Job Description

Position Reports to: Senior Specialist: Network Engineering
Division: Strategy Enab & Modernisation
Location: Le-Hae Brooklyn, Pretoria
Advert Closing Date: 09 July 2025
About the Position
SARS is looking for a Specialist Network Engineer who will be responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining an organization's computer networks, ensuring they are reliable, secure, and efficient. This role involves a combination of technical expertise, project management, and leadership skills to support the company's IT infrastructure and business objectives. The candidate must have extensive practical experience in Cisco Routing and Switching and Cisco ACI Infrastructure (Network Centrix Focused).
Job Purpose
To be responsible for the co-ordination, configuration programming, installation, and management of single system hardware and software architectures, and related client services within the organisation. Implementing system architectures and for the identification and resolution of hardware and software technical problems and malfunctions related to the network and other related servers with the potential to affect the successful execution of business transactions and ensuring a stable performance environment for the business processing system. Work in both Production and non-Production environments.
Education and Experience
Minimum Qualification & Experience Required
Relevant Bachelor's Degree / Advanced Diploma (NQF 7) in Information Technology (IT) and 5 - 7 years' experience in IT environment (Practical in Cisco ACI, Cisco Nexus Platforms, Cisco LAN and WAN Routing / Switching. Cisco ACI certification (Center ACI Implementation Certification) would be advantage) of which 2-3 years at functional specialist level.
Or
Senior Certificate (NQF 4) AND Relevant IT Qualification (s) / Certification (s), Cisco ACI certification (Center ACI Implementation Certification) a plus and 5 - 7 years' experience in an Information Technology (IT) environment of which 2-3 years at functional specialist level AND additional requirements specified in Min Functional requirements.
ALTERNATIVE #
Senior Certificate (NQF 4) AND 10 years' experience in Information Technology (IT), of which 2-3 years at functional specialist level.
Minimum Functional Requirements

• Proven knowledge and skills in configuring, managing, and troubleshooting Cisco's Application Centric Infrastructure. This includes understanding the ACI architecture, policy-driven automation, and integration with virtual and physical environments.
• Proven practical experience in implementing Cisco ACI designs with systems planning, security principles, and general software management best practices.
• Proven practical experience in Cisco Routing and Switching; and CCNP/CCIE certification (Data Centre and Networking).
• Proficient in the following technologies: Advanced technical knowledge of Routers, Wi-Fi Access Points, Switches, Network Management Systems and Protocols
• Broad IT network knowledge including OSI layers.

Job Outputs:
Process

• Proven knowledge and skills in configuring, managing, and troubleshooting Cisco's Application Centric Infrastructure. This includes understanding the ACI architecture, policy-driven automation, and integration with virtual and physical environments.
• Proven practical experience in implementing Cisco ACI designs with systems planning, security principles, and general software management best practices.
• Proven practical experience in Cisco Routing and Switching; and CCNP/CCIE certification (Data Centre and Networking).
• Proficient in the following technologies: Advanced technical knowledge of Routers, Wi-Fi Access Points, Switches, Network Management Systems and Protocols
• Broad IT network knowledge including OSI layers.
• To design, implement, and maintain secure and reliable computer networks that support an organization's operations.
• Ensure seamless communication and data transfer by managing network infrastructure, troubleshooting issues, and implementing security measures. This includes configuring hardware, software, and security protocols, as well as monitoring network performance and planning for future growth.
• 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.
• Execute specialist input through investigation and opportunities within the product process including risk concern.
• Provide specialist input through the investigation of opportunities for operational and process product and risk optimisation.
• Responsible for managing the co-ordination, configuration, installation, and management of multiple network types (WAN, LAN, Wireless, Satellite, Telephony, Internetworking and Cloud Services) and related client services with the enterprise.
• Responsible for building and implementing specific network architectures (LAN, WAN and Cloud Infrastructure).
• Proactively researches and locates necessary tools and processes to identify and proactively avert troublesome trends as they develop.
• Ensures a stable performance environment for the enterprise communication system.
• Participates in various IT projects intended to continually improve/upgrade the telecommunications infrastructure.
• Provide and maintain appropriate network management tools and resources to troubleshoot IT infrastructure problems and outages.
• Engage with vendors as necessary to resolve network faults and performance issues, Support for the network infrastructures only.
• Using appropriate tools and resources to troubleshoot network infrastructure problems and outages.
• Contribute fully as an active team member and ensure personal and team objectives are achieved.
• Deliver assistance to Senior Network Engineers
• Initiate, update, approve and maintain knowledge articles for all network domains.

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 (Own, the problem / solution etc.)
• Analytical Thinking
• Attention to Detail
• Time Management
• Building Sustainability
• Commitment to Continuous Learning
• Excellent Verbal Communication
• Conceptual Ability
• Organizational Awareness
• Problem Solving and Analysis

Technical competencies

• Computer Literacy
• Functional Policies and Procedures
• IT Knowledge
• IT Systems
• Reporting
• LAN / WAN Design
• Technical Expertise (Routers, Switches, Load Balancers etc.).
• IT Network Architecture
• Telecommunications
• Cloud Computing

Compliance Competency

• Quality Management
• Networking & Communications
• Service Level Management
• Problem Management
• Risk Management
• IT Resources Planning and Evaluation

Employment Equity
The Employment Equity policy of SARS will be considered as part of the recruitment and selection process and Persons with Disabilities are encouraged to apply. Successful candidates will be required to undertake an oath of secrecy, pre-employment screening, case study, pre-assessment, psychometric assessment and or vetting, and a declaration of private interest. The appointment is also subject to appropriate reference(s) and security clearance where applicable.