Applicants with basic literacy and relevant operational experience can apply for a SARS General Assistant Level 1 fixed-term position at the Vioolsdrift Land Border Post in the Northern Cape.
The role combines office cleaning and meeting support with broader facilities duties such as general port maintenance, water plant support, sewerage plant support and minor plumbing and electrical work.
Applications close on 7 October 2026.
What will you do as a General Assistant?
Your main responsibility will be to support the daily upkeep and operation of the SARS workplace at the Vioolsdrift border post.
Your duties include:
- Cleaning offices and work areas
- Preparing tea and refreshments
- Supporting meetings and functions
- Assisting with general port maintenance
- Assisting with water plant maintenance
- Assisting with sewerage plant maintenance
- Assisting with minor plumbing work
- Assisting with minor electrical work
- Reporting problems and shortfalls
- Completing assigned work within required time and quality standards
The position therefore combines cleaning, hospitality support and basic facilities maintenance.
How important is cleaning in the role?
Cleaning is one of the core responsibilities.
You will need to perform cleaning duties according to agreed quality standards and within the required time.
This means keeping work areas clean and usable while following the procedures and service standards set for the site.
Will you prepare refreshments?
Yes. You may need to prepare tea and other refreshments for meetings and functions.
This adds a workplace hospitality element to the role and requires you to support internal staff and visitors professionally.
What maintenance work will you support?
The position includes practical support beyond normal office cleaning.
You may assist with:
- General port maintenance
- Water plant maintenance
- Sewerage plant maintenance
- Minor plumbing work
- Minor electrical work
You will work within your assigned responsibilities and report problems that require further attention.
Why is experience at a border post or remote facility useful?
SARS requires experience in environments such as:
- Land border posts
- Ports of entry
- Airports
- Remote operational facilities
These environments can have different operational requirements from a normal office.
You may need to work around site infrastructure, restricted areas and specialised facilities while following established procedures.
How does Occupational Health and Safety fit into the job?
You need working knowledge of Occupational Health and Safety requirements.
This is especially important because the role can involve cleaning activities, maintenance support and work around operational infrastructure.
You will need to use resources correctly, follow instructions and report hazards or problems when they arise.
Who can apply?
The education requirement is:
- Basic literacy
You also need:
- Experience working at a land border post, port of entry, airport or remote operational facility
- Working knowledge of Occupational Health and Safety requirements
The role therefore places strong emphasis on practical experience and workplace awareness rather than formal academic qualifications.
How will you manage your daily work?
You will be expected to organise your own tasks within your area of responsibility.
This includes:
- Planning daily activities
- Completing work on time
- Reporting progress
- Identifying problems
- Escalating shortfalls
- Adjusting to changes in work processes
Good organisation is important because several different facilities and support tasks may need attention during the same working day.
What standards will you need to follow?
You will need to comply with governance, quality and operational requirements.
This includes:
- Following workplace procedures
- Protecting organisational resources
- Reporting problems
- Reducing mistakes
- Maintaining service standards
- Supporting cost control
You will also need to respect confidentiality requirements where applicable.
Which personal qualities will help?
SARS identifies several behavioural competencies for the role.
Useful qualities include:
- Accountability
- Attention to detail
- Honesty
- Integrity
- Respect
- Trust
- Willingness to learn
- Organisational awareness
- Analytical thinking
These qualities are important because you will be working inside a regulated government environment.
What technical skills are useful?
The role also uses skills in:
- Administrative support
- Data collection
- Efficiency improvement
- Basic business knowledge
- Meeting and task coordination
You do not need to be a specialist in these areas, but you should be willing to learn and support the wider operation.
Will there be screening before appointment?
Successful candidates may be required to complete several pre-employment processes.
These can include:
- Oath of secrecy
- Pre-employment screening
- Case study
- Pre-assessment
- Psychometric assessment
- Vetting
- Declaration of private interests
- Reference checks
- Security clearance where applicable
This reflects the confidentiality and security requirements of working within SARS.
Where is the position based?
The position is based at the Vioolsdrift Land Border Post in the Northern Cape.
Organisation: SARS
Position: General Assistant Level 1
Requisition ID: 11610
Division: Taxpayer Engagement
Reports to: Coordinator Facilities
Employment: Fixed-term contract
Closing date: 7 October 2026
How do you apply?
Applications must be submitted online through the SARS careers platform.
Apply for the SARS General Assistant position
Make sure your application is submitted before 7 October 2026.
