Senior Administrator: Data Analyst

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Role Purpose/Business Unit:

The Senior Administrator: Data Analyst is responsible for the day-to-day support, administration, and continuous improvement of Data Enablement platforms, with a primary focus on IBM DataStage. The role ensures the delivery of stable, secure, and efficient data services, while contributing to operational excellence, automation initiatives, and the progressive adoption and support of emerging data and cloud-based platforms

Your responsibilities will include:

• Maintain, administer, monitor, and support enterprise data platform applications, with a primary focus on IBM DataStage, while progressively expanding support capabilities across additional data and cloud-based platforms.
• Evaluate, test, and implement new application features, platform enhancements, and technology upgrades to improve service reliability, performance, and scalability across current and future data platforms.
• Optimize application performance, stability, and resource utilization to ensure efficient processing of data workloads and adherence to service level targets.
• Develop, maintain, test, and deploy automation scripts, workflows, configurations, and operational solutions to improve platform efficiency and reduce manual effort.
• Collaborate with developers, engineers, security teams, architects, vendors, and business stakeholders to deliver operational improvements, platform enhancements, and issue resolution.
• Present technical solutions, operational improvements, and platform capabilities to stakeholders, internal customers, and project teams.
• Troubleshoot and resolve application, database, and system incidents; develop corrective actions; document root causes; and monitor the effectiveness of implemented solutions.
• Produce incident reports, participate in major incident reviews and post-incident analyses, and drive actions that prevent recurrence and improve service resilience.
• Coordinate with vendors, Change Management, Cyber Security, Infrastructure, Customer Care, and other operational teams to ensure the timely resolution of production incidents and operational issues.
• Plan, execute, and support application upgrades, releases, deployments, and configuration changes in compliance with established Change Management and governance processes.
• Facilitate application testing, release validation, user acceptance testing (UAT), and performance testing activities to maintain a stable and reliable production environment.

• Contribute to capacity planning activities by monitoring performance, availability, storage utilization, and growth trends to support future business and platform requirements.
• Ensure the successful delivery of data, file transfers, ETL workloads, reporting services, and platform availability in line with operational service commitments.
• Manage and support application releases and production deployments across the Data Enablement technology landscape.
• Ensure secure connectivity and integration between DataStage, source systems, target systems, cloud platforms, and external interfaces while maintaining compliance with security standards.
• Support identity and access management processes, including onboarding, modification, and removal of user access, ensuring compliance with cybersecurity and audit requirements.
• Monitor, assess, and remediate application, database, operating system, and platform vulnerabilities in partnership with Cyber Security teams.
• Monitor and validate end-to-end data processing and file transfers to ensure complete, accurate, and timely delivery of business-critical information.
• Perform proactive system monitoring, health checks, operational reporting, and service management activities to maintain platform stability and availability.
• Participate in standby, after-hours support, and major incident response activities across supported applications and data platforms to ensure continuous service availability.
• Maintain operational documentation, standard operating procedures (SOPs), knowledge articles, and technical runbooks to support operational excellence and audit compliance.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives, automation opportunities, and operational transformation programs aligned to DevOps, AIOps, and Zero Touch Operations objectives.

The ideal candidate for this role will have:

Qualifications and Experience

• Grade 12 (Matric) is essential.
• Relevant qualification in Information Technology, Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related field will be advantageous.
• Relevant technical certifications will be advantageous.
• 2–3 years' experience in IT Operations, Application Support, or Data Platform Support.
• Experience supporting business-critical applications and production environments.
• Exposure to ETL tools, databases, and data integration technologies will be advantageous.
• Exposure to Agile or DevOps delivery methodologies will be advantageous.

Technical Skills

• Basic understanding of IBM DataStage or similar ETL/Data Integration tools.
• Working knowledge of SQL and database concepts.
• Understanding of Data Warehousing and Data Transformation principles.
• Basic knowledge of application support, incident management, and change management processes.
• Experience analysing logs, troubleshooting application issues, and resolving production incidents.
• Understanding of system monitoring and operational support activities.
• Basic knowledge of cybersecurity, user access management, and vulnerability management practices.
• Exposure to cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, or Azure) will be advantageous.
• Knowledge of telecommunications systems and data platforms will be advantageous.

AI and Digital Enablement

• Demonstrates the ability to effectively adopt and utilise AI-enabled tools, digital technologies and automation capabilities to improve personal productivity, quality and service delivery.
• Applies data-driven and technology-enabled approaches to solve business problems and improve operational outcomes.
• Maintains awareness of emerging technology and AI trends and contributes ideas that improve processes, customer experience and operational effectiveness.
• Demonstrates AI fluency and literacy through the ability to effectively use, evaluate and govern AI-enabled tools and solutions, applying them responsibly to improve business outcomes, productivity and decision-making.

Behavioural Competencies

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Attention to detail and accuracy.
• Good communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Ability to work effectively within cross-functional teams.
• Strong planning, organisation, and time management skills.
• Self-motivated with a willingness to learn new technologies.
• Ability to work under pressure and manage multiple priorities.
• Innovative mindset with a focus on continuous improvement.
• Customer-focused and service-oriented approach.

We make an impact by offering:

• Enticing incentive programs and competitive benefit packages
• Retirement funds, risk benefits, and medical aid benefits
• Cell phone and data benefits, advantages fibre connection discounts, and exclusive staff discounts offered in collaboration with partner companies

Closing date for Applications: 14 August 2026 

The base location for this role is Midrand, Vodacom Campus. 

The company's approved Employment Equity Plan and Targets will be considered as part of the recruitment process. As an Equal Opportunities employer, we actively encourage and welcome people with various disabilities to apply.
Vodacom is committed to an organisational culture that recognises, appreciates, and values diversity & inclusion.