Deputy Director: Agricultural Land Care and Conservation Services

Reference Number: DARDLEA/2026/08/10

Department: Agriculture, Rural Development, Land and Environmental Affairs (DARDLEA)

Job Type: Permanent

Directorate: Sustainable Resource Management Services

Chief Directorate: Sustainable Resource Management Services

Programme: Sustainable Resource Management Services

Salary Level: 11

Remuneration: R 932 292.00 per annum (All-inclusive package)

Location: Head Office

Closing Date: Friday, September 11, 2026

Job Description

Sound and in-depth knowledge of the legislative and regulatory framework
governing the Public Service, including the Public Service Act, Public Service
Regulations, Labour Relations Act, Public Finance Management Act (PFMA),
Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act (CARA), Preservation and Development
of Agricultural Land Act (PDALA), National Environmental Management Act (NEMA),
and other legislation relevant to the implementation of the LandCare Programme.
Sound knowledge of sustainable agricultural resource management, environmental
conservation, land rehabilitation, government planning, monitoring and
evaluation, and project and financial management. Ability to interpret and
implement legislation, policies and strategic frameworks relating to LandCare
and natural resource management. Honesty and integrity. Strong
competencies in strategic planning, programme and project management, financial
and people management, policy analysis and implementation, stakeholder
engagement, coordination, analytical thinking and problem-solving. Good
communication, facilitation, negotiation, report writing, verbal and
written communication, leadership, organisational, time
management, ability to work under pressure, interpersonal and
computer skills.

Requirements

Grade 12 plus
a recognised NQF Level 7 qualification in Agriculture, Natural Resource
Management, Land-Use Planning, Environmental Management, or related field. A
minimum of five (5) years' relevant experience in Land Care or Sustainable
Natural Resource Management, of which three (3) years must be at Assistant
Director level. 

Duties

Manage and
oversee the implementation of the LandCare Programme. Manage and monitor sustainable agricultural resource
management initiatives, including soil conservation, land rehabilitation and
climate-smart conservation agriculture practices. Manage integrated land use planning in accordance with
the Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act (CARA), the Preservation and
Development of Agricultural Land Act (PDALA) and other applicable legislation.
Manage implementation and reporting of the Expanded Public Works Programme
within the LandCare Programme in compliance with applicable EPWP policies,
guidelines and reporting requirements.

More Information

Only shortlisted
candidates will be required to submit certified documents. Foreign
qualifications must be accompanied by an evaluation certificate from the South
African Qualification Authority (SAQA). Emailed applications will not be
considered. All shortlisted candidates, including the SMS, shall undertake two
pre-entry assessments. One will be a practical exercise to determine a
candidate’s suitability based on the post’s technical and generic requirements
and the other will be an integrity (ethical conduct) assessment. Shortlisted
candidates will be required to be available for assessments and interviews at a
date and time to be determine by the Department. The first two recommended
candidates for Deputy Directors posts will be subjected to competency
assessment. All shortlisted
candidates for SMS posts will be subjected to a technical exercise and
interview.  Following the technical
exercise and interview, a maximum of three (3) SMS candidates will undergo
psychometric assessments to assess cognitive capabilities, behavioural
preferences, emotional intelligence, and integrity.

Correspondence
will be limited to shortlisted candidates only. The successful candidate will
be expected to enter into an employment contract and a performance agreement
within 3 months of appointment. Failure to comply with the above instructions
will result in your application being disqualified. Should you not be contacted
within 3 months of the closing date of the advertisement, please consider your
application to be unsuccessful. The successful candidate will be appointed
subject to positive results of the security clearance process. The Department
is committed to providing equal opportunities and adheres to the affirmative
action policy in line with Employment Equity Act, the SMS Handbook and all
relevant legislation applicable in the Public Service.

ENQUIRIES: Ms. SP Shongwe Tel
No: (013) 766 6003 or Mr. MG Ngwane Tel No: (013) 766 6110 or Ms. NF Mgiba Tel
No: (013) 766 6476