Manager: Audit

Position Reports to:

Sen. Manager: Audit

Division

Customs Border Ports of Entry

Location

East London, Eastern Cape

Advert Closing Date

30 September 2026

About the Position

An exciting opportunity is available for a energetic, self-motivated, and dynamic Manager in the Eastern Cape Customs Post Clearance Audit (PCA) team within Customs & Excise portfolio. The incumbent will be responsible for providing steward leadership and ensuring that Customs Compliance processes are executed with Customs & Excise legislation. Furthermore, the applicant must be able to work under pressure, have zero tolerance for corruption, be available to work flexible operational hours and remain professional in dealing with both internal and external stakeholders.

Job Purpose

To formulate tactical strategy and associated delivery plans related to a single practice area, by leading and managing an audit team to ensure effectiveness of audit operations across multi tax types, ensuring practice integration and operational implementation through the achievement of Audit objectives.

Education and Experience

Minimum Qualification & Experience Required

Bachelor's Degree or Advanced Diploma (NQF Level 7) in an audit-related field, with 8-10 years' experience in a Customs Audit environment, of which 3-4 years at junior management level.

ALTERNATE:

Senior Certificate (NQF 4) and 15 years related experience in a Customs Audit environment, of which 3 - 4 years at a junior management level.

Note:

The alternative qualifications and experience refer to the internal minimum requirements (internal staff of SARS).

Job Outputs:

Process

• Accompany auditors in interaction and engagement with Taxpayers, where required.




• Act as the bottom-line drivers of tactical implementation within the context of business unit excellence and performance improvement.




• Apply tight management of significant cases and escalated matters.




• Chair internal committee meetings.




• Critically review Audit files to ensure adherence to all quality and technical standards, as well as the requirements as per legislation.




• Direct, control, coordinate and optimise budgeted resources to meet specific objectives and deliver agreed results and productivity requirements.




• Enforce compliance management through adherence to technical standards and all relevant legal and SARS requirements.




• Ensure the development and implementation of a practice in alignment with operational policy and procedural frameworks.




• Implement tactical strategy and delivery plans through the development of operational activities, ensuring the achievement of operational targets.




• Manage significant cases, minimise the risks identified and assist in the development of tax and customs legislation where required.




• Own end-to-end audits conducted, including finalisation of objections and appeals.




• Plan for handling work outputs, pull together interdependent activities and specify priorities, standards and procedures to ensure tactical implementation.




• Proactively identify interconnected problems, determine its impact and use to develop best fit alternatives, implementing best practice solutions.




• Provide guidance and assistance to the team on audit cases.




• Provide periodic reports on performance against plan & progress on short-term initiatives & use to realign tactical plan and objectives appropriately.




• Recommend changes to optimise processes, systems, policies and procedures, and execute the implementation of change and innovation initiated by the organisation.




• Timeously communicate top-down policy modification, objective achievement progress and critical success factors to impacted stakeholders.




• Use the insights gained through integrated business reports to measure success and realign tactical strategy implementation objectives appropriately.

Governance

• Implement governance, risk and compliance policy in own practice area to identify and manage governance and risk exposure liability.




• Manage and or advise on the translation and application of policy in a specific functional area.




• Manage end-to-end audit governance processes.

People

• Develop and implement appropriate people capacity plans in line with delivery and efficiency targets, on budget and in partnership with specialised area.




• Develop and maintain a team that is capable for operating to their full capability and provide appropriate skills, knowledge and experience.




• Plan and implement enhanced organisational efficiency by identifying and addressing development requirements and providing tools for people resources.




• Translate performance expectations into specific metrics and goals to identify and provide effective services, solve problems and achieve objectives.

Finance

• Contribute to the development of divisional budgets to minimise expenditure aligned with divisional plans.




• Draw up a budget aligned to tactical delivery plans, monitor planned vs. actual, minimise expenditure and report on cost efficiency.




• Implement and monitor financial control, management of costs and corporate governance in area of accountability.




• Manage effective cost control of the core processes in line with targeted savings.

Client

• Build strong relationships and implement service level agreements that promote SARS with internal and external stakeholders.




• Develop and ensure implementation of practices which builds service delivery excellence and encourages others to provide exceptional client service.




• Drive service delivery goals and standards in support of business unit objectives.




• Manage an integrated service excellence culture, which builds rewarding relationships and provides opportunity for feedback and exceptional service.

Behavioural competencies

• Accountability (V) Level 3




• Fairness and Transparency (V) Level 3




• Honesty and Integrity (V) Level 3




• Respect (V) Level 3




• Trust (V) Level 3




• Problem Solving and Analysis Level 3

Technical competencies

• Business Acumen Level 3




• Business Knowledge Level 3




• Change Management Level 3




• Decisiveness Level 3




• Effective Business Communication Level 3




• Functional Policies and Procedures Level 3




• Managerial Budgeting Level 3




• Operational Audit Level 3




• Planning and Organising Level 3




• Planning, Management and Measurement Level 3




• Problem Analysis and Judgement Level 3




• Tax Compliance Auditing Level 3




• Tax Knowledge Level 3

Leadership competencies

• Ability to translate strategy into execution Level 3




• Concern for Impact of own behaviour on others Level 3




• Develops teams and nurtures interdependency Level 3




• Inspires others to Positive Action Level 3




• Nurtures Future Talent Level 3




• Stewardship and Service Orientation Level 3




• Strong Results Orientation Level 3




• Values and Manages Diversity Level 3

Compliance Competency

• Security Clearance: GOC Confidential

Employment Equity

The 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.