The Finance Solutions team in Santam Business Information and Technology Solutions department (BITS) has an opportunity for a Scrum Master who will be based in Cape Town (Head Office) in our BITS (Business Information Technology Services) department. JOB DESCRIPTION The role of the Scrum Master is to support the Agile team as a team-based servant leader, who coaches, supports and reinforces the core Agile philosophy, principles and practices. This role will consistently collaborate with the Product Owner, outside stakeholders and other third parties, protecting the team from uncontrolled injection of work and/or changing priorities. This role will act as a servant leader to the Scrum Team and organisation, helping them to adopt Scrum and drive agility within Santam. This role operates within the BITS environment, working on products and features that are utilised by the Santam Group. BITS has introduced Agile for delivery of software projects and various teams are at different levels of maturity and thus are not at a matured state of delivery and practices. The Agile methodology and its roles are also at introductory levels within the broader Santam landscape and BITS is driving adoption thereof with support mechanisms including training and various support channels and communities. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES Exhibits a Lean-Agile leadership and behaviour mindset. Coaches the team to embrace core Agile values, reinforcing Agile principles and practices. The Scrum Master ensures that Scrum practices and rules are followed and helps the team adhere to Scrum values and principles. Scrum Master is not expected to drive technological decisions nor its external delivery, but is required to understand the scope, quality&delivery framework of any upcoming enabler work sequencing them with the team’s delivery. Fosters a culture of delivery quality improvements, technical discipline, and expertise by supporting relevant communities of practice. Facilitates the agile ceremonies Product Backlog Refinement (Main input from PO) (Facilitated by PO) Sprint Planning (Ensures that it takes place) Daily Scrum (Ensures that it takes place) Represents team at Scrum of Scrums (SoS) Creating transparency through metrics (through use of tools such as Jira, Confluence) Sprint review and End-of-Sprint (Facilitated by PO and Dev team) Sprint Retrospective and implement improvements that arise. This also includes escalation to management as applicable. Focuses on continuous improvement of team dynamics, efficiencies and performance. Helps the team manage intra-personal conflicts, challenges, and opportunities for growth. Escalates people problems and non-performance to line management as appropriate. Assist the self-organising, multi-skilled Agile team to achieve its delivery goals through effective collaboration and delivery of velocity&Sprint goals. Guides the team in establishing normalised US estimating and larger release features and epics. Help the team identify and eliminate blockers (impediments) or escalate as appropriate, and facilitating flow. When blockers are beyond the team’s control or authority, demanding support from people outside the team, the Scrum Master actively addresses these issues. Facilitates that the software development team members adopt the correct software engineering practices. Liaise with stakeholders to identify any challenges and/or opportunities with regard to process improvement. It is expected of the scrum master to be a coach to the Dev Team and the PO as well as the rest of the organisation. Supports the Product Owner: Helps Product Owner with planning and facilitates a vigorous intra-team dynamic and collaboration. Facilitates the establishment of Team Working Agreements, Definition of Ready (DoR) and Definition of Done (DoD). Help to understand the need for clear backlog items and how to arrange the product backlog to maximise value. Helps the Scrum Team determine the Sprint Goal. Finding techniques for effective backlog management and grooming. QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE 2 - 4 years being a Scrum Master. Certified Scrum Professional (CSM, PSM I or similar recognised certification). Advantageous: Change Management, Process Management. A formal degree qualification is advantageous. SKILLS&KNOWLEDGE Working knowledge of the agile framework and Scrum practices. Excellent people and delivery skills. Coaching and mentoring the Agile team and practices. Potential or demonstrated Leadership and management experience. Strong communication and presentation skills. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Able to facilitate Agile Estimating and planning. Forecasting. Analytical orientation. Proactive and self-motivated. Good planning and decision-making skills. A good team player – integrates and shares knowledge and skills. Exceptional problem-solving skills. Ability to perform under pressure. Time management and focused delivery of deadlines. COMPETENCIES Client focus. Flexibility and adaptability. Drive results. ABOUT THE COMPANY Santam is the market leader in the general insurance industry in Southern Africa. We are a large, diversified, expanding and transforming company and whilst based in South Africa, we are rapidly moving into a number of emerging markets, both in Africa and Asia. Our success is rooted in our passion for our clients and everything we do is centered on our delivery of Insurance Good and Proper. We’re about people. People drive our business so it follows that we want to recruit the best people possible. At Santam we are committed to transformation and embracing diversity. This commitment is what drives us to achieve a diverse workplace with employment equity as a key goal to create an inclusive workforce. Qualified applicants are invited to submit their cover letter, CV, and salary requirements in MS Word format online at www.santam.co.za / careers. #J-18808-Ljbffr