ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER: ASSETS MANAGEMENT (X2 POSTS)

This position offers an excellent opportunity for a finance professional to take charge of asset management within the Financial and Management Accounting directorate of the National Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, based in Bedfordview. Two posts are available for an Administrative Officer specialising in assets management. The successful candidate will be responsible for the full lifecycle of departmental assets, from barcoding and registration through to physical verification, reconciliation, and eventual disposal, all while ensuring strict compliance with the Public Finance Management Act and Treasury Regulations. This is a hands-on operational role that requires close collaboration with asset coordinators, internal and external auditors, and other staff who need accurate asset information.

To be considered, applicants need a minimum three-year National Diploma at NQF Level 6 in Accounting or Financial Management, together with two to three years of practical experience in a finance environment. Beyond formal qualifications, the role demands strong client orientation and customer focus, the ability to manage and empower people, innovative service delivery thinking, and well-developed problem-solving and analytical skills. These competencies are essential because the role involves engaging with colleagues across the department, resolving discrepancies, and ensuring that asset records are always accurate and up to date.

The core duties are varied and detail-intensive. The officer will tag and label assets using barcodes or asset numbers, maintain records of vehicles received and reissued, and capture new assets into the asset register with the correct supporting documentation. A significant portion of the work involves periodic physical verification of assets to confirm their existence and condition, followed by reconciliation of the verification results against the asset register. Any discrepancies must be investigated, and ongoing follow-ups are required for unverified or missing items, with unresolved matters escalated where necessary. The role also includes coordinating meetings with asset coordinators to address verification outcomes, enforcing compliance, and ensuring that all asset-related documentation is properly filed.

The administrative officer will also process disposals of redundant, damaged, or lost assets in line with established processes, assist with loss reports, and ensure that disposals, transfers, and derecognition transactions are processed accurately in accordance with GRAP requirements. Regular reconciliations between the asset register, general ledger, and physical verification reports are a key responsibility, as is updating asset information such as location, custodian, condition, and useful lives. The position also involves administering the key management system, tracking asset movements including transfers and reallocations, responding to internal queries, and preparing monthly and quarterly asset management reports that highlight discrepancies and support corrective action.

The department is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, and preference may be given to appointable applicants from underrepresented designated groups in line with its equity plan. Persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Shortlisted candidates will be required to submit certified copies of their qualifications, identity document, and driver’s licence before the interview, and foreign qualifications must be evaluated by the South African Qualifications Authority. All shortlisted applicants will be subjected to screening and security vetting, including criminal records, citizenship status, credit worthiness, reference checks, and qualification verification. Applicants must complete all sections of the online Z83 form and attach a detailed CV with at least three contactable references; failure to disclose required information will lead to automatic disqualification, and late applications will not be accepted. Correspondence is limited to successful candidates, and those not contacted within three months of the closing date should consider their application unsuccessful. The department reserves the right not to make an appointment.