DataPower Application Consultant (Data & AI Applications)

The DataPower Application Consultant is responsible for architecture, implementing, configuring, and supporting IBM DataPower Gateway solutions within SARS's Data & AI Applications environment. This role ensures secure, high‑performance integration across SARS systems, APIs, and data platforms, while supporting key digital transformation, compliance, and data-driven initiatives.

The consultant will work closely with enterprise architects, security teams, API developers, and data engineering teams to design and maintain secure API gateways, automation workflows, and integration frameworks aligned with SARS standards.

2. Key Responsibilities

2.1 Application & Integration Development

• Design, implement, and configure services using IBM DataPower Gateway (Xi52, IDG, v10) .
• Develop and maintain API proxies, transformations (XSLT), cryptographic services, and routing policies .
• Enable integration between SARS internal systems, external partners, and cloud platforms.

2.2 Security & Compliance

• Implement strong security controls:
  • TLS/SSL configuration
  • OAuth2.0 / OpenID Connect
  • JWT validation
  • Mutual authentication
  • Web Services Security (WS-Security)
• Ensure compliance with SARS Cybersecurity and Information Governance policies.

2.3 Platform Support & Administration

• Manage DataPower appliances (physical and virtual) including backups, firmware upgrades, and monitoring.
• Troubleshoot gateway issues and root cause analysis for integrations and APIs.
• Optimism performance through caching, load balancing, and resource tuning.

2.4 Continuous Improvement

• Contribute to DevOps practices using CI/CD pipelines (Azure DevOps, Jenkins, or similar).
• Document solutions, deployment strategies, and standards.
• Support the modernization of legacy integration patterns into API-driven, cloud‑ready architecture.

2.5 Collaboration

• Work with cross-functional teams across Data Engineering, AI/ML, Security, Business Analysts, and Application Support.
• Engage with stakeholders to gather requirements and provide technical guidance

Requirements

3. Minimum Requirements

3.1 Qualifications

• National Diploma or Degree in:
  • Information Technology
  • Computer Science
  • Software Engineering
  • OR equivalent industry experience
• IBM DataPower certification (advantageous).

3.2 Experience

• 5+ years in application integration or API gateway solutions.
• 3+ years hands-on with IBM DataPower development and administration.
• Strong experience in:
  • XML, XSLT, XQuery
  • REST/SOAP APIs
  • JSON, YAML, WSDL
• Experience with secure integrations in regulated environments (financial, government, telecoms, etc.).

3.3 Technical Competencies

• IBM DataPower appliances (physical/virtual/containerized)
• API Management platforms (IBM API Connect an advantage)
• Web service security and cryptography
• Linux/Unix environments
• DevOps tooling: Git, CI/CD
• Logging & monitoring: Splunk, Dynatrace, ELK
• Knowledge of Cloud (Azure/AWS) beneficial

4. Behavioral Competencies

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Stakeholder engagement and requirement interpretation
• High attention to detail and commitment to secure practices
• Ability to work independently and in cross-functional teams

5. Key Deliverables

• Fully configured and secured DataPower integration services
• Stable, high-performance API gateways
• Documentation of policies, services, and deployment processes
• Compliance with SARS security, audit, and architecture standards
• Reduced integration downtime and improved service reliability

6. Additional Requirements

• May be required to undergo background, security, or clearance checks.
• Availability for after-hours support, when necessary.