Home affairs is hiring fit, capable, and `highly patriotic individuals` to protect SA`s borders

Source: Business Insider, 28/02/2022

The department of home affairs is looking for `highly patriotic` South Africans, trained in public security, to work within the recently formed Border Management Authority (BMA).
South Africa`s Border Management Authority Act was signed into law by President Cyril Ramaphosa in July 2020. The Act aims to manage the legitimate movement of people and goods through ports of entry, while tightening the security of South Africa`s porous borders.
To do this, the BMA needs money â€` around R8 billion, at last count â€` and a battalion of competent border guards. The department of home affairs, custodian of the BMA until April 2023, is looking to hire at least 200 personnel to patrol South Africa`s borderline and inspect ports of entry.
`We are looking for committed, passionate, talented, ethical, and highly patriotic individuals to form part of the new project of border law enforcement under the Border Management Authority,` noted a human resources circular issued by the department of home affairs on Tuesday.
Only South African citizens â€` with no prior criminal convictions â€` will be considered for the job. All applicants need to have training in a public security environment, like the military, police, or community policing services. `Strenuous physical activity` is part of the border guard`s job, and shortlisted candidates will be put through their paces during a physical assessment.
Most of the jobs on offer â€` 182 positions of the 200 listed in the circular â€` are for regular border guards. Applicants need to have a Grade 12 Certificate and firearm competency. A valid driver`s license will be an added advantage.
A regular border guard`s duties include safeguarding evidence, conducting arrests, searching people, luggage, and vehicles at roadblocks, and responding to electronic sensor alarms in remote areas. These regular BMA border guards can expect a basic salary of R211,713 to R249,378 per annum, along with a `range of competitive benefits.`
Home affairs is also looking for 13 senior border guards who will lead teams on borderline operations from centres at Beitbridge, Lebombo, Kosi Bay, and Ficksburg border posts.
These senior guards need to have an undergraduate qualification in a security-related field at NQF Level 6 as recognised by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). They`ll also need a minimum of two years` experience of command and planning in the public security environment.
Successful candidates will be responsible for inspecting temporary holding cells, monitoring the CCTV systems when required, overseeing personnel placement, training, development, performance, and discipline, and compiling reports on borderline operations. That`s in addition to most work undertaken by regular border guards.
Senior BMA guards can expect to earn between R261,372 to R307,890 per annum.
Five chief border guards â€` also referred to as group or platoon commanders â€` are also being sought by home affairs. Like the senior guards, these platoon commanders also require an undergraduate qualification in a security-related field at NQF Level 6 but need at least three years` experience in commanding, planning, and executing security operations.
In addition to the NQF Level 6 qualification, successful candidates need to have leadership qualifications in commanding staff.
Chief border guards will be responsible for exercising `full command and control at team level to ensure efficient and effective border operations.` They`re also tasked with conducting interviews and interrogations, ensuring operational readiness of the team for borderline activities, and enforcing the BMA dress code.
These platoon commanders will get a basic salary of R321,543 to R378,765 per annum.
Applications for these jobs need to be submitted to the department of home affairs before 1 March 2022.
www.samigration.com