Openings at The South African Revenue Service (SARS)

Job Purpose 

• To provide expertise, advice and support in practice formulation and associated best practice improvement tactics, by being responsible for the application domain as a key domain within the overall enterprise architecture. This entails the design, creation, deployment and management of the organisation's application and software architecture and for defining and modelling the manner in which applications are built/procured, integrated and managed across different environments, for different business purposes to achieve effectively on organisational objectives.

Education and Experience

Minimum Qualification & Experience Required

• Bachelor's Degree / Advanced Diploma (NQF 7) in Information Technology, Informatics, Computer Science, Computer Engineering AND a minimum of 8 to 10 years' experience in Information Technology environment, of which 3-4 years at specialist level.

# Alternative

• A Senior Certificate (NQF 4) AND a minimum of 15 years’ experience in an Information Technology environment, of which 3-4 years at senior specialist level.

Minimum Functional Requirements

• At least 5 years' experience in an Application Architecture discipline.
• Experience and knowledge Enterprise Architecture frameworks, Toolsets and MS Office.
• Relevant Architecture Certification (Togaf).  Modelling and mapping technical skills

Job Outputs:

Process

• Analyse and make recommendations about improvements to specialist systems, procedures, policies and practices.
• Contribute to the optimum utilisation of org. resources, advising on effective planning and development of area of specialisation resource plans.
• Develop a single practice area in alignment with operational activity and procedural frameworks and ensure tactical implementation.
• Draw on own technical or professional expertise, knowledge and experience to identify and recommend tactical solutions to defined problems in practices.
• Integrate business information, compare, analyse and produce reports to identify trends, discrepancies and inconsistencies for decision making purposes.
• Optimise goal achievement through tactical strategy implementation and optimisation of practises, processes and systems across an internal value chain.
• Plan for value-added, continuous practice and system improvements to deliver on objectives to enhance tactical implementation and excellence.
• Proactively identify interconnected problems, determine its impact and use to develop best fit alternatives; best practice implementation solutions.
• Recommend changes to optimise processes, systems, practice areas and associated procedures and execute the implementation of change and innovation.
• Translate top-down policy, apply modification in relation to own practice area and communicate impact to relevant stakeholders.
• Identify and investigate specific technologies, products, methods and techniques to assess their potential benefit to the organisation.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of emerging technology trends and developments in areas of interest to the organisation by reading relevant academic research, publications, suppliers' information, attending conferences, seminars and direct contacts.
• Take responsibility for overall applications design methodologies; lead the development of component specifications and detailed designs from applications architectures.
• Document rationale for key decisions (e.g. ARB decision records, technology evaluations) and disseminates guidelines to stakeholders.
• Coordinate design activity between the application systems administration, application systems engineering and service delivery functions to ensure consistency.
• Define application standards, catalogues, policies, capabilities etc. for approval via the appropriate governance structures i.e. Architecture Review Board and/or Solution Review Board. Through multiple initiatives, drive the rationalization of the data environment for optimised strategic delivery.
• Develop and maintain the Enterprise Application Architecture blueprint and roadmap that defines SARSs target application landscape in line with the Modernisation Programme.
• Ensure that applications architectures balance functional, service quality and application system management requirements as indicated by the business strategy requirements.
• Establish standardised architecture frameworks, best practices, and design patterns (e.g. promoting interoperability, Digital by Design, security-by-design, reuse of services) to guide development teams.
• Produce and curate comprehensive architectural documentation and ensure knowledge sharing of architecture decisions.
• Produce multi-year roadmaps for modernising legacy applications (e.g. mainframe and bespoke systems) into modern platforms, ensuring phased implementation plans are aligned with strategic business priorities and emerging technology opportunities.
• Provide expert architecture oversight during solution delivery, ensuring that each project design is aligned with the target EA and SARSs modernisation goals and validates that the solutions design incrementally builds towards the desired future state and closes identified capability gaps.

Governance

• Develop and /or align governance and compliance policies for own practice area to identify and manage risk exposure liability. 
• Lead the enforcement of SARSs enterprise architecture governance processes to ensure all application solutions are aligned with SARSs strategic objectives and Modernisation Programme.

People

• Integrate new knowledge and transfer skills attained through formal and informal learning opportunities in the execution of your job. 
• Provide specialist know-how, support, advice and practice thought leadership in area of expertise. 

Finance

• Implement and monitor financial control, management of costs and corporate governance in area of specialisation. 

Client

• Develop and ensure implementation of a practice that builds service delivery excellence and encourages others to provide exceptional stakeholder service. 
• Participate in the specialist practice community and contribute positively to organisation knowledge management. 
• Provide authoritative, specialist expertise and advice to internal and external stakeholders. 
• Ensure that there are clear engagement models with all stakeholders, and continually and carefully manage relationships with 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
• Problem Solving and Analysis
• Respect 
• Trust 

Technical Competencies

• Application Development and Maintenance
• Business Knowledge
• Computer Literacy
• Customer Relationship Management
• Data Architecture
• Data Collection and Analysis
• Efficiency improvement
• Functional Policies and Procedures
• IT Knowledge
• IT Project Management
• Reporting
• Verbal Communication
• Enterprise Architecture (IT) Proficient in - (Applied theory).
• Break down objects or ideas into simpler parts and find evidence to support generalisations.
• Compile component ideas into a new whole or proposed alternative solution.
• Can perform the actions associated with the skill without assistance and is recognised within own organisation as "a person to ask" when difficult questions arise regarding this skill.
• Focus is on broad issues;
• Capable of coaching others;
• Participate in senior level discussions regarding this competency;
• Has consistently provided ideas and perspectives on process or practice improvements;
• Assist in the development of reference and resource materials in this competency.

go to method of application »

Job Purpose

• To formulate and position Enterprise Architecture value chain, operating model and frameworks in a broadly defined organisational strategy, by managing systems across a number of functional areas, define needs, and manage the IT investment that satisfies the business requirement of IT, continuously and demonstrably improve processes and additions to the organisations value chain to minimise costs and contribute to profitability, in order to position & enable horizontal alignment, implementation and adoption.

Education and Experience

Minimum Qualification & Experience Required

• Do you have Honours / Postgraduate Diploma (NQF 8) in Information Technology, Informatics, Computer Science, Computer Engineering or Finance AND a minimum of 10 to 12 years' experience in Information Technology environment, of which 3-4 years at specialist level OR 
• A Bachelor’s Degree / Advanced Diploma (NQF 7) in Information Technology, Informatics, Computer Science, Computer Engineering or Finance AND a minimum of 12 to 15 years’ experience in an Information Technology environment, of which 3-4 years at senior specialist level?

Minimum Functional Requirements               

• Senior level experience in Information Technology Management.
• Experience (Advance) in Business/Systems Analysis.
• Understanding of ITIL framework and the deployment, emerging technologies, including Cloud technology and IT Enterprise Architecture.
• Knowledge of IT Governance and Business, IT Applications, ICT Solutions.

Job Outputs:

Process

• Develop tactical strategy and delivery plans in support of functional objectives in partnership with leadership. (I)
• Direct, control, coordinate and optimise budgeted resources to meet specific objectives and deliver agreed results and productivity requirements. (I)
• Ensure the development and implementation of multiple practices in alignment with operational policy and procedural frameworks. (I)
• Identify and recommend opportunities to continuously improve all functions and systems in line with national, regional, and organisational changes. (I)
• Plan for handling work outputs, pull together interdependent activities and specify priorities, standards and procedures to ensure tactical excellence. (I)
• Proactively identify interconnected problems, determine its impact and use to develop best fit alternatives; driving best practice solutions. (I)
• Provide periodic reports on performance against plan and progress on medium-term initiatives and use to realign operating plan and objectives appropriately. (I)
• Recommend changes to optimise processes, systems, policies and procedures, and direct the implementation of change and innovation initiated by the organisation. (I)
• Timeously communicate top-down policy modification, objective achievement progress and critical success factors to impacted stakeholders. (I)
• Use the insights gained through integrated business reports to measure success and realign tactical strategy development objectives appropriately. (I)
• Provide direct input into the governance cycle for the funding, oversight, and realisation of business projects.
• Provide leadership, analysis and design facilitation to develop, maintain and govern the Enterprise Architecture function across business, information, technical and solutions viewpoints and enterprise architecture.
• Promote the vision and obtain the adoption of common architecture principles through an enterprise-wide governance framework.
• Establish and maintain formal enterprise architectures for the infrastructure platform, proposing and delivering solutions to key, business-critical issues.
•  Ensure adoption of common architecture principles.
• Ensure continuity across integration projects through standards enforcement.
• Provide business process architecture and design capability.
• Establish, implement and maintain enterprise-wide enterprise architecture standards, procedures, and policies.
• Illustrate the alignment (or lack thereof) between strategic goals and key business decisions regarding products and services, partners and suppliers, organisation, capabilities, and key business and IT initiatives.
• Enable and ensure Integration of Enterprise Architecture process with other related processes.
• Lead, direct and manage the Enterprise Architecture function in the practice of analysing, designing, planning, and implementing enterprise analysis to successfully execute on business strategies.
• Oversee assistance to businesses to structure IT projects and policies to achieve desired business results and to stay on top of industry trends and disruptions using architecture principles and practices.

Governance

• Implement governance, risk and compliance policy in own practice areas to identify and manage governance and risk exposure liability.
• Manage and or advise on the translation and application of policy in a specific functional area.

People

• Create a positive work climate & culture to energise employees & give meaning to work, minimise work disruption and maximise employee productivity.
• Develop & implement appropriate people capacity plans in line with delivery & efficiency targets, on budget & in partnership with specialised areas.
• Plan & develop enhanced organisational efficiency by identifying and addressing development requirements & providing tools for people resources.
• Translate performance expectations into specific metrics and goals to identify and provide effective services, solve problems and achieve objectives.
• Build organisational technology talent by creating a learning environment that ensures all employees have the training and skills needed to utilize available technology to meet their business needs.
• Build relationships and understanding of all functions within the IT environment.
• Share knowledge and develop staff capacities to strengthen understanding of best practices in technology and stay current with industry trends.

Finance

• Draw up a budget aligned to business unit delivery plans, monitor planned vs. actual, minimise expenditure and report on cost efficiency. (I)
• Implement and monitor financial control, management of costs and corporate governance in area of accountability. (I)

Client

• Build strong relationships and develop service level agreements that promote SARS with internal and external stakeholders. (I)
• Develop and ensure implementation of practices which builds service delivery excellence and encourages others to provide exceptional client service. (I)
• Manage an integrated service excellence culture, which builds rewarding relationships and provides opportunity for feedback and exceptional service.(I)

Behavioural competencies

• Accountability (V)
• Fairness and Transparency (V)
• Honesty and Integrity  (V)
• Respect (V)
• Trust (V)

Leadership Competencies

• Ability to translate strategy into execution
• Concern for Impact of own behaviour on others
• Develops teams and nurtures interdependency
• Inspires others to Positive Action
• Nurtures Future Talent
• Stewardship and Service Orientation
• Strong Results Orientation
• Values and Manages Diversity

Technical competencies

• Agile IT Architecture
• Business Acumen
• Change Management
• Decisiveness
• Effective Business Communication
• Functional Policies and Procedures
• IT Strategy and Planning
• Knowledge of IT Governance and Business
• Managerial Budgeting
• Planning and Organising
• Planning, Management and Measurement
• Problem Analysis and Judgement
• Strategic Planning
• System Thinking
• Value-Based Leadership

go to method of application »

Job Purpose

• To provide expertise, advice and support in practice formulation and associated best practice improvement tactics, by being responsible for the application domain as a key domain within the overall enterprise architecture. This entails the design, creation, deployment and management of the organisation's application and software architecture and for defining and modelling the manner in which applications are built/procured, integrated and managed across different environments, for different business purposes to achieve effectively on organisational objectives.

Education and Experience

Minimum Qualification & Experience Required

• Bachelor's Degree / Advanced Diploma (NQF 7) in Information Technology, Informatics, Computer Science, Computer Engineering AND a minimum of 8 to 10 years' experience in Information Technology , of which 3-4 years at specialist level  

# Alternative

• A Senior Certificate (NQF 4) AND a minimum of 15 years’ experience in an Information Technology, of which 3-4 years at senior specialist level?

Minimum Functional Requirements

• At least 5 years' experience in an Application Architecture discipline.
• Experience and knowledge Enterprise Architecture frameworks, Toolsets and MS Office.
• Relevant Architecture Certification (Togaf).  Modelling and mapping technical skills.

Job Outputs:

Process

• Analyse and make recommendations about improvements to specialist systems, procedures, policies and practices. (I)
• Contribute to the optimum utilisation of org. resources, advising on effective planning and development of area of specialisation resource plans. (I)
• Develop a single practice area in alignment with operational activity and procedural frameworks and ensure tactical implementation. (I)
• Draw on own technical or professional expertise, knowledge and experience to identify and recommend tactical solutions to defined problems in practices. (I)
• Integrate business information, compare, analyse and produce reports to identify trends, discrepancies and inconsistencies for decision making purposes. (I)
• Optimise goal achievement through tactical strategy implementation and optimisation of practises, processes and systems across an internal value chain. (I)
• Plan for value-added, continuous practice and system improvements to deliver on objectives to enhance tactical implementation and excellence. (I)
• Proactively identify interconnected problems, determine its impact and use to develop best fit alternatives; best practice implementation solutions. (I)
• Recommend changes to optimise processes, systems, practice areas and associated procedures and execute the implementation of change and innovation. (I)
• Translate top-down policy, apply modification in relation to own practice area and communicate impact to relevant stakeholders. (I)
• Identify and investigate specific technologies, products, methods and techniques to assess their potential benefit to the organisation.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of emerging technology trends and developments in areas of interest to the organisation by reading relevant academic research, publications, suppliers' information, attending conferences, seminars and direct contacts.
• Take responsibility for overall applications design methodologies; lead the development of component specifications and detailed designs from applications architectures.
• Document rationale for key decisions (e.g. ARB decision records, technology evaluations) and disseminates guidelines to stakeholders.
• Coordinate design activity between the application systems administration, application systems engineering and service delivery functions to ensure consistency.
• Define application standards, catalogues, policies, capabilities etc. for approval via the appropriate governance structures i.e Architecture Review Board and/or Solution Review Board. Through multiple initiatives, drive the rationalization of the data environment for optimised strategic delivery.
• Develop and maintain the Enterprise Application Architecture blueprint and roadmap that defines SARSs target application landscape in line with the Modernisation Programme.
• Ensure that applications architectures balance functional, service quality and application system management requirements as indicated by the business strategy requirements.
• Establish standardised architecture frameworks, best practices, and design patterns (e.g. promoting interoperability, Digital by Design, security-by-design, reuse of services) to guide development teams.
• Produce and curate comprehensive architectural documentation and ensure knowledge sharing of architecture decisions.
• Produce multi-year roadmaps for modernising legacy applications (e.g. mainframe and bespoke systems) into modern platforms, ensuring phased implementation plans are aligned with strategic business priorities and emerging technology opportunities.
• Provide expert architecture oversight during solution delivery, ensuring that each project design is aligned with the target EA and SARSs modernisation goals and validates that the solutions design incrementally builds towards the desired future state and closes identified capability gaps.

Governance

• Develop and /or align governance and compliance policies for own practice area to identify and manage risk exposure liability. (I)
• Lead the enforcement of SARSs enterprise architecture governance processes to ensure all application solutions are aligned with SARSs strategic objectives and Modernisation Programme.

People

• Integrate new knowledge and transfer skills attained through formal and informal learning opportunities in the execution of your job. (I)
• Provide specialist know-how, support, advice and practice thought leadership in area of expertise. (I)

Finance

• Implement and monitor financial control, management of costs and corporate governance in area of specialisation. (I)

Client

• Develop and ensure implementation of a practice that builds service delivery excellence and encourages others to provide exceptional stakeholder service. (I)
• Participate in the specialist practice community and contribute positively to organisation knowledge management. (I)
• Provide authoritative, specialist expertise and advice to internal and external stakeholders. (I)
• Ensure that there are clear engagement models with all stakeholders, and continually and carefully manage relationships with stakeholders.

Behavioural competencies

• Accountability (V)
• Analytical Thinking
• Attention to Detail
• Commitment to Continuous Learning
• Conceptual Ability
• Expertise in Context
• Fairness and Transparency (V)
• Honesty and Integrity (V)
• Organisational Awareness
• Problem Solving and Analysis
• Respect (V)
• Trust (V)

Technical competencies

• Application Development and Maintenance
• Business Knowledge
• Computer Literacy
• Customer Relationship Management
• Data Architecture
• Data Collection and Analysis
• Efficiency improvement
• Functional Policies and Procedures
• IT Knowledge
• IT Project Management
• Reporting
• Verbal Communication
• Enterprise Architecture (IT) Proficient in - (Applied theory).
• Break down objects or ideas into simpler parts and find evidence to support generalisations.
• Compile component ideas into a new whole or proposed alternative solution.
• Can perform the actions associated with the skill without assistance and is recognised within own organisation as "a person to ask" when difficult questions arise regarding this skill.
• Focus is on broad issues;
• Capable of coaching others;
• Participate in senior level discussions regarding this competency;
• Has consistently provided ideas and perspectives on process or practice improvements;
• Assist in the development of reference and resource materials in this competency.

go to method of application »

About the Position

• The purpose of the Data Analyst II role at SARS is to design, develop and manage data infrastructure and pipelines to enable SARS to collect, store, integrate and analyse large amounts of data efficiently and reliably. This involves managing the information life cycle, identifying and analysing information assets, and assessing business information needs to support decision-making and enhance service offerings.

Job Purpose

• To design, build, and optimize systems for data collection, storage and analytics in order to make data available, accessible, and secure to stakeholders.

Education and Experience

Minimum Qualification & Experience Required

• Relevant Bachelor's Degree / Advanced Diploma (NQF 7) in Statistics, Mathematics, Computer Science, Data Science, or a related quantitative field AND 5-7 years' experience in a similar or related Data Analytics environment, of which 2-3 years at functional specialist level.

ALTERNATE:

• Senior Certificate (NQF 4) AND 10 years related experience in a similar or related Data Analytics environment, of which 2-3 years at functional specialist level.

Minimum Functional Requirements

• Demonstrated experience in Data Engineering, Advanced Analytics, Business Intelligence, and applied GIS solutions.
• Solid practical expertise in data pipelines, data cleaning and transformation, statistical analysis, and automation of reporting processes.
• Intermediate to advanced proficiency(non-negotiable) with:
• Advanced SQL (T-SQL or equivalent)
• Python or R
• SSIS, SSAS & Power BI
• Advanced C#
• Web tech (JavaScript, HTML)
• GIS tools and libraries (e.g. QGIS, ArcGIS, PostGIS, GeoServer, Leaflet, or related APIs)
• Strong grasp of data warehouse architecture and dimensional modelling.
• Hands-on application of: Data Migration, Data Visualization, Business Intelligence Methodologies, Database Design & Optimization
• Ability to work with large, complex datasets across multiple platforms, and integrate structured/unstructured data sources.
• Proficiency in Microsoft tools: Excel, Word, PowerPoint, etc.
• Advantageous: Experience working with government data systems, data integration and matching solutions, spatial data workflows, or cross-departmental transformation initiatives.

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 because of the change.
• Plan for value-added process improvements, initiatives and services to deliver on operational strategy and objectives.
• Execute specialist input through investigation &opportunities within the product process including risk concern.
• Provide specialist input through the investigation of opportunities for operational and process product and risk optimisation.
• To acquiring data from primary or secondary data sources and maintaining databases, applying the knowledge of data extraction, transformation and business modelling.
• To perform “intermediate” business analysis using various techniques, e.g. statistical analysis, explanatory and predictive modelling, data mining.
• To design, develop and test medium to complex data analytics solutions like Reports, Dashboards, Analysis, Extracts, Models, etc.
• To identify, analyses and interpret trends and patterns in medium to complex data sets, based on data findings.
• Communicate the results of their analysis and findings by using medium to complex data visualisation techniques with both internal and external customers.
• To ensure the availability of existing data analytics solutions (like reports, etc.) by maintaining them as well as improving them where shortcomings exist.
• To research best practices and supports developing the solutions and recommendations for the current business operations
• To assist in the filtering and “cleaning” of imported data by reviewing computer reports, printouts, and performance indicators to locate and correct code problems.

Governance

• Implement and provide input into the development of governance, compliance, integrity and ethics processes within area of specialisation.
• Ensure that completed work adhere to relevant policies, procedures, governance and legislative requirements and report on deviations & discrepancies.

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
• Building Sustainability 
• Commitment to Continuous Learning 
• Conceptual Ability 
• Fairness and Transparency
• Problem Solving and Analysis 
• Respect
• Trust

Technical competencies

• Information management 
• Computer Literacy 
• Functional Policies and Procedures 
• Statistical and Mathematical Analysis Proficiency
• Business Knowledge 
• Technical Expertise
• Database Design and Management
• Data Management
• Data Collection and Analysis  
• Capacity Management
• Data Analytics
• Reporting