ASSISTANT DIRECTOR: ROAD SAFETY

The Assistant Director: Road Safety position is based at Head Office in Johannesburg within the Traffic Management directorate of the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport. The role is central to the province’s efforts to reduce road crashes, improve pedestrian safety and promote responsible road use through education, coordination and collaboration. Working closely with internal teams, schools, communities, law enforcement and other government departments, the incumbent supports the implementation of the Gauteng Safety Strategy and ensures that road safety activities are aligned with national and provincial priorities. This is a supervisory and administrative post that requires strong leadership, planning and stakeholder engagement skills.

To be considered, applicants must have a Grade 12 certificate together with a relevant three-year tertiary qualification at Diploma or Degree level or equivalent, as well as at least three years of experience at an administrative or supervisory level within the road safety field. A valid driving licence for code A and EC vehicles is required, and candidates must have no criminal record or pending cases against them. The role demands a broad knowledge base, including the legislative and policy framework, the Road Safety Plan, project management, strategic planning, the Public Service Regulations and the Public Finance Management Act. Familiarity with the department’s strategic priorities and programmes is also necessary. Key skills include records and resource management, customer relationship management, performance and finance management, conflict and risk management, change and time management, as well as strong decision-making, networking, negotiation and interpersonal abilities. Written and oral communication, report writing, presentation, facilitation and public speaking are also essential for this position.

The main duties involve coordinating institutional arrangements for the effective implementation of the Gauteng Safety Strategy and aligning road safety activities within and outside the department. The Assistant Director will assist with implementing road safety strategies as directed by the national Department of Transport, focusing on schools and the general public. This includes public education through training road users and communities, community outreach programmes, road shows and promotional projects. The role also involves training Gauteng educators on road safety education and coordinating the Gauteng Pedestrian Management Plan with all stakeholders. The incumbent must develop and implement the operational plan for the regional office, manage staff performance and build capacity, recommend disciplinary hearings where misconduct is suspected, manage grievances according to prescribed procedures, and facilitate team building activities each quarter. Leave management, in-service training and monitoring formal training needs also fall under this role.

The position further requires monitoring and evaluating operational performance to ensure continuous alignment and development, managing the Performance Management and Development System, and ensuring proper record keeping, including minutes of meetings and monthly reports. Asset management, facility oversight and loss control measures are important, as is the management of the motor vehicle fleet, including monitoring vehicle costs and identifying staff involved in accidents. The Assistant Director coordinates stakeholder relations with other state departments, NGOs, road safety officials and law enforcement agencies, identifies risks and develops mitigation plans, and monitors monthly expenditure and inspection reports. Budget discussions, overtime planning, procurement management and responding to financial queries from head office are also key responsibilities. In addition, the role includes coordinating road safety projects with regional team leaders, drafting business and activity plans, managing project budgets and procurement, and compiling progress reports. The incumbent encourages road user compliance, coordinates formal, informal and non-formal education for different categories of road users, identifies key stakeholders and establishes partnerships to pursue common road safety interests. Participation in communication forums for law enforcement agencies is also required. This is a demanding role for a dynamic and dedicated professional committed to improving road safety outcomes in Gauteng.