DEPUTY DIRECTOR: MFMA IMPLEMENTATION AND CAPACITY BUILDING

This position is for a Deputy Director responsible for the implementation of the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA) and related capacity-building initiatives. The successful candidate will be based in Johannesburg and will work within the Municipal Finance Management directorate of the Department of Community Safety. The role sits at a junior management level and is central to ensuring that municipalities within the department’s oversight remit adhere to the financial management and annual reporting frameworks prescribed by the MFMA. The incumbent will act as a key coordinator between the department, municipalities and other stakeholders, with the aim of strengthening compliance and overall financial governance in the local government sphere.

To qualify, applicants must hold a three-year tertiary qualification at NQF Level 7 in Accounting, Financial Management, Public Finance, Public Administration, Economics, Local Government Finance, Auditing, Commerce or a related field. In addition, the role requires between three and five years of experience at junior management level (ASD) within an accounting environment, specifically involving municipal oversight, MFMA compliance monitoring, capacity building, stakeholder coordination and support interventions. This combination of formal study and practical exposure is essential for understanding the complexities of municipal finance and for providing credible guidance to municipalities.

The core duties are varied and demanding. The Deputy Director will monitor compliance with the financial management and annual reporting framework across the relevant municipalities, and coordinate MFMA implementation and policy support. This includes monitoring, supporting and reporting on the implementation of the MFMA and its supporting regulations. A significant portion of the work involves coordinating and engaging with stakeholders to enhance MFMA compliance, as well as coordinating and monitoring municipal capacity-building programmes. The role also entails the management of resources, meaning the post holder will be responsible for overseeing staff, budgets and other operational assets within the unit.

Shortlisted candidates should be aware of the selection process. All shortlisted applicants will be required to undergo two pre-entry assessments: a practical exercise and an integrity (ethical conduct) assessment. These will be scored and used as additional criteria during the interview process. Suitable candidates will also undergo personnel suitability checks, which include vetting, criminal record checks, citizenship verification, credit record checks, qualification verification and employment verification. The department strongly encourages youth, people with disabilities, and candidates from designated groups, including coloured, Indian and white applicants, to apply. Applicants with disabilities must attach a confirmation certificate from a registered medical practitioner. The department reserves the right not to make an appointment, and the placement of the successful candidate will depend on corridor coordination and departmental needs. Applications must be submitted using the prescribed new Z83 form, accompanied by a comprehensive CV; only shortlisted candidates will need to submit certified copies of qualifications. Foreign qualifications must be accompanied by a SAQA evaluation certificate. Note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted, and if no response is received within three months of the closing date, applicants should accept that their application was unsuccessful.