Purpose of Role
To oversee and direct all Drone and CCTV operations by leading the implementation of all policies and strategic decisions through the display of leadership and supervision of protection services Drone and CCTV operators, and the implementation of new Drone and CCTV technology in alignment with the South African law and aviation laws and Tharisa Minerals (TM) policies and regulations to protect infrastructure, people and assets.
To conduct and support all Drone and CCTV operations through the effective operation of drone and surveillance systems, ensuring compliance with all applicable South African legislation, aviation regulations, and Tharisa Minerals (TM) policies and procedures. The Drone Operator is responsible for the safe and efficient use of drone and CCTV technology to monitor, protect, and support the security of infrastructure, people, and assets, while contributing to the implementation and advancement of new drone and surveillance technologies.
Role Context
Operational Management
- Provide input to strategic security plans of the section by compiling comprehensive crime prevention plans related to drone operations and CCTV monitoring.
- Make recommendations about where policies, processes and/or procedures require amendment.
- Ensure the drone and CCTV procedures are in place and equipment are maintained.
- Ensure all buildings, stores, operational, stockpile areas and hot spot areas are patrolled with the drone, and that CCTV cameras are effective in all operational areas.
- Supervise the CCTV control room, CCTV operators, registers and daily CCTV activities.
- Emergency Response, create drone emergency response procedures and evacuation plans.
- Conduct monthly drone risk assessments and implement a drone risk assessment register.
- Conduct monthly CCTV risk assessments and implement a CCTV risk assessment register.
- Assist with preliminary investigations into security incidents including theft, breaches, safety violations and misconduct by overseeing the gathering of drone and CCTV evidence and collaborating with the Tharisa Investigation Team.
- Ensure compliance with the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights.
- Manage CCTV controllers of external Security Service Providers.
- Manage the Reporting of Crime and Intelligence timeously.
- Manage the implementation of advanced technology for drone surveillance and CCTV.
- Daily, weekly and monthly e-mail reports to the Operations Lead.
- Daily e-mail communication checks and operational feedback to the Operations Lead.
- Perform general administrative duties and/or any other duties as required by management
- Supervise CCTV and drone reviewing and real time viewing.
- Execute drone patrols and CCTV monitoring activities in accordance with approved security and crime prevention plans.
- Provide operational feedback and recommendations regarding drone and CCTV procedures, processes, and areas for improvement.
- Ensure the effective operation, care, and basic maintenance of drone and CCTV equipment, and report any defects or malfunctions.
- Conduct routine drone patrols of buildings, stores, operational areas, stockpiles, and identified hotspot areas, and monitor CCTV coverage to identify security risks and incidents.
- Monitor and maintain CCTV control room activities, registers, logs, and recordings in accordance with company procedures.
- Participate in emergency response activities and support the implementation of drone emergency response procedures and evacuation plans.
- Conduct pre-flight and operational risk assessments and ensure compliance with established drone risk assessment procedures and registers.
- Conduct routine CCTV operational assessments and report identified risks or deficiencies.
- Assist with preliminary investigations into security incidents, including theft, security breaches, safety violations, and misconduct by gathering, preserving, and submitting drone and CCTV evidence to the Tharisa Investigation Team.
- Ensure compliance with the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights during all drone and CCTV operations.
- Liaise with CCTV controllers and external Security Service Providers regarding operational requirements and incident reporting.
- Gather, record, and report crime and intelligence-related information accurately and timeously.
- Operate and support the implementation of advanced drone surveillance and CCTV technologies.
- Compile and submit daily, weekly, and monthly operational reports to the Operations Lead.
- Conduct daily communication checks and provide operational feedback to the Operations Lead.
- Perform general administrative duties and any other reasonable tasks as required by management.
- Conduct CCTV footage reviews, drone footage analysis, and real-time monitoring activities as directed.
Resource Management
- Provide input into required changes in resources (financial or non-financial) to enable the achievement of team and/or own objectives.
- Determine resource needs of the team and/or own area of work to achieve business outcomes.
- Monitor the use of assets and resources within the team and own area of responsibility, to ensure assets and resources are consistently and appropriately utilised and managed.
- Provide staff with day-to-day directions and tasks aligned with Departmental procedures, to enable the usage of less resources more efficiently.
- Manage and control Departmental overtime with a weekly overtime report to the Ops Lead.
People Management
- Create and maintain a conducive work environment by appropriately applying Human Resources policies and procedures to ensure optimum performance is realised for the benefit of the Department and, by extension, the organisation.
- Lead the team according to TM’s leadership principles and values throughout the entire employee life cycle (performance management, reward etc.) to ensure, inter alia, a high-performance culture.
- Coach, mentor and train teams and drive efforts to ensure adequate training and skills development is in place to improve employee performance.
- Manage a high-performance culture for the security department by providing critical and timely feedback (both positive and critical), enabling individuals to improve and work as effectively as possible to meet operational goals.
- Implement clear human capability and accountability frameworks within the security department in line with TM’s people management strategies.
- Lead the implementation of a performance management plan that optimises delivery and builds a culture of accountability, recognition and fairness.
- Manage, motivate and lead direct reports and undertake monthly performance reviews of all staff to ensure a consistent performance tracking and put development plans in place to create a high performing team and a conducive employee climate.
- Lead the identification and development of talent by ensuring adequate staffing, providing regular mentoring, coaching and training to ensure a competent and capable workforce in line with TM’s people strategies.
- Maintain a professional and productive work environment by adhering to Human Resources policies, procedures, and company values.
- Demonstrate Tharisa Minerals’ values, leadership principles, and code of conduct in all interactions and operational activities.
- Participate in training, coaching, mentoring, and skills development initiatives to maintain and improve operational competence in drone and CCTV operations.
- Take ownership of personal performance by actively seeking feedback and implementing improvements to enhance operational effectiveness.
- Maintain accountability for assigned duties and responsibilities, ensuring compliance with operational standards, procedures, and legal requirements.
- Contribute to a positive team culture by collaborating effectively with colleagues, contractors, and stakeholders to achieve departmental objectives.
- Participate in performance management processes, including goal setting, performance reviews, and development planning.
- Maintain the required certifications, licences, and competencies necessary to perform drone and CCTV operational duties.
- Support knowledge sharing and assist in the onboarding and familiarisation of new team members when required.
- Continuously identify opportunities for personal growth and professional development to contribute to the effectiveness of the Protection Services Department.
Financial Management
- Comply with all financial, Supply Chain Management (SCM) and other Tharisa Minerals (TM) regulations and policies by facilitating the right actions to reduce financial risk in the Department.
- Co-develop and manage the security department’s operational budget to ensure that the department’s strategies including procurement and maintenance of surveillance equipment, access control, CCTV and drones are adequately budgeted for.
- Lead the implementation of effective inventory control, financial control and management of costs to minimise expenditure and report on cost efficiency.
- Comply with all financial, Supply Chain Management (SCM), and Tharisa Minerals (TM) policies, procedures, and regulations when utilising company resources, equipment, and services.
- Ensure the responsible use, care, and safeguarding of drone, CCTV, and other surveillance equipment to minimise loss, damage, and unnecessary expenditure.
- Report equipment defects, maintenance requirements, and operational resource needs timeously to support effective planning and budget management.
- Maintain accurate records of equipment usage, maintenance activities, and inventory as required by departmental procedures.
- Support inventory control processes by conducting equipment inspections, reporting discrepancies, and ensuring accountability for assigned assets.
- Promote cost-effective operational practices by using resources efficiently and identifying opportunities to reduce waste and unnecessary expenditure.
- Adhere to procurement and asset management procedures when requesting, receiving, or utilising equipment and consumables required for drone and CCTV operations.
Stakeholder Relations
- Communicate with all relevant Departments on issues of the area of speciality. Liaise across the relevant Departments by engaging with the appropriate stakeholders to ensure all stakeholders remain abreast of Departmental objectives, any potential derailers are appropriately managed and duplication of work is avoided.
- Manage relationships with the community and relevant stakeholders to ensure safety of the mine’s infrastructure, assets and teams during planned protests and shutdowns.
Compliance, Risk and Safety
- Drive the adoption of the legal and compliance requirements by assessing staff and recommend training to empower and capacitate employees.
- Oversee the management of certification deviations and lead the addressing of the recorded deviations to ensure adherence to safety, risk and compliance regulations.
- Lead the submission and inspection of the occurrence books, drone and CCTV registers, security systems, risk registry, drone and CCTV equipment and assets to maintain an up-to-date record of events and mitigate recurring risk and safety issues.
- Lead the interdepartmental collaboration and coordination efforts to develop evacuation drills and escape route in case of emergencies and operational requirements i.e. blasting and lead the execution of the drills to mitigate risks and fatalities.
- Oversee ground and flight operations
- Perform pre-flight, in-flight, and post-flight safety checks
- Troubleshoot equipment issues
- Ensure compliance with all FAA regulations
- Drone Pilot Requirements and Qualifications
- Comply with all applicable legal, regulatory, and company compliance requirements relating to drone and CCTV operations and participate in mandatory training and competency assessments.
- Identify and report certification, licensing, and compliance deviations to the Operations Lead and take corrective action within the scope of responsibility.
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date occurrence books, drone and CCTV registers, flight logs, inspection records, and equipment documentation in accordance with company and regulatory requirements.
- Participate in emergency preparedness activities, including evacuation drills, emergency response exercises, and operational planning requirements such as blasting activities and other high-risk operations.
- Conduct and support ground and flight operations in accordance with approved operational procedures, risk assessments, and aviation regulations.
- Perform pre-flight, in-flight, and post-flight inspections and safety checks to ensure the safe and effective operation of drone equipment.
- Troubleshoot operational and equipment-related issues and report technical faults or maintenance requirements promptly.
- Ensure compliance with all applicable South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) regulations, aviation legislation, and Tharisa Minerals (TM) policies governing drone operations.
- Maintain all required drone pilot licences, certifications, authorisations, medical requirements, and competencies necessary to perform drone operations legally and safely.
- Adhere to all safety, risk management, environmental, and security requirements during drone and CCTV operations and immediately report any non-compliance or unsafe conditions.
- Participate in inspections, audits, and compliance reviews relating to drone and CCTV operations and provide the required documentation and records when requested.
Process and Technology
- Oversee the installation, monitoring and repairing of cameras and the security systems linked technology to ensure up to date feeds.
- Identify and assess opportunities for partnership policing and recommend relevant actions and initiatives to reduce all priority crimes.
- Provide guidance to staff regarding security actions during Employee Related (ER) related actions such as strikes and protests to mitigate risk and reduce property and asset
- Assist with the installation, operation, monitoring, and basic troubleshooting of CCTV cameras, drones, and associated security technology to ensure continuous and effective surveillance coverage.
- Monitor surveillance feeds and report equipment faults, coverage gaps, or technical issues requiring repair or maintenance to the appropriate personnel.
- Gather and report information relating to security risks, incidents, and crime trends to support partnership policing initiatives and crime prevention strategies.
- Participate in crime prevention and security operations aimed at reducing identified security threats and priority crimes.
- Support security operations during Employee Relations (ER) activities, including strikes, protests, and other industrial actions, by conducting drone surveillance, monitoring CCTV systems, and reporting security-related developments.
- Provide timely and accurate information to the Operations Lead and relevant stakeholders during security incidents to assist with risk mitigation and the protection of people, property, and assets.
- Maintain situational awareness during security operations and promptly report any suspicious activities, breaches, or emerging threats identified through drone or CCTV monitoring.
Qualifications:
Certifications:
- Remote Pilot License
- PSIRA Grade A
- Valid Driver’s License.
Job-specific experience:
- (1) One year of relevant experience
- Computer Literacy.
Inherent requirements
Must be medically fit
Closing date: 09 July 2026
Please note that, in line with our Employment Equity requirements, preference will be given to designated positions.
