IT Manager

Job Description

The IT Manager role is a strategic ICT managerial function located within the ICT Unit of the Independent Power Producer Office (IPPO).

The IPP Office was established in 2010 to provide rapid solutions to South Africa’s severe electricity supply constraints, by procuring new energy generation capacity from Independent Power Producers (IPPs). The IPPO was created as a project office hosted by the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) under a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) between the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) now the Department of Electricity and Energy (DEE), National Treasury and the DBSA. The mandate of the IPP Office is to provide specialised services to government, including a) IPP Energy Procurement Management, b) Monitoring, Evaluation and Contract Management, and c) Professional Advisory Services. The IPPO’s skills, expertise and success in mobilising and delivering on time is recognised domestically and globally.

The IT Manager role is a vital managerial and strategic function.

Reporting to the Head ITC, the IT Manager, will be responsible for leading our infrastructure and support team, developing and implementing our IT strategy, and ensuring the smooth and secure operation of our systems. The IT Manager will be a key player in driving The IPPO’s technological advancements and ensuring we stay ahead of the curve. This role requires a strong technical background, exceptional leadership skills, and a passion for teamwork and innovation. If you are a results-oriented and passionate IT leader, we encourage you to apply and join our dynamic and supportive team. This is a contract position until 31 March 2028.

Key Responsibilities

The Key Responsibilities of the IT Manager role include but are not limited to:

Strategic IT Planning:

Develop and execute IT strategies aligned with organisational goals.
Evaluate emerging technologies and recommend their implementation to support business objectives.
Collaborate with senior leadership to identify technology needs and drive innovation across the organisation.

IT Operations Management:

Oversee the daily operations of the IT department, ensuring all systems are running efficiently and securely.
Manage system administration, network management, and server infrastructure maintenance.
Ensure timely resolution of IT-related incidents and issues, providing technical expertise when needed.
Manage IT projects from conception to completion, ensuring they are delivered on time, within scope, and on budget.
Implement project management methodologies to track progress, manage risks, and ensure successful project delivery.

Vendor & Stakeholder Management:

Manage relationships with technology vendors and service providers, negotiating contracts and ensuring that service level agreements (SLAs) are met.
Collaborate with internal stakeholders to understand IT needs and deliver tailored technology solutions.
Ensure effective communication between IT and non-technical departments to foster understanding and support for IT initiatives.

IT Security & Compliance:

Ensure that IT systems are secure and compliant with relevant regulations, such as data protection and cybersecurity standards.
Develop and enforce IT security policies and procedures to safeguard organisational data.
Implement and monitor disaster recovery plans, backup solutions, and business continuity strategies.

Budgeting & Resource Allocation:

Manage the IT budget, ensuring cost-effective use of resources to meet departmental and organisational goals.
Track IT expenditures, allocate resources efficiently, and identify opportunities to reduce costs without compromising service quality.
Oversee IT asset management, ensuring that hardware, software, and licensing are properly tracked and managed.

User Support & Helpdesk Management:

Oversee IT support and helpdesk functions, ensuring timely and efficient resolution of user issues.
Maintain high levels of customer satisfaction by ensuring the IT team delivers excellent service to end-users.
Identify and address recurring issues by implementing long-term solutions and improving helpdesk processes.

Team Leadership & Development

Lead and manage the IT team, ensuring they are productive and aligned with the department's objectives.
Set performance goals, conduct regular performance reviews, and provide coaching and training opportunities for staff.
Foster a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement within the IT team.

Expertise & Technical Competencies

Minimum Qualification:

• A Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or a related field.

• ITIL, Project Management, or other relevant certifications are an added advantage.

Minimum Experience:

• A minimum of 5 years of experience in IT management.
• Proven track record of managing IT operations, infrastructure, and support functions.

Required Skills:

• Strong leadership and team management skills, with the ability to mentor and develop IT staff.
• Excellent communication skills to explain technicalconcepts to non-technical stakeholders.
• Problem-solving and decision-making skills to handle complex technical challenges.
• Budget management andresource allocation skills to optimise IT spending.
• Project management and organisational skills to handle multiple IT initiatives concurrently.

Required Personal Attributes

• Analysis and Judgement
• Numerical Reasoning
• Assertiveness
• Excellence Orientation
• Investigative Orientation
• Customer Responsiveness
• Business Acumen
• Planning and Prioritising
• Influencing and Negotiation
• Motivational
• Strategic leadership
• Inspirational leadership