ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER: NATIONAL SALARY CONTROLLER

This position is for an Administrative Officer specialising as a National Salary Controller, based at the National Head Office of the Department of Correctional Services. The role sits within the PERSAL Management HR System and Support directorate, making it a central function in the administration and integrity of the department’s personnel and salary system. As the title suggests, the incumbent acts as a key control point for salary processing and payroll governance on PERSAL, ensuring that payments are legitimate, correctly authorised, and aligned with applicable regulations. Given the national scope, the role involves liaison with various internal clients and external bodies, including National Treasury, and requires a high level of professionalism and confidentiality.

To be considered, applicants need a National Diploma or Degree in Human Resource Management or a relevant qualification, along with one to two years of practical experience working on PERSAL. A successfully completed PERSAL course is mandatory, as is computer literacy and a valid driver’s licence. Beyond these formal requirements, the role demands a solid understanding of relevant regulations, policies, procedures, resolutions and acts. Strong communication, planning, organisational and liaison skills are essential, as is the ability to write reports, manage projects, and apply analytical and rational decision-making. The department also looks for professionalism, integrity, creativity and innovative thinking, given that the salary control environment requires both accuracy and adaptability to system changes.

The core duties revolve around ensuring the accuracy and security of salary payments. The officer will administer payments that exceed ACB (Automatic Clearing Bureau) limits, check every supplementary and salary run on PERSAL, and manage access security violations on the system. This includes receiving Resource Access Control Facility (RACF) reports from National Treasury and acting on them. The role also involves attending to all salary-related queries forwarded to the Salary Controller, registering System Change Control (SCC) notifications for identified technical discrepancies, and reviewing financial transactions awaiting authorisation. A key part of the job is identifying suspicious or non-applicable allowances, receiving and analysing reports on transactions awaiting authorisation, and ensuring that no improper payments slip through. In addition, the officer is responsible for broader operational management, including performance information, human resources, finance and assets within the unit.

This appointment is made under the Public Service Act, and the post is graded according to the applicable OSD or public service salary structure. The role offers an opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the integrity of government salary administration, and it would suit a detail-oriented HR or PERSAL professional who thrives on responsibility and enjoys working with systems, data and people. No information about an equity target is specified for this post, but as with all public service vacancies, employment equity considerations may apply in line with departmental policy. Interested candidates should note that online application is the only channel accepted, and the closing date is clearly indicated in the vacancy listing.