Systems Engineer (N001530) (Re-Advertisement) at North West University

Job description

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION

This positions forms part of the ITC Operations & Infrastructure group and focus on the planning implementation 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, product or application area.

Emerging technology monitoring:

• Monitors the market to gain knowledge and understanding of currently emerging technologies. Identifies new and emerging hardware and software technologies and products based on own area of expertise, assesses their relevance and potential value to the organisation, contributes to briefings of staff and management.

Project management:

• Takes full responsibility for the definition, documentation and satisfactory completion of medium-scale projects (typically lasting 6-12 months, with direct business impact, teams of 3-5 and firm deadlines). Identifies, assesses and manages risks to the success of the project. Ensures that realistic project and quality plans are prepared and maintained and provides regular and accurate reports to stakeholders as appropriate.
• Ensures Quality reviews occur on schedule and according to procedure. Manages the change control procedure and ensures that project deliverables are completed within planned cost, timescale and resource budgets, and are signed off. Provides effective leadership to the project team and takes appropriate action where team performance deviates from agreed tolerances.

Systems installation/decommissioning:

• Takes responsibility for installation projects, providing effective team leadership, including information flow to and from the customer during project work. Develops and implements quality plans and method statements. Monitors the effectiveness of installations and ensures that appropriate recommendations for change are made.

Capacity management:

• Drafts and maintains policy, standards and procedures for service component capacity management. Ensures the correct implementation of standards and procedures. Reviews information in conjunction with service level agreements to identify any capacity issues and specifies any required changes. Works with business users to agree and implement short and medium term modifications to demand.

Service Level Management (SLMO):

• Ensures that service delivery meets agreed service levels. Creates and maintains a catalogue of available services. In consultation with the customer negotiates service level requirements and agrees service levels. Diagnoses service delivery problems and initiates actions to maintain or improve levels of service. Establishes and maintains operational methods, procedures and facilities in assigned area of responsibility and reviews them regularly for effectiveness and efficiency.

Configuration management:

• Manages configuration items (CIs) and related information. Investigates and implements tools, techniques and processes for managing CIs and verifies that related information is complete, current and accurate.

System software:

• Evaluates new system software, reviews system software updates and identifies those that merit action. Ensures that system software is tailored to facilitate the achievement of service objectives. Plans the installation and testing of new versions of system software. Investigates and coordinates the resolution of potential and actual service problems. Ensures that operational documentation for system software is fit for purpose and current. Advises on the correct and effective use of system software.

Applications support:

• Maintains application support processes, and checks that all requests for support are dealt with according to agreed procedures. Uses application management software and tools to investigate issues, collect performance statistics and create reports.

Database administration:

• Drafts and maintains procedures and documentation for databases. Manages database configuration including installing and upgrading software and maintaining relevant documentation. Contributes to the setting of standards for database objects and ensures conformance to these standards. Monitors database activity and resource usage. Optimises database performance and plans for forecast resource needs.

Supplier relationship management:

• Maintains a broad understanding of the commercial IT environment, how the organisation sources, deploys and manages external partners and when it is appropriate to use in-house resources. Develops and manages contracts with suppliers to meet key performance indicators and agreed targets, taking account of information security of third parties. Is responsible for the liaison between the organisation and designated supplier(s).
• Carries out benchmarking and makes use of supplier performance data to ensure that supplier performance is properly monitored and regularly reviewed. Is responsible for the management and implementation of supplier service improvement actions and programmes. May be responsible for managing a discrete IT function or service in a multi-supplier environment.

Minimum requirements

• A bachelor’s degree (3 years – NQF 7), Advanced Diploma (NQF 7), or NQF Level 6 qualification in IT Systems, or six (6) years of equivalent IT certifications, plus 2–3 years of relevant experience.
• A minimum of five (5) years' experience in System Project Management.
• A minimum of five (5) years’ experience working in an enterprise IT environment.
• A minimum of five (5) years' experience working with System Software, including Linux, MySQL, and Apache Tomcat.

KEY FUNCTIONAL/TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES:

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

KEY BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES:

• Autonomy - Works under broad direction. Work is often self-initiated. Is fully accountable for meeting allocated technical and/or project/supervisory objectives. Establishes milestones and has a significant role in the delegation of responsibilities.
• Influence - Influences organisation, customers, suppliers, partners and peers on the contribution of own specialism. Builds appropriate and effective business relationships. Makes decisions which impact the success of assigned projects i.e. results, deadlines and budget. Has significant influence over the allocation and management of resources appropriate to given assignments.
• Complexity - Performs an extensive range and variety of complex technical and/or professional work activities. Undertakes work which requires the application of fundamental principles in a wide and often unpredictable range of contexts. Understands the relationship between own specialism and wider customer/organisational requirements.
• Business skills - Advises on the available standards, methods, tools and applications relevant to own specialism and can make appropriate choices from alternatives. Analyses, designs, plans, execute and evaluate work to time, cost and quality targets. Assesses and evaluates risk. Communicates effectively, both formally and informally. Demonstrates leadership. Facilitates collaboration between stakeholders who have diverse objectives. Understands the relevance of own area of responsibility/specialism to the employing organisation. Takes customer requirements into account when making proposals. Takes initiative to keep skills up to date. Mentors colleagues. Maintains an awareness of developments in the industry. Analyses requirements and advises on scope and options for continuous operational improvement. Demonstrates creativity and innovation in applying solutions for the benefit of the customer/stakeholder. Takes account of relevant legislation.

REMUNERATION:

• The annual total remuneration package will be commensurate with the level of appointment as advertised and in line with the NWU policy guidelines.

Apply by: 28 August 2026