ASSISTANT DIRECTOR: ECD: DATA QUALITY ASSURANCE OFFICER

This position is for an Assistant Director: Early Childhood Development Data Quality Assurance Officer, a three-year contract post within the Western Cape Education Department’s Early Childhood Development Directorate, based in Cape Town. The role is central to safeguarding the integrity of ECD information captured in the department’s eCares system – the Early Childhood Administration and Reporting System – which underpins provincial planning, service delivery and reporting. The successful candidate will report directly to the provincial EMIS head and work closely with the ECD Directorate, forming a vital link between data systems, provincial and district users, and national stakeholders.

Candidates must hold 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 discipline, with a relevant postgraduate qualification serving as an added advantage. A minimum of five years of experience is required in data management, data quality assurance, monitoring or system support. Direct experience with education sector data, such as EMIS, or within ECD programmes, would be beneficial. The role demands strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including data validation, and familiarity with Business Intelligence tools such as Power BI or Tableau is advantageous. A sound grasp of basic database and reporting processes is essential, along with the ability to support end-users through helpdesk-style guidance. Good verbal and written communication, stakeholder coordination, problem-solving skills, meticulous attention to detail, and the capacity to work independently are all essential. A valid driver’s licence and a willingness to travel provincially are also required.

The core duties involve monitoring and improving the accuracy, completeness and consistency of ECD data in eCares. This includes supporting district and provincial users with data entry, uploads, corrections and troubleshooting; conducting data quality checks; and implementing improvement measures. The incumbent will maintain detailed records of discrepancies, their resolutions, and reporting artefacts, and will support the preparation of routine provincial and district reports. A significant portion of the work focuses on capacity building: conducting and supporting user training, both virtually and in person, in collaboration with the provincial training team. The candidate will reinforce the importance of accurate data entry, share practical tips for better data quality, and design and implement data quality and completeness reviews.

Beyond training, the role involves actively promoting the use of eCares reports and dashboards to support ECD operations and planning. This includes advocating for data-informed decision-making at district and provincial levels, assisting with user access management, and responding to system usage queries. The Assistant Director will collaborate closely with national, provincial and district stakeholders to drive improved data quality practices and will ensure that all reports and plans are prepared with sufficient lead time to obtain the necessary approvals. This is a demanding, systems-focused position that requires a proactive approach to data stewardship, stakeholder engagement and continuous improvement. As a provincial government post, the role offers the opportunity to meaningfully shape early childhood development services through reliable data, while the contract nature and travel requirement should be carefully considered by prospective applicants. Application details and further information are available via the Western Cape Education Department’s official online application process, as set out in the relevant public service circular.