Scrum Master

Khokha is searching for the glue that will hold our Scrum framework together.

We’re looking for a Scrum Master that lives and breathes agile and believes that agile is a culture, not just a process. If you are a master at facilitating collaboration and efficiency whilst improving the ability to deliver a valuable product, we want you to join our iKhokha Tribe!

So, what will you do?

You will facilitate and manage the delivery of highly innovative financial service features from your product squad whilst operating within the existing product management frameworks at iKhokha.

You will be a coach and driver of Agile methods within the team and with all of those that interact with the team.

The deal breakers

Degree/Diploma or other relevant qualification.

A Scrum Master certification (CSM) is preferred.

At least 2 years’ experience as part of an Agile software delivery team in the role of Scrum Master/Agile enabler.

Strong verbal and written communication skills.

Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work with diverse personality types.

Ability to predict resources needed to reach objectives and manage resources in an effective and efficient manner.

Relationship management skills with the ability to influence.

Analytical, diagnostic and problem-solving skills.

Ability to work under own initiative.

Coaching and mentoring skills.

You will have detailed knowledge and application of:

Agile principles, values and the Agile Manifesto.

Agile software development methods: Scrum, Kanban, Lean.

Agile techniques: User Stories, TDD, Continuous Integration, Continuous Testing, Pairing, Automated Testing, Agile Games.

Scrum values, roles, theory and practices, servant leadership, facilitation and presentation, mentoring, conscious communication, conflict resolution, continuous improvement, collaboration and transparency.

Documented patterns and techniques related to the Scrum approach (i.e. Burndown techniques, Retrospective formats, handling bugs, etc.)

Group facilitation approaches (i.e. conflict resolution, effective teamwork, etc.)

Configuration tools (i.e. JIRA; Confluence)

Experience and/or knowledge of implementing Agile at scale (i.e. LESS)

What would you be responsible for?

Facilitation of all Scrum ceremonies (Daily stand-ups, Sprint planning, Sprint Review, Sprint Retrospectives and Product Backlog Refinement).

Ensure visibility of impediments using an Impediments Wall.

Facilitate the removal of impediments each Sprint.

Facilitate and improve communication, collaboration, decision making and conflict resolution.

Build a safe and trusting environment where conflict can be managed in a healthy way without fear of blame.

Facilitate getting the work done without coercion, assigning, or dictating the work.

Guide the team in establishing normalised estimations and help them base Sprint commitments on average velocity.

Shield the team from external interferences and the uncontrolled injection of work.

Assisting with internal and external communication, improving transparency, and radiating information.

Supporting and coaching the Product Owner, Scrum Team and other interested stakeholders on Agile/Scrum practices.

Guiding the team and organisation on how to use Agile/Scrum practices and values to improve customer service and user experience.

Support the Product Owner in prioritising the backlog regularly, making sure the highest priority items are worked on each Sprint.

Support the Product Owner in tracking changes to scope and communicate these changes to relevant stakeholders.

Support the Product Owner and team in release planning and preparation.

Support the Product Owner, Scrum team and Customer Support team in DevOps management, ensuring a timely resolution for technical issues customers are facing.

Coaches the team on self-organisation to fill the intentional gaps left in Agile/Scrum frameworks and increase accountability in the team.

Generate and maintain team metrics, keeping track of and communicating Sprint scope and commitments, impediments to progress and overall Sprint performance (i.e.: velocity, lead time etc.)

Providing all support to the team using a servant leadership style whenever possible and leading by example.

With the Product Owner and other key stakeholders, assist in the facilitation of the end-to-end product lifecycle, closely communicating and collaborating with supporting functions such as data and analysis, sales, marketing and customer support.

Our mission is to democratize and grow entrepreneurship through mobile innovation. We’re iKhokha, a classic fintech start-up story. iKhokha is a co-founder led business that believes that every South African entrepreneur should be given the opportunity to compete in the digital economy and we, as a team and a business aim to give them the tools to do just that. We don’t do politics or ego’s. Our customers always come first. We pride ourselves on our diversity, unity, street smarts, curiosity and ability to solve problems. We’re a bunch of cool, humble and open people and our culture is the heartbeat of our iKtribe.