Vacant Post – SKA Mid – IT Officer

Contract type: Permanent
Job Level: Junior
Work Location: Cape Town, Western Cape
Closing Date: 31 May 2023

The National Research Foundation (NRF) (www.nrf.ac.za) supports and promotes research and human capital development through funding, the provision of National Research Facilities and science outreach platforms and programmes to the broader community in all fields of science and technology, including natural sciences, engineering, social sciences and humanities.

* The South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO) (www.sarao.ac.za) spearheads South Africa’s activities in the Square Kilometre Array Radio Telescope, commonly known as the SKA, in engineering, science and construction. SARAO is a National Facility managed by the National Research Foundation and incorporates radio astronomy instruments and programmes such as the MeerKAT in the Karoo, the Hartebeesthoek Radio Astronomy Observatory (HartRAO) in Gauteng, the African Very Long Baseline Interferometry (AVN) programme in nine African countries as well as the associated human capital development and commercialisation endeavours.

* The Square Kilometre Array Observatory (SKAO) (www.skao.int) is a next-generation global radio-astronomy facility that will revolutionise our understanding of the Universe and the laws of fundamental physics. It is one observatory with two telescopes – SKA-Mid in South Africa and SKA-Low in Western Australia. South Africa is a co-host member of the SKAO, an intergovernmental organisation headquartered at Jodrell Bank (near Manchester in the United Kingdom) responsible for SKAO construction and operations globally.

The SKAO is seeking an IT Officer who will be responsible for the support of IT services to SKAO staff Science Operations Centre (SOC) South Africa and beyond. To manage technical assistance and support on the SKAO desktop computing environment including hardware, software and infrastructure while ensuring that computing resources are kept up to date and functional in line with the internal service processes and operational framework.

Key Responsibilities:
* Provide technical support to stakeholders by identifying and resolving hardware and or software issues, troubleshooting and patching Systems
* Monitoring network activity and identify performance issues that may need to be addressed
* Install, configure and troubleshoot computer hardware and software
* Conduct root cause analysis and resolution management of technical issues
* Identify and define desktop system security requirements and provide recommendations to the team for implementation
* Actively respond to support requests
* Responsible for the overall management desktop vulnerability solution at the SKAO
* Server administration for non-critical systems including patch management
* Print server management
* Domain user account management
* Administration of the organisational service desk tool
* Documentation of standard operating procedures within the IT Service and Operations team
* Provide input into the design of security strategies, implementation, and monitoring of security measures for the proactive protection of desktop computer systems, networks, and information
* Update existing security standard operating procedures and protocols for the desktop security environment
* Configure and troubleshoot security infrastructure
* Develop technical solutions and new security tools to help mitigate security vulnerabilities and automate repeatable tasks
* Manage the SKAO vulnerability management software to ensure that desktop computers are protected against virus and malware threats.

Key Requirements:
Qualification:
* National Diploma (NQF6) in Computer Science / Information Systems / Information Technology or equivalent with 4 years plus relevant experience; or
* Certificate Training (A+ and N+) or equivalent with 6 years plus relevant experience.

Experience:
* Technical experience thereby able to provide direct IT support when required. Experienced in the administration of local area wired and wireless networks.
* Knowledge and experience in IT service provision.
* Experience in asset lifecycle management and software asset management.
* Experience in managing resources and prioritisation.
* A flexible team player who is adaptable to change.
* Strong communication skills with internal stakeholders.
* Able and willing to work out of normal working hours on occasion to meet service needs.
* Experience with Layer 3 configuration (Cisco or similar).
* Experience with firewall/VPN support (Cisco or similar).
* Experience with Microsoft, Apple and Google computing devices and mobile device technologies and device management systems.
* Experience with Microsoft Exchange and Microsoft Online services like O365.
* Experience Cloud products such as Dropbox and Atlassian products or similar.

Knowledge:
* Knowledge and background with IT Service Management disciplines and Frameworks such as ITIL / Cobit and Change Management and Risk management and IT policies (DRP/Security).
* Dell Hardware (Certification would be advantageous).
* Infrastructure design
* Supply Chain Management
* Cyber Security (Mimecast or similar)
* ICT Capex and OPEX
* Server Administration
* Vmware
* Cisco CCNA advantageous.
* MCSE
* Mimecast

Additional Notes:
Skills/Ability/Competencies
Strong critical thinking and decision-making skills
Capacity to assess, learn and adopt new IT technologies
Strong interpersonal and communication skills for managing team and internal and external stakeholders
Personal integrity in handling sensitive and personal data

Organisational Values
The SKA-Mid SKA Mid IT Officer will be expected to demonstrate the SARAO and SKAO􀂷s values, and to work actively to instil those
behaviours in all SKA-Mid staff in South Africa.

SKAO’s values are:
Diversity and Inclusion
Excellence
Collaboration
Creativity and Innovation
Sustainability

SARAO’s values are:
Passion for Excellence
World-class service
People-centered
Respect
Integrity and Ethics
Accountability

Both SARAO and SKAO value and respect difference and are committed to building an inclusive culture by creating an environment where you can balance a successful career with your commitments and interests outside of work. We believe that you will do your best at work if you have a work / life balance. Some roles lend themselves to flexible options more than others, so if this is important to you, please raise this during your interview, as we are open to discussing flexible working opportunities during the hiring process.

Information:
The website www.nrf.ac.za provides more details on the NRF initiatives and activities.

Applications:
Applicants should submit a comprehensive CV by logging to https://ess.nrf.ac.za/Account/Recruitment and apply online. Applications should be accompanied by a letter of motivation indicating the applicant􀂷s suitability for the position. The names and contact details of at least three referees should be provided.

Closing Date: 31 May 2023

The NRF offers a challenging career and competitive remuneration package which is commensurate with qualifications and experience.

The NRF is committed to employment equity and redress and the appointment to the position will be made in line with the NRF Employment Equity Plan.

The NRF reserves the right not to make an appointment.

Correspondence will be sent to short-listed candidates only