Network & Security Senior Specialist

Position Title: Network & Security Senior Specialist

• Reports to: Associate Manager IT Infrastructure

Business Unit/ Department: Information Technology

• JOB PURPOSE:

The Network & Security Senior Specialist is responsible for ensuring the support, availability, and performance of data networks across the head office, regional offices, and retail stores. This role demands advanced knowledge in both on-premises and virtual environments, including cloud public, private, or hybrid networks. Expertise in wired and wireless networking, switching/routing, firewalls, load balancers, DNS, DHCP, IPAM, and ideally telecom, is essential. A deep understanding of cloud technologies such as Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS), Software-defined networks (SDN), Network Functions Virtualization (NFV), OpenStack, and other emerging technologies is required. Experience in migrating and/or extending on-premises networks to the cloud is also necessary. Strategic thinking is crucial to ensure that best-in-class services are provided to our stores and associates in a cost-effective manner, requiring close collaboration with outsourced service providers and external vendors.

Additionally, the role involves maintaining corporate and cloud (Azure) security controls and practices, which includes but is not limited to, implementing defences and countermeasures to intercept and prevent internal or external attacks or attempts to infiltrate company email, data, e-commerce, and web-based systems. The role will also involve researching attempted or successful efforts to compromise systems security and designing countermeasures.

• KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES:

Drafting policies, procedures, and controls to ensure the reliability and accessibility of information systems and to prevent and defend against unauthorised access to systems, networks, and data.

• Conducting risk and vulnerability assessments of planned and installed information systems to identify vulnerabilities, risks, and protection needs, and making recommendations.

Contributing to systems security contingency plans and disaster recovery procedures.

• Providing technical services, support, and security for WAN and LAN connectivity, routers, firewalls, internal systems, cloud, and network infrastructure.

Reviewing the current network design and proposing a fully redundant and resilient network to support daily business operations and future growth, including disaster recovery needs.

• Acting as the subject matter expert for all network-related functions, providing cross-training and knowledge-sharing to empower the team.

Overseeing the sustainment, maintenance, and advanced configuration of security infrastructure (firewalls, web gateways, mail gateways, IDS, intrusion detection systems, and management tools).

• Supporting and ensuring the optimal operation of all network security hardware and equipment.

Working with end users to resolve and troubleshoot server and desktop hardware, applications, routing, and connectivity issues.

• EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATION:

Minimum Qualification:

• Bachelors degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or Information Security.

Qualifications, certifications, and/or in-depth experience in security and compliance, e.g., CISSP, CISM, ISO

Minimum Experience: 7+ years of experience in the IT Network Security field, preferably working for organisations with 2000+ users.

• 5+ years of experience with large-scale enterprise/global networks in a high-paced, diverse environment.

5+ years of experience with networking security technologies such as IPS, IDS, VPNs, NAC, wireless standards and protocols, network routing, and switching technologies in a global infrastructure.

• SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE & ABILITIES:

Job Specific:

• Ability to recognise security incidents and take remedial action.

Strong understanding of enterprise security architecture and design, network design concepts, and fundamentals.

• Advanced skills in administering enterprise firewalls, email gateways, and web proxies.

Excellent knowledge and troubleshooting of routers and switches, preferably Cisco.

• Experience reviewing raw packet files and correlating data from firewall, intrusion prevention, and system logs.

Working knowledge of Windows and Linux high availability clustering and load balancing, Active Directory, Terminal Services, system scripting, firewall policies, IP addressing, SNMP, SMTP, DNS, WINS, DHCP, IEEE network communications standards, and industry cabling standards for data and telecommunications.

• Strong organisational and problem-solving skills.

Dynamic and clear thinker.

• Technical aptitude, written and oral communication skills, project management, and the ability to deal effectively with people at all levels (technical and business audiences) and in different situations. This includes the ability to develop clear, concise documentation.

• FINANCIALS & DECISION-MAKING AUTHORITY:

Financial Scope: None.

Reporting Staff: None.Decision-Making Authority: None.

• WORKING ENVIRONMENT & COMMUNICATION:

Working Environment: Office.

• Internal Relationships: IT Team, IT Customers.

External Relationships:* IT Suppliers, Contractors, Consultants.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: AED5,000.00 - AED6,000.00 per month