Job Description

The Department of Social Development, Western Cape Government (WCG) has an exciting employment opportunity or a dynamic, results-driven, and experienced professional who is passionate about creating a culture for people who have a passion for serving others to make a real difference in the quality of life of our citizens. The successful candidate will be responsible for providing business planning, performance monitoring, research and knowledge management services to the Department. This post is stationed in Cape Town.
Minimum Requirements

• An undergraduate qualification(NQF level 7) or higher qualification as recognised by SAQA;
• A minimum of 5 years' experience at senior managerial level;
• Public Service SMS Pre-Entry Programme Certificate upon appointment:

Note: A requirement for appointment is the successful completion of the Senior Management Pre-entry Programme for entry in the Senior Management Service (SMS). This is a Public Service specific training programme which is applicable for appointment at SMS level.
Recommendation
None
Key Performance Areas

• Strategic Management, Advice and Guidance: Provide strategic leadership, direction, and expert advice in the areas of strategy development, policy formulation, performance monitoring, communication, and knowledge management and in respect of the following functional areas to ensure integrated, responsive, and people-centred services:
• Strategy, Policy, Performance Monitoring and Communication Services:

• Coordinate and manage the strategic and operational planning processes for the Department in alignment with provincial priorities.
• Oversee the uniform funding cycle to ensure consistency, transparency, and alignment with departmental goals.
• Ensure departmental policies are aligned with broader government frameworks and provide support in policy development and review.
• Drive the performance monitoring, review, and reporting process to ensure accountability, improvement, and compliance.
• Provide corporate communication services and oversee the Department's customer care functions, promoting transparency and responsiveness.
• Research and Knowledge Management Services:

• Render population development services to inform provincial-wide and departmental planning.
• Plan, manage and coordinate ethical social and evaluation research.
• Manage and coordinate strategic knowledge resources and departmental records to support institutional memory and informed decision-making.
• Ensure the effective functioning and governance of departmental information systems and ICT governance processes in support of strategic objectives.
• Strategic Change Management: Lead change management initiatives within the Chief Directorate to align programmes and operations with evolving policy priorities and socio-economic needs.
• People Management: Lead and develop a multidisciplinary team, fostering a high-performance culture through coaching, mentoring, and performance management.
• Financial Management: Ensure effective financial planning, budget management, expenditure control, and compliance with the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) and related regulations.

Competencies
Proven knowledge and working experience of the following:

• Legislation, regulatory frameworks, policies and best practices that have a bearing on the line functions;
• Understanding of information systems that aid in the management of knowledge and information;
• Procurement and tendering processes;
• Policy development, and strategy management, monitoring and review processes;
• Global, regional and local political, economic and social affairs impacting on the provincial government of the Western Cape;
• Public Finance Management Act, National and Provincial Treasury Regulations, other financial policies, prescripts, directives and collective agreements;
• Labour Relations;
• Performance Management.

Core competencies:

• Strategic Capability and leadership;
• People Management and Empowerment;
• Programme and Project Management;
• Financial Management
• Change Management;

Skills:

• Project Management
• Accounting;
• Auditing;
• Economic, Financial and Statistical analysis;
• Legal Administration;
• Strategic Planning.

Remuneration
All-inclusive salary package of R 1 494 900 per annum (salary level 14).
Note: The remuneration package consists of a basic salary (70%) and the employer's contribution to the Pension Fund. The remainder of the package may be structured according to your personal needs.
Notes
Only applications submitted online will be accepted.
All shortlisted candidates must make themselves available to be interviewed at a date, time and place as decided by the department. Please ensure that you submit your application on or before the closing date as no late applications will be considered. The selection process will be guided by the EE targets of the employing department. Kindly note that technical support is only available from Monday to Friday from 8:00 to 16.00. Should you experience any difficulties with your online application you may contact the helpline at 086 137 0214.
All shortlisted candidates will be subjected to a technical exercise that intends to test relevant technical elements of the job, the logistics of which will be communicated by the Department. Following and technical exercise, the selection committee will recommend candidates to attend a generic managerial competency assessment (in compliance with the DPSA directive on the implementation of competency-based assessments).The competency assessment will be testing generic managerial competencies using the mandated DPSA SMS Competency Assessment tools. To be considered for nomination into an SMS post, you must complete the Senior Management Pre-Entry Programme. The purpose of the Senior Management Pre-Entry Programme, a public service specific training program applicable to all applicants aspiring to join the Department's Senior Management Service, is to ensure that potential SMS members have a background on SMS processes and procedures.
Furthermore, thank you to the huge public interest, we receive many applications for our posts, and as such will not be able to respond personally to all applications. Therefore, should you not hear from us within 10 weeks from close of advert please consider your application unsuccessful.

Skills Required