PURPOSE OF THE POSITION:

This position forms part of the IT Operations & Infrastructure group. This position focuses on planning and managing all of the university's campuses' IT infrastructure. The position's primary emphasis will be on planning and managing the network and security estate of the NWU, including but not limited to Software-defined networks (Leaf and Spine architecture), 3 Tier network architecture, NSXT, Wi-Fi, Next-Generation firewalls, and automation technologies.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

1.     Emerging Technology Monitoring EMRG(SFIA level 5):

• Monitors the external environment to gather intelligence on emerging technologies. Assesses and documents the impacts, threats and opportunities to the organisation. Creates reports and technology roadmaps and shares knowledge and insights with others.

2.     Specialist Advice TECH (SFIA level 5):

• Provides definitive and expert advice in their specialist area. Actively maintains recognised expert-level knowledge in one or more identifiable specialisms. Oversees the provision of specialist advice by others. Consolidates expertise from multiple sources, including third-party experts, to provide coherent advice to further organisational objectives. Supports and promotes the development and sharing of specialist knowledge within the organisation.

3.     Project Management PRMG (SFIA Level 5):

• Takes full responsibility for the definition, approach, facilitation and satisfactory completion of medium-scale projects. Provides effective leadership to the project team. Adopts appropriate project management methods and tools. Manages the change control process and assesses and manages risks. Ensures realistic project plans are maintained and delivers regular and accurate communication to stakeholders. Ensures project and product quality reviews occur on schedule and according to procedure. Ensures that project deliverables are completed within agreed cost, timescale and resource budgets, and are formally accepted, by appropriate stakeholders. Monitors costs, times, quality and resources used and takes action where performance deviates from agreed tolerances.

4.     Network design NTDS (SFIA level 5):

• Produces, or approves network providers', network architectures, topologies and configuration databases for own area of responsibility. Specifies design parameters for network connectivity, capacity, speed, interfacing, security and access, in line with business requirements. Assesses network-related risks and specifies recovery routines and contingency procedures. Creates multiple design views to address the different stakeholders' concerns and to handle both functional and non-functional requirements.

5.     Radio Frequency Engineering RFEN (SFIA level 5):

• Monitors system performance recommends equipment modifications and changes to operating procedures, and services maintenance schedules and procedures. Approves equipment upgrades and changes. Reviews industry and national standards on relevant RF protocols and regulations. Measures and evaluates the effectiveness of RF devices and software.

6.     Network Support NTAS (SFIA Level 5):

• Drafts and maintains procedures and documentation for network support and operation. Makes a significant contribution to the investigation, diagnosis and resolution of network problems. Ensures that all requests for support are dealt with according to set standards and procedures.

7.     Systems Installation and Removal HSIN (SFIA Level 5):

•   Takes responsibility for installation and/or decommissioning projects. Provides 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.

8.     Configuration Management CFMG (SFIA Level 5):

• Plans the capture and management of CIs and related information. Agrees scope of configuration management processes and the configuration items (CIs) and related information to be controlled. Identifies, evaluates and manages the adoption of appropriate tools, techniques and processes (including automation) for configuration management. Contributes to the development of configuration management strategies, policies, standards, and guidelines.

9.     Supplier Management SUPP (SFIA Level 5):

• Manages suppliers to meet key performance indicators and agreed targets. Manages the operational relationships between suppliers and ensures potential disputes or conflicts are raised and resolved. Performs bench-marking and makes use of supplier performance data to ensure that performance is adequately monitored and regularly reviewed. Use suppliers' expertise to support and inform development roadmaps. Manages implementation of supplier service improvement actions. Identifies constraints and opportunities when negotiating or renegotiating contracts.

10.   Storage Management STMG (SFIA Level 5):

• Develops standards and guidelines for implementing data protection and disaster recovery functionality for all business applications and business data. Provides expert advice and guidance to implement and improve storage management. Manages storage and backup systems to provide agreed service levels. Creates, improves and supports storage management services with optimal utilisation of storage resources, ensuring security, availability and integrity of data.

11.   Facilities Management DCMA (SFIA Level 5):

• Develops and maintains the standards, processes and documentation for data centres. Optimises efficiency in the population of data centre space. Ensures adherence to all relevant policies and processes. Uses data centre management tools to plan, record and manage installed infrastructure, power, space and cooling capabilities. Monitors usage and actions to meet sustainability targets.

12.   Service Level Management SLMO (SFIA Level 5):

• Ensures that service delivery meets agreed service levels. Negotiates service level requirements and agreed service levels with customers. Diagnoses service delivery problems and initiates actions to maintain or improve levels of service. Establishes and maintains operational methods, procedures and facilities and reviews them regularly for effectiveness and efficiency.

13.   Capacity Management CPMG (SFIA Level 5):

• Manages capacity modelling and forecasting activities. Proactively reviews information in conjunction with service level agreements to identify any capacity issues and specifies any required changes. Provides advice to support the design of service components, including designing in flexible and scalable capacity. Works with business representatives to agree and implement short- and medium-term modifications to capacity. Drafts and maintains standards and procedures for service component capacity management. Ensures the correct implementation of standards and procedures.

·          A bachelor's degree (NQF level 7) in Information Technology or a national diploma (NQF level 6) in Information Technology with certifications in Information Technology.

·          A minimum of 5 years’ experience in infrastructure project management.

·          A minimum of 5 years’ experience working in an Enterprise IT environment.

KEY FUNCTIONAL/ TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES:

·          Project Management (Advanced)

·          Team Leadership (Advanced)

·          Network operations and maintenance (Advanced)

·          Mentoring (Advanced)

·          Next-Generation Firewall (Advanced)

·          Cumulus Networking (Advanced)

·          Leaf and Spine Architecture(Advanced)

·          Automation (Intermediate)

BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES:

·          Autonomy:

Works under broad direction. Work is often self-initiated. Is fully responsible for meeting allocated technical and/or project/supervisory objectives. Establishes milestones and has a significant role in the assignment of tasks and/or 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 work, 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.

·          Knowledge:

Is fully familiar with recognised industry bodies of knowledge both generic and specific. Actively seeks out new knowledge for own personal development and the mentoring or coaching of others. Develops a wider breadth of knowledge across the industry or business. Applies knowledge to help define the standards which others will apply.

·          Business skills:

Demonstrates leadership. Communicates effectively, both formally and informally. Facilitates collaboration between stakeholders who have diverse objectives. Analyses, designs, plans, executes and evaluates work to time, cost and quality targets. Analyses requirements and advises on scope and options for continuous operational improvement. Takes all requirements into account when making proposals. Demonstrates creativity, innovation and ethical thinking in applying solutions for the benefit of the customer/stakeholder. Advises on the available standards, methods, tools and applications relevant to own specialism and can make appropriate choices from alternatives. Maintains an awareness of developments in the industry. Takes initiative to keep skills up to date. Mentors’ colleagues. Assesses and evaluates risk. Proactively ensures security is appropriately addressed within their area by self and others. Engages or works with security specialists as necessary. Contributes to the security culture of the organisation.

REMUNERATION:

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

ENQUIRIES REGARDING JOB CONTENT MAY BE DIRECTED TO:                    Mr Flip van Schalkwyk, Tel: 018 299 4633

ENQUIRIES REGARDING RECRUITMENT PROCESS MAY BE DIRECTED TO:    Mr Zenyo Seboko, Tel: 018 299 4951

CLOSING DATE:                                                                                                      26 June 2024

PLANNED COMMENCEMENT OF DUTIES:                                                           As soon as possible

Kindly take note: applications must be submitted online through the official nwu vacancy website.

Incomplete applications and those submitted through any other platform will not be considered.

The University subscribes to and applies the principles of Employment Equity (EE) Act and is committed to transformation. Preference will be given to candidates from the designated groups, in accordance with the principles of the EE Act and NWU Employment Equity Plan.

The University reserves the right not to make an appointment. Communication will be limited to shortlisted candidates only.

If you are not contacted within two months from the closing date of this advertisement, please accept that your application was unsuccessful.