Technology Architect - Department of Information Technology Services

University of Pretoria; Pretoria; On-site; ZAR 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading South African educational institution is seeking a Technology Architect to define and establish the IT architecture across various levels. The successful candidate will oversee technology evaluations, manage security architecture, and ensure compliance of project deliveries. A strong background in Enterprise Architecture and significant experience in IT systems is essential. The role offers a competitive remuneration package along with benefits including healthcare contributions.

Benefits

50% contribution to medical aid schemes

Annual remuneration package based on appointment level

Qualifications

• Minimum six years’ experience with two years in management.
• Understanding of Enterprise Architecture frameworks like TOGAF.
• Experience in designing and operating IT systems.

Responsibilities

• Define and establish IT architecture across all levels.
• Manage the Project Start Architecture process.
• Conduct technology investigations for optimizing business objectives.

Skills

Knowledge of technology architecture discipline

Project / programme management capability

Analytical capability

Education

Honours degree / Postgraduate in relevant field

Bachelors / BTech degree

Tools

Modelling tool (e.g. System Architect / ARIS)

Job description

UP Professional and Support

DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SERVICES

TECHNOLOGY ARCHITECT

PEROMNES POST LEVEL 5

In pursuit of the ideals of excellence and diversity, the University of Pretoria wishes to invite applications for the following vacancy.

The University of Pretoria's commitment to quality makes us one of the top research Universities in the country and gives us a competitive advantage in international science and technology development.

Job Purpose

The purpose of the role is to define and establish the current, target, and future-state architecture across all levels of IT infrastructure software, ensuring alignment with architecture design principles and the University of Pretoria’s (UP) broader IT environment. The role also involves researching current and emerging technologies to identify solutions that best fit UP’s needs. It includes responsibility for risk management and mitigation, as well as oversight of the IT Security Manager.

Responsibilities

The successful candidate’s responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

• Set and describe architecture through technology roadmaps:
• Create an understanding of the enterprise, business system, business process, and industry to the team(s) supporting or interfacing with the technology landscape;
• Maintain current knowledge of all relevant technology developments and seek opportunities to deploy new technologies that benefit UP in a knowledge repository library;
• Map business requirements to technology capability, identify gaps and omissions in the end-to-end solution, and review on going and proposed projects to identify opportunities for reuse and process improvement;
  
  

• Manage the Project Start Architecture process:
• Compile and submit the Project Start Architecture documentation to the Enterprise Architecture Review Board for approval;
• Ensure compliance of project delivery to the agreed architecture;
• Review and integrate all requirements for the technology landscape, including functional, security, usability, performance, quality, and operations requirements;
• Review and integrate changes to the technical architecture for the development, execution, and operations environments;
  
  

• Technology investigations:
• Research and evaluate new technologies and trends, generating possible recommendations for use in supporting the business objectives for optimisation;
• Review and integrate changes to the technical architecture for the development, execution, and operations environments;
• Make final recommendations regarding hardware, network products, system software, integration, and security;
  
  

• Manage the security architecture function:
• Develop an information security architecture;
• Manage IT Security Manager and ensure that activities enhance the IT security of the University;
• Grow the maturity of the security architecture function, and the IT security environment;
• Manage the human resources function;
  
  

• Run the Enterprise Architecture process:
• Create architecture baseline, and define the complete technical environment;
• Consult with technical resources for methods, procedures, and standards to use during solution development;
• Contribute to the ITS strategic plan and budget;
• Manage and chair the Enterprise Architecture Forum, including documentation, collaboration space, meeting agenda/minutes, deviation processes and communication with the Architecture Board;
  
  

• Architecture diagrams:
• Obtain the relevant information for the development of architectural diagrams for all technologies or projects, which will be referred for approval and publishing;
• Contextualise the architecture diagrams within the installed-technology landscape;
• Integrate the architecture diagrams in the Project Start architecture.
  

Minimum Requirements

• A relevant four-year Honours degree / Postgraduate diploma in Computer Science, Information Systems, Electronic Engineering, or IT Management Sciences; with:
• A total of six years’ experience, with two years in management, in / as:
• An Enterprise / Solutions / Technology Architect, with a sound understanding of the theoretical body of knowledge for Enterprise Architecture (e.g. Zachman, Ross, TOGAF);
• Designing, building and operating IT systems (including IT infrastructure and applications);
• The Open Group Architecture Framework (TOGAF) Certificate, or equivalent architectural certification;
  

OR

• A relevant Bachelors / BTech degree; with:
• A total of eight years’ experience, with three years in management, in / as:
• An Enterprise / Solutions / Technology Architect, with a sound understanding of the theoretical body of knowledge for Enterprise Architecture (e.g. Zachman, Ross, TOGAF);
• Designing, building and operating IT systems (including IT infrastructure and applications);
• The Open Group Architecture Framework (TOGAF) Certificate, or equivalent architectural certification.
  

Required Competencies (skills, Knowledge And Behavioural Attributes)

• Knowledge of:
• The technology architecture discipline, processes, concepts, and best practices;
• Enterprise IT environments;
• Technical competencies:
• Technical documentation;
• Project / programme management capability;
• Business analysis;
• Computer literacy;
• Analytical capability;
• Behavioural competencies:
• Strong strategic planning capabilities (approaches and processes, tools, deliverables);
• Ability to:
• Manage change by providing the needed structure and environment for interactions to be effective;
• Develop strategic plans, organizational structures, and systems to fulfil legislative or mission driven organizational goals;
• Understand the impact of technological change on the organization;
• Manage resources, monitor activities and assess environmental risks and quality control associated with the program;
• Deliver presentations suited to the characteristics and needs of the audience;
• Build and maintain ongoing, collaborative, working relationships with co-workers to achieve the goals of the work unit;
• Identify opportunities and act to build strategic relationships between work unit, division or department and other groups (both internal and external) including local governments, stakeholders, the Legislature, or other organizations;
• Accomplish tasks and processes accurately and completely;
• Identify issues, obtain relevant information, relate and compare data from different sources, and identify alternative solutions;
• Understand what is happening in the industry in general and product roadmaps;
• Allocate resources, plan procurement, and oversee budgets and contracts to ensure fiscal stability of the organization;
• Act consistent with available facts, constraints, and anticipated consequences.
  

Added Advantages And Preferences

• A relevant MSc Degree, with
• A total of two years’ experience in:
• The use of a Modelling tool (e.g. System Architect / ARIS);
• Business Process modelling;
• Meta model definition and formulation for Enterprise Architecture;
• A research or applied research capacity;
• Exposure to project management;
• Control Objectives for Information and Related Technology (COBIT) certificate.
  

PLEASE NOTE: All shortlisted candidates may be required to participate in relevant skills assessments as part of the selection process.

The annual remuneration package will be commensurate with the incumbent’s level of appointment, as determined by UP policy guidelines. UP subscribes to the BESTMED and UMVUZO medical aid schemes and contributes 50% of the applicable monthly premium.

Applicants are requested to apply online at www.up.ac.za, and follow the link: Careers@UP.

In Applying For This Post, Please Attach

• A comprehensive CV;
• Certified copies of qualifications;
• Names, e-mail addresses and telephone details of three referees whom we have permission to contact.
  
  

CLOSING DATE: 13 August 2025

No application will be considered after the closing date, or if it does not comply with at least the minimum requirements.

ENQUIRIES: Ms V Makhubele, Email: [e-mail] , Tel: [phone] for application-related enquiries, and Mr Z Adam, Email: [e-mail], Tel: [phone] for enquiries relating to the post content.

Should you not hear from the University of Pretoria by 31 October 2025, please accept that your application has been unsuccessful.

The University of Pretoria is committed to equality, employment equity and diversity.

In accordance with the Employment Equity Plan of the University and its Employment Equity goals and targets, preference may be given, but is not limited to candidates from under-represented designated groups.

All candidates who comply with the requirements for appointment are invited to apply.

By applying for this vacancy, the candidates consent to undergo verification of personal credentials and related information including, but not limited to, qualifications, criminal record, credit record, current and historic disciplinary proceedings as part of the selection process.

The University of Pretoria reserves the right to not fill the advertised positions.