Technology Jobs in Gambia – Head of Digital Innovation

Chief Digital Officer (CDO)
Gunjur
May 7, 2026
Full Time
Urgent
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Job Description

About the Company

Reliance Financial Services (RFS) is a regulated financial institution based in The Gambia, focused on delivering modern, secure, and technology-driven financial solutions. The organization is undergoing rapid digital transformation, with strong emphasis on cybersecurity, regulatory compliance, customer experience, and operational efficiency.

Position Overview

Job Title: Head of Digital Innovation
Company: Reliance Financial Services
Location: Kairaba Avenue, The Gambia
Job Type: Full-Time
Application Deadline: 10 April 2026

This is a senior executive leadership role responsible for defining and executing the organization’s technology, digital transformation, cybersecurity, and IT governance strategy.

Reporting Structure

  • Reports To: Managing Director
  • Functional Accountability: Board Steering Committee (Digital Innovation)
  • Key Internal Stakeholders:
    • Chief Financial Officer
    • Head of Risk
    • Head of Operations
    • Business Unit Heads

Job Purpose

The Head of Digital Innovation is the chief technology executive responsible for aligning technology strategy with business goals, ensuring secure digital transformation, managing IT investments, and strengthening cybersecurity and enterprise architecture across the organization.

The role ensures that technology acts as a business enabler while maintaining regulatory compliance, data protection, and operational resilience.

Strategic Accountability Areas

  • Enterprise technology strategy and roadmap
  • Digital transformation execution
  • Cybersecurity and IT risk governance
  • Enterprise architecture and systems integration
  • Data governance and analytics
  • IT investment planning and budget control
  • Vendor and outsourcing governance
  • Business continuity and disaster recovery readiness

Key Responsibilities

1. Enterprise Technology Strategy

  • Define and execute enterprise-wide IT and digital strategy
  • Align technology roadmap with business objectives and regulatory expectations
  • Lead long-term digital transformation initiatives

2. Digital Transformation Leadership

  • Drive automation and digital innovation across business units
  • Improve customer experience through digital channels
  • Lead modernization of legacy systems

3. Cybersecurity & IT Risk Management

  • Oversee enterprise cybersecurity governance
  • Manage IT risk frameworks and mitigation strategies
  • Ensure compliance with financial sector regulations

4. IT Governance & Compliance

  • Ensure adherence to IT governance frameworks and audit requirements
  • Maintain compliance with regulatory standards
  • Support internal and external audits

5. Enterprise Architecture

  • Define and approve enterprise architecture standards
  • Ensure integration of systems across departments
  • Oversee scalable and secure IT infrastructure design

6. Data Governance & Analytics

  • Ensure data integrity, security, and compliance
  • Promote data-driven decision-making across the organization
  • Oversee analytics platforms and reporting systems

7. IT Operations & Service Excellence

  • Ensure high system availability and service continuity
  • Oversee IT support and infrastructure teams
  • Improve IT service delivery performance

8. Financial & Investment Management

  • Manage IT budgets and technology investments
  • Ensure cost efficiency and value optimization
  • Approve IT procurement within governance limits

9. Vendor & Outsourcing Governance

  • Oversee IT vendor selection and performance
  • Manage outsourcing contracts and SLAs
  • Ensure third-party risk compliance

10. Leadership & Organizational Development

  • Lead IT teams and digital transformation units
  • Develop future technology leadership pipeline
  • Foster innovation and continuous improvement culture

Authority & Decision Rights

The Head of Digital Innovation has authority to:

  • Approve enterprise IT architecture standards
  • Approve technology procurement within budget limits
  • Enforce cybersecurity controls across the organization
  • Suspend systems in case of significant risk
  • Declare major IT or cyber incidents
  • Recommend onboarding or termination of key technology vendors

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

  • ≥ 99.5% uptime of critical systems
  • Reduction in cybersecurity incidents year-on-year
  • ≥ 90% of IT projects delivered on time and within budget
  • Zero major regulatory IT compliance breaches
  • Improved cyber incident response times
  • Positive audit and regulatory outcomes
  • Increased digital adoption across business units

Educational Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, or related field
  • Master’s Degree or MBA (preferred)

Professionals seeking similar executive digital transformation roles across Africa may explore opportunities via hiring in Gambia

Experience Requirements

  • 12–15 years of progressive IT leadership experience
  • At least 5 years in executive-level technology leadership
  • Experience in regulated financial institutions strongly preferred
  • Proven track record in digital transformation leadership
  • Experience reporting to boards and executive committees

Additional senior IT leadership opportunities in North Africa can be found at hiring in Morocco

Certifications (Preferred)

  • CISSP, CISM, CISA
  • CIO certification or equivalent
  • TOGAF (Enterprise Architecture)
  • ITIL certification
  • Cloud certifications (AWS, Azure, or equivalent)

Salary & Benefits

  • Highly competitive executive-level salary (financial sector benchmarked)
  • Performance-based incentives
  • Executive allowances (transport, communication, housing support where applicable)
  • Exposure to board-level strategic decision-making

Training & Development

This role offers exposure to:

  • Enterprise digital transformation leadership
  • Advanced cybersecurity governance frameworks
  • Financial sector regulatory technology compliance
  • Cloud architecture and enterprise system modernization
  • Board-level executive communication and governance

Regional executive leadership opportunities can also be explored via hiring in Kenya

Core Executive Competencies

Strategic & Leadership

  • Enterprise technology vision and execution
  • Digital transformation leadership
  • High-stakes decision-making

Technical Competencies

  • Cybersecurity governance
  • Enterprise architecture design
  • IT risk and compliance management
  • Data governance and analytics

Personal Attributes

  • Strong executive presence
  • Analytical and structured decision-making
  • Ability to manage complex transformation programs
  • High integrity and accountability

Working Conditions

  • Executive-level role with high decision authority
  • On-call availability during system or cyber incidents
  • Occasional travel for strategic or regulatory engagements
  • High accountability within a regulated financial environment

Application Process

Applicants must submit:

  • Hard copy application letter
  • Detailed CV
  • Clearly indicate position applied for (Head of Digital Innovation)

Submit to:
HR Manager
Reliance Financial Services
46A Kairaba Avenue, The Gambia

Closing Date

10 April 2026

Additional Information

  • Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted
  • Female candidates are encouraged to apply in line with equality policies
  • The organization maintains strict confidentiality and equal opportunity hiring standards