Job Description

Position Reports to: Deputy Commissioner: Taxpayer Engagement and OperationsDivision: Taxpayer Engagement OperationsLocation: Brooklyn, Head Office, PretoriaAdvert Closing Date: 23 October 2024About the PositionThe South African Revenue Service (SARS) is seeking a highly skilled and experienced professional to lead our Criminal Investigations division. This critical role requires a strategic and analytical thinker who can navigate the complexities of criminal investigations and law enforcement. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in these areas, demonstrating a deep understanding of the intricacies involved in investigating and prosecuting tax and customs-related crimes. Additionally, this role demands exceptional organizational leadership skills, with a proven ability to lead large teams, manage complex investigations, and drive strategic initiatives that align with SARS's mission and objectives.The Head of Criminal Investigations will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of criminal investigations within the organization. This includes fostering strong collaborations internally with other enforcement functions and externally with national and international law enforcement agencies, financial institutions, and regulatory bodies. These partnerships are essential for sharing intelligence, coordinating efforts, and ensuring that SARS's investigative practices are aligned with global standards. By working closely with these entities, the Head of Criminal Investigations will enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of SARS's operations, making a significant impact on the fight against tax evasion, fraud, and other financial crimes.If you are a dynamic leader with a passion for justice and a commitment to advancing the goals of SARS, we invite you to apply for this challenging and rewarding position.Job PurposeTo formulate and position Criminal Investigations value chain, operating model & frameworks in a broadly defined organisational strategy, by providing leadership in the formulation & implementation of strategies dealing with the investigation of serious tax & customs offences that may occur and resolve non-compliance in a manner most beneficial to SARS & the taxpayer population as a whole, in order to position & enable horizontal alignment, implementation & adoption.Education and ExperienceMinimum Qualification & Experience RequiredA relevant Master's or Honours degree is preferable with 8-12 years' experience least 5 years at senior management level#ALTERNATIVEMinimum Functional RequirementsSenior level experience in law enforcement or investigative work that focused predominantly on areas related to the criminal investigative role, including forensic auditing, accounting and business practices.Job Outputs:Process

• Champion policy frameworks and objectives with internal partners to ensure integration between functions in pursuit of strategic goals.
• Communicate a meaningful strategic context that articulates functional purpose in relation to the organisational vision, purpose and philosophy.
• Develop annual & longer-term resource plan and secure capacity to achieve divisional objectives consistent with long term strategic plan.
• Develop annual & long-term functional plans, set clear priorities and measurable milestones in line with divisional objectives.
• Develop functional operating model and align value chain to organisational objectives in partnership with relevant stakeholders.
• Interpret internal & external organisational changes, model change impact scenarios and introduce or adapt systems in alignment with strategic intent.
• Proactively identify interconnected problems, model alternative solutions, develop & establish contingency plans aligned to the divisional direction.
• Provide authoritative advice and guidance that supports the realisation of major organisational objectives in line with the SARS mandate.
• Provide periodic reports on performance against plan & progress on long-term initiatives & use to realign operating plan and objectives appropriately.
• Scan external environment, identify benchmarks and influence alternative operating plans or model to deliver on the SARS objectives and mandate.
• Use insights & knowledge gained from high level reports to conduct abstract, conceptual & comparative analysis to define functional strategy.
• Create the context to continuously improve all functions and systems in line with national, regional and international changes.
• Be responsive to change in order to influence and effectively manage associated functional acceptance.
• Ensure investigations on allegations or reports of intentional non-compliance in respect of legislation administered by SARS; transnational organised crime, smuggling, trade in prohibited goods relating to priority industries.
• To develop policies and procedures related to customs & taxation matters of a criminal nature dealt with by the functional area: Criminal Investigations. Such should take into consideration all legislation administered by the Commissioner for SARS and in accordance with the Constitution and the Criminal Procedure Act.
• To develop policies and procedures related to customs & taxation matters of a criminal nature dealt with by the functional area: Criminal Investigations. Such should take into consideration all legislation administered by the Commissioner for SARS and in accordance with the Constitution and the Criminal Procedure Act.
• To manage variables according to the procedure developed for criminal investigations.
• Implements the annual Compliance Program and the Operational Plan for the defined themes.
• To deal with all operational issues with reference to criminal investigations effecting regional investigations and matters arising from the office of the Commissioner or any other ad hoc issues.
• Develop, manage and coordinate the implementation of strategies to support and enable SARS enforcement mandate.
• Determine and prove liabilities, facts in dispute and collection of admissible, quality evidence so as to instate the most appropriate punitive action provided by law, thereby ensuring or enhancing compliance and reducing non-compliance.
• Fulfil an auxiliary support service to the law enforcement community to reduce levels of crime (statutory obligations e.g. SAPS Act, POCA, Drugs Act and International obligations), and provide tactical support for high-risk operations campaigns.

Governance

• Drive the development and implementation of integrated governance, risk and compliance frameworks.
• Ensure the consolidation of the risk profile for the area of accountability, manage critical risks and ensure feedback integration.

People

• Create a positive organisational climate & culture to energise and focus the function in order to optimise short term and longer-term productivity.
• Influence the development of clear human capability and accountability frameworks within functional area in support of people management strategies.
• Provide leadership and direction by articulating and reinforcing the vision or direction for the function.
• Communicate strategic context that guide best practice, foster an environment of continuous learning and improved employee engagement levels.
• Performance Management of staff for effective Employee Engagement & Performance Excellence
• Engagement with internal and external stakeholders to ensure effective management of interdependencies
• Inspires, motivates, leads and manages the team.
• Monitors employee performance throughout the year via informal and formal methods.
• Invests time in professional development of the individual and team.

Finance

• Ensure that the functional strategy is adequately budgeted for through the development and implementation of a requisite budget.
• Implement effective financial control, management of costs and corporate governance in functional area.
• Prepares Business Unit Resource plan.
• Accountable for the effective management of all financial and material resources within the Business Unit.
• Complies with all requirements of PFMA and relevant Treasury and SARS policies and regulations.

Client

• Define and influence relationships and service level agreements made with internal and external stakeholders.
• Ensure strategic representation of SARS and promote the enterprise with public service leaders and national, regional stakeholders.
• Build strong relationships with internal and relevant external stakeholders.
• Engagement with relevant stakeholders, intermediaries and representative bodies
• Establishing and maintaining effective customer relationships to understand customer needs, promote customer understanding of full product, systems, or services offering, and aligning to provide a solution. Ensuring a positive customer experience throughout the interaction process.

Behavioural competencies

• Accountability (V)
• Ability to translate Strategy into Execution
• Stewardship & Service Orientation
• Concern for Impact of own behaviour on others
• Nurtures Future Talent
• Strong Results Orientation
• Fairness and Transparency (V)
• Honesty and Integrity (V)
• Values and manages Diversity
• Inspires others to positive Action
• Develops Teams & Nurtures Interdependency
• Respect (V)
• Trust (V)

Technical competencies

• Business Acumen
• Criminal Investigation
• Decisiveness
• Effective Business Communication
• Functional Policies and Procedures
• Legal Advisory and Interpretation
• Managerial Budgeting
• Planning Management and Measurement
• Problem Analysis and Judgement
• Strategic Planning
• Tax Knowledge
• Value- Based Leadership

Compliance CompetencyGOC Top SecretEmployment EquityThe 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.

South African Revenue Service