Manager: Network Engineering at The South African Revenue Service (SARS)

Job Purpose

• To formulate tactical strategy and associated delivery plans related to a single practice area for Network Engineering, by providing management skills to support the optimal management and operation of all Data and Voice communication related infrastructure in the production and development environment including the managing of high-level programs within all network areas, technology and architecture approval, vendor management and financial management and so ensuring the establishment and maintaining a secure, reliable and world class 24/7 continuous IT technology operation.

Education and Experience

Minimum Qualification & Experience Required 

• Bachelor’s Degree / Advanced Diploma (NQF 7) in IT, Computer Sciences or Networking with 8 - 10 years’ experience in a network engineering environment, of which 3 – 4 years at junior management level

 #Alternative

• Senior Certificate/ Matric (NQF 4) with 15 years’ experience in a network engineering environment, of which 3 - 4 years at junior management level.

Minimum Functional Requirements:

• Technologies: High Level Knowledge of Routers, Switches (Catalyst and Nexus) Wi-Fi Access Points and Firewalls
• Management Systems, Protocols, Network Probes, Thousand Eyes and Cisco Prime
• Load Balancers, Servers and Storage Devices. Cloud Services
• (IAAS, PAAS), Broad IT Knowledge.
• NAC -Network access Control
• Cisco Meraki –implementation and troubleshooting of all equipment: appliances, switches, camera’s sensors and Access Points
• Basic knowledge of Wireless controllers, configuration of SSID’s and Flex Connect: Troubleshooting and understanding Wireless Access Points
• Subnetting and L3 routing
• Design and implementation of new site
• IOS software upgrades
• ITIL process

Job Outputs:

Process

• Act as the bottom-line drivers of tactical implementation within the context of business unit excellence and performance improvement.
• Conduct Demand Forecasting.
• Conduct research on emerging technologies in support of infrastructure development efforts, and recommend technologies that will increase cost and effectiveness and infrastructure flexibility.
• Develop, document, make recommendations and communicate plans for investing in IT infrastructure, including analysis of cost reduction opportunities.
• Direct, control, coordinate and optimise budgeted resources to meet specific objectives and deliver agreed results and productivity requirements.
• Document and in depth knowledge of company's existing IT architecture/ infrastructure, and technology portfolio.
• Enable resource optimisation (capacity management).
• Ensure appropriate operational and strategic planning to review, develop and improve ICT/ Network systems ensuring that provision is safe, reliable, effectively used and up to date.
• Ensure the development and implementation of a practice in alignment with operational policy an procedural frameworks.
• Foster a business relationship with all key stakeholders that include frequent engagement.
• Implement tactical strategy and delivery plans through the development of operational activities, ensuring the achievement of operational targets.
• Maintain in depth knowledge of company's strategic business plans.
• Manage the provision and operations of a solution focused ICT Network service that embraces new technologies and recognises the important role that current and emerging technology plays in the creation of a successful climate for learning.
• Manage, train and develop a professional, customer focused network team.
• Plan for handling work outputs, pull together interdependent activities and specify priorities, standards and procedures to ensure tactical implementation.
• Provide architectural consulting expertise direction and assistance to systems analysts, system engineers and system architects.
• Provide periodic reports on performance against plan & progress on short-term initiatives & use to realign tactical plan and objectives appropriately.
• Recommend changes to optimise processes, systems, policies and procedures, and execute 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 implementation objectives appropriately.

Governance

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

People

• Develop and implement appropriate people capacity plans in line with delivery and efficiency targets, on budget and in partnership with specialised area.
• Plan and implement 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.
• Develop and maintain a team that is capable for operating to their full capability and provide appropriate skills, knowledge and experience.

Finance

• Draw up a budget aligned to tactical 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 implement 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
• Respect
• Trust
• Problem Solving
• 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

Technical competencies

• Business Acumen
• Business IT Systems
• Change Management
• Computer Literacy
• Decisiveness
• Effective Business Communication
• Functional Policies and Procedures
• Efficiency improvement
• IT Knowledge
• IT Strategy and Planning
• Managerial Budgeting
• Planning and Organising
• Planning, Management and Measurement
• Problem Analysis and Judgement
• Reporting & Interpretation
• Service Delivery

Deadline:9th August,2026