Business Area Lead: Operations Planning, Evaluation and Control (x2) at The South African Revenue Service (SARS)

About the Position

• The position demands contemporaneous and leading-edge approaches to Planning, Evaluation and Control Practices. The incumbent must be able to lead and enable integrated planning approaches that go beyond conventional practices. In an ever-changing world, the incumbent must be able to employ inter-disciplinary and systemic approaches to counteract growing Environmental and Operational Complexities. The incumbent will be a key contributor to the translation of the SARS Strategic Intent into Key Operational Imperatives and Priorities by championing and implementing coherent Planning Practices and Benchmarks; establishing the fundamentals for the linked Evaluation and Control Procedures; and optimize the enabling Performance Management Practices.

Job Purpose

• To rationalise, develop, enable, and monitor procedures and standards for Operations Planning, Evaluation and Control Practices in complete alignment with the Organisational strategy and Operational Imperatives, as well as to safeguard Operational Excellence.

Education and Experience

Minimum Qualification & Experience Required

• Relevant Honours / Postgraduate Diploma (NQF 8) in Business Management / Business Administration / Performance Management / similar qualification AND 10 – 12 years’ experience in a Business Support / Performance Planning, Evaluation and Control /similar environment, with 3 - 4 years at a middle management level.

ALTERNATIVE

• Relevant Bachelor's Degree / Advanced Diploma (NQF 7) in Business Management / Business Administration / Performance Management / similar qualification AND 12 - 15 years’ experience in a Business Support / Performance Planning, Evaluation and Control /similar environment.

Job Outputs:

Process

• Design Operations Planning, Evaluation and Control Procedures and standards based on accredited best practises.
• Contribute and drive appropriate prioritisation frameworks in Operations in support of organisational objectives and limited resources.
• Develop operational targets and standards in support of tactical and operational delivery plans and organisational strategic objectives in partnership with divisional leadership.
• Develop programme goals and plans for implementation.
• Conduct planning assurance assessments across operational teams to ensure that all work conducted is on standard.
• Create and maintain Operations Planning cycles and timelines and milestones
• Ensure timeous communication on progress and challenges in achieving divisional and business unit goals to all relevant stakeholders.
• Contribute and drive appropriate planning governance frameworks and remediation procedures.
• Design and enable OKR methodologies and predetermined Performance Management Objectives and Criteria and thresholds.
• Develop tactical strategy and delivery plans in support of functional objectives in partnership with leadership.
• Direct, control, coordinate and optimise budgeted resources to meet specific objectives and deliver agreed results and productivity requirements.
• Ensure the development and implementation of multiple practices in alignment with operational policy and procedural frameworks.
• Identify and recommend opportunities to continuously improve all functions and systems in line with national, regional, and organisational changes.
• Plan for handling work outputs, pull together interdependent activities & specify priorities, standards & procedures to ensure tactical excellence.
• Proactively identify interconnected problems, determine its impact, and use to develop best fit alternatives, driving best practice solutions.
• Provide periodic reports on performance against plan & progress on short-term initiatives & use to realign tactical plan and objectives appropriately.
• Use the insights gained through integrated business reports to measure success & realign tactical strategy development objectives appropriately.
• Recommend changes to optimise processes, systems, policies, and procedures, and direct the implementation of change and innovation initiated by the organisation.
   

Governance

• Implement governance, risk, and compliance policy in own practice areas to identify and manage governance and risk exposure liability.
• Manage and or advise on the translation and application of policy in a specific functional area.
   

People

• Plan & develop enhanced organisational efficiency by identifying and addressing development requirements & providing tools for people resources.
• Translate performance expectations into specific metrics and goals to identify and provide effective services, solve problems, and achieve objectives.
• Create a positive work climate & culture to energise employees & give meaning to work, minimise work disruption and maximise employee productivity.
• Develop & implement appropriate people capacity plans in line with delivery & efficiency targets, on budget & in partnership with specialised areas.
   

Finance

• Implement and monitor financial control, management of costs and corporate governance in area of accountability.
• Draw up a budget aligned to business unit delivery plans, monitor planned vs. actual, minimise expenditure and report on cost efficiency.
   

Client

• Develop and ensure implementation of practices which builds service delivery excellence and encourages others to provide exceptional client service.
• Build strong relationships and develop service level agreements that promote SARS with internal and external stakeholders.
• Manage an integrated service excellence culture, which builds rewarding relationships and provides opportunity for feedback and exceptional service.

Behavioural competencies

• Honesty and Integrity (V)
• Fairness and Transparency(V)
• Accountability (V)
• Conceptual Thinking
• Champion the Mandate
• Influencing Others
• Mobilising Teams
• Driving Excellence
• Leveraging Diversity
• Accurate Understanding
• Developing Others
• Trust (V)
• Respect (V)
• Problem Solving and Analysis
• Building Sustainability

Technical competencies

• Managerial Budgeting
• Tax Knowledge
• Functional Policies and Procedures
• Risk Management
• Strategic Planning
• Effective Business Communication
• Problem Analysis and Judgement
• Planning, Management and Measurement
• Decisiveness
• Business Acumen
• Financial and Performance Reporting

Compliance Competency

• GOC Secret