Lead: Criminal Investigations (Digital Forensic Investigations) at The South African Revenue Service (SARS)

Job Purpose

• To formulate a Digital Forensics Investigations tactical strategy and associated delivery plans related to multiple practice areas by managing and enabling digital forensics investigations, data recovery and data analysis to support all investigative business units and other divisions within the organisation. In addition, the incumbent will control, coordinate and optimise budgeted resources to meet specific objectives and deliver agreed results. The incumbent will also be required to identify opportunities for continuous improvement in the fast-paced environment of digital forensics to enable the achievement of enforcement objectives.

Education and Experience

Minimum Qualification & Experience Required

• Honours Degree / Postgraduate Diploma (NQF 8) 10 – 12 years’ experience in Digital Forensic Investigations, of which 3 - 4 years at a middle management level.
  OR
• Bachelor's Degree / Advanced Diploma (NQF 7) AND 12 - 15 years’ experience in Digital Forensic Investigations of which 3 - 4 years at a middle management level

Additional Technical Competencies:

• Collection and preservation of evidence and the chain of custody (Investigations)
• GOC Secret - (a) sensitive information, the disclosure of which may endanger the security or national interest of the Republic or could jeopardise the international relations of the Republic;(b) commercial information, the disclosure of which may cause serious financial loss to an entity; or (c) personal information, the disclosure of which may endanger the physical security of a person. E.g. VIP/Restricted Taxpayer information.
• Adequate knowledge of First Responder processes
• Interviewing and interrogation (Investigations)
• Investigative reporting
• Testify in formal and criminal proceedings

Job Outputs:

• Develop and execute digital forensics investigations policies, procedures and practise notes in line with all legislation administered by the Commissioner for SARS, the Constitution and the Criminal Procedure Act.
• Assist and attend to any requests from other Law Enforcement Agencies and other Revenue Authorities, in accordance with the Digital Forensics Investigations governance processes.
• Develop and execute tactical digital forensics, data recovery and data analysis investigation strategy and delivery plans that are aligned with Syndicated Tax and Customs Crime investigation Strategy.
• Implement the production plan of all digital forensics, investigations, data recovery and analysis and the reporting and resolution of any weaknesses and shortcomings.
• Implement, monitor and evaluate the quality of digital forensics investigations performance programmes and recommend changes in line with technical requirements.
• Oversee any complex digital forensics investigations and report outcomes.
• Develop tactical strategy and delivery plans in support of functional objectives in partnership with leadership.
• Direct, control, coordinate and optimise budgeted resources to meet specific objectives and deliver agreed results and productivity requirements.
• Ensure the development and implementation of multiple practices in alignment with operational policy and procedural frameworks.
• Identify and recommend opportunities to continuously improve all functions and systems in line with national, regional, and organisational changes.
• Plan for handling work outputs, pull together interdependent activities and specify priorities, standards and procedures to ensure tactical excellence.
• Proactively identify interconnected problems, determine its impact and use to develop best fit alternatives, driving best practice solutions.
• Provide periodic reports on performance against plan and progress on medium-term initiatives and use to realign operating plan and objectives appropriately.
• Recommend changes to optimise processes, systems, policies and procedures, and direct the implementation of change and innovation initiated by the organisation.
• Timeously communicate top-down policy modification, objective achievement progress and critical success factors to impacted stakeholders.
• Use the insights gained through integrated business reports to measure success and realign tactical strategy development objectives appropriately.
• Ensure accuracy and integrity of data on the digital forensics investigations case management system for Digital Forensics Investigations.

Governance

• Implement governance, risk and compliance policy in own practice areas to identify and manage governance and risk exposure liability.
• Manage and or advise on the translation and application of policy in the specific functional area.

People

• Create a positive work climate and culture to energise employees and give meaning to work, minimise work disruption and maximise employee productivity.
• Develop and implement appropriate people capacity plans in line with delivery and efficiency targets, on budget and in partnership with specialised areas.
• Plan and develop enhanced organisational efficiency by identifying and addressing development requirements and providing tools for people resources.
• Translate performance expectations into specific metrics and goals to identify and provide effective services, solve problems and achieve objectives.

Finance

• Draw up a budget aligned to business unit delivery plans, monitor planned vs. actual, minimise expenditure and report on cost efficiency.
• Implement and monitor financial control, management of costs and corporate governance in area of accountability.

Client

• Build strong relationships and develop service level agreements that promote SARS with internal and external stakeholders.
• Develop and ensure implementation of practices which builds service delivery excellence and encourages others to provide exceptional client service.
• Manage an integrated service excellence culture, which builds rewarding relationships and provides opportunity for feedback and exceptional service.

Behavioural competencies

• Accountability
• Fairness and Transparency
• Honesty and Integrity
• Problem Solving and Analysis
• Respect
• Trust

Technical competencies

• Ability to translate strategy into execution
• Concern for Impact of own behaviour on others
• Develops teams and nurtures interdependency
• Inspires others to Positive Action
• Nurtures Future Talent
• Stewardship and Service Orientation
• Strong Results Orientation
• Values and Manages Diversity
• Business Acumen
• Change Management
• Continuous Process improvement
• Criminal Investigation
• Decisiveness
• Effective Business Communication
• Functional Policies and Procedures
• Investigative Skills
• Managerial Budgeting
• Planning and Organising
• Planning, Management and Measurement
• Problem Analysis and Judgement
• Search and Seizure
• Strategic Planning