Operational Lead: Investigations at The South African Revenue Service (SARS)

About the Position

• SARS is making an exciting opportunity available for a highly skilled, experienced and results driven investigator with sound judgement, strong business acumen and who ideally displays an ability to operate under limited supervision. The investigator is expected to contribute towards our higher purpose and service orientation by conducting audits across multiple tax types.  Finally, s/he will function within a small team of like-minded individuals focussing on selected projects intended to not only assist in reducing the tax gap but also in supporting governments tax compliance strategy.

Job Purpose

• To supervise the investigations of the team members and ensure that the team meets its production targets within the quality, turnaround time and productivity norms.

Education and Experience

Minimum Qualification & Experience Required

Relevant Bachelor’s degree / Advanced Diploma (NQF 7) in Accounting /Audit/ Forensic Investigations, of which 3-4 years ideally at a functional specialist level

OR

Senior Certificate (NQF 4) AND 10 years related experience in Accounting /Audit/ Forensic Investigations, of which 5 years ideally at a functional specialist level

Minimum Functional Requirements

Job Outputs:

Process

• Frequently report on progress of unit and or team against pre-defined objectives and standards, ensuring accurate representation of facts.
• Accumulate information to report on work progress and use for decision making purposes and the identification of improvement opportunities.
• Apply discretion and judgement to diagnose symptoms, causes and effects and to make decisions to overcome problems and to provide solutions.
• Deploy resources appropriately and anticipate and resolve problems to ensure that tactical targets are achieved within agreed deadlines & standards.
• Ensure procedures, policies and mandates are clearly understood and complied with.
• Ensure the development, alignment and implementation of end-to-end processes within area of accountability for continued process improvement.
• Link and communicate unit's objectives back to mandate, schedule and prioritise activities and allocate work to meet identified work outputs.
• Manage a work function or unit by focusing on the delivery and achievement of set objectives within specified time frames, costs and standards.
• Plan and organise multiple work outputs by assigning priorities and continuously reviewing objectives and goals.
• Provide input into the development of the tactical strategy as well as develop and implement a supporting operational strategy.
• Apply the necessary discretion and judgment in making decisions and overcoming obstacles to attain set goals and objectives for area of accountability.
• Implement change & provide guidelines to direct reports defining the impact of change, the change itself & new requirements because of the change.
• Implement resource plans in line with delivery and performance objectives, on budget and in partnership with specialised areas.

Governance

• Implement and use governance & compliance procedures & processes effectively to identify and manage risks and expose previously unknown liabilities.
• Understand and implement governance control processes and role segregation requirements in area of accountability.
• Implement risk management, governance and compliance policies and processes to identify and manage risks and expose liabilities.

People

• Implement appropriate people capacity plans in line with delivery and efficiency targets, on budget and in partnership with specialised areas.
• Encourage and enable teamwork, by enabling collaboration with others and commitment to pursuing set goals.
• Build strong relationships through providing direction and leadership to own team and expressing positive expectations.
• Monitor and actively manage team performance to meet specified objectives against required targets, deadlines and quality standards.

Finance

• Ensure team's adherence to specified policies, standards & procedures to prevent & reduce wastage on financial resources & escalate associated risk.
• Draw up a budget aligned to operational delivery plans, monitor and report on variances.
• Implement, manage and report on cost improvement objectives and communicate or escalate any shortfalls.

Client

• Implement continuous improvements and shorter turnaround times in line with Service Level Agreements with stakeholders.
• Manage interdependencies to ensure input and output flow between all teams and divisions and external stakeholders.
• Contribute to a culture of customer service excellence, which builds positive relationships & provides opportunity for feedback & exceptional service.
• Develop and implement processes which builds client service delivery excellence and encourages others to provide exceptional service.

Behavioural competencies

• Developing Others
• Adaptability
• Fairness and Transparency
• Accountability
• Conceptual Thinking
• Championing the Mandate
• Influencing Others
• Mobilising Teams
• Driving for Excellence
• Leveraging Diversity
• Accurate Understanding
• Resilience
• Trust
• Respect
• Honesty and Integrity
• Problem Solving and Analysis
• Building Sustainability