ASSISTANT DIRECTOR: TALENT SOURCING REF NO: DOTP 95/2026 (VARIOUS POSTS AVAILABLE)

This vacancy offers an opportunity to serve as Assistant Director for Talent Sourcing within the Department of the Premier in the Western Cape Government, with multiple posts available. The role sits at the heart of the province’s recruitment and selection operations, tasked with ensuring that talent sourcing is conducted efficiently, lawfully, and in line with government prescripts. The position is a supervisory and advisory one, requiring the incumbent to oversee operational work, manage projects, and guide both staff and senior management through the complexities of competency-based recruitment. It is ideal for an HR professional with a strong background in recruitment and selection who is ready to take on broader responsibility for process integrity, stakeholder liaison, and team leadership.

Candidates must hold an appropriate three-year National Diploma, a Bachelor’s degree, or a higher qualification with a major in Human Resource Management or Industrial Psychology, alongside at least three years of relevant experience in a recruitment and selection environment. A valid code B driving licence is also required. The role demands a solid working knowledge of employment laws and recruitment legislation, as well as in-depth familiarity with policy documents governing recruitment practices. Key competencies include excellent interpersonal and coaching abilities, database development and management, supervisory skills, consultative and problem-solving capabilities, and strong oral and written communication. The ability to gather and analyse information, work under pressure, and meet tight deadlines is essential, particularly given the print media publication schedules that govern much of the advertising work.

The duties are wide-ranging and include quality control of all operational recruitment work, project management, and the allocation of tasks within the unit. The Assistant Director will ensure that vacancy advertisements are published across various media platforms, including the DPSA bulletin, external media, and the e-recruit system, and will facilitate the compilation of advertisements and pre-selection questionnaires. Training and workshops on talent sourcing, e-recruit, and reporting form a key part of the role, as does liaising with service providers on advertising standards and response handling. The post also involves handling complex enquiries from clients and applicants, providing professional advice on sourcing talent across professions, and supporting competency-based recruitment practices such as shortlisting, interviewing, personnel suitability checks, appointment decisions, and the issuing of employment offers. Additional responsibilities include facilitating audit processes, ensuring data integrity in recruitment and selection, reporting irregularities, managing staff, and reporting on unit performance. The incumbent will advise senior and executive management on best practice in recruitment and selection, demonstrate proven candidate sourcing skills, manage complex data, and supervise staff. A willingness to work longer hours in line with print media publication times is a notable condition of the role.

Shortlisted candidates should note that they will be required to attend interviews on a date determined by the department and must submit duly completed vetting and supporting documentation within the specified timeframe. Two pre-entry assessments will be undertaken: one practical exercise testing technical and generic suitability, and one integrity assessment. The selection process will be guided by the employment equity targets of the department, and by applying, candidates consent to reference checks with previous employers, including enquiries about disciplinary records and reasons for leaving. This is a demanding but rewarding position for a seasoned recruitment professional seeking to influence talent acquisition at a provincial government level.