Quality Assurance within an IT / SDLC context (Advantageous)
• Background in Computer Science / programming languages is highly beneficial (Advantageous)
• Risk & Issue Management.
• Open to SA Citizens / Permanent Residents
• Willing and able to travel internationally

At least one of the following:

• Professional Scrum Master II™ (scrum.org)
• Scale Professional Scrum™ (scrum.org)
• Leading SAFe® Agilisit (scaledagile.com)
• ICAgile Certified Professional – Coaching (ICP-C) (agilecoachinginstitute.com)
• Certified SAFe® advanced Scrum Master (scaledagile.com)
• Leading SAFe® Agilisit (scaledagile.com)
• Advanced Certified ScrumMaster® (scrumailliance.org)

Technical / Functional skills

• Working experience in Agile scaled models (e.g. Nexus, LeSS, SAFe, etc.)
• Sufficient practical experience as Scrum / Agile Master in a variety of teams to coach Product Owners, Scrum Masters and Agile Teams with maturity and insight
• Very experienced in facilitating Scrum-of-Scrum Agile ceremonies effectively
• Team management & business management skills
• Strong knowledge of implementing Agile concepts & principles in IT projects (entire SDLC)
• Advanced experience and knowledge of all MS Office Tools, JIRA & Confluence (setting up Confluence spaces, JIRA SCRUM / Kanban boards, reporting, etc.)
• Excellent skills in the Agile Tool Chain (JIRA, Confluence, X-Ray, Bit-Bucket) to the level of providing advanced hands-on coaching in these components

Soft skills

• Problem solving capabilities
• Ability to work as part of a team
• Ability to work interdependently as well as independently and to submit deliverables on time and with excellent quality
• Excellent interpersonal and organisational skills with the ability to communicate effectively (both verbally and in writing) with both technical and non-technical colleagues / users
• Strong ability to understand and interpret business needs and requirements with an aptitude to move concepts through to proposal and successful implementation
• Strong presentation skills
• Above-board work ethics
• Flexibility to take up different tasks in the project
• Ability and willingness to coach and give training to fellow colleagues and users when required