Infrastructure Engineer (N000053) (Re-Advertisement)

About our company

NWU

Introduction

NORTH-WEST UNIVERSITY (POTCHEFSTROOM CAMPUS) | DIVISION: INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY - INFRASTRUCTURE AND PLATFORMS | POSITION NUMBER: N000053 | VACANCY: INFRASTRUCTURE ENGINEER

PEROMNES GRADE: 7 | EMPLOYMENT TYPE: PERMANENT APPOINTMENT

Job description

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION

This position forms part of the IT Infrastructure and Platforms group. This position focuses on planning and managing all 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:

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.

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.

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 that 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.

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.

Radio Frequency Engineering RFEN (SFIA level 5)

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

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.

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.

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.

Supplier Management SUPP (SFIA Level 5)

• Provides Manages suppliers to meet key performance indicators and agreed targets. Manages the operational relationships between suppliers and ensures potential disputes or conflicts are raisedand resolved. Performs benchmarking 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.

Minimum requirements

• A 3-year bachelor’s degree/advanced diploma (NQF level 7) OR a diploma in IT (NQF level 6) OR six (6) years of equivalent IT certifications, plus 2-3 years’ equivalent IT certifications with relevant experience.
• A certificate in Project Management (NQF Level 5).
• A certificate in Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE) (NQF Level 5).
• A certificate in Juniper or Cisco Engineering, or an equivalent engineering certification (NQF Level 5).
• A minimum of five (5) years’ infrastructure project management experience.
• A minimum of five (5) years’ experience working in an IT enterprise environment.

ADDED ADVANTAGE:

• A certificate in Firewall Administration, Palo Alto, Check Point, Cisco, or Fortinet (NQF Level 5).

KEY FUNCTIONAL/TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES:

• Project Management (Advanced): IT Network, Firewall implementation projects.
• Team Leadership (Advanced).
• Network operations and maintenance (Advanced): Netbox, GitHub, Nagios.
• Mentoring (Advanced).
• Firewall (Advanced): Maintain, Monitor and configure.
• Cumulus Networking (Advanced): Configure, Maintain, Install, Implement.
• Leaf and Spine Architecture (Advanced): Configure, Maintain, Install, Implement.
• Automation Technologies (Advanced): Ansible, Netbox, API integration.

KEY 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 to 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 on 018 299 4633

ENQUIRIES REGARDING RECRUITMENT PROCESS MAY BE DIRECTED TO: Mrs.Goitsemang Ntsoelengoe on 018 299 2752

CLOSING DATE: 18 November 2026

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.

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