DEPUTY DIRECTOR: CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT

The Deputy Director: Capacity Development is a senior supervisory role within the Capacity Development directorate of the Gauteng Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), based in Johannesburg. The position is central to strengthening the institutional capabilities of the province’s eleven municipalities, with a particular focus on implementing the scarce and critical skills strategy and supporting the pillars of local government capacity building. The role operates in a complex stakeholder environment, requiring close collaboration with the Local Government Sector Education and Training Authority (LG SETA), national CoGTA, municipalities, and other capacity-building partners. The incumbent will represent the department at various forums, including LG SETA engagements and DCOG meetings, and is expected to report on capacity building initiatives across the province.

To be considered, candidates must have a Matric certificate as well as an NQF Level 7 qualification in Human Resource Development, Human Resource Management, Industrial Psychology, or a related field recognised by SAQA. This must be accompanied by three to five years of supervisory experience at ASD level within a human resource development or capacity building environment. A Skills Development Facilitator certificate and an Education Training and Development Practitioner certificate are advantageous. The role also demands a valid driver’s licence and a broad set of competencies, including strategic thinking, stakeholder management, conflict management, communication, project management, MS Office proficiency, report writing, budget management, leadership, interpersonal skills, supervisory ability, planning and organising, risk management, and problem solving.

The duties are wide-ranging and hands-on. The Deputy Director will monitor and support the implementation of the scarce and critical skills strategy through municipal engagements, coordinate and facilitate meetings with municipalities, manage the relationship between LG SETA and municipalities, and represent both CoGTA and municipalities at relevant structures. The post holder will also provide technical support to municipal training and learning development units, ensuring that all eleven municipalities compile their Workplace Skills Plans and Annual Reports, and overseeing the skills audit process, including the development of audit templates and process flows. The role includes ensuring that Workplace Skills Committees function effectively and directing capacity building programmes through coordination, collaboration, and consolidation of sector initiatives. Soft skills training is another key area: the Deputy Director will develop materials, manage and coordinate training at various municipalities, and facilitate some of the sessions directly. Additionally, the role involves deployment functions at identified municipalities, particularly in relation to Pillar 5 on building institutional capabilities. This includes monitoring senior, critical and scarce vacancies, reporting on CoGTA-facilitated training, following up on South African Board for People Practice recommendations, leading Pillar 5 meetings, managing progress reports, and escalating challenges to both CoGTA and the municipalities concerned. The position also carries management responsibility for the sub-directorate, covering day-to-day operations, work planning and delegation, progress monitoring, weekly monthly and quarterly meetings, the skills development plan, the performance management and development system, audit findings and queries, and the review and submission of strategic and operational plans.

This is an all-inclusive package post, and shortlisted candidates will be expected to undergo pre-entry assessments, including a practical exercise and an integrity or ethical conduct assessment, with results used as an additional criterion in the interview process. Suitable candidates will also be subject to personnel suitability checks, including vetting, criminal record verification, citizenship checks, credit record checks, and qualification verification. Foreign qualifications must be accompanied by a SAQA evaluation certificate. The application process follows the standard public service requirements, including the completion of the new Z83 form and submission of a comprehensive CV; certified copies of qualifications are only required from shortlisted candidates. Correspondence is limited to shortlisted candidates, and applicants who have not been contacted within three months after the closing date should regard their applications as unsuccessful.