Senior Business Analyst

Introduction NORTH-WEST UNIVERSITY (POTCHEFSTROOM CAMPUS)
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
POSITION NUMBER: SENIOR BUSINESS ANALYST
POSITION: N000026
PEROMNES GRADE: P7
EMPLOYMENT TYPE: PERMANENT APPOINTMENT Duties & Responsibilities

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION:

Manages a large scale of IT solutions that integrate across the business. Manage the planning of the requirement development process, determining priority for implementations across business areas. Responsible for the systematic and methodical investigation, analysis and documentation of all or part of an integrated business areas in terms of business functions and processes, and the information they use across solutions. Identifies and examines business needs, determining timely and effective solutions for business functions and processes. Solutions often include system development, consisting of process improvement and alignment, organisational change or strategic planning and policy development and ensure best practice. Ensures that all stakeholders have a shared understanding of the solution and how it will be implemented and manages the change of implementation.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Stakeholder Engagement

• Acts as a bridge between and across the business and IT teams.
• Build long-term relationships with stakeholders across multiple business areas, including senior management where needed.
• Influence and explain technical details to a non-technical stakeholder in a persuasive and convincing manner.

Implement Cost-Effective Solutions

• Determine if internal or external solutions exist and whether new solutions are feasible.
• Formulates, evaluates, designs and documents the underlying business solution architecture, conducts feasibility and risk assessments, writes proposals, and creates functional requirements for new solutions and processes according to approved standards and methodologies

Business Optimisation

• Review impacted business processes and work with business stakeholders to identify and make business process improvements that result in cost savings, higher quality, increased efficiencies, lower risk, and shorter cycle times

Documentation

• Establish comprehensive and applicable documentation throughout the solution implementation, addressing proposals, requirements, and business processes and flows, test and implementation plan
• Conducts post-implementation review.

Change Management

• Works with stakeholders and associated business units to reduce resistance and the effect of change.
• Involved in the preparation of change management plans, defining change management duties and creating an understanding across business areas when implementing new solutions.

Quality Assurance

• Establish acceptance criteria, effective testing plans and methods to satisfy the quality, success and auditability of any solution implemented.
• Conducts reviews.

Resource Management

• Optimal management of internal and external resources within cross-pollination teams in the development and implementation of business solutions.
• Accountable for project deliverables and decisions made by him/herself and subordinates.
• Responsible for the cost-effective use of the budget allocated to the project.

Cybersecurity

• Cybersecurity compliance

Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) (no more than 5%)

• Under health and safety law, each employee has the duty to take care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by the former's actions or omissions at work. Therefore, each employee must co-operate with management, OHS officials and colleagues to help everyone meet their legal requirements, whilst upholding and maintaining general occupational health and safety standards and practices

Desired Experience & Qualification

• A three-year bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or a related field (NQF Level 7)

DESIRABLE PROFESSIONAL STATUS:

• BA and BPM certification
• Certificates in project management
• Registration with the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA).

EXPERIENCE

• 5 years' experience in all aspects of solution development (requirements, analysis, design, development, testing, implementation, deployment, support, documentation).
• 2-5 years 'experience in working and managing Online Collaboration Platforms / Systems
• 2-5 years' experience in Knowledge of industry standards and best practices in solution architecture and design

KEY FUNCTIONAL/ TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES:

• Experience in the delivery of large scale and complex solutions.
• Experience in Business Process Modelling is recommended.
• Manage solution implementations using approved methodologies, SDLC and best practice concept.
• Working experience of data migration and integration tools.
• Conceptual knowledge of information technologies (e.g., relational databases, query tools, Java, JavaScript, UML, KAFKA and SOA, etc.) and methodologies (Agile/Scrum, Waterfall, Iterative development, TOGAF, Quality assurance principles).
• Must be able to work on simultaneous projects, across different environments and to meet multiple deadlines.
• Ability to understand business concepts and evaluate the impact of business changes on systems.
• Ability to learn new applications
• Knowledge of Higher education processes is recommended
• Microsoft Office Solutions such 365, Teams, Cloud, Exchange, Office Suites etc
• High-level Aptitude of Project Management at Technical, Human, Managerial, Reporting and Coordination Levels
• Hands-on experience and leadership in building and managing relationships with stakeholders, SLAs, OLAs, OLUs, SOPs, Contracts etc
• An All-rounder Technocratic and Strategic Thinker with an Above-average Technology-understanding in areas such as Hardware, Software, Networking, Storage, Telephony, Internet, Help-Desk Services and Service Delivery & Operations Support IT Structures/Dimensions, an IT Solutionist, et

BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES

• Stable, adaptable with high stress tolerance in a mature way
• Sound analytical, problem-solving, interpretive and presentation skills
• Required to challenge ideas, brainstorm with the team, come up with ideas on your own and in the group, develop proof-of-concepts and take projects from the start to finish and support them afterwards
• Rigorous and organised attitude to work; flexible in a rapidly changing environment with ability to multi-task on a continuous basis and think on your feet
• Strong mentoring/coaching skills
• Strong communication skills - both written and verbal - with the ability to engage with both internal and external stakeholders
• Team player with strong technical leadership and negotiation skills are essential
• The ability to work independently with little guidance to research and formulate a solution to a problem

REMUNERATION:

The annual total remuneration package will be commensurate with the level of appointment as advertised and in line with the NWU policy guidelines.

ENQUIRIES REGARDING JOB CONTENT MAY BE DIRECTED TO: Mrs Andiswa Msi Tel:

ENQUIRIES REGARDING RECRUITMENT PROCESS MAY BE DIRECTED TO:    Ms Dolly Lebepe, Tel:

CLOSING DATE: November 2025

PLANNED COMMENCEMENT OF DUTIES: As soon as possible

  

Kindly take note: applications must be submitted online through the official NWU vacancy website.

Incomplete applications and those submitted through any other platform will not be considered.

The University subscribes to and applies the principles of Employment Equity (EE) Act and is committed to transformation. Preference will be given to candidates from the designated groups, in accordance with the principles of the EE Act and NWU Employment Equity Plan.

 

The University reserves the right not to make an appointment. Communication will be limited to shortlisted candidates only.

If you are not contacted within two months from the closing date of this advertisement, please accept that your application was unsuccessful.

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