About the Position

SARS is seeking a highly skilled and detail-oriented individual for the role of Specialist: Software Tester - Automation. The ideal candidate will be a subject matter expert in test automation, with a strong focus on driving quality engineering practices and ensuring robust software delivery. This role is pivotal in enhancing SARS’s digital capabilities and aligning with its strategic objectives and service excellence mandate.

The successful applicant will be responsible for transforming testing into a continuous and efficient end-to-end quality engineering function. This includes leveraging quality processes, tools, and methodologies to significantly improve control, accuracy, and integrity across systems. The role demands a proactive and collaborative approach, engaging with multiple teams to influence key decisions and deliver high-quality solutions.

This innovative professional will develop and implement advanced testing strategies, continuously evaluate and refine methodologies, and mentor team members in automation best practices. They will also collaborate with cross-functional teams to align testing efforts with project goals and timelines, while analysing test results to provide actionable insights that enhance product quality and performance.

Job Purpose

To ensure software testing (Automation / Security / Performance) is conducted in relation to the automated script design, build, execution and deploy using appropriate automation technologies; or to the cooperative vulnerability and penetration assessments, or to the scalability and responsiveness under a specified workload, of the specific application/s, within set timeframes and against specified outputs.

Education and Experience

Minimum Qualification & Experience Required

Bachelor's Degree / Advanced Diploma (NQF 7) in a Computer Science/IT/Information Systems/Engineering AND 5 - 7 years’ experience in a testing or automation environment, of which 2 - 3 years in technical testing.

#Alternative

Senior Certificate (NQF 4) AND 10 years in a testing or automation experience, of which 2 - 3 years in technical testing.

Minimum Functional Requirements

• Must have completed some form of advanced, certified training in Technical Testing Techniques (e.g. ITSEB or ISTQB Technical Testing).

Job Outputs:

Process

• Ensure necessary governance and administrative requirements are met as per divisional policy and procedures.
• Active identification and management of Automation / Performance / Security project risks and the required resolution thereof with different stakeholders with an interest in the success of the project.
• Ensure that test requirements are clearly identified, prioritized and satisfied by appropriate technical and/or business solutions.
• Coordinate and manage lifecycle of defect priorities.
• Report (qualitative and quantitative) on project progress across multiple dimensions to ensure successful delivery of project and management visibility.
• Define and setup Testing strategies and plans to prevent software failure due to security vulnerabilities between application software and infrastructures.
• Accumulate information to review work progress that provides input to reporting, decision making and the identification of improvement opportunities.
• Apply practical and applied knowledge and act authoritatively on methods, systems and procedures to identify trends and potential risks.
• Communication of situational interpretation and judgement of work outputs and queries in area of specialisation.
• Correctly apply policies, practices, standards, procedures and legislation in the delivery of work outputs.
• Draw on own knowledge and experience to diagnose symptoms, causes and possible effects in order to solve emerging problems.
• Execute specialist input through investigation and opportunities within the product process including risk concern.
• Initiate process and procedural change, implement the change and provide guidelines and support related to new requirements as a result of the change.
• Plan for value-added process improvements, initiatives and services to deliver on operational strategy and objectives.
• Provide specialist input through the investigation of opportunities for operational and process, product and risk optimisation.

Governance

• Implement and provide input into the development of governance, compliance, integrity and ethics processes within area of specialisation.
• Ensure that completed work adhere to relevant policies, procedures, governance and legislative requirements and report on deviations and discrepancies.

People

• Develop and maintain productive working relationships with peers and team members to achieve predefined objectives.
• Search for, integrate and share new knowledge attained through formal and informal learning opportunities in the execution of your job.

Finance

• Adhere to organisational policies and procedures to ensure cost effectiveness and reduction of financial costs.

Client

• Contribute to a culture of service excellence, which builds positive relationships and provides opportunity for feedback and exceptional service.
• Provide authoritative, specialist services, expertise and advice to internal and external stakeholders.
• Contribute on execution of assigned tasks, roles and deliverables to project resources involved as and when required.

Behavioural competencies

• Accountability
• Analytical Thinking
• Attention to Detail
• Commitment to Continuous Learning
• Conceptual Ability
• Customer Service
• Expertise in Context
• Organisational Awareness
• Relationship Management and Networking
• Respect
• Trust
• Reading Comprehension (Fundamental)
• Fairness and Transparency
• Honesty and Integrity
• Respect

Technical competencies

• Automated Unit Testing
• Business Knowledge
• Computer Literacy
• Data Collection and Analysis
• Efficiency improvement
• Execute, Implement and Follow Through
• Functional Policies and Procedures
• Reporting
• Reporting and Interpretation
• Standard operating procedure compliance
• System Thinking

Compliance Competency

• GOC Confidential

Employment Equity

The Employment Equity policy of SARS will be considered as part of the recruitment and selection process and Persons with Disabilities are encouraged to apply. Successful candidates will be required to undertake an oath of secrecy, pre-employment screening, case study, pre-assessment, psychometric assessment and or vetting, and a declaration of private interest. The appointment is also subject to appropriate reference(s) and security clearance where applicable.