AI & Data Architect

About the role

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

Key responsibilities

• Define and maintain the Bank's AI and data architecture frameworks, standards, principles and strategic roadmaps aligned with enterprise architecture.
• Establish data architecture standards for data 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, recommending 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.
• Professional certification in enterprise architecture, cloud architecture, data architecture or AI architecture 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 integrated into operational applications; data lakes, lakehouses or data warehouses are mentioned as possible experience.
• Experience in financial services, banking, fintech, telecommunications or another highly regulated industry.

Required skills

• Practical experience designing cloud and hybrid architectures, including containerised deployment.
• API-led and event-driven integration.
• Ability to assess technology choices and implementation trade-offs.

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