Director: Infrastructure at The Government Pensions Administration Agency (GPAA)

REQUIREMENTS :

• An undergraduate qualification (NQF level 7) in Information Technology as recognized by SAQA.
• At least 6 to 10 years demonstrated experience in the ICT Infrastructure and ICT services support environment of which five (5) years should be at a middle/senior managerial level. Display extensive knowledge of ICT Services and ICT Infrastructure and how the infrastructure supports Enterprise Architecture and business services.
• Experience in Financial Services, especially Employee Benefits, Pension Fund or Retirement Benefits Administration, will be a distinct advantage. Computer literacy would include a good working knowledge of Microsoft Office.

DUTIES :

• The incumbent will be responsible for a wide variety of tasks which include but are not limited to the following: Manage the implementation of the ICT services and Infrastructure support strategy: Monitor the implementation of the operational plan for the Directorate to support the achievement of GPAA’s strategic objectives. Manage, monitor and review the Directorate’s policies, procedures and processes, in accordance with best practice and legislation.
• Manage the implementation of an effective short, medium and long-term operating strategy for the Directorate. Conduct benchmarks on new developments in practices to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the organisation.
• Manage the provision of best practice regarding Directorate functions to all stakeholders. Manage the implementation of a management effectiveness and leadership strategy. Engage in strategic relationships with relevant stakeholders to serve the interest of the organisation. Monitor compliance with relevant legislation throughout all Directorate functions.
• Analyse service delivery gaps, challenges and implement remedial action strategies. Manage quality of service provided to internal and external customers/clients/stakeholders. Manage the mitigation of the identified risks. Ensure information flow to and alignment with all stakeholders to ensure effective engagement. Conduct trend analyses and forecasting.
• Manage the acquisition, provision extraction and retirement of infrastructure services: Manage the operational requirements of the voice and data networks to meet GPAA service level standards. Monitor daily operations such as backups, call logs and infrastructure performance to ensure availability of infrastructure. Manage all infrastructure projects to facilitate timeous delivery of stipulated objectives within budget and constraints.
• Monitor that the current infrastructure is robust, reliable and flexible to cope with expansion of business and user needs. Ensure maximum uptime on all critical systems and connectivity through infrastructure support. Ensure that all infrastructure services are within agreed service levels and proactively manage deviations or required service level changes.
• Provide best practice advice on the installations, maintenance and de-installation of infrastructure to various stakeholders, where necessary, to enhance service delivery. Manage the issuing, reception and storage of all hardware through its entire lifecycle. Report regularly on performance and outcomes of ICT Infrastructure services to ensure key operational metrics are achieved. Overseeing of operations of the business unit:
• Assess the provision of ICT services and infrastructure support advice to line managers to ensure that line managers are fully equipped to deal with ICT services and infrastructure support strategy related matters. Drive a culture of compliance with GPAA line Managers and staff to ensure greater awareness of ICT services and Infrastructure support policies and procedures. Monitor compliance with relevant legislation throughout all ICT services and infrastructure support functions.
• Manage planning of resource requirements for the organisation to ensure sufficient resources are in place to meet service delivery demands. Analyse service delivery gaps and challenges, define service delivery operational measures and targets, and implement remedial action strategies. Oversee quality of service provided to internal and external customers/ clients/ stakeholders. Proactively ensure the identification and mitigation of risks. Establish and manage agreed budgets in consultation with the Chief Information Technology Officer and infrastructure support, ensuring that costs are contained.
• Manage, coordinate and oversee the daily operational activities of the subunit to ensure that it functions effectively and efficiently. Proactively mitigate employee relations risks. Ensure information flow to and alignment with all stakeholders to ensure effective engagement. Manage the potential infrastructure risks: Collaborate with relevant stakeholders to identify and manage infrastructure risks by developing appropriate mitigation strategies. Monitor that the GPAA is appropriately insured against losses and damages to assets where required so to minimise downtime costs.
• Coordinate completion of operational risk self-assessments for the infrastructure area, achieving greater compliance and contingency planning. Collaborate with relevant stakeholders to develop and maintain a satisfactory internal control environment that addresses the physical custody of the GPAA’s assets and information. Monitor compliance to infrastructure policies and procedures to minimise risks to the internal control environment. Check that all infrastructure audit report queries are addressed to ensure greater compliance and minimise the operational risks.
• Control and monitor infrastructure assets: Collaborate with the Chief Information Technology Officer to develop annual asset maintenance and replacement plans for incorporation into the capital expenditure budget. Maintain infrastructure assets registers, physically verifying the integrity of assets reflected in financial records. Develop and enforce Minimum Operability Standards (MOS) for the deployment of infrastructure services.
• Perform infrastructure budget and expenditure reconciliations and report non-reconciling items to the Technology COE to enable immediate corrective action. Prepare quarterly capital expenditure reports for the Chief Information Technology Officer to review and approve, highlighting budget variances.
• Submit annual capital expenditure budgets for the Chief Information Technology Officer to review and approve, indicate how to maximise the economic useful life of assets and optimise maintenance and replacement costs. Manage all the resources in the Directorate: Ensure the development and management of staff within the Directorate. Implement and maintain a relevant management approach to support effective business results within the Directorate.
• Develop and sustain a culture of high performance, professionalism and integrity to support overall quality of service delivery. Ensure control of budgeting and expenditure process in-line with strategic objectives and relevant legislation. Ensure the effective utilisation of all other resources (including IS, Assets, Infrastructure, etc) within the Directorate.