Sectional Lead: Technical Innovation at The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC)

MAIN PURPOSE OF POSITION

• To manage an innovative and cross team to upgrade, converge and enhance technological digitisation for Radio and TV Broadcast Systems infrastructure by developing new innovations with efficient and effective workflows to modernise and enable technologies, processes, and services to evolve the SABC.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES:

DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF STRATEGY

Development of Implementation Plans

• Provide (innovative) submissions for input into the Broadcast Technology Strategy which is in alignment with the Corporate Plan and Target Operating Model.
• Provide technical research and solutions for incorporation into OPEX and CAPEX business plans which is supported by research and\ or statistical data.
• Interpret business requirements in order to plan and design functional systems & processes contributing towards effective and efficient workflows for the delivery of radio and\ or television content.

Drive\ Manage Projects

• Host workshops and brainstorming sessions with clients to draft functional requirements for approval by business.
• Plan proof of concepts with clients and equipment manufactures or software developers.
• Perform both qualitative and quantitate analysis for return on investment on proposals.
• Benchmark positive innovative trends within the technological landscape and make value adding improvements within the SABC systems.
• Analyze the broadcast industry trends, anticipate, pre-empt and benchmark the future investment growth for the SABC in line with the Enterprise Broadcast Architecture Framework’s Target Technology plan.
• Prepare specifications for CAPEX and OPEX business cases according to performed research and analysis for submission by relevant technology division.
• Report on achievement of departmental objectives.
• Plan and conduct user acceptance trials and tests to provide operational departments with required documentation to prepare business cases.

BUSINESS OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY

Financial Motivations

• Accurate calculation and submission of CAPEX & OPEX inputs into budget and Return on Investments for proposals.
• In-time completion and submission of operational budget for annual test plans.
• Work with stakeholders at TV and Radio to draft Business Cases (Operational or Capital Expenditure Approval Requests) on completion of testing, and calculation of return of Investment. · Draft technical proposals for recommendations to Broadcast Technology Business Units.
• Communicate with departmental teams and project manager to understand areas in order to develop project plans.
• Communicate with procurement in order to work with suppliers to present applicable solutions to the SABC through the RFI process.
• Control spend in accordance with operational value add and amendment of operational budget in liaison with next level of Management.

Operational Performance

• Plan and design new or enhanced business processes through requirements definition, information gathering, and development of documentation and proof of concepts.
• Improve system\ workflow resilience and efficiency by reducing the taken to complete tasks or the downtime of systems.
• Investigate technological trends, best practices, workflows and alternate architectures in the industry and within the SABC and consult with stakeholders in order assist in the preparation of the required business cases in order to improve broadcast workflows.
• Develop innovative solutions for SABC technological business improvements.
• Accurate monthly reporting on deliverables (Stakeholder Engagements, Meetings, Short Term and Long Term Research or Innovation, etc.).

GOVERNANCE RISK AND COMPLIANCE

• Provide input into the Broadcast Innovative Resources governance Framework (EBAF). Policy, Standards and Operating Directives.
• Comply with SABC Policies & Procedures and relevant legislation.
• Update SOP’s, Guidelines and System Workflow Diagrams to promote best practice and system understanding.
• Ensure no licensing conditions are breached when planning and preparing test procedures.
• Provide SCM support for CAPEX and OPEX expenditure (BSC, BEC, RFQ’s).

STAKEHOLDER MANAGEMENT

• Internal Stakeholders served in a technically proficient, friendly and helpful manner.
• Identify with client’s needs with regular liaison and\or communication.
• Gather Customer queries/ complaints or new requirements from operational departments and attempt to resolve in accordance with Broadcast Technology service standards.
• Create and maintain relationships with technology suppliers to present new technologies to the relevant broadcast technology departments in conjunction with procurement.
• Communicate with Software and Hardware vendors to present new ideas and additional functionality to SABC stakeholders.
• Communicate with Broadcast Technology Teams (Radio, TV, Digital Media and SAG) in order to plan, design and test applicable technologies.
• Apply technical expertise in the incubation of innovative developments when presenting to stakeholders.
• Engage with business divisions to get involved in their environment to workshop and brainstorm their innovations, knowledge and ideas to a workable delivery.
• Create and maintain relationships with various SABC technology departments to ensure compliance with SABC Technology requirements.
• Ensure stakeholder buy-in at all times through the process by providing information and answers to queries in a timely manner and through various forms of communication to enhance their understanding.

LEADERSHIP AND PEOPLE MANAGEMENT

• Lead and direct the innovation team.
• Maintain discipline in accordance with Company policies & procedures
• Enter into performance agreements with manager and direct reports, annually.
• Formal reviews conducted with manager and documented as per company directive (quarterly).
• Contribute and assist in some managerial / supervision activities (Ability to act as Manager in Managers absence, represent depart at required meetings)
• Conduct formal reviews with direct reports and document as per company directive (quarterly).
• Communicate with departmental staff in order to effectively disseminate information and set long term and short term goals.
• Effective and efficient utilization of team members in accordance with departmental priorities.
• Drive change in the organization by providing innovative solutions..
• Development of individual & Team Competence
• Annual competency assessment prior to compilation of Career Development Plan (CDP)
• CDP for each individual annually
• Submit annual training needs for individual and team for inclusion in WSP within specified time frame.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• 3 Year National Diploma (S4) or Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering (Light Current) or Computer Studies with Information Systems. NQF6 minimum.
• Must also display proficiency in MS Office, i.e. Outlook, Word, Excel, Power Point & Visio.
• Minimum 7 years technical experience within the broadcast environment with at least 5 years management (junior or middle level) or specialist experience.
• Must have extensive knowledge to ensure an advisory and consultancy expertise surrounding the broadcast systems and facilities.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

Advanced or Expert Knowledge of:

• Knowledge & understanding of relevant Company policies /procedures including but not limited to IT Security Policy, Procurement Policies, Time Management Policy and DAF.
• Project planning and risk assessment and implementation.
• Experience and skills pertaining to the Broadcast environment, including Broadcast Servers, Studios, and System integration points.
• Designing, installing and configuring as well as upgrading & maintaining systems hardware & software.
• In-depth understanding and application of broadcast and production fundamentals, including analogue and digital, radio and television systems, metadata, audio and video (DTT, OTT and VOD Impact).
• Ability to plan and setup contingencies and apply back-up strategies and develop their implementations, within the digital environment to ensure quick recovery and reduced on-air failures, i.e. data backup and.
• Technical & Operational Support, advice and consultation.
• Conduct user workshops and meetings for client engagement.
• Ability to guide and mentor team members share knowledge.
• Ability to translate technical terms, workflows and provide support, advice and consultation to clients, in order to provide technological and operational solutions.
• Ability to define specifications for workstations and servers to meet the application requirements.
• Ability to plan and design storage/backup technologies for use by the SABC.
• Knowledge and experience of IT Security.
• Knowledge and understanding of IT networking technologies and methods.
• Knowledge and understanding of System and Business Analysis.
• Knowledge and understanding of relevant software applications.
• Understanding of Financial Management concepts.
• Knowledge and understanding of business and broadcast planning.
• Knowledge and understanding of SABC Procurement Policy/Procedures.
• Knowledge and Understanding of SABC Legal & Regulatory Policy/ Procedures, including drafting of contracts for divisional requirements.
• Knowledge and understanding of SABC internal control measures including Delegation of Authority Framework.

Deadline:24th February,2026