DEPUTY DIRECTOR-GENERAL: DISTRICT COORDINATION & INSTITUTIONAL OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT

This senior executive role within the Eastern Cape Department of Education is responsible for the strategic leadership and operational oversight of district coordination and institutional operations across the province’s schooling system. Reporting at Deputy Director-General level, the position is based in Zwelitsha and carries an all-inclusive remuneration package at a senior management service level, with the expectation that the successful candidate will enter into a performance agreement shortly after appointment. The core mandate is to ensure that all public ordinary schools, special schools, and Early Childhood Development centres receive the necessary resources, infrastructure, and institutional support to deliver quality teaching and learning. This involves driving the implementation of policy frameworks for school resourcing, physical resource management, and the uniform operation of schools, as well as coordinating intergovernmental relations to position all education district offices for optimal service delivery.

Candidates must hold an appropriately recognised bachelor’s degree at NQF Level 8 in fields such as Public Administration, Public Management, Financial Management, Supply Chain Management, Resource Management, Education Management, Infrastructure Management, Governance, Business Administration, or a related discipline. A postgraduate qualification at NQF Level 8 or higher is strongly recommended. In addition, applicants must have completed the Nyukela Public Service Senior Management Service Pre-Entry Programme and possess a valid driver’s licence, unless disabled. A minimum of eight years of experience at senior managerial level within the public sector is required, with substantial experience specifically in school resourcing, institutional support services, physical resource management, infrastructure planning, financial management, risk management, educational operations, budget management, and service delivery oversight. The ideal candidate will demonstrate extensive knowledge of public sector governance, education policy, and institutional operations, alongside strong strategic leadership and executive oversight capabilities. A sound understanding of the Public Finance Management Act, Treasury Regulations, the Division of Revenue Act, risk management frameworks, and corporate governance principles is essential, as are advanced skills in financial management, strategic planning, policy development, programme oversight, monitoring and evaluation, stakeholder management, and organisational performance management. Strong analytical, decision-making, communication, negotiation, and change leadership skills are also critical, along with the ability to drive accountability, compliance, and service delivery improvement in a complex public sector environment.

Key duties include overseeing the implementation of policy frameworks for provisioning quality teaching and learning in public and special schools and ECD centres, ensuring consistent standardised modes of operation, and implementing interventions that support curriculum delivery. The role also involves ensuring compliance with school management and governance legislation, coordinating technical support for district functionality, and providing strategic guidance on physical resource planning and infrastructure delivery. The Deputy Director-General will be accountable for monitoring and reporting on the Infrastructure Grant Framework, developing disaster recovery plans, and overseeing the planning and budgeting for school resourcing needs such as learner teacher support materials and furniture. Additionally, the position entails managing the administration of home schooling, independent schools, and ECD institutions, as well as policy and regulations for school governing bodies. The role includes providing leadership for supporting systems that enhance education quality, including school mapping, revitalisation of rural schools, planning for new schools and extensions, and implementing education management information systems. The incumbent will also manage learner attainment improvement strategies, vacation schools, and quality promotion standards, while ensuring effective branch resource management, staff performance management, and the development of work plans and personal development plans for subordinates. This is a demanding executive position requiring a leader who can resolve complex problems, delegate effectively, and maintain high standards of quality and timeliness across all deliverables.