Specialist: Systems Administrator (Radio) at The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC)

MAIN PURPOSE OF POSITION:

• To design, install, configure, maintain, repair and support the SABC broadcast and production systems including playout servers, workstations and system security in order to ensure optimum, functional, secure and available systems for End Users across all SABC regions, with integration to the content (Music, News, Sport, Adverts. etc.) scheduling systems.

DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF STRATEGY

• Contribute and provide (technical) submissions to Divisional Strategy 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.
• Apply sound design principles in order to optimize playout systems availability and integration into scheduling systems and studio broadcast equipment, which is in line with customer requirements across all SABC regions.
• Interpret business requirements in order to design and implement functional systems & processes contributing towards effective and efficient workflows for the delivery of radio and\ or television content.
• Prepare specifications for minor CAPEX and OPEX business cases according to technical guidelines and user requirements for approval by next level of Management.
• Assist OEM with project designs for integration into the SABC infrastructure.
• Provide Capex Project with designs, risks, migration requirements, project implementations plans, integration system implementations, commissioning and workflows to deliver on functional requirements and avoid on-air disruptions.
• Plan and Manage system (departmental) upgrade plans, for Broadcast Systems (Playout, production, music scheduling) remote connectivity systems and System Antivirus software.
• Drive system changes and enhancements by presenting improved solutions to the SABC Change Advisory Board (CAB).
• Setup proof of concepts for purchase approval through engagement with users and suppliers.
• Support (when required) all Special Projects or events by providing points of integration for the playout and production systems.

BUSINESS OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY

• Accurate calculation and submission of CAPEX & OPEX inputs into budget.
• Propose system improvements and workflow efficiencies to Manager to draft Business Cases for Capital Expenditure approval.
• Prepare Minor CAPEX motivations for approval to ensure new requirements are addressed.
• Prepare OPEX motivations for approval to ensure operational requirements (Spares holding, equipment repairs & maintenance, etc.) are addressed.
• Long term maintenance matrix planning submissions to develop Broadcast system hardware and software life cycle.
• Provide input into annual OPEX budget to ensure adequate funds for future financial fiscal.
• Asset management control, oversight and tracking of all Broadcast System equipment nationally to ensure updated asset register.
• Control overtime payments by finding solutions to repetitive faults.
• Agreed % of broadcast system availability across all regions.
• Above average rating on SLA (internal stakeholders).
• Broadcast System processes, practices and workflows are in line with SABC technical broadcast standards.
• Set service delivery standards and assist the team to achieve them by creating and maintaining the departmental regional system checklist.
• Submission of ad-hoc broadcast related fault reports detailing resolutions to all stakeholders as and when required, as well monthly downtime reports.
• Accurate monthly reporting on deliverables (design, workflow enhancements and upgrades), including plans to implement change whilst curbing possible risks.
• Perform assessment of departmental fault reports in order to ensure system (software and hardware) shortfalls are addressed.
• Design, plan and control the delivery of technical tasks to their completion on time and within agreed specifications.
• Ongoing monitoring with preventative and corrective deliverables in accordance with overall maintenance plans for all the areas.
• Compliance and maintenance of systems within manufacturer specifications and system requirements.
• Ability to work without supervision and independently prioritise tasks.
• Develop and maintain the SOP’s for installation and hardening of servers and on-air workstations to ensure a standard configuration is applied across the playout and production system environment.
• Establish and sustain compatibility & integration between all digital systems.
• Create and maintain system users as per IT security policy.
• Daily monitoring of the playout and production system for radio & television (software and hardware logs) across the SABC regions to identify and resolve potential risks and none conformance to system standards to ensure agreed percentage system availability.
• Ensure virus free, secure, functional, streamlined and reliable broadcast systems.
• Monthly controlled digital equipment and systems failover tests to promote reliable system resilience and ensure full functional, reliable and backup recovery is sustained at all times.
• Document all faults together with methods of troubleshooting and possible resolutions to create a fault knowledgebase for use by the team.
• Have the ability to conceptualise the fault or requirement in a region (including Auckland Park) and offer sound technical advice until the fault is resolved or requirement is realised.
• Prevent re-occurring issues and workflow processes with the design of innovative solutions through engagement with users, technicians and the Original Equipment Manufacturer OEM.
• Ensure compliance of maintenance and system upgrades with Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) specifications and end user requirements.
• Deliver tasks assigned through SLA engagements effectively, efficiently and as per client’s requirements.
• Monthly report of maintenance, system integrity and health of broadcast systems.
• Annual review and update of all technical documentation, including, SOP’s, User Guides, System workflow diagrams and technical drawings.
• Ensure system security with updated antivirus definitions and patch management.
• Analyse and design new or enhanced business processes through requirements definition, information gathering and constant documentation.
• Ensure processes are in place to implement the Disaster Recovery Plan which is in line with the approved Risk Management Plan.
• Be a point of escalation 24/7 for system administrators on standby.
• Perform analysis of fault and standby reports to identify and address non-compliance.
• Continued stakeholder engagement to document system functional requirements for translation into Request for Information in order to provide stakeholder with a conceptual design and provisional costing.
• Drive all research activities on new software features to improve system efficiency and user experience.
• Research (vendor manual or engagement with vendor or OEM) and trouble shoot re-occurring system faults until a solution is found.
• Collaborate with system administrators of other systems (News or Sales scheduling systems) to ensure their upgrades are successful whilst minimising playing downtime.

GOVERNANCE RISK AND COMPLIANCE

• Provide technical specifications for the procurement of correct hardware or software in line with customer requirements and Company Procurement policy and procedures.
• Escalate Risk findings reported with corrective treatment plans.
• Monitor adherence to OHS and compliance with company policies and procedures.
• Maintain discipline in accordance with Company policies and procedures.
• Conformance with vendor software licensing conditions.
• SOP creation and development to ensure to ensure standardization across the environment for use by system administrators and regional technicians.
• Design and implement a working Disaster Recovery Plan for the broadcast and production systems to manage all potential failures to ensure broadcast continuity.
• Provide relevant information to both external and internal auditors for all audit engagements.
• Implement Audit recommendations.
• Provide SCM support for CAPEX and OPEX expenditure (BSC, BEC, RFQ’s).
• Ensure system compliance reports are available at all times (Broadcast report from playout system, ICASA\ SAMRO & SAMPRA from Music Scheduling system).
• Ensure 95% of assets verified annually.
• Initiate and Co-ordinate annual asset verification and asset disposal.
• Control and monitor the transfer of assets between regions.

STAKEHOLDER MANAGEMENT

• Internal Stakeholders served in a technically proficient, friendly and helpful manner.
• Monitor compliance of services rendered with customer requests and address non-conformance.
• Create relationships with various SABC technology departments to ensure compliance with SABC Technology requirements and the Enterprise Broadcast Architecture Framework.
• Provide technical assistance and guidance to customers regarding software capability and functionality.
• Provide support and advice to reinforce system workflows and operations.
• Provide timely feedback to internal stakeholder queries to improve customer satisfaction.
• Communicate with IT team to ensure Security of Broadcast System and resolution of network and active directory issues.
• Communicate with RBR teams to ensure studio broadcast requirements are met. 10% Maintain External (Software and Hardware Vendors) Relations.
• Engage with supplier on new user requirements and repetitive faults as per contract.
• Respond to faults logged with Service provider as per contract.

LEADERSHIP AND PEOPLE MANAGEMENT

• Enter into performance agreements with manager annually.
• Formal reviews conducted with manager and documented as per company directive (quarterly).
• Train, coach or mentor senior system administrators and system administrators on an ongoing basis to meet individual team member needs.
• Prepare overtime schedules in consultation with team and submit monthly overtime sheets for payment.
• Contribute and assist in some managerial / supervision activities (Ability to act as Manager in Managers absence, represent depart at required meetings).
• Provide informal training on the Broadcast System to users and technical colleagues in order for them to perform their job functions.
• Coach and Mentor other system administrators with faults or tasks that they are unable to resolve on their own.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• 3 Year National Diploma (S4) or National Diploma Computer Studies with Information Systems (NQF6) or Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering (Light Current).
• Minimum 7 years technical experience within the IT broadcast environment or Commercial of The Shelf Systems with at least 5 years’ experience at a system administrator level.
• Driver’s license- Advantageous.
• IT Knowledge (including Database Administration and IT security) is essential. Must also display proficiency in MS Office, i.e. Outlook, Word, Excel, Power Point & Visio.

Deadline:24th February,2026