Position Reports to:    Business Area Lead: Investigations    

Division:                        SARS Criminal Investigations [Integrated Stream]

Location:                       x1 Durban and X1 Landbank

Advert Closing Date:  11 August 2025

About the Position

SARS is looking for an individual experienced in Investigations, data collection/analysis and the collection and preservation of evidence to Manage a team of Investigators. If you can determine trends from raw data and make sense of these data to aid in decision-making processes, then we need you.

A key attribute sought is a passion for driving the Team production in line with the strategy of business and the Mandate of the Criminal Investigations division.

The suitable candidate should be able Manage a team of Investigators who are responsible for interviewing witnesses and suspects and obtain relevant information from them converting that information into evidence that can be used in formal and criminal proceedings. They should also be able to write effective and accurate forensic and/or investigative reports and will need to possess strong analytical and project management skillsets and be able to work closely with business stakeholders, in a fast paced and ever-changing environment. The applicant must have an applied knowledge of the legislative framework governing the investigative mandate of SARS, such as but not limited to the Tax Administration Act, Criminal Procedure Act, POCA and FICA.   The ability to Communicate and write effective reports.

Job Purpose

To supervise the investigations of the team members and ensure that the team meets its production targets within the quality, turnaround time and productivity norms.

Education and Experience

Minimum Qualification & Experience Require

Relevant Bachelor's Degree / Advanced Diploma (NQF 7) in Accounting /Audit/ Forensic Financial Investigations AND 5-7 years' experience in a Forensic Financial Investigations environment, of which 1 year at supervisory level.

ALTERNATIVE:

Senior Certificate (NQF 4) AND 10 years related experience in a Forensic Financial Investigations environment, of which with 1 year at supervisory level.

Job Outputs:

•     Frequently report on progress of unit and or team against pre-defined objectives and standards, ensuring accurate representation of facts.

•     Accumulate information to report on work progress and use for decision making purposes and the identification of improvement opportunities.

•     Apply discretion and judgement to diagnose symptoms, causes and effects and to make decisions to overcome problems and to provide solutions.

•     Deploy resources appropriately and anticipate and resolve problems to ensure that tactical targets are achieved within agreed deadlines & standards.

•     Ensure procedures, policies and mandates are clearly understood and complied with.

•     Ensure the development, alignment, and implementation of end-to-end processes within area of accountability for continued process improvement.

•     Link and communicate unit's objectives back to mandate, schedule and prioritise activities and allocate work to meet identified work outputs.

•     Manage a work function or unit by focusing on the delivery and achievement of set objectives within specified time frames, costs, and standards.

•     Plan and organise multiple work outputs by assigning priorities and continuously reviewing objectives and goals.

•     Provide input into the development of the tactical strategy as well as develop and implement a supporting operational strategy.

•     Apply the necessary discretion and judgment in making decisions and overcoming obstacles to attain set goals and objectives for area of accountability.

•     Implement change & provide guidelines to direct reports defining the impact of change, the change itself & new requirements because of the change.

•     Implement resource plans in line with delivery and performance objectives, on budget and in partnership with specialised areas.

Process

•     Frequently report on progress of unit and or team against pre-defined objectives and standards, ensuring accurate representation of facts.

•     Accumulate information to report on work progress and use for decision making purposes and the identification of improvement opportunities.

•     Apply discretion and judgement to diagnose symptoms, causes and effects and to make decisions to overcome problems and to provide solutions.

•     Deploy resources appropriately and anticipate and resolve problems to ensure that tactical targets are achieved within agreed deadlines & standards.

•     Ensure procedures, policies and mandates are clearly understood and complied with.

•     Ensure the development, alignment, and implementation of end-to-end processes within area of accountability for continued process improvement.

•     Link and communicate unit's objectives back to mandate, schedule and prioritise activities and allocate work to meet identified work outputs.

•     Manage a work function or unit by focusing on the delivery and achievement of set objectives within specified time frames, costs, and standards.

•     Plan and organise multiple work outputs by assigning priorities and continuously reviewing objectives and goals.

•     Provide input into the development of the tactical strategy as well as develop and implement a supporting operational strategy.

•     Apply the necessary discretion and judgment in making decisions and overcoming obstacles to attain set goals and objectives for area of accountability.

•     Implement change & provide guidelines to direct reports defining the impact of change, the change itself & new requirements because of the change.

•     Implement resource plans in line with delivery and performance objectives, on budget and in partnership with specialised areas.

Governance

• Implement and use governance & compliance procedures & processes effectively to identify and manage risks and expose previously unknown liabilities.
• Understand and implement governance control processes and role segregation requirements in area of accountability.
• Implement risk management, governance and compliance policies and processes to identify and manage risks and expose liabilities

People

• Implement appropriate people capacity plans in line with delivery and efficiency targets, on budget and in partnership with specialised areas.
• Encourage and enable teamwork, by enabling collaboration with others and commitment to pursuing set goals.
• Build strong relationships through providing direction and leadership to own team and expressing positive expectations.
• Monitor and actively manage team performance to meet specified objectives against required targets, deadlines, and quality standards.

Finance

• Ensure team's adherence to specified policies, standards & procedures to prevent & reduce wastage on financial resources & escalate associated risk.
• Draw up a budget aligned to operational delivery plans, monitor and report on variances.
• Implement, manage, and report on cost improvement objectives and communicate or escalate any shortfalls.

Client

• Implement continuous improvements and shorter turnaround times in line with Service Level Agreements with stakeholders.
• Manage interdependencies to ensure input and output flow between all teams and divisions and external stakeholders.
• Contribute to a culture of customer service excellence, which builds positive relationships & provides opportunity for feedback & exceptional service.
• Develop and implement processes which builds client service delivery excellence and encourages others to provide exceptional service.

Behavioural competencies

• Developing Others
• Adaptability
• Fairness and Transparency
• Accountability
• Conceptual Thinking
• Championing the Mandate
• Influencing Others
• Mobilising Teams
• Driving for Excellence
• Leveraging Diversity
• Accurate Understanding
• Resilience
• Honesty and Integrity
• Trust
• Respect
• Problem Solving and Analysis
• Building Sustainability

Technical competencies

• Internal Investigations
• Functional Policies and Procedures
• Tax Knowledge
• Managerial Budgeting
• Search and Seizure
• Criminal Investigation
• Effective Business Communication
• Problem Analysis and Judgement
• Planning and Organising
• Decisiveness
• Business Acumen
• SARS Systems Products

Compliance Competency

• Confidentiality
• Collection and preservation of evidence and the chain of custody (investigations)
• Interviewing and interrogation (investigations)
• Testify in formal and criminal proceedings
• Investigative reporting
• Enforcement Knowledge
• Internal Investigations

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.