ASSISTANT DIRECTOR: CRIMINOLOGIST

The Department of Correctional Services is advertising a senior specialist position of Assistant Director: Criminologist, based at either the Eastern Cape or Western Cape regional office. This is a re-advertisement, meaning that candidates who submitted applications in response to the original advertisement must submit a fresh application to be considered. The successful appointee will be appointed in terms of the Public Service Act and will work within a correctional environment, applying advanced criminological knowledge to strengthen offender assessment, rehabilitation planning and parole decision-making.

The role is centred on the behavioural assessment and profiling of offenders, with particular emphasis on high-risk and high-profile individuals. The incumbent will conduct risk assessments and induction assessments to understand offenders’ patterns of action, demographics, motivation and other crime characteristics. They will also carry out risk management assessments to identify problematic and deficit areas, and make referrals for professional intervention where needed. A key responsibility is pre-parole assessment, where the criminologist evaluates progress in rehabilitation and determines the likelihood of reoffending. The post holder will interact directly with offenders to understand their criminal behaviour and offending history, as well as to assess the impact of rehabilitation programmes and readiness for parole. The work also includes compiling profile and criminologist reports for Case Management Committees and Correctional Supervision and Parole Boards to support better-informed decisions, and quality-checking G326 profile documents before submission.

Beyond individual assessments, the criminologist will analyse criminality and risk behaviour within the management area, apply a wide range of criminological theories and academic literature, and contribute to the development and implementation of offender risk assessment and profiling tools. Where shortfalls in assessment, classification and profiling are identified, the assistant director will propose and develop remedial action. The role also involves research into all assessment tools and into gangsterism within correctional facilities, with findings used to improve practice. Capacity building is another important area: the incumbent will provide orientation and training to correctional assessment officials and other staff to improve risk assessment and profiling practices. The position also requires promoting criminological activities and awareness through campaigns and information leaflets, building partnerships with communities and non-governmental organisations to support successful reintegration, and liaising with Department of Correctional Services officials and external stakeholders on criminological theories, recidivism risks and patterns. In addition, the post holder will manage performance information, finances, human resources and assets within their area of responsibility.

Candidates must hold a recognised Master’s degree at NQF level 9 in Criminology and have between six and ten years of relevant or related experience. A background in behavioural assessment or profiling within the corrections or justice cluster will be an added advantage. Applicants must be computer literate and in possession of a valid driver’s licence. The ideal candidate will demonstrate a deep understanding of safety and security in a correctional environment, together with strong communication, negotiation, analytical and report-writing skills. Other required competencies include project and programme management, problem solving, decision making, change management, stakeholder and people management, confidentiality, integrity, honesty, diplomacy, tact, assertiveness, networking ability, resilience, and the capacity to influence and impact. Research and development skills, as well as good interpersonal communication, are also essential. This demanding role offers an opportunity to apply specialist criminological expertise at a strategic operational level within the correctional system.