DIRECTOR: TRADITIONAL INSTITUTIONAL MANAGEMENT

This position is a senior leadership post within the Intergovernmental Relations and Traditional Institutional Management component, responsible for steering the provincial government’s support and oversight of traditional and Khoisan institutions. The Director will operate from Johannesburg and is accountable for ensuring that traditional councils, local houses, and the provincial house function effectively, lawfully, and in line with the applicable legislative frameworks. The role combines governance, financial management, rural development, land administration, initiation oversight, and the management of leadership disputes and claims. It is an all-inclusive remuneration package role that requires a strategic, hands-on approach to institutional support and public service compliance.

Candidates must hold a Matric certificate plus an NQF Level 7 qualification, recognised by SAQA, in Development Studies or a related field. At least five years of experience at middle or senior management level, specifically within Traditional and Khoisan Institutional Management, is required. The successful candidate must also produce a Senior Management Service (SMS) Pre-entry Certificate from the National School of Governance prior to appointment, and must be a South African citizen with a valid driver’s licence. Possession of a Certificate of Competency as a male or female initiate, issued by a recognised Senior Traditional Leader, will be an added advantage. The role demands a thorough understanding of the Customary Initiation Act, policy development and implementation, legislation processes, the institution of traditional leadership, customary initiation, the Public Finance Management Act, and broader public service processes.

The Director will provide governance and financial management support to traditional and Khoisan institutions, working with councils to prepare annual budgets, cashflow projections, and facilitate payments in accordance with the PFMA and its regulations. This includes reviewing quarterly financial reports, bank statements, and performance reports; ensuring that traditional councils and local houses sit at least once a quarter; reviewing minutes; and assisting institutions to implement their resolutions. Ensuring adherence to the code of conduct for traditional leaders, councils, and local houses under the Traditional and Khoi-San Leadership Act is a key responsibility. In addition, the Director supports rural development initiatives and land administration services, collaborating with councils, communities, and leaders to identify projects aligned with the Department of Agriculture’s support framework, assisting with land claims and restitution programmes, and setting up land administration systems that comply with legislative frameworks and government programmes.

The role also entails establishing and supporting the Provincial Initiation Coordinating Committee and a Provincial Initiation Monitoring Team as prescribed by law. This involves providing financial and administrative support, arranging regular training for committee members, monitoring teams, traditional surgeons, and principals, offering secretariat services for meetings and resolution implementation, and developing systems for processing initiation applications. Furthermore, the Director is responsible for establishing a Commission on Traditional Leadership Disputes and Claims, in collaboration with the Office of the Premier. This includes publishing the establishment in the provincial gazette, ensuring commissioners are approved, developing payment systems, providing secretariat support for hearings, registering claims and disputes, communicating with applicants, and implementing the commission’s recommendations with certification and publication of recognised leaders. Finally, the Director must establish and support traditional and Khoi-San houses and councils, ensuring compliance with legislative requirements for membership, swearing-in by a magistrate or judge, financial and administrative backing, training, infrastructure and tools of trade, quarterly sittings, and contribution to legislation and municipal by-laws affecting rural development and traditional communities.