System Specialist N000056 at North West University

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION:

• This positions forms part of the ITC Operations & Infrastructure group and focus on the planning implementing and deployment of IT systems.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Technical specialism: Maintains an in-depth knowledge of specific technical specialisms and provides expert advice regarding their application. Can supervise specialist technical consultancy. The specialism can be any aspect of information or communication technology, technique, method, and product or application area.
•  Emerging technology monitoring: Maintains awareness of opportunities provided by new technology to address challenges or to enable new ways of working. Within own sphere of influence, works to further organisational goals, by the use of emerging technologies and products. Contributes to briefings and presentations about their relevance and potential value to the organisation.
• Project management: Defines, documents and carries out small projects or sub-projects (typically less than six months, with limited budget, limited interdependency with other projects, and no significant strategic impact), alone or with a small team, actively participating in all phases. Identifies, assesses and manages risks to the success of the project. Prepares realistic plans (including quality, risk and communications plans) and tracks activities against the project schedule, providing regular and accurate reports to stakeholders as appropriate. Monitors costs, timescales and resources used, and takes action where these deviate from agreed tolerances. Ensures that own projects are formally closed and, where appropriate, subsequently reviewed, and that lessons learned are recorded.
• Systems installation/decommissioning: Undertakes routine installations and de-installations of items of hardware and/or software. Takes action to ensure targets are met within established safety and quality procedures, including, where appropriate, handover to the client. Conducts tests of hardware and/or software using supplied test procedures and diagnostic tools. Corrects malfunctions, calling on other experienced colleagues and external resources if required. Documents details of all hardware/software items that have been installed and removed so that configuration management records can be updated. Develops installation procedures and standards, and schedules installation work. Provides specialist guidance and advice to less experienced colleagues to ensure best use is made of available assets, and to maintain or improve the installation service.
• Capacity management: Monitors service component capacity and initiates actions to resolve any shortfalls according to agreed procedures. Applies techniques to modify demand for a particular resource or service.
• Configuration management: Manages configuration items (CIs) and related information. Applies and maintains tools, techniques and processes for identification, classification and control of CIs and ensuring related information is complete, current and accurate.
• Release and deployment: Assesses and analyses release components. Provides input to scheduling. Carries out the builds and tests in coordination with testers and component specialists maintaining and administering the tools and methods – manual or automatic - and ensuring, where possible, information exchange with configuration management. Ensures release processes and procedures are maintained.
• System software:Reviews system software updates and identifies those that merit action. Tailors system software to maximise hardware functionality. Installs and tests new versions of system software. Investigates and coordinates the resolution of potential and actual service problems. Prepares and maintains operational documentation for system software. Advises on the correct and effective use of system software.
• Applications support: Identifies and resolves issues with applications, following agreed procedures. Uses application management software and tools to collect agreed performance statistics. Carries out agreed applications maintenance tasks.
• Database administration: Uses database management system software and tools to investigate problems and collect performance statistics and create reports. Carries out routine configuration/installation and reconfiguration of database and related products.
• Supplier relationship management: Collects performance data and investigates problems. Monitors and reports on supplier performance, customer satisfaction, and market intelligence. Resolves or escalates problems. Implements supplier service improvement actions and programmes. Monitors performance.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• A bachelor’s degree (NQF level 7) in Information Technology OR an Advanced Diploma (NQF level 6) in Information Technology with a minimum of 2 years’ experience OR 6 years equivalent IT Certifications with relevant experience.

EXPERIENCE:

• A minimum of 5 years’ experience in systems project management.
• A minimum of 5 years’ experience working in an enterprise IT environment.

KEY FUNCTIONAL/ TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES:

• Technical specialism (Level 5)
• Emerging technology monitoring (Level 4)
• Project management (Level 4)
• Systems installation/decommissioning (Level 4)
• Capacity management (Level 4)
• Configuration management (Level 5)
• System software (Level 5)
• Applications support (Level 5)
• Database administration (Level 5)
• Supplier relationship management (Level 5)

BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES:

• Autonomy - Works under general direction within a clear framework of accountability. Exercises substantial personal responsibility and autonomy. Plans own work to meet given objectives and processes.
• Influence - Influences team and specialist peers internally. Influences customers at account level and suppliers. Has some responsibility for the work of others and for the allocation of resources. Participates in external activities related to own specialism. Makes decisions which influence the success of projects and team objectives.
• Complexity - Performs a broad range of complex technical or professional work activities, in a variety of contexts. Investigates, defines and resolves complex problems.
• · Business skills - Selects appropriately from applicable standards, methods, tools and applications. Demonstrates an analytical and systematic approach to problem solving. Communicates fluently orally and in writing, and can present complex technical information to both technical and non-technical audiences. Facilitates collaboration between stakeholders who share common objectives. Plans, schedules and monitors work to meet time and quality targets and in accordance with relevant legislation and procedures. Rapidly absorbs new technical information and applies it effectively. Has a good appreciation of the wider field of information systems, their use in relevant employment areas and how they relate to the business activities of the employer or client. Maintains an awareness of developing technologies and their application and takes some responsibility for personal development.