IT Architect – RWANDA REVENUE AUTHORITY (RRA)

Duty Station: RRA Head Quarter, Kigali, Rwanda
Duration: Initial 3 months (with possibility of extension)

1. Background

The Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA) has operated its core tax systems for more than 10 years. These systems which significantly support revenue mobilization currently run on a monolithic architecture. Over time, several limitations have emerged, including performance degradation, integration challenges, and architectural inflexibility. To address these issues, RRA is undertaking a modernization effort to transition the domestic tax system to a modern microservices-based architecture.

This strategic transformation aims to:
✓ Improve system performance and scalability
✓ Enable smoother integration with external systems
✓ Enhance maintainability and flexibility of tax services
✓ Strengthen automation and data accuracy

2. Objective of the Assignment

The objective of this assignment is to lead and technically guide the transition of the systems to a microservices architecture, ensuring that design, development, deployment, and security align with international best practices.

3. Scope of Work

Under the supervision of the Project Management, the Architect will:

System Architecture Design
✓ Define the overall microservices architecture for existing domestic systems, including key components: API Gateway, SSO, Event Sourcing, Discovery, Monitoring, and Configuration Services.
✓ Develop service decomposition models aligned with RRA’s core tax functions (registration, returns, payments, refunds, etc.).
✓ Design for security, scalability, and performance, incorporating CI/CD practices and containerization (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes).

Implementation Guidance
✓ Lead architectural decision-making for platform selection and technology stack (e.g. Spring Boot, PostgreSQL/MySQL, and Docker Swarm).
✓ Support setup of development, test, and production environments, including infrastructure and monitoring tools.
✓ Establish architectural standards, documentation templates, and service contracts for micro services.

Quality Assurance & Risk Mitigation
✓ Conduct architecture reviews, ensure system resilience, and fault tolerance.
✓ Address and mitigate architecture-related risks including SSO incompatibility, data migration, and environment segregation.
✓ Ensure compliance with ISO security standards and OWASP guidelines.

Capacity Building
✓ Provide coaching and mentorship to internal IT teams on microservices principles, DevSecOps practices, and secure system design.
✓ Support the upskilling of development and operations teams to adopt modern software practices and tools.

4. Deliverables

✓ Detailed RRA domestic tax system microservices architecture blueprint
✓ Service decomposition and data models for each module
✓ Documentation of technical standards and integration interfaces
✓ Reports on system environment readiness and risk mitigation strategies
✓ Workshop sessions and capacity-building reports
✓ Monthly progress reports to the PM

5. Required qualifications skills and competences

✓ Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related field
✓ At least 7 years of professional experience in system/software architecture
✓ Minimum of 3 years designing and implementing microservices architectures
✓ Proven expertise with: Backend (Java/Spring Boot), Frontend frameworks (Angular, Vue, or React), API design and security protocols, Containerization and orchestration (Docker, Kubernetes), CI/CD and DevOps toolchains (GitLab, Jenkins) and Monitoring tools (Grafana, Prometheus, ELK stack)

Desirable
✓ Familiarity with tax or revenue systems
✓ Knowledge of ISO 27002 and cybersecurity implementation
✓ Experience working with public sector organizations or donor-funded projects

6. Reporting and Supervision

The Architect will report to the PM and collaborate closely with:
✓ Commissioner, IT and Digital Transformation
✓ Business Analysts
✓ Backend and Frontend Developers
✓ DevOps Engineers
✓ Cybersecurity Experts

HOW TO APPLY

Interested candidates should submit below application documents in PDF format to 📧 recruitment@rra.gov.rw:

• Curriculum Vitae

• A copy of the Identity Card/ Passport

• A copy of the Degree Certificate

• Other relevant professional certificates as per the required qualification

Deadline: Not later than 03/10/2025

BATAYIKA Emery
Assistant Commissioner in charge of Human Resources