AI & Data Architect

About the role

Co-operative Bank of Kenya is seeking an AI & Data Architect for its ICT & Innovations team, reporting to the Head of Artificial Intelligence. The role defines and governs AI and data domain architecture within the Bank's enterprise architecture, giving architectural direction for data products, analytical platforms, machine learning, generative AI and agentic AI, and their integration with data platforms, core systems and channels.

Key responsibilities

• Define and maintain the Bank's AI and data architecture frameworks, standards, principles and roadmaps aligned with enterprise architecture.
• Set data architecture standards for modelling, integration, quality, metadata, lineage and master data management.
• Translate business priorities into end-to-end AI and data solution architectures covering data, models, applications, integration, security, monitoring and support.
• Develop reusable architecture patterns for machine learning, generative AI and agentic AI with governance, safeguards, monitoring and human oversight.
• Evaluate AI technologies, platforms, models and vendors and recommend fit-for-purpose solutions.
• Define standards for AI model deployment, monitoring and lifecycle management, including MLOps and LLMOps.
• Lead architecture reviews, document design decisions and risks, and ensure compliance with architecture governance frameworks.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to resolve design dependencies and meet business, operational, security, privacy, performance and regulatory requirements.
• Maintain architecture documentation, capability maps, technology standards and transition roadmaps, and guide AI infrastructure capacity, performance and cost optimisation.

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, Data Science or a related field; a master's degree is an added advantage.
• At least 8 years of experience in data, software or solution architecture, including at least 3 years designing AI, machine learning or advanced analytics solutions.
• Demonstrated experience delivering enterprise-scale data platforms and production machine learning solutions, including data lakes, lakehouses or data warehouses.
• Experience in financial services, banking, fintech, telecommunications or another highly regulated industry.

Required skills

• Cloud and hybrid architecture, including containerised deployment and API-led and event-driven integration.
• Ability to assess technology choices and implementation trade-offs.
• Professional certification in enterprise, cloud, data or AI architecture is an added advantage.

To apply, send a detailed CV by email to the bank's jobs team, citing the job reference AIDA/IID/2026, by 9 November 2026.