Job Openings at The South African Weather Service (SAWS)

Job summary:

• To supervise observations and collection of Meteorological and climate data in support of research and forecasting purposes and act as first line of support in the installation, maintenance, and where possible, repair and upgrade of meteorological equipment. In addition, the Chief Meteorological Technician supervises junior and Senior Meteorological Technicians. 

Key Performance Areas: 

Products, Service Delivery / Infrastructure maintenance: 

• Supervise and perform timely visual weather Observations as determined by the relevant Weather Office. 
• Develop, implement and review SOPs for departmental operations. 
• Supervise and collect Meteorological and climate data and reports to the relevant stakeholders.
• Perform quality control of meteorological data before submitting to SAWS database. 
• Perform quality control of aeronautical information from the African region before submitting to OPMET databank. 
• Install, maintain, and where possible, repair as well as assist with upgrades of weather observation equipment. 
• Continuously monitor the performance of equipment and perform routine and non-routine maintenance. 
• Supervise and performs maintenance planning and monitoring of maintenance schedule. 

Innovation, Process Improvement & Revenue Generation: 

• Analysis of available meteorological and climatological data. 
• Introduced measures to improve data quality and or availability. 
• Analyse current techniques and technologies used in the collection and processing of data to ensure the best practices are used and applied consistently across the board. 
• Perform routine office administration practices including lodging claims, leave processing, overtime, transport administration, reporting (including MRep), administration of registers, etc. 
• Ensure the availability of the relevant Standard Operating Procedures, and that the junior personnel are well inducted on these, have easy access to them and comply accordingly. 
• Ensure Compliance with designated national and international standards. 
• Analyse and Interpret office performance through monitoring, and evaluation and where applicable implement corrective actions. 
• Oversee the data collection function of the Office to ensure conformance to standard operating procedures, regulations and quality controls. 
• Maintain the SHEQ (Safety, Health Environment and Quality) system. 
• Monitor the Risk Register and ensure the implementation of identified risks mitigation actions. 
• Participate in various regional audits and ensure that all audit findings are addressed. 
• Participates in budget planning and procurement process in line with approved SCM policies. 

People, Culture and Values: 

• Promote a culture and practices that reflect the SAWS values and manage the team’s performance. 
• Develop Capacity and capability required to sustain/ maintain observations section operation. 
• Takes ownership of own development activities to ensure performance against agreed standards. 
• Contributes to team success by contribution and commitment to the team. 
• Mentoring and training of new employees (including on-job training). 

Stakeholder Management: 

• Collaborate with the other regional Team in an effort to deliver the SAWS mandate 
• Implement public awareness programmes for the local communities. (Office outreach activities). 

Minimum Requirements and Attributes: 

• NQF Level 4 or Senior Certificate (with Mathematics and Physical Science) and Weather Observers Certificate (NQF Level 5) 
• ICAO AMO competency certificate 
• WMO BIP-T requirements 
• A valid code 08 driver’s license or higher 
• At least 5 years’ experience within the Meteorological Environment, 2 of which must have been at supervisory level. 
• Ability to read, analyse and interpret written request for weather data and information. 
• Knowledge of international standards such as WMO and ICAO. Advanced knowledge of observation tools.

Closing Date: 07 September 2026 ​​​​​​​ 

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Job summary:

• The Forecaster is primarily responsible for the monitoring and issuing weather forecasts. In so doing he/she ensures that a significant part of fulfilling the office’s mandate is to: Provide forecasting services which include specialized services such as aviation forecasting, assistance to local disaster management structures, forecasts for the agricultural fraternity, sports and recreation, the marine industry and all industries that may require specialized forecasts from time to time. 

Key Performance Areas: 

Products, Service Delivery / Infrastructure maintenance: 

• Generate and quality control Aviation specific forecasts, including warnings. 
• Analysis and evaluation of forecast and warning services. 
• Supervise the carrying out of METAR, SPECI and SYNOP coded Meteorological Observations 
• Approve and/or initiate requests for additional Upper Air Ascents as part of performing Upper Air Observations. 

Innovation, Process Improvement & Revenue Generation: 

• Generate and quality control commercial-specific forecasts where applicable. 
• Review related TQM processes and suggest improvements. 
• Assist with the analysis of data and records to drive continual improvement. 

Administration, Governance, Risk & Compliance 

• Ensure updated competencies as required (e.g. AMF competency). 
• Promote the SAWS Quality Policy and integrate it into the day-to-day activities within the Office/Unit. 
• Ensure the adherence of relevant policies or policy requirements. 
• Ensure that all work performed is so done according to documented requirements. (SOP, Business Continuity plans etc.) 
• Provide assistance during audits of the office/unit as may be required. 
• Participate within the work environment in such a manner that legislative requirements relating to Occupational Health & Safety are met. 
• Perform routine office administration practices including lodging claims, leave processing, overtime, transport administration, periodic reporting, administration of registers, etc. 

People, Culture and Values: 

• Attend and provide training as and when required. 
• Sharing knowledge and skills with appropriate stakeholders thereby promoting the strategy of SAWS being a learning organization. 
• Conduct meteorological related case studies / research. 

Stakeholder Management: 

• Collaborate with Airport Management Centre when issuing severe weather warnings. 
• Liaise with clients to ascertain requirements, and levels of service provision excellence. 
• Communicate forecasts to all relevant stakeholders. 
• Represent SAWS in meetings with stakeholders as instructed or requested. 
• Ensure that customer communication is carried out effectively. 
• Promote the awareness of SAWS products and services to all stakeholders. 
• Support staff involved in exhibiting SAWS products and services at dedicated client contact events such as exhibitions, corporate events, workshops, conventions, expos etc. 

Minimum Requirements and Attributes: 

• BSc Meteorology (with Honours) or equivalent and a Postgraduate Diploma in Weather Forecasting 
• WMO BIP-M requirements 
• ICAO / WMO Competency requirements 

Closing Date: 07 September 2026 

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Job summary:

• The Meteorological Technician provides essential services to ensure the optimal delivery of the office’s outputs by delivering high-quality climate data and analysis, ensuring compliance with national and international standards, verifying and maintaining remote automatic stations. 

Observation:

• Perform routine weather observation duties that include: - Visual weather observation and compile routine reports, 
• Providing special reports for changes in weather. 
• Providing observation reports timeously as per schedule or as per the timeliness of the client’s requests 
• Downloading of remote observation station data 
• Collection and quality control of manual rainfall station 
• Quality control of AWS and ARS data and transmission thereof to central data base 
• Perform routine and adhoc maintenance of SAWS Observations infrastructure (Thorough understanding of Automatic Weather Stations is required) 

Internal and External Customer Relations: 

• Liaise with clients as per office plan. 
• Represent SAWS at Stakeholder meetings as per plan. 

Total Quality Management 

• Apply prevention and corrective action procedures on all findings related to weather observation. 
• Promote a quality culture amongst the staff within the office. 
• Promote the SAWS Quality Policy and intergrade it into the day-to-day activities of the office 
• Provide assistance during audits of the regional office as required. 
• Perform regular inspections to ensure all work done is according to documented requirements. 
• Ensure that the work environment complies with legislative requirements relations to OHS. 

Minimum Requirements and Attributes: 

• NQF Level 4 or Senior Certificate (with Mathematics and Physical Science) and Weather Observers Certificate (NQF Level 5) 
• ICAO AMO competency certificate 
• WMO BIP-T requirements 
• A valid code 08 driver’s license or higher 
• Ability to read, analyse and interpret written request for weather data and information. Knowledge of international standards such as WMO and ICAO. 
• Advanced knowledge of observation tools. 

Closing Date: 07 September 2026 

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Job summary: 

• The ICT Security Administrator is responsible for the administration, monitoring, implementation, and operational support of cybersecurity controls, technologies, and processes across the South African Weather Service.
• The role supports the Information Security Specialist in protecting the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information assets through security operations, vulnerability management, identity and access management, incident response, compliance monitoring, cyber resilience activities, and cybersecurity awareness initiatives.
• The role further supports regulatory compliance, audit requirements, security reporting, and continuous improvement of the organisation's cybersecurity posture. 

Key Performance Areas: 

Strategy and Policy Compliance 

• Support the implementation and execution of the ICT Security Strategy. 
• Monitor compliance with POPIA, the Cybercrimes Act, ISO 27001, King IV, and applicable government regulations. 
• Assist with the review, maintenance, communication, and implementation of information security policies, standards, procedures, and guidelines. 
• Support internal and external audit activities by providing required information, documentation, and audit evidence. 
• Maintain cybersecurity risk, compliance, and audit registers. 
• Track audit findings, corrective actions, and remediation activities to closure. 
• Support cybersecurity risk assessments and monitor mitigation actions. 

Security Operations and Threat Management 

• Administer and monitor cybersecurity technologies, including firewalls, endpoint protection, anti-malware solutions, intrusion detection and prevention systems, secure email gateways, SIEM platforms, and cloud security tools. 
• Monitor and analyse security alerts, logs, and events generated by security systems. 
• Investigate suspicious activities and security events in accordance with approved procedures. 

Identity and Access Management 

• Administer Active Directory, Microsoft Entra ID, and related identity management platforms. 
• Provision, modify, suspend, and revoke user access based on approved requests. 
• Perform user onboarding, transfer, and termination activities in accordance with approved procedures. 
• Manage and maintain privileged user accounts and access records. 
• Administer Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) and Conditional Access policies 

Vulnerability and Security Configuration Management 

• Conduct approved vulnerability scans on servers, endpoints, network devices, cloud services, and applications. 
• Monitor, record, and track identified vulnerabilities and remediation actions. 
• Support vulnerability assessments and remediation activities across ICT environments. 

Business Continuity and Cyber Resilience 

• Support Disaster Recovery and cyber resilience initiatives. 
• Support periodic reviews of cyber recovery readiness and recovery capabilities. 
• Participate in Disaster Recovery planning and testing activities. 
• Execute approved cyber recovery and disaster recovery procedures when required. 
• Monitor and review backup security controls and backup protection measures 

Security Awareness and Training 

• Support the implementation of cybersecurity awareness programmes and campaigns. 
• Coordinate and facilitate user awareness initiatives and awareness events. 

Cybersecurity Reporting 

• Produce monthly operational cybersecurity reports and dashboards. 
• Compile and maintain cybersecurity performance statistics and metrics. 
• Report on security incidents, vulnerabilities, patch compliance, access reviews, awareness activities, and remediation progress. 
• Maintain cybersecurity records, evidence repositories, and reporting databases. 
• Monitor and report cybersecurity operational trends and recurring issues. 

Required minimum education / training: 

• National Diploma in information technology, Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Information Systems or related field, Degree will be an added advantage. 
• Cybersecurity certifications (often advantageous or required), such as: 
• Microsoft SC-200 Security Operations Analyst 
• Microsoft SC-300 Identity and Access Administrator 
• CompTIA CySA+ 
• Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) 
• Fortinet NSE/FortiGate Certification 

Required Minimum work experience: 

• Minimum 3 years' experience in ICT infrastructure, ICT operations, cybersecurity, systems administration or network administration. 

Closing Date: 09 September 2026 

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Job summary: 

• Assist in the administration, maintenance and monitoring of SQL Server databases. 
• Support database backup, recovery and disaster recovery processes. 
• Assist with database performance monitoring and optimization. 
• Develop and maintain SQL queries, stored procedures and scripts under supervision. 
• Support database security and user access management. 
• Assist the Senior DBA with database installations, upgrades and migration activities. 
• Maintain database documentation and standards. 
• Monitor SQL Server jobs and scheduled tasks. 
• Monitor database growth and storage utilisation. 
• Verify successful completion of backups. 
• Perform periodic restore testing. 
• Monitor SQL Server services, database jobs, replication processes and alert notifications. 
• Maintain database inventory, server configuration records and operational procedures. 
• Assist with testing and implementation of SQL Server patches and updates. 
• Support disaster recovery testing and business continuity initiatives related to database services. 

Key Performance Areas: 

Database Administration and Maintenance 

• Assist with the installation, configuration and maintenance of SQL Server databases under the guidance of the Senior Database Administrator. 
• Monitor database availability and performance. 
• Perform routine health checks. 

Backup, Recovery and Security 

• Execute backup and recovery procedures. 
• Manage user access and security permissions. 
• Maintain database security standards. 

Database Development Support 

• Develop and maintain SQL queries, views, procedures and triggers 
• Support application developers with database-related requirements. 

Performance Monitoring 

• Monitor database performance and identify performance bottlenecks for resolution or escalation to the Senior Database Administrator. 
• Assist with implementing performance improvement recommendations. KPA 5: Documentation and Compliance 
• Maintain database documentation and procedures. 
• Support audit and compliance requirements. KPA 6: Customer and Technical Support 
• Provide database support in accordance with agreed SLAs. 
• Liaise with users, developers and service providers 

Required minimum education / training: 

• National Diploma in Computer Science, Information Systems, Information Technology or related field, Degree will be an added advantage. 

Advantageous

• Microsoft SQL Server Certification (e.g. Azure Database Administrator Associate or equivalent). 
• Database Administration certification. 
• Exposure to Microsoft Azure SQL Database and cloud database technologies. 

Required Minimum work experience: 

• 1–2 years' experience in database administration or database development. 
• Experience working with Microsoft SQL Server environments. 
• Experience writing SQL queries, stored procedures and database scripts. 
• Exposure to backup and recovery administration. 
• Experience supporting business applications hosted on SQL Server. 

Closing Date: 09 September 2026