SITA SOC is the State Information Technology Agency, a South African government-owned company (SOC stands for “State-Owned Company”). Established in 1999, it was created to consolidate and coordinate the state’s information technology resources. SITA’s mandate is to manage the procurement and delivery of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) services for the South African government. Its mission is to provide efficient, cost-effective, and integrated ICT services to the public sector to improve service delivery and citizen convenience. 

Purpose of Job:

• To lead, manage, and govern the Big Data, Analytics, and Artificial Intelligence Programme within the Application Development and Maintenance Division, ensuring the effective delivery of integrated data governance, analytics, AI and machine learning solutions, and enterprise reporting. The role enables data-driven decision-making, regulatory compliance, and the development of smart, data-enabled communities, aligned with organisational strategy, publicsector mandates, and approved programme and governance frameworks.

Key Performance Areas:

• Initiate, plan, and govern the Big Data, Analytics, Artificial Intelligence, and Machine Learning Programme in accordance with approved programme and project management methodologies.
• Direct and manage programme execution to ensure the successful delivery of all subsidiary data governance, analytics, AI, machine learning, and smart community initiatives.
• Oversee the implementation and operationalisation of enterprise data governance and AI governance frameworks, including data ownership, stewardship, quality, standards, ethics, model lifecycle management, and responsible AI practices.
• Ensure compliance with applicable legislation, policies, and standards, including POPIA, data security and privacy requirements, AI-related ethical guidelines, and public-sector governance frameworks.
• Coordinate and manage programme interdependencies across business units, ICT teams, data and enterprise architecture, information security, innovation units, and external partners.
• Plan, allocate, and optimise financial, human, and technical resources, including data platforms, analytics tools, AI/ML capabilities, and smart community technologies.
• Consolidate, monitor, and control programme performance to ensure delivery within approved scope, budget, timelines, quality standards, and measurable data-driven outcomes.
• Provide strategic leadership and value realisation oversight by translating organisational priorities into a coherent data, analytics, and AI programme roadmap.
• Manage integrated change control, configuration management, and risk management across the programme, including risks related to data quality, AI models, and emerging technologies
• Oversee programme risk management, document and records management, ISO compliance, internal audit reporting, and ERP-related transactions.
• Prepare and present programme reports, dashboards, and assurance documentation to executive and governance forums.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Minimum: 3-Year National Diploma or Degree in a relevant discipline at a minimum of NQF Level 6. Relevant  disciplines include Information Systems, Information Technology, Data Management, Business Management, or related fields.
• Certification: Data governance, data management, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning or data analytics- related certifications (advantageous)
• Experience: A minimum of 8–10 years’ working experience in complex related project or programme Management environments. Demonstrated experience managing data governance, analytics, or data- enabled programmes within large organisations.
• At least 4 years in a leadership role managing complex programmes or portfolios.
• At least 4 years’ experience in a public and/or private sector ICT environment.
• Experience in governance-related functions, including risk management, internal audit reporting, document and configuration management, and ERP transaction management.