COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PRACTITIONER GRADE 1 (X8 POSTS)

The Department of Social Development is advertising eight Community Development Practitioner Grade 1 posts, based at various service delivery centres and local service offices across the Eastern Cape. These positions are graded under the Occupation Specific Dispensation (OSD) and offer an entry-level professional pathway for individuals committed to grassroots community empowerment. The successful candidates will be placed at one of the following locations: Ngqamakwe, Mount Frere, Mdantsane 1, Ngqeleni, Ugie, Motherwell, Alexandria, or Sunday’s River Valley. Each post operates within the department’s broader mandate to coordinate integrated development planning, mobilise communities, and support funded projects that address local socio-economic challenges.

Applicants must hold a National Senior Certificate together with a Bachelor’s Degree or National Diploma in Social Sciences, Developmental Economics, Development Studies, or Community Development. While formal experience is not strictly required, any appropriate and recognisable experience gained after completing the required qualification will be considered favourably. The role demands a sound theoretical understanding of community development issues, as well as practical exposure to working with communities. Key competencies include the ability to use a facilitative approach to encourage constructive participation, strong documentation and reporting skills, effective communication and interpersonal abilities, and solid organising and planning capabilities. Computer literacy is an added advantage. Candidates who do not already possess a valid driver’s licence must submit proof of having obtained one within six months of assuming duty.

The core duties of the post are centred on driving community development at the local municipal level. The practitioner will facilitate awareness campaigns on community development programmes, mobilise local communities into integrated development structures, and support the development of community profiles using participatory methodologies. A significant part of the role involves coordinating the development, alignment, and utilisation of resources from various government departments towards the implementation of Integrated Development Plans in each local municipality. The practitioner will also assess applications from community organisations for departmental funding, and thereafter monitor, evaluate, and provide ongoing support to funded programmes and projects. This requires regular engagement with community structures, municipal officials, and other stakeholders to ensure that development initiatives are inclusive, well-documented, and aligned with broader provincial strategies.

These posts are subject to employment equity targets, with specific preferences indicated for each location. For example, some posts target African male candidates, others target Coloured female or male candidates, and several are designated for persons with disabilities alongside the gender target. The department encourages applicants who meet the equity profile for each specific centre to apply. The positions are advertised through the provincial e-recruitment system, and all applications must be submitted online before the closing date. Technical support for the system is available during working hours, and enquiries regarding the posts may be directed to the relevant contact persons listed for each district. This is an excellent opportunity for graduates in the social sciences and development fields to enter the public service and contribute meaningfully to community upliftment in the Eastern Cape.