Manager - Applications Management at South African Maritime Safety Authority

JOB PURPOSE
Lead in the conceptualization, design, development, implementation, quality assurance including continuous maintenance, and support of SAMSA applications that are developed in diverse technology platforms to enable optimal and efficient SAMSA operations including leading and monitoring a team of internal developers and those from third parties.
 
KEY PERFORMANCE AREAS

• Monitor adherence to best practice methodologies with a focus on more optimal ways of work, towards attainment of the Centre for ICT's Annual Performance Plan (APP) and SAMSA strategic objectives.
• Lead in the development, maintenance, and support of SAMSA applications in line with applicable best practice standards, methodologies, and framework.
• Lead in the transformation and modernisation of the SAMSA applications portfolio in alignment with technology changes.
• Lead in the procurement of required software to ensure an optimal SAMSA applications portfolio.
• Develop detailed project plans, including objectives, milestones, timelines, and resource allocation, to guide the implementation of the applications delivery plans.
• Propose cost effective approaches for management of SAMSA applications.
• Evaluate, develop, and test best practices and research the cost versus benefits for the applications portfolio.
• Design, develop, obtain resources and approval to implement business continuity and recovery programs for all applications within the SAMSA applications portfolio.
• Lead in the design of applications in accordance with approved design principles including functional and technical specifications.                        
• Contribute to the development of technical / functional specifications to be used.
• Consult with the Business Analyst to inform the design of systems in accordance with approved user requirements specifications.
• Obtain approval of functional and technical specifications by all interested parties through extensive consultations, testing and quality assurance.                              
• Confirm that the configuration of SAMSA applications are in accordance with applicable best practice standards and SAMSA applications architecture, structures, and taxonomies.
• Demonstrate a solid understanding of data architecture standards to ensure deployment of applications capabilities that meet the defined data architecture.
• Standardise applications development technology platforms across the applications portfolio including defining of application integration APIs, and data exchange protocols.
• Lead in ensuring that applications are developed with incorporated cybersecurity principles and best practices to ensure secure SAMSA applications.
• Work with internal and external auditors or OEM to ensure that the applications which are implemented are thoroughly tested and quality assured.                                       
• Work with external stakeholders/service providers to ensure that SAMSA applications attain high levels of standardisation and integration.
• Design, develop, and implement maintenance procedures and processes to ensure optimal operations of the SAMSA applications.
• Coordinate applications training for all end users following change management procedures to implement system changes.
• Implement prompt remedial solutions as part of vulnerability and patch management.
• Manage prompt resolution of all application related incident calls in line with set resolution timeframe.                 
• Contribute to the maintenance of an updated ICT Risk Register and ensure that risk control/mitigation measures are implemented.
• Participate in the development and testing of the Disaster Recovery Plan by ensuring that all systems in the portfolio are recoverable in the event of a disaster.
• Provide accurate reports on all annual / quarterly Disaster Recovery tests and implement any corrective steps related to DR testing.     
• Negotiate terms and manage contracts with appointed service providers.
• Monitor SLAs and take corrective action when required.
• Manage and monitor Operational Level Agreements between ICT and Business Units with focus on applications deliverables.
• Prepare and manage applications budget including project related budgets to ensure optimal utilization of resources in a cost-effective manner.
• Monitor expenditure.
• Participate in developing and implementing ICT procurement plans.
• Oversee ICT procurement processes related to applications.
• Provide leadership and direction that is aligned with the SAMSA culture and values.
• Establish an enabling work environment and culture for optimum staff performance.
• Manage the performance, productivity, development, and wellbeing of the applications team.
• Facilitate synergy and co-ordination between the other delivery areas within the Centre for ICT.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
   Qualifications

• Degree (NQF Level 7) in ICT with specialisation in the Applications Development or related.
• A postgraduate qualification in ICT Applications or Software Development stream will be an added advantage.

  Required certification or Professional Registration:

• Enterprise Architecture – Applications and Data Architecture
• Business Analysis
• Programming Languages (.Net, JAVA, XCP and C#)
• SQL
• ITIL
• COBIT
• OpenText Certification (Documentum, xCP, xPression, xPlore, etc)
• Microsoft Certification
• Adobe Certification (LiveCycle, AEM, etc).

   Knowledge and Experience

• 7 - 10 years' experience in Applications Development environment with advance understanding of diverse development platforms.
• 3-5 years' management experience in any of the following:
  • Architecture development and implementation
  • Diverse development platforms such as:
  • OpenText Documentum, Captiva Input Accel, xPression, XCP, xPlore.
  • Document Content Server including BAM.
  • Adobe LiveCycle/AEM Forms and Content / Presenter.
  • Records Manager.
  • C#, Java, M-V-C, Development.
  • Mobile and AI-assisted development practices
• Knowledge of Agile project delivery approaches

Competencies
High levels of competence on the skills below is a requirement:

• SAMSA Strategy, ICT Strategy, and the ICT Business Plan
• SAMSA policies and procedures
• POPI Act
• ITIL Framework
• COBIT 2019
• SQL
• Diverse development platforms – Microsoft, OpenText, Java, etc.
• System Development Life Cycle (SDLC)
• Applicable programming languages.
• Industry best practices in application management.
• Service management processes.
• Applicable Programming/Development language skills
• ERP Environment.
• Documentum Environment.
• Adobe LiveCycle Environment.
• Microsoft Environment.
• Experience in designing and implementing reporting solutions.
• Experience in SQL
• Problem solving skills.
• Communication skills.
• Negotiation skills.
• Presentation skills.
• Project management skills.
• Stakeholder and SLA management.