Specialist: Application Support - Auckland Park at The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC)

MAIN PURPOSE OF THE POSITION:

Provide effective and efficient software development, analysis, and maintenance to the SABC’s end users, to deliver an IT solution in support of business requirements. Maintain and improve the complex technical systems to ensure all employees have the technology they need to complete their work and the organization’s important files and information remain safe and intact.

 KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES:

DEVELOPMENT, IMPLEMENTATION AND MAINTENANCE OF STRATEGY

• Provide input to the strategic information systems vision and direction for the business.
• Execute the IT Strategy activities to achieve the objectives for the business.
• Identify technology trends and evolving social behaviour that may support or impede the success of the business.
• Execute strategically identified and prioritized software initiatives.
• Collaborate with the appropriate internal departments and external customers to assess and recommend technologies that support the business needs and / or customer requirements.
• Full investigation of business needs and requirements.
• Benchmarking and proper investigation of alternative solutions
• Continual evaluation of effectiveness of current systems and review appropriate review.
• New developments effectively interface with existing systems/ software.
• Follow implemented procedures and utilise systems for analysing application performance.
• Collaborate with the appropriate internal departments and external customers to assess and recommend software activities.

BUSINESS OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY

• Ensure delivery consistent with the most appropriate and efficient processes across the team.
• Work effectively with Project and Product Owners to ensure delivery against agreed priorities.
• Contribute to technology standards and best practices.
• Suggesting ideas to reduce costs in IT and to business leadership.
• Comply to the Company’s and Business Area’s software support processes.
• Tender/ quotes specification and evaluation in accordance with SCM policy/procedures
• Implement optimal and cost-effective solutions in line with user requirements.
• Implement new developments effectively interface with existing systems/ software.
• Conduct effective quality assurance, program logic, and data processing processes.
• Conduct proper testing prior to end-user implementation.
• Provide functional operational support/ advice.
• Optimally configure systems in line with end user needs/ vendor requirements
• Correct errors and appropriate changes in line with expected results
• Compile ScheduAll System Reports to meet end user requirements in line with SLA's.
• Compile accurate custom reports in line with user requirements.
• Attend accurately to ad hoc MIS queries.
• Ensure system up-time targets and data integrity targets are met.
• Conduct User Acceptance Testing with upgrades
•  Implement measure to ensure optimal performance of core systems.
•  Configure changes to hardware/ software in line with predetermined methodology and configuration best practice based on vendor /user requirements.
•  Ensure accurate documentation of releases /configurations.
• Always update the configuration management plan.
•  Log change requests and software releases in compliance with IT procedures
•  Implement changes effectively to ensure proper interface with operating systems and relevant applications

IT GOVERNANCE RISK AND COMPLIANCE

• Participate in the development of best practice policies and standards.
• Maintain an up-to-date understanding of emerging trends in information systems risks, and techniques and trends, in-line with overall information security objectives and risk tolerance.
• Implement data privacy legislation and disclosures.
• Identify, analyse, respond to, and monitor IT risk.
• Ensure that risk factors and events are addressed.
• Resolve identified findings and actions to closure and report progress to leadership.
• Collaborate with internal teams and external auditors throughout compliance assessments.
• Full compliance with SABC Financial Policy & Procedures including SCM policies.

STAKEHOLDER MANAGEMENT

• Accurate identification of customer needs
• Constantly and consistently exceed the customer's expectations.
• Customer queries/ complaints resolved in accordance with IT service standards and SLA’s.
• Functional advice/ support to facilitate good customer service and improve service delivery.
• Maintaining of professional working relationship with external and internal customers.
• Accurately identify needs of customers

LEADERSHIP AND PEOPLE MANAGEMENT

• Managing own performance and development.
• Assist with establishing long terms team goals, reporting mechanisms, maturity models, and a roadmap for continual program improvements.
• Meet IT performance & quality standards.
• Participate in formal reviews conducted bi-annually per IT unit team member in accordance with SABC Performance Management Policy
• Compile Individual Development Plan (IDP) for yourself annually.
• Participate in Individual coaching, counselling, and mentoring conducted on an ongoing basis to meet individual development needs.
• Attend Training & Development in accordance with WSP.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• Relevant IT NQF Level 6 (National Diploma) qualification
• 5 years’ experience in software analysis and development experience in which 3 years’ experience in management of an IT application within a broadcasting environment and 2 years’  management experience in a corporate environment.

KNOWLEDGE:

• Knowledge and understanding of automated software and system management tools
• Knowledge and understanding of the ScheduAll Application
• Advanced knowledge and understanding of end user core business processes
• Knowledge and understanding of Ms Project
• Knowledge and understanding of relevant development tools and products
• Knowledge of IT hardware and technical architecture
• Advanced knowledge, understanding & application of information technology best practice (including platforms, applications, security, etc)
• Knowledge & understanding of all relevant Company Policies & Procedures e.g. Finance, HR, Procurement, Risk, Safety & Health, etc
• Knowledge and understanding of latest technological developments within broadcast environment
• Knowledge & understanding of file formats