ASSISTANT DIRECTOR: S/DIR: ECD CENTRES – CONDITIONAL GRANT (DATA QUALITY MANAGER E-CARES) 3 YEARS CONTRACT

This is a three-year contract position at Assistant Director level within the Mpumalanga Department of Education, based at the Head Office in Mbombela. The successful candidate will serve as the Data Quality Manager for the eCares system, working within the Directorate responsible for Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres under the Conditional Grant programme. The role is essentially about ensuring that ECD data captured in the Early Childhood Administration and Reporting System is accurate, complete and consistent, and that this data is actively used to support planning, service delivery and decision-making across the province. It sits at the intersection of data management, user support, training and stakeholder collaboration, with a strong focus on improving data practices at both district and provincial levels.

Applicants need a SAQA-recognised three-year post-matric qualification at NQF Level 6 or higher in Data Management, Information Systems, Statistics, Social Sciences, Monitoring and Evaluation, or a related field. They must also have at least five years of relevant experience in data management, data quality assurance, monitoring or system support. Experience working with education sector data, such as EMIS, or with ECD programmes will be an advantage. The role demands solid knowledge of database management and business intelligence reporting, strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel and data validation, and familiarity with business intelligence tools such as Power BI or Tableau would be an additional advantage. The ability to support end-users in a helpdesk-style manner, good communication and stakeholder coordination skills, strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail and the capacity to work independently are all essential. A valid driver’s licence and willingness to travel provincially are also required.

The core duties involve monitoring and improving the accuracy, completeness and consistency of ECD data within eCares. This includes supporting district and provincial users with data entry, uploads, corrections and troubleshooting, conducting data quality checks and implementing improvement measures. The post holder will maintain records of discrepancies and resolutions, and help prepare routine provincial and district reports. A significant part of the work revolves around user training and capacity building, both virtually and in person, working with a provincial training team to reinforce the importance of accurate data entry and to share practical tips for improving data quality. The role also involves designing and implementing data quality and completeness reviews, managing user access, and resolving system usage queries. Importantly, the candidate will advocate for and train users to make the most of eCares reports and dashboards, promoting their use to support ECD operations and planning. The role requires close collaboration with national, provincial and district stakeholders to drive better data quality practices, and ensuring that reports and new plans are prepared with enough lead time for the necessary approvals.

The Mpumalanga Department of Education is committed to equal opportunity and affirmative action employment practices, and the filling of this post will be guided by the Department’s approved Employment Equity Plan. Preference may be given to candidates whose appointment promotes representivity in terms of disability, gender and race. All shortlisted candidates will be required to undergo two pre-entry assessments: a practical exercise testing technical and generic suitability for the post, and an integrity assessment on ethical conduct. The Department also reserves the right to withdraw the post at any time, to verify qualifications of recommended candidates, and to subject shortlisted candidates to a vetting process before appointment.