Specialist: Network & Security Operations

The Road Accident Fund’s mission is to provide appropriate cover to all road users within the borders of South Africa; to rehabilitate and compensate persons injured as a result of motor vehicle accidents in a timely and caring manner; and to actively promote safe use of our roads.

Purpose of the Job: Reporting to the Manager: Network and Telecoms Operations, the successful incumbent will be accountable for the setup, configuration and management of the network environment including identifying requirements, installing upgrades, monitoring network performance. Ensure availability of a stable, reliable and secure network infrastructure (LAN, WAN, SDWAN, RAS/Mobile, Wireless connectivity). Ensure availability and network protection against intrusion or malicious activities. Team up with all Technology & Digital team members and system owners to ensure a smooth functioning of RAF network services.

Key Performance Areas

Policy review and implementation

• Contribute to the development and implementation of departmental policy, procedures and processes.
• Keep up to date with effective policy and practice execution strategies.

Network planning, design and administration.

• Plan and maintain connection to/ from different sites (WAN)
• Plan and maintain LAN within a Branch.
• Plan and maintain of backup links
• Planning and design of new branches and offices
• Design and implementation of remote access solutions.

Network Installation/Configuration

• Installation of Network Equipment (Cabinets, routers, switches)
• Installation of RAS networking
• Installation of wireless networking
• Installation of network software Firmware)
• Setup of network management server (adding/ removing of network items on management database)
• Setup of QOS (quality of service) on links using layer for switching
• Network Protocols

Network Monitoring

• Monitor WAN/LAN (links, usage, updown times, availability)
• Engage network providers when the network lines are down
• Monitor internet Links
• Monitor backup links
• Monitor network traffic
• Monitor Firewall logs

Network uptime and availability

• Prepare Implement and maintain network redundancy and virtualization
• Ensure network components and configuration information is backed up regularly
• Ensure sufficient capacity and forecasting.

Firewall and Infrastructure security related services

• Manage and configure Firewall and all Infrastructure security tools.
• Activate firewall logs on the firewall tools and extract them for further analysis by ICT Security team.
• Identify unused firewall rules for cleanup.
• Install and configure network security infrastructure devices.

Ensure that change management and governance processes are adhered to

• Adhere to the IT change management methodology for RAF.
• Develop test plans for the proposed solution.
• Implement network changes in line with best practices and set policies/standards/procedures
• Monitor and report any discrepancies on the network implemented changes.

Stakeholder management

• Facilitate and manage communication with relevant internal and external stakeholders and proactively and progressively manage the relationships.
• Communicate with all levels of stakeholder contact.
• Represent the Fund in relevant external activities and events.

Reporting

• Track and prepare the project status report on the progress of the implementation of reporting requirements.
• Analyse the incidents & assist network administrator to prepare incident analysis report.
• Develop reports/ procedures and guide the process through the alignment of the documents to the overall RAF’s Strategy.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree/Advanced Diploma in Information Technology related qualification.
• Certified Cisco Network Professional (CCNP)
• Certified Cisco Security Professional (CCSP)
• Certified Operational framework like ITIL v4 process.
• Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) is an added advantage.
• Relevant 5-7 years+ experience in Networking and Security environment.
• Experience in Cisco firewall implementation and management.
• Experience in full implementation of secure corporate network.
• Experience in deployment of Cloud platform network services i.e. SDWAN is an added advantage.
• Extensive knowledge of network configuration, routing, switching, data communications and network tools
• Experience in identification of network related weaknesses or inefficiencies.
• Expertise to secure computer network by enforcing policies and defining monitoring methods and access.
• Experience in network capacity management and forecasting.

Technical and Behavioral Competencies Required

• Resilience
• Communication
• Working with People
• Network and Alliances
• Planning, Organising and Coordinating
• Employee Engagement
• Personal Mastery
• Judgement and Decision Making
• Ethics and Values
• Client Service Orientation
• Change management.
• Conflict management
• Critical and innovative thinking
• Facilitation and Presentation Skills
• Policy conceptualisation and formulation
• Risk Management
• Programme/project management.
• Service Delivery Innovation
• Stakeholder development and relations
• Reporting
• Advanced knowledge in the design and implementation of network for new environments/offices.
• Ability to provide advanced technical support in network associated projects.
• Knowledge of AWS & Azure network environment including experience in deployment and configuration of core virtual network (VPC/Subnet/NACL/Security Groups) in cloud environments.
• Documentation skills
• Ability to communicate ideas in both technical and user-friendly language.
• Highly self-motivated and directed, with keen attention to detail.
• Able to successfully navigate within varying degrees of ambiguity in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.

NB: “RAF offers Total Employment Cost packages with no additional contributions from the Employer, successful candidates are required to structure their packages in a manner that will suit their needs”.

The Road Accident Fund subscribes to the principles of employment equity and preference will be given to People with Disabilities.

Applicants who have not received any correspondence from us within six weeks from the closing date can consider themselves unsuccessful

Security Vetting shall be conducted on all prospective employees

It is the applicants’ responsibility to have foreign qualification evaluated by the South African Qualification Authority (SAQA) and to provide proof of such evaluation.