CHIEF DIRECTOR: ASSESSMENT AND EXAMINATIONS

This senior leadership position, based in Cape Town, serves as the Chief Director for Assessment and Examinations within the Western Cape provincial government. The role is a pivotal one, tasked with the strategic and operational oversight of the entire assessment and examination lifecycle for the province's education system. The incumbent will be responsible for ensuring the integrity, efficiency, and continuous improvement of all processes from curriculum-aligned assessment development through to the final certification of learners. This includes managing the development of provincial assessment systems, ensuring the correct application of national systems, and using feedback to drive interventions and improvements. The role also encompasses the high-stakes administration of examinations, including the management of a provincial printing service, the distribution of papers, and the coordination of marking services, alongside providing crucial administrative support for handling examination irregularities.

Beyond the operational core, this Chief Director position carries significant strategic and managerial weight. The successful candidate will be expected to drive the Chief Directorate’s strategic planning, define its objectives, and manage its business plans, ensuring alignment with broader departmental and governmental goals. This involves fostering a culture of innovation, managing change, and reporting directly to the Deputy Director-General on activities and matters of substantial importance. A key part of the role is the management of examination and assessment information systems, which requires collaboration with entities like the Centre for e-Innovation (CeI) and SITA to develop, implement, and review the policies and systems that govern these technologies. The position also demands robust people and financial management, including participating in recruitment, motivating and guiding staff, managing performance, promoting sound labour relations, and overseeing the budgeting process for the Chief Directorate.

Candidates must possess an undergraduate qualification at NQF level 7 as recognised by SAQA, coupled with a minimum of five years of experience at a senior management level. A valid driver’s licence and the successful completion of the Certificate for entry into the Senior Management Service (SMS) are mandatory. The ideal applicant will have proven knowledge of relevant legislation, public service procedures, and modern governance systems, as well as a deep understanding of the Public Finance Management Act and Treasury Regulations. A comprehensive skill set is required, including strategic planning, project management, financial analysis, and computer literacy. This is a demanding, high-level role suited to a seasoned leader with a strong grasp of the educational landscape and public administration. The post is an OSD-graded position with an all-inclusive salary package, and applications are open until the specified closing date. As with all public service roles, the department is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages applications from designated groups to meet its employment equity targets.