Mainframe Developer: Analyst Programmer

THE SOUTH AFRICAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION

DIVISION: TECHNOLOGY (GP)

DEPARTMENT: INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

POSITION: MAINFRAME DEVELOPER: ANALYST PROGRAMMER X3

POSITION ID: 60024875; 60024878; 60024879 (3 Years Fixed-term Contract)

SCALE CODE: 900

REPORTS TO: SECTIONAL LEAD: DEVELOPMENT OPERATIONS

CLOSING DATE: 30 OCTOBER 2026

MAIN PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

Responsible for the analysis, design, development, testing, deployment, support, maintenance and modernisation of enterprise applications within the Natural ONE and Natural/ADABAS mainframe environment. The role ensures adherence to SDLC, governance, security, quality and operational support standards while delivering reliable, scalable and sustainable application solutions that support SABC business objectives. The incumbent contributes to application modernisation, integration services, incident resolution, business continuity support and continuous improvement of development practices.

DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF STRATEGY

• Contribute to the execution of the IT development strategy by designing, developing and maintaining enterprise applications aligned to business priorities.
• Provide technical input and advisory support for application development, DevOps enablement, integration and mainframe modernisation initiatives.
• Engage with internal departments, business users and external stakeholders to understand requirements and translate them into sustainable technical solutions.
• Provide technical problem-solving leadership for complex application, integration and operational support matters.
• Identify architectural, performance and process improvement opportunities and recommend appropriate remedial actions.
• Support business objectives by enhancing systems and services that improve operational efficiency, customer engagement and revenue-related processes.

BUSINESS OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY

• Analyse, design, develop, test, implement and maintain cost-effective application solutions in line with approved business and technical requirements.
• Compile and maintain technical documentation, including flow charts, entity relationship diagrams, functional specifications, technical specifications and change request documentation.
• Develop efficient, reusable and reliable programs using Natural, Natural ONE and ADABAS in accordance with approved coding standards and procedures.
• Perform database-related development activities and liaise with database administrators to ensure alignment between application logic, data structures and performance requirements.
• Conduct unit testing, quality assurance and performance checks to ensure application effectiveness, reliability, security and responsiveness.
• Provide application maintenance, troubleshooting, incident resolution, report development and end-user support for Natural/ADABAS solutions.
• Support availability of critical mainframe online systems, including standby, after-hours support and participation in business continuity exercises where required.
• Develop ad hoc reports, data extracts and short-term system enhancements to support operational, audit, financial control and business reporting requirements.
• Liaise with external agents and internal stakeholders to ensure data received and processed conforms to agreed standards, controls and service expectations.
• Provide technical input for RFI, RFP and procurement-related activities to ensure proposed solutions align with SABC systems, standards and business requirements.
• Extract, analyse and document business rules from existing code where formal documentation is incomplete or unavailable.
• Participate in new development discussions, facilitation, systems analysis and application modernisation initiatives.
• Report progress, risks, issues and delivery status to management on a regular basis.

GOVERNANCE RISK AND COMPLIANCE

• Comply with applicable SABC policies, procedures, governance frameworks, SDLC controls, ITIL practices and financial control requirements.
• Review and support the maintenance of relevant standards, procedures and controls in line with regulatory, audit and operational requirements.
• Identify, analyse, respond to and monitor IT risks affecting application development, support, security, continuity and data integrity.
• Contribute to the upkeep of risk registers, issue logs and action-tracking mechanisms to ensure findings are managed to closure.
• Support audit, compliance, RFI and RFP responses by providing accurate technical information, evidence and system-related documentation.
• Promote consistent use of approved templates, standards, taxonomies, deployment practices and access control requirements.
• Participate in organisational health, safety and risk management activities as required.

STAKEHOLDER MANAGEMENT

• Build and maintain effective working relationships with business users, IT teams, external agents, vendors and governance stakeholders.
• Take ownership of assigned technical queries and ensure timely, professional and effective resolution within agreed service expectations.
• Record key interactions, requirements, decisions and support outcomes to maintain traceability and continuity of service.
• Provide monthly or periodic service, SLA, project and operational progress reports to IT leadership and business customers.
• Collaborate with Legal, Compliance, Procurement, Finance and other enabling functions where application changes or support activities have governance, contractual or control implications.

LEADERSHIP AND PEOPLE MANAGEMENT

• Manage own performance, development objectives and delivery commitments in line with SABC performance management requirements.
• Contribute to long-term team goals, reporting mechanisms, maturity models and continuous improvement roadmaps for development and support practices.
• Meet agreed IT performance, quality, governance and service delivery standards.
• Participate in formal performance reviews and compile an annual Individual Development Plan.
• Support coaching, mentoring and knowledge transfer to junior staff and team members in line with operational needs and best practice.
• Attend relevant training and development interventions in accordance with the Workplace Skills Plan and approved development requirements.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Relevant IT NQF level 6 (National Diploma) qualification.
• Relevant IT NQF level 7 (Degree) qualification is considered an advantage.
• 3-5 years’ experience within a systems development environment, with exposure to the full System Development Life Cycle.
• Mainframe development experience, preferably including Natural ONE, Natural and ADABAS.

KNOWLEDGE

• Knowledge of the Software Development Life Cycle, ITIL practices, change control and application support processes.
• Knowledge and understanding of mainframe systems, Natural ONE, Natural, ADABAS, mainframe utilities and JCL.
• Knowledge of database concepts, relational databases, data analysis, file formats, flow diagrams and entity relationship diagrams.
• Knowledge of systems analysis, functional specification, technical specification, testing, quality assurance and root cause analysis practices.
• Knowledge and understanding of business systems, debtor systems, TV Licence-related processes and end-user core business processes.
• Knowledge of integration between systems and relevant enterprise software applications.
• Knowledge and understanding of information technology best practice, including platforms, applications, security and operational controls.
• Knowledge of relevant company policies and procedures, including finance, HR, procurement, risk, safety and health requirements.
• Business acumen, customer service orientation, planning, organising, time management and work control.
• Problem-solving skills, analytical thinking, adaptability, quality orientation and ability to provide technical and operational support advice.