COMMUNICATION OFFICER

This position is for a Communication Officer within the Corporate Management Services directorate at the Head Office in Johannesburg. The role is central to the department's efforts to market its projects and programmes, promote its brand, and ensure that communities across Gauteng have access to accurate and timely departmental information. The successful candidate will work within a government communication environment, helping to bridge the gap between the department's strategic objectives and the public it serves. The post offers a competitive salary with service benefits and is based in a dynamic provincial government setting.

Applicants must hold a Grade 12 certificate together with a degree or diploma in Corporate Communication, Communication, or Public Relations, and be computer literate. An understanding of communications principles, communication research, and government communication will be an advantage, as will knowledge of relevant legislation and public service regulations. The role requires a valid driving licence in categories A and EC, and a clean criminal record with no pending cases. The ideal candidate will also possess a solid understanding of the department's strategic goals, political and parliamentary processes, and the specific needs and challenges of various Gauteng communities. Strong skills in stakeholder relations, advertising, promotions, project management, problem-solving, report writing, public speaking, and event management are essential to succeed in this position.

The duties are varied and community-focused. The Communication Officer will be responsible for marketing departmental projects and programmes, organising exhibitions, and promoting the department’s brand on safety and security projects. This includes conducting onsite visits to communities to identify information needs, coordinating meetings with departmental stakeholders for marketing purposes, and ensuring that public access to departmental information is maintained at Multi-Purpose Centres across the province. The officer will collate feedback on the impact of marketing campaigns, support internally and externally organised departmental events, and manage exhibitions from coordination to execution. Additional responsibilities include attending stakeholder planning meetings, compiling portfolios of evidence, circulating internal information to staff, supporting branding at all departmental events, and writing articles for the departmental newsletter. The role also involves undertaking delegated tasks from the programme coordinator.

This position forms part of the Public Service Vacancy Circular and is subject to a series of special conditions. Shortlisted candidates will be required to undergo two pre-entry assessments: a practical exercise and an integrity (ethical conduct) assessment, with the results contributing to the interview scoring. Suitable candidates will also be subject to personnel suitability checks, including vetting, criminal record, citizenship, credit record, qualification verification, and employment verification. The department actively encourages youth, people with disabilities, and candidates from coloured, Indian, and white population groups to apply, and applicants with disabilities must attach a confirmation certificate from a registered medical practitioner. The department reserves the right not to make an appointment, and placement will be according to corridor coordination and the department’s needs. Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted, and if you have not received a response within three months of the closing date, you should accept that your application was unsuccessful.