1. JOB PURPOSE

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) reports to the Board of Directors and is responsible for the overall management of Digital Shared Services Limited (the “Company”) within the Company’s policies and guidelines provided by the Board of Directors. The holder of this role shall exercise all powers and responsibilities in relation to the Company within the Board of Directors’ delegated authority while at the same time observing and complying with the policies, procedure, rules and regulations laid down by the Board of Directors. The CEO will lead the strategic direction and operational execution of DSS, ensuring it serves as a robust engine for digital financial services. The primary mandate is to drive financial inclusion through innovative shared infrastructure and fostering high-value partnerships with banks, MNOs, and third-party fintechs. The CEO is further expected to define and execute a growth roadmap focusing on applications/software development and digital-first financial services solutions.

2. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

a. Board Relationship

The Chief Executive Officer shall:

• Support the Board of Directors in carrying out their governance responsibilities.
• Provide information and recommendations to members of the Board of Directors in identifying and addressing issues of concern relative to the Mission, Vision and Strategic Plan of the Company.
• Develop and recommend strategic, business and marketing plans that include goals, strategies and performance measures for all aspects of the Company’s operations.
• Successfully implement operational plans, capital plans and supporting initiatives within the approved budgets.
• In conjunction with the Board of Directors and the Management team, develop annual and long-term strategies which ensure that the assets managed by the Company are well maintained and managed, whilst identifying business opportunities.

b. Reporting

The Chief Executive Officer shall:

• Submit reports to the Board of Directors on the achievement of the Company’s operational and financial goals.
• Keep the Board of Directors apprised of material issues that may affect the Company’s ability to achieve the operational and financial objectives set out in the Company’s annual budget, strategic and business plans.

c. Financial and Risk Management

The Chief Executive Officer shall ensure the integrity of the Company’s internal controls, financial and management systems through the following:

• Identifying and reporting to the Board of Directors, principal risks of the Company and ensure the implementation of systems to manage these risks.
• Working with the Board, provide the Company’s vision and overall strategies to ensure that the Company is maximising the economic benefit to the communities in which the Company operates.
• Through the respective Management team members, ensure the development and implementation of appropriate financial and administrative systems to ensure the efficient utilisation of the financial resources, the effective safeguard of assets and the achievement of annual financial goals and objectives.
• Ensure that authorities procedures and other responsibilities are established.
• Ensure that the Company can respond effectively and efficiently to all reporting requirements and requests by the regulators.

d. Human Resources

The Chief Executive Officer shall:

• Maintain an Organisation Structure of the Company that is appropriate in terms of accomplishing the Company’s goals and objectives.
• Cultivate a decisional culture within the executive team, moving away from reporting-heavy management to agile, data-driven execution.
• Develop and recommend to the Board the overall organisational structure and the broad compensation strategy and philosophy of the Company.
• Ensure that highly talented people are recruited, and that progressive policies and programs are established that meet the needs of employees, enable the Company to attract and retain quality staff and to capitalise on the full potential of its human resources.
• Maintain a clear definition of the responsibility of each employee and provide a clear system for managing employee management, direction, motivation and measuring employee performance to ensure the accomplishment of the Company’s goals and objectives.
• Recommend to the Board of Directors, decisions relative to the selection, promotion, utilisation and compensation of the Management Team.
• Approve staff compensation within levels approved by the Board, including salary, incentive and benefits.
• Annually establish and maintain a Board approved plan for management development and succession, and development and retention of key personnel other than Management.

e. External Relations

The Chief Executive Officer shall act as the primary spokesperson of the Company and oversee the Company’s interface with the public, key stakeholders and the Government. To this end, s/he shall:

• Develop and implement a communications program to support the Company’s strategic objectives.
• Manage regulatory relationships with the central bank and telecommunications authorities. Maintain a positive work relationship with all key stakeholders, including all levels of government.
• Together with the Executive Management team, maintain strong working relationships with key decision-makers in major client organisations and ensure that their perspectives on operational and service issues are understood by all employees of the Company.

f. Corporate Profile

The Chief Executive Officer shall:

• Provide leadership and credibility to the efforts to develop a positive profile of the Company and its products and services.
• Maintain a high profile in both Zambian and international organisations involved in fintech industry ensure that the quality and service delivery standards established in the Company facilities are recognised nationally, regionally and worldwide.

3. QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• Minimum of a Degree in a business and / or technology related field. A master’s degree would be an added advantage.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in Financial Services or Fintech, with at least 5 years in a senior executive capacity.
• Grade 12 Certificate with credit or above in Mathematics and English and any other three subjects. Proven track record in digital transformation and managing teams.
• Professional certification in digital finance or a related field from a globally recognized institution will be an added advantage.
• Membership of local professional bodies (such as the Payments Association of Zambia) will be an added advantage.

4. ESSENTIAL SKILL SETS AND COMPETENCIES

• Strong leadership and team management skills
• Ability to lead and motivate a team to achieve their goals
• Ability to build and maintain positive relationships with employees, stakeholders, and partners, creating a culture of collaboration and trust
• Integrity and honesty
• Demonstrable analytical and problem-solving skills
• Self-starter and self-motivated
• Strong Interpersonal skills
• Ability to communicate strongly and prolifically both verbally and in written
• Attention to detail
• Analytical skills
• Drive for results
• Innovative

• Support the Board of Directors in carrying out their governance responsibilities.
• Provide information and recommendations to members of the Board of Directors in identifying and addressing issues of concern relative to the Mission, Vision and Strategic Plan of the Company.
• Develop and recommend strategic, business and marketing plans that include goals, strategies and performance measures for all aspects of the Company’s operations.
• Successfully implement operational plans, capital plans and supporting initiatives within the approved budgets.
• In conjunction with the Board of Directors and the Management team, develop annual and long-term strategies which ensure that the assets managed by the Company are well maintained and managed, whilst identifying business opportunities.
• Submit reports to the Board of Directors on the achievement of the Company’s operational and financial goals.
• Keep the Board of Directors apprised of material issues that may affect the Company’s ability to achieve the operational and financial objectives set out in the Company’s annual budget, strategic and business plans.
• Identifying and reporting to the Board of Directors, principal risks of the Company and ensure the implementation of systems to manage these risks.
• Working with the Board, provide the Company’s vision and overall strategies to ensure that the Company is maximising the economic benefit to the communities in which the Company operates.
• Through the respective Management team members, ensure the development and implementation of appropriate financial and administrative systems to ensure the efficient utilisation of the financial resources, the effective safeguard of assets and the achievement of annual financial goals and objectives.
• Ensure that authorities procedures and other responsibilities are established.
• Ensure that the Company can respond effectively and efficiently to all reporting requirements and requests by the regulators.
• Maintain an Organisation Structure of the Company that is appropriate in terms of accomplishing the Company’s goals and objectives.
• Cultivate a decisional culture within the executive team, moving away from reporting-heavy management to agile, data-driven execution.
• Develop and recommend to the Board the overall organisational structure and the broad compensation strategy and philosophy of the Company.
• Ensure that highly talented people are recruited, and that progressive policies and programs are established that meet the needs of employees, enable the Company to attract and retain quality staff and to capitalise on the full potential of its human resources.
• Maintain a clear definition of the responsibility of each employee and provide a clear system for managing employee management, direction, motivation and measuring employee performance to ensure the accomplishment of the Company’s goals and objectives.
• Recommend to the Board of Directors, decisions relative to the selection, promotion, utilisation and compensation of the Management Team.
• Approve staff compensation within levels approved by the Board, including salary, incentive and benefits.
• Annually establish and maintain a Board approved plan for management development and succession, and development and retention of key personnel other than Management.
• Develop and implement a communications program to support the Company’s strategic objectives.
• Manage regulatory relationships with the central bank and telecommunications authorities. Maintain a positive work relationship with all key stakeholders, including all levels of government.
• Together with the Executive Management team, maintain strong working relationships with key decision-makers in major client organisations and ensure that their perspectives on operational and service issues are understood by all employees of the Company.
• Provide leadership and credibility to the efforts to develop a positive profile of the Company and its products and services.
• Maintain a high profile in both Zambian and international organisations involved in fintech industry ensure that the quality and service delivery standards established in the Company facilities are recognised nationally, regionally and worldwide.

• Strong leadership and team management skills
• Ability to lead and motivate a team to achieve their goals
• Ability to build and maintain positive relationships with employees, stakeholders, and partners, creating a culture of collaboration and trust
• Integrity and honesty
• Demonstrable analytical and problem-solving skills
• Self-starter and self-motivated
• Strong Interpersonal skills
• Ability to communicate strongly and prolifically both verbally and in written
• Attention to detail
• Analytical skills
• Drive for results
• Innovative

• Minimum of a Degree in a business and / or technology related field. A master’s degree would be an added advantage.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in Financial Services or Fintech, with at least 5 years in a senior executive capacity.
• Grade 12 Certificate with credit or above in Mathematics and English and any other three subjects. Proven track record in digital transformation and managing teams.
• Professional certification in digital finance or a related field from a globally recognized institution will be an added advantage.
• Membership of local professional bodies (such as the Payments Association of Zambia) will be an added advantage.