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UP | Technical Application Support Analyst (IT) X1
DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SERVICES
TECHNICAL APPLICATION SUPPORT ANALYST (TWO POSTS)
PEROMNES POST LEVEL 07
In pursuit of the ideals of excellence and diversity, the University of Pretoria wishes to invite applications for the following vacancy.
The University of Pretoria’s commitment to quality makes us one of the top research Universities in the country and gives us a competitive advantage in international science and technology development.
JOB PURPOSE:
The purpose of the job is to take responsibility for the provisioning, maintenance (installation, configuration, upgrade and patching), problem solving, availability, performance/monitoring, backups, disaster recovery and support (also after-hours) of all the applications, databases and supporting software that are supported by the ITS Application Support Analyst team.
It is important to note that the incumbent of this post may from time to time fulfil either a maintenance and support role or a development role, or aspects of both, depending on operational requirements. The main focus of this job will however be maintenance and support.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
The successful candidate’s responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:
- System maintenance and support: Software installation and maintenance:
- Installation, upgrade and maintenance of all applicable UP corporate systems (vendor-supplied as well as in-house developed) and related system software on which these systems rely. This includes new installations and upgrades, service packs, patches, etc., both during office hours and after-hours when required;
- System maintenance and support: System support:
- Support, maintenance and monitoring of all applicable UP corporate systems (academic as well as support services systems). This includes tuning, trouble shooting, problem prevention, backup/recovery, disaster recovery, security administration and capacity planning;
- Liaise with product vendors and use vendor information sources to resolve software problems and obtain information about new versions, upgrades, service packs etc.;
- Define and implement procedures for the effective deployment of enterprise applications and/or application changes;
- Define and implement procedures for the effective migration of enterprise applications and/or application changes through the application development lifecycle;
- System maintenance and support: User support:
- Attend to users’ enquiries on an on-going basis. Provide information and support, according to the nature of the enquiry;
- Provide after-hours support to IT Helpdesk, Data Centre personnel and users with regard to the availability of all applicable UP corporate systems;
- Ensure that requests for system changes, system errors and associated system-development work are registered and attended to according to the prescribed procedures;
- System maintenance and support: Standards, processes and documentation:
- Set and enforce standards for all applicable UP corporate system environments;
- Create and maintain documentation of the following:
- All changes made to existing systems, configurations and procedures;
- New environments that have been created, as well as the necessary migration of data;
- New processes that were implemented;
- Exceptions with regard to standard processes, etc.;
- Must adhere to the following:
- IT policies and procedures;
- Business processes and rules;
- Configuration management and documentation procedures, etc.;
- System development: Analysis and design:
- Design, modify and improve computer information systems to optimise workflow;
- Map business rules and processes into a technical solution for the enterprise;
- Analyse and document current systems;
- Prepare charts and diagrams (system requirements/specifications) that constitute a representation of the new system in terms that managers and non-data processing personnel can understand;
- System development: System Development and integration assistance.
- Needs determination:
- Compile detailed technical specifications according to prescribed standards;
- Cooperate with the integration team to investigate system integration and interfaces with other systems. Liaise with the main user(s) to clear up any lack of clarity and to verify the interpretation of specifications for users’ needs;
- System design:
- Analyse the needs of users for determining the functional units, system integration, data capturing and security needed to address the needs of users;
- Plan the functional process flow of the desired system and/or system changes. Do the necessary planning for the functioning of the system;
- Layout and design of files:
- Identify the desired data objects. Do data normalisation. Identify key fields;
- Do the detailed design of new data files and/or changes to existing data files;
- Programming:
- Code the programs by using a particular programming language, e.g. Java;
- Use the available tools for generating Java system code;
- Develop the necessary system integration interfaces, as specified and as needed;
- Needs determination:
- System testing:
- During the system development, do the necessary system testing and/or system unit testing to:
- Check that the outcome corresponds with the specifications for the relevant system development or system change;
- Ensure that the integration between the programs is correct and that it is executed correctly as a unit;
- Develop system interfaces which comply with the principles of best practice for system integration;
- Do the necessary compiling of test data and make arrangements with users for the necessary testing by users;
- During the system development, do the necessary system testing and/or system unit testing to:
- System development: System Implementation:
- Compile, in co-operation with the relevant main user(s) and DBAs, a deployment/implementation plan and make the necessary arrangements and co-ordinate in this regard;
- Provide assistance with programmatic data inputs, do the necessary compiling of code and data migration, where necessary;
- Offer the necessary support in respect of users’ access to the respective system functions;
- System development: User training:
- Co-ordinate training for the main users and delegate to the system team members, as necessary;
- Present system-training sessions for main users, and support main users in further training for users, as may be necessary.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
- Applicable Bachelor’s degree or BTech (e.g. B.Sc. or B. Com Informatics); WITH
- Four years’ relevant experience as a Technical Application Support Analyst, which includes or may run concurrently with:
- Technical maintenance, administration and Application Lifecycle;
- Management of production systems (including related system software and databases);
- Trouble-shooting and problem resolution;
- Working with users and providing user support;
OR
- Applicable IT related three-year Diploma (e.g. National Diploma Computer Science, Diploma in Information Technology); WITH
- Six years relevant experience as Technical Application Support Analyst, which includes or may run concurrently with:
- Technical maintenance, administration and Application Lifecycle;
- Management of production systems (including related system software and databases);
- Trouble-shooting and problem resolution;
- Working with users and providing user support.
REQUIRED COMPETENCIES (SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND BEHAVIOURAL ATTRIBUTES):
- Knowledge:
- Windows, Linux and other Unix operating systems;
- Installation and technical administration of SQL databases;
- Installation and technical administration of system software;
- Usage of diagnostic and monitoring software;
- Technical competencies
- Troubleshooting within an IT software environment;
- Behavioural competencies:
- Minimum:
- Very good problem solving and analytical skills;
- The ability to:
- Follow instructions, guidelines, policies and procedures;
- Manage the continuous changes within a technological environment;
- Maintain a high level of professionalism and responsibility;
- Attend to a variety of tasks simultaneously, work under pressure and adhere to strict deadlines;
- Work effectively in a multi-disciplinary team;
- Effectively manage time and resources efficiently;
- Good interpersonal and conflict handling skills;
- Good language and communication skills (both written and verbal);
- Desirable:
- Knowledge and experience of:
- Risk management principles;
- Configuration management;
- Understanding of organisational design.
- Knowledge and experience of:
- Minimum:
ADDED ADVANTAGES AND PREFERENCES:
- Five years’ experience in:
- System development; The compilation of user requirement specifications;
- Working with structured query language with different relational databases;
- Courses and/or experience in the following:
- Systems analysis and design;
- Object oriented analysis and design;
- Development frameworks (e.g. JDeveloper, Microsoft .NET);
- Programming languages (e.g. Java, People Code);
- Certifications (e.g. Sun Java, J2EE);
- Project management;
- Business analysis;
- Test analysis;
- Java;
- Unix/Linux;
- Microsoft .Net;
- Microsoft Windows and Office;
- Knowledge, understanding and experience of:
- Load testing and performance tuning of systems;
- Managing the system development life-cycle;
- Relational database models and architecture;
- Data/business/systems modelling;
- Producing high quality documentation;
- The design, development and implementation of complex systems in a tertiary education environment;
- Automation of database and application maintenance;
- System architecture to implement failover and archive high availability;
- Valid driver’s license.
PLEASE NOTE: All shortlisted candidates may be required to participate in relevant skills assessments as part of the selection process.
The annual remuneration package will be commensurate with the incumbent’s level of appointment, as determined by UP policy guidelines. UP subscribes to the BESTMED and UMVUZO medical aid schemes and contributes 50% of the applicable monthly premium.
Applicants are requested to apply online at www.up.ac.za, and follow the link: Careers@UP.
In applying for this post, please attach:
- A comprehensive CV;
- Certified copies of qualifications;
- Names, e-mail addresses and telephone details of three referees whom we have permission to contact.
CLOSING DATE: 21 February 2025
No application will be considered after the closing date, or if it does not comply with at least the minimum requirements.
ENQUIRIES: Ms V Makhubele, Tel: (012) 420 6920 for application-related enquiries, and Mr BA Hudson, Tel: (012) 420 4740 for enquiries relating to the post content.
Should you not hear from the University of Pretoria by 30 April 2025, please accept that your application has been unsuccessful.
The University of Pretoria is committed to equality, employment equity and diversity.
In accordance with the Employment Equity Plan of the University and its Employment Equity goals and targets, preference may be given, but is not limited to candidates from under-represented designated groups.
All candidates who comply with the requirements for appointment are invited to apply. All candidates agree to undergo verification of personal credentials.
By applying for this vacancy, the candidates consent to undergo verification of personal credentials and related information including, but not limited to, qualifications, criminal record, credit record, current and historic disciplinary proceedings as part of the selection process.
The University of Pretoria reserves the right to not fill the advertised positions.
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