DEPUTY DIRECTOR–GENERAL, DISTRICT MANAGEMENT AND INSTITUTIONAL GOVERNANCE REF NO: LDOE 02/09/2026 : District Management and Institutional Governance

This executive position within the Limpopo Department of Education is responsible for the strategic leadership and governance of the entire District Management and Institutional Governance branch, based at the Head Office in Polokwane. The Deputy Director-General will operate at the highest level of the provincial education system, ensuring that schools and districts deliver quality teaching and learning in line with departmental priorities and statutory mandates. The role requires a leader who can bridge the gap between head office policy and district-level implementation, providing direction, oversight, and support to ensure accountability and service delivery across all educational institutions in the province.

Candidates must hold a post-graduate qualification at NQF Level 8 in Education, recognised by SAQA, and have at least eight years of experience at senior management level. The successful applicant will also need to obtain the SMS Pre-Entry (Nyukela) Certificate before appointment, possess a valid South African driver’s licence (with an exception for persons with disabilities), and be willing to travel extensively. The ideal candidate will have extensive professional and practical experience in education and curriculum matters, with a proven ability to develop policies and programmes that improve quality standards. Strong communication skills are essential, along with personal attributes such as confidence, trustworthiness, accuracy, adaptability, and diplomacy. The role demands a broad range of competencies, including strategic capability and leadership, people management and empowerment, programme and project management, financial management, change management, computer literacy, knowledge management, service delivery, innovation, problem solving and analysis, client orientation, negotiation, policy formulation, and analytic thinking. The ability to work under pressure is also critical.

The core duties of this position are wide-ranging and include providing executive leadership and governance oversight for the branch, as well as leading the development, implementation, monitoring, and reporting of strategic and operational plans. The Deputy Director-General will oversee institutional governance, quality promotion, and standards across schools and districts, and will provide executive oversight of learner social support programmes, including school sport, culture, psychological support, guidance services, and special projects. A key responsibility is ensuring effective coordination between head office and district offices to strengthen service delivery and accountability, while also monitoring and supporting district performance, planning, resourcing, and the efficient utilisation of resources. The role includes providing strategic direction for Education Management Information Systems, including data management and LURITS administration, to support planning, budgeting, and reporting. Additionally, the post oversees the management of Learning and Teaching Support Material and library services, and promotes compliance, good governance, performance management, and continuous improvement across all functional areas of the branch.

Applicants should note that this is a demanding senior management role within the public service. The successful candidate will be subjected to personnel suitability checks, including criminal record, citizenship, financial and asset record checks, as well as qualification and employment verification, and will also undergo security clearance processes. Applications must be submitted on the prescribed Z83 form, and only the Z83 and a CV are required at the initial stage; all other supporting documents are to be submitted by shortlisted candidates. It is important to be aware that applications using an incorrect Z83 form will be disqualified, and that photocopied or faxed documents are not accepted. Those who do not receive feedback within three months of the closing date should consider their application unsuccessful. This is an opportunity for a seasoned education leader to shape the governance and management of schools and districts across Limpopo, with a strong focus on quality, accountability, and support for learners and educators alike.