Validator Authorised Economic Operator at The South African Revenue Service (SARS)

Job Purpose 

• To plan and conduct multiple Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) risk-based validations in the most effective way applying the appropriate AEO validation procedures and techniques correctly and ensuring compliance with established criteria. Report on findings, including making recommendations for compliance to the relevant acts and WCO SAFE Framework of Standard, in order to promote voluntary compliance. Understanding the risk implications across the trader/economic operator supply chain, in compliance with all legislative requirements.

Education and Experience

• Relevant Bachelor's Degree / Advanced Diploma (NQF 7) and 5 – 7 years’ Customs & Excise experience, of which 2 – 3 years at a technically skilled level.

Minimum Qualification & Experience Required

• Senior Certificate (NQF 4) and 10 years related Customs & Excise experience, of which 2 - 3 years at a technically skilled level.

Additional Technical Competencies

• Knowledge of the AEO criteria (A to M), as set out in the Self-Assessment Questionnaire;
• Knowledge of the national AEO programme (legal background; benefits, eligibility requirements; suspension and removal policies, etc.);
• Knowledge of Customs legislation, including Customs procedures and regimes and other legislation to be applied by Customs;
• Knowledge of the Revised Kyoto Convention, the SAFE Framework, and the history of the AEO concept;
• Knowledge of audit and computer-assisted auditing packages and techniques;
• Knowledge of book-keeping and IT applications for financial accounting and reporting; Knowledge of safety and security programmes of other government or inter-governmental agencies (for example Regulated Agent/Known Consignor, and ISPS Code);
• Knowledge of relevant commercial standards and certifications (for example ISO, BASC and TAPA);
• Knowledge of bilateral or multilateral treaty obligations and local cultures.

Job Outputs:

Process

• Accumulate information to review work progress that provides input to reporting, decision making and the identification of improvement opportunities.
• Apply practical and applied knowledge and act authoritatively on methods, systems and procedures to identify trends and potential risks.
• Communication of situational interpretation and judgement of work outputs and queries in area of specialisation.
• Correctly apply policies, practices, standards, procedures and legislation in the delivery of work outputs.
• Draw on own knowledge and experience to diagnose symptoms, causes and possible effects in order to solve emerging problems.
• Initiate process and procedural change, implement the change and provide guidelines and support related to new requirements as a result of the change.
• Plan for value-added process improvements, initiatives and services to deliver on operational strategy and objectives.
• Provide specialist input through the investigation of opportunities for operational and process, product and risk optimisation.
• Prepare for validation through collecting and analysing information, assess related risks, prepare validation plan by applying practical and applied knowledge and act authoritatively on methods, systems and procedures.
• Correctly apply policies, practices, standards, procedures and legislation in the delivery of validation report work output and draw finding and the conclusions.
• Execute specialist input through developing and implementing validation procedures aligning to the validated industry.
• Conduct site visits to verify the economic operator's compliance with the AEO criteria. Obtain and verify any supporting documentation, establish, record, observe, evaluate and test the applicants' procedures.
• Complete a report covering the checks carried out and the conclusions that are drawn; and recommend whether the authorization should be granted or refused based on the findings and conclusions of the validation.
• Execute specialist input through a site visit to verify compliance against criteria validated for (AE Compliance; Safety and Security).
• Initiate process and procedural change and provide guidelines and support related to validation findings.
• Liaise with entities (AEO Applicant) in order to resolve CIPs and related queries and questions within agreed timelines.
• Analyse information to generate ideas, plans, options to monitor and re-validate compliance based on the compliance improvement plan.
• Provide expertise and advice to internal and external stakeholders / companies regarding SAFE framework of standards, AEO programme and validation processes.
• Educate clients on the SA AEO programme requirements in line with domestic and international best practice.
• Ability to take an unprejudiced approach with regard to the integrity and trustworthiness of economic operators.
• Review the business operations to evaluate process and procedure against the programme criteria.
• Provide specialist input to manage national improvement initiatives on Validations matters to ensure best practices.
• Conduct complimentary research and document findings on AEO trends

Governance

• Implement and provide input into the development of governance, compliance, integrity and ethics processes within area of specialisation.

People

• Develop and maintain productive working relationships with peers and team members to achieve predefined objectives.
• Search for, integrate and share new knowledge attained through formal and informal learning opportunities in the execution of your job.

Finance

• Adhere to organisational policies and procedures to ensure cost effectiveness and reduction of financial costs.

Client

• Contribute to a culture of service excellence, which builds positive relationships and provides opportunity for feedback and exceptional service.
• Provide authoritative, specialist services, expertise and advice to internal and external stakeholders.

Behavioural competencies

• Accountability
• Analytical thinking
• Attention to detail
• Commitment to continuous learning
• Conceptual Ability
• Expertise in Context
• Fairness and Transparency
• Honesty and Integrity
• Organisational Awareness
• Respect
• Trust

Technical competencies

• Audit (Customs EU Framework)
• Border Control Management
• Business Knowledge
• Control of Goods (Customs EU Framework)
• Customer Relationship Management
• Customs Knowledge
• Data Collection and Analysis
• Economic Operators Management (Customs EU Framework)
• Efficiency Improvement
• Functional Policies and Procedures
• Prohibitions and Restrictions (Customs EU Framework)
• Reporting
• Supply Chain Operations (Customs EU Framework)
• Tariff and Classification (Customs EU Framework)
• Valuation (Customs EU Framework)