COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT POLICY MANAGER: YOUTH DEVELOPMENT

This is a senior managerial role within the Provincial Office in Kimberley, tasked with leading a dedicated policy unit focused on community development, with a specific emphasis on youth development. The position, which is graded according to the Occupation Specific Dispensation, requires a candidate who can strategically shape the department’s policy landscape while also driving practical, integrated development interventions at community level. The manager will be expected to work hand-in-hand with communities, government partners and other stakeholders to ensure that development initiatives are not only well designed but also effectively implemented through the economical and efficient use of available resources. This is a policy leadership post, meaning the incumbent must balance high-level strategic thinking with hands-on management of staff, budgets and research projects.

To be considered, applicants must hold an appropriate NQF Level 7 bachelor’s degree in Community or Youth Development, Development Studies, or the Social Sciences. In addition, a minimum of ten years of recognisable experience in community development is required after obtaining that qualification, and this experience must include at least five years at a supervisory or middle management level. A valid motor vehicle driver’s licence is essential. Beyond these formal requirements, the role demands a wide range of competencies, including strong communication, report writing, facilitation, coordination and liaison skills. The successful candidate will also need well-developed networking, interpersonal, leadership and analytical abilities, as well as diplomacy, change and knowledge management expertise. Sound people management, financial management, problem solving, planning and organising, and time management skills are expected, together with the capacity to work as a team player and to contribute to strategic planning, policy analysis and policy development.

The core duties revolve around managing the identification, facilitation and implementation of integrated development interventions in partnership with communities and other relevant stakeholders, using resources efficiently, effectively and economically. The position further involves managing the community development policy unit to ensure that legislative policies and procedures are developed through the optimal use of human resources. This includes managing the development of policies for rendering community development services within the department, staying abreast of new developments in both community development and management, planning and ensuring that community development policy research is undertaken, and personally undertaking complex community development research. In essence, the role is both a policy architect and an operational manager, ensuring that the department’s youth development and community development frameworks remain current, relevant and responsive to real needs.

Several important conditions apply to this vacancy. Only online applications are accepted, and applicants must submit a completed Z83 form along with a detailed CV in PDF format via the specified online link. Shortlisted candidates will need to provide certified copies of their qualifications, identity document and driver’s licence before or on the day of the interview. Social service professionals are also required to produce proof of registration with the South African Council for Social Service Professions, as well as a certificate of service for recognition of previous experience. Foreign qualifications must be evaluated by the South African Qualification Authority. All shortlisted candidates, including those at SMS level, will undergo two pre-entry assessments: a practical exercise and an integrity assessment, with the technical exercise being scored as an additional criterion during the interview process. Selected candidates will be subject to a personnel suitability check, including criminal record, citizenship, qualification and previous employment verification, as well as security clearance. A probation period of twelve months applies, and all interviews will be conducted at the Provincial Office in Kimberley. If no feedback is received within three months of the closing date, applicants should assume their application was unsuccessful.