Job Vacancies at The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC)

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT TECHNOLOGY STRATEGY

• Develop and monitor the execution of the Technology strategy in alignment with the Corporate Strategy and Corporate Plan
• Monitor the effective execution and implementation of the Technology Strategy.
• Provide strategic direction to the Technology General Management Team to provide a cost effective, reliable and sustainable technology services to internal customers.
• Review Technology Operating Model in line with broader organisational business objectives.
• Repositioning of the Technology Division as a preferred Technology House.
• Provide technological and digital strategic advice to the SABC’s Executives on Technology and Distribution issues.
• Ensure the growth of SABC Plus (SABC+) as the corporation’s flagship platform and offering.
• Ensure the strategy is cascaded to Group Executive and the Board of Directors

DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION & INNOVATION

• Oversee and align the digital evolution of broadcasting technology platforms and capabilities to support modern broadcasting.
• Appropriate and reliable technological infrastructure enabling commercial and revenue generation
• Ensure mitigation of the final Analogue Switch-Off is responsible implemented.
• Work with other teams and Divisions to ensure successful implementation of an SABC owned Satellite platform (DTH)
• Ensure SABC+ growth and monetisation models are developed and implemented
• Ensure Digital automation & transformation to increase efficiency / responsiveness, intelligent decision making & content configuration
• Ensure Digitisation of the SABC’s legacy (archive) targeted content for monetization
• Oversee the implementation and on-boarding of most digital initiatives within the Corporation
• Lead the SABC in this new era of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning

OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY

• Develop a strategy to effectively market the Technology Services, Facilities and Studios, in order to ensure optimal exposure and visibility to potential clients.
• Optimal integration of departmental functions and strategies, in order to achieve objectives.
• Ensure operational performance exceeds service level targets and KPI’s.

• Develop and implement business processes and practices in line with Operating model and broadcast best practice.
• Direct development and execution of an enterprise-wide disaster recovery and business continuity plan.
• Bi-annual review of actual against planned objectives and introduction of corrective measures.
• Successful project completion as per project timelines, scope and budget and appropriately address controllable non-performance.
• Ensure that all users are aware of the organisation’s Information Technology security policies.

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

• Oversee and manage the Long-Term Capex Expenditure Budget for the organisation.
• Oversee Divisional operational expenditure against approved budget and introduce corrective measures to ensure financial discipline and accountability.
• Set guidelines on optimal fund distribution/ allocation in accordance with the organisational budget constraints and strategic/ operational requirements.
• High-level review of all projects’ financial performance to evaluate progress.
• Manage assets in accordance with organisational Asset Management Policy.

GOVERNANCE, RISK AND COMPLIANCE

• Ensure adherence to policies, organisational imperatives, legislative and any other regulatory prescripts
• Ensure resolution of all internal and external audit findings are resolved and addresses the identified gaps
• Ensure that all Technology policies are aligned to digital transformation imperatives, legislative, and regulatory prescripts.
• Ensure that the above is adhered to by Board, Executive Leadership, management, and employees.
• Implement internal control measures to ensure good governance and compliance with SABC policies and procedures.
• Ensure that the Strategic, Operational, and Project Risks are optimized and aligned to the SABC Risk Management Framework
• Review and ensure the implementation of Risk Management Plan in line with organizational Risk Management Framework
• Proactive identification and communication of potential risks in accordance with SABC policies and Procedures
• Convene and chair Divisional Risk Management Committee meeting to ensure compliance in line with framework.

 PARTNERSHIPS AND STAKEHOLDER MANAGEMENT

• Build and maintain supplier’s relationships and manage the procurement of technology equipment.
• Manage the service level agreements SLAs.
• Communicate effectively with internal clients to identify needs and evaluate alternative business solutions.
• Effective stakeholder relationships and good cross-functional communication between production teams, clients and management.

LEADERSHIP AND PEOPLE MANAGEMENT

• Ensure compliance with all Human Resource Management requirements in accordance with annual calendar of people / talent management practices as well as sound employee lifecycle requirements (performance management, career development, succession planning, competency development, and talent retention.)
• Effective implementation and tracking of Performance Management System in accordance with organizational policy and procedures.
• Ensure development and execution of Personal Development Plans (PDP) for all staff members within the Technology Division.
• Ensure detailed workforce management planning to ensure optimal utilisation of all staff within the Technology Division.
• Creating pipeline of talent: influencing attraction and retention of right skills at right times within Technology to ensure that they are fit for purpose for today and tomorrow’s world of work.
• Mentoring, coaching and facilitating key talent within Technology.
• Implementing appropriate models for rewards and recognition of staff, where necessary.
• Develop and implement effective succession planning to ensure the strength of the bench continues to be strong 

INHERENT REQUIREMENTS 

FORMAL QUALIFICATIONS

• Relevant Post Graduate Technology qualification (NQF 8) in Broadcasting Systems, or Information Systems, or Information Communication Leadership, or equivalent qualifications
• Relevant Post Graduate business or leadership qualification, with MBA an added advantage

EXPERIENCE

• 10 or more years in Broadcasting experience in General Management.
• 5 or more years should have been at Group Executive level, preferably in the Broadcasting industry.
• 10 Years’ experience in the Media and Technology industry.

go to method of application »

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Compile a list and running order of stories, interviews, and determine questions and answers for designated news programmes.
• Correct linguistic and factual errors.
• Attend daily national diary line-talk meetings with or at the request of the line manager.
• Determine and assign stories, and continuously give direction to the production team.
• Ensure that all stories adhere to the highest quality editorial and language standards.
• Continuously follow-up on the progress of stories until delivered for on-air production and broadcast.
• Research, analyse and understand the undercurrents, subtexts and nuances in news stories, developments, and trends to determine their importance, relevance, and impact on the target audience.
• Determine different news angles for each story to pursue for broadcast.
• Ensure adequate planning of shows ahead of.
• Write, translate, voice, package and edit quality stories and features in accordance with platform requirements.
• Brief presenter/s on different story angles to pursue.
• Verify audiovisual material and scripts to ensure factual accuracy, balance, and fairness.
• Brief technical producers/directors on the programme running order and collaborate in preparing for broadcasts.
• Write and produce strong teasers and programme trails with defining, meaningful and memorable soundbites.
• Print scripts and line-up according the programme structure.
• Engage in, co-ordinate and check social media activity and content for the enhancement of the programme.
• Perform and assign on-air tasks to producers (social media, follow-ups, and breaking stories).
• Continuously review programmes for improvements.
• Alert relevant editor about live interviews and breaking news for consideration.
• Follow-up and respond to stories, leads and tipoffs before, during and after broadcasts.
• Consult and engage on stories daily and in advance of known news events, including briefing and debriefing sessions.
• Promote good professional and interpersonal relations and maintain a productive environment.
• Contribute to compliance reports and listener complaints within required deadlines.
• Write daily production reports for submission to the editor.
• Contribute to compliance reports and listener complaints within required deadlines.
• Ensure that all content and programmes adhere to the SABC Editorial Policies, BCCSA and Press Codes as all other broadcast regulations and policies.
• Compliance with broadcasting act and all related regulatory frameworks and legislative requirements.
• Compliance with all related policies and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP). 

REQUIREMENTS:

• National Diploma / Degree in Journalism or Media Studies or equivalent qualification. NQF 6/7 
• 6 years’ proven experience in writing and production of news and current affairs programmes.
• Advanced understanding of regulations and legislation impacting broadcasting, as well as the SABC Editorial Policies, BCCSA and Press Codes and SABC News style guides and applicable Standard Operating Procedures.
• Mother-tongue proficiency and exceptional writing skills in the designated language.
• Understanding of regulations and legislation impacting broadcasting
• Good understanding of current trends in social, economic and political environment
• Computer literacy
• Understanding of multi-media platform productions.
• Mother-tongue proficiency and exceptional writing skills in the designated language.
• Advanced knowledge and understanding of radio news and current affairs production processes and systems.
• Strong news sense and editorial judgement.
• Knowledge of and interest in radio broadcast developments and trends

go to method of application »

Key Accountabilities:

• Contribute to (technical) submissions for Departmental Strategy in alignment with Corporate Plan and Target operating model.
• Perform system installations and configurations as well as testing and commissioning of system functionality to deliver on customer needs.
• Install workstations as per client needs (Edit, Production, On-air) in line with software manufacturer hardware specification.
• Ability to install a playout workstation in any SABC studio or facility.
• Install servers as per software manufacturer hardware specification.
• Implement system upgrade plans, for Broadcast Systems (Playout, production and music Scheduling) remote connectivity and System Antivirus Software.
• Perform the implementation of CAPEX projects by performing the required installations, configurations and system testing.
• Prepare OPEX motivation and OPEX motivations for approval to ensure operational requirements (spares holding, equipment repairs and maintenance) are addressed.
• Asset management tracking and transfers. Updated Asset Register maintained as per Company Asset Management policy. The Implementation of preventative and corrective system maintenance.
• Agreed % of broadcast system availability and facilities for all SABC regions.
• Above average rating on SLA (internal stakeholders).
• Adhere to service delivery standards.
• Systems, equipment, processes and workflows, in line with SABC technical & operational broadcast standards.
• Execute their delivery of technical tasks (installation and configuration of workstations, servers, databases) to their completion on time and within agreed specifications.
• Ensure standardization across areas of responsibility which are in line with departmental SOP's and company policies.
• Provide input to update technical documentation.
• Technical inputs & specifications to support procurement of correct equipment and software.
• Perform standby as and when required.
• Prevention of re-occurring faults and system downtime.
• Follow up on reported faults and communicate fault resolution timelines to client.
• Provide input to update fault SOP.
• Have the ability to communicate and diagnose faults with regional technicians.
• Submission of ad-hoc fault reports detailing steps taken for fault resolution.
• Daily and monthly reporting of faults, tasks, risks, red flag escalations and status progress of deliverables
• Monthly report of maintenance and repairs conducted.
• Accurate monthly reporting system downtime detailing, downtime, reasoning and missed advertising (recon) and deliverables (maintenance, repairs, system health and tasks).
• Provide standby reports as per time management policy.
• Prevention of on-air technical faults to less than agreed SLA % and system availability % (Target systems availability is 99.997%)
• Ensure functional, streamlined and reliable systems.
• Daily proactive system health checks against checklist & replacement of faulty components and corrective actions on failed processes.
• Daily assessment of system through logs (database errors, system restarts, etc.) and system checks.
• Daily backup of all radio\ TV broadcast production and music scheduling system (database, audio, system configurations) in line with broadcast continuity.
• The Implementation of preventative and corrective system maintenance.
• Compliance of maintenance with manufacturer specifications & system requirements.
• Understand Broadcast workflows and technical drawings.
• Effective technical support to users in order to reduce downtime.
• Response time to match urgency for technical assistance in accordance with delivery requirements (in support of the % availability of the on air systems and broadcast studios).
• Ensure virus free, secure, functional, streamlined and reliable Broadcast Systems.
• Assist (when required) with rigging of broadcast systems & edit facilities, ensuring the functionality and subsequently dismantling of the complete infrastructure without existing facility disruptions.
• Support (when required) all Outside Broadcast infrastructure in order to operate and adhere to technical, operational and safety specifications, functional facilities for successful recording, production and broadcast
• Correct configuration & testing of systems and equipment (software) to ensure less than agreed % of technical on-air faults and system standardization across the playout and production system environment.
• Create and maintain User groups (rights) as per client requirements.
• Create and maintain system users as per IT security policy.
• Create and maintain system categories as per user requirements and in compliance with system storage.
• Ensure security updates tested and then applied.

Minimum Requirements:

• 3 Year National Diploma (S4) in Electrical Engineering (Light Current) or Computer Studies with Information Systems. NQF6 minimum.
• Minimum 1 years technical experience.
• Driver’s license.
• The following certification will be advantageous: BTech or Bachelor’s Degree; IT Certification (A+ or N+), SQL Database Administration.
• Must be willing to work irregular hours and enter into an overtime agreement to perform standby as and when required as per SABC Time Management Policy once you have acquired the necessary skills.

go to method of application »

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES:

BUSINESS OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY

• Opex motivation submissions to ensure maintenance and systems sustainability
• Minor Capex motivation submissions to ensure new requirements are addressed
• Asset management tracking and transfers. Updated Asset Register maintained as per Company Asset Management policy
• Participate in Capex Project system implementations, commissioning and workflows to deliver on functional requirements and avoid on-air disruptions
• Agreed % of targets met; Agreed % of resources, equipment and facility availability
• Above average rating of SLA
• Products, processes, practices & equipment in line with SABC technical & operational broadcast standards
• Adhere to service delivery standards
• Submission of ad-hoc incidence fault reports with findings and repairs
• Accurate monthly reporting on deliverables (maintenance and tasks)
• Execute their delivery of technical tasks
• The Implementation of preventative and corrective deliverables
• Prevention of re-occurring faults and less than agreed fault target
• Compliance of maintenance with manufacturer specifications & system requirements
• Prevention of on-air technical faults to less than agreed SLA %
• Response time to match urgency for technical assistance in accordance with delivery requirements (in support of the % availability of the on air systems)
• Effective technical support to users in order to reduce downtime
• Correct configuration & testing of digital equipment to ensure less than agreed % of technical on-air faults
• Ensure functional, streamlined and reliable digital systems
• Follow up reported faults
• Technical inputs & specifications to support procurement of correct equipment and software
• Daily/ Monthly proactive system health checks against checklist & replacement of faulty components
• Individual monthly report of maintenance, system integrity and health of digital systems
• Daily/ Monthly backup of all system data in line with Broadcast Continuity
• Provide input to update technical documentation
• Understand workflow drawing and technical drawing
• Daily shift and monthly reporting of faults, tasks, risks, red flag escalations and status progress of deliverables
• Assist (when required) with rigging of facilities, ensuring the functionality and subsequently   dismantling of the complete infrastructure without existing facility disruptions (For OB facilities safe return to the SABC base).
• Support (when required) all Outside Broadcast infrastructure in order to operate and adhere to technical, operational and safety specifications, functional facilities for successful recording, production and broadcast.

GOVERNANCE RISK AND COMPLIANCE

• Report and escalate risk findings
• Ensure adherence to OHS and compliance with SABC Company Policies & Procedures
• Maintain discipline in accordance with company policies & procedures
• Compliance with OEM software licenses
• SOP application to ensure broadcast sustainability and business continuity
• Assist in the execution of a working Disaster Recovery Plan.
• 95% of assets verified annually
• Assist with annual asset verification exercise (manual or scan).

STAKEHOLDER MANAGEMENT

• Customers served in technical proficient, friendly and helpful manner
• Maintain compliance of services rendered with customer request
• Provide basic technical assistance & guidance to customers/users
• Attended resolutions to customer requests/ complaints
• Internal client engagement regarding technical compliance
• Participation in OEM engagements to understand current and future based needs.

LEADERSHIP AND PEOPLE MANAGEMENT (SELF MANAGEMENT)

• Compliance with performance management policies and procedures
• Performance agreements with manager annually
• Formal reviews conducted with manager and documented as per deadlines (Quarterly).