DEPUTY DIRECTOR: HOI: SEKUTUPU OLD AGE HOME (X1 POST)

This senior leadership position is based at the Sekutupu Old Age Home in the Capricorn District, operating under the provincial Department of Social Development. The Deputy Director serves as the head of this specialised residential welfare facility for older persons, with overall responsibility for its strategic direction, day-to-day management, and regulatory compliance. The role has been created in the context of the newly enacted Older Persons Amendment Act 1 of 2025, and the incumbent will be expected to lead the implementation of that legislation within the facility. As a manager of a government-funded institution, the post holder must ensure that service delivery aligns with departmental policies, the Older Persons Act, and the prescribed Norms and Standards for residential facilities.

Candidates must hold a Grade 12 certificate and a Bachelor of Social Work degree recognised by SAQA, along with current registration with the South African Council for Social Service Professions (SACSSP). A further qualification in Public Management or Public Administration is considered an added advantage. Applicants need at least five years of proven experience, of which three years must have been at Junior or Assistant Director level. A valid motor vehicle driver’s licence is required, with an exception for persons with disabilities. The ideal candidate will demonstrate strategic capability and leadership, programme and project management, change management, financial management, people management, knowledge management, problem-solving, and a strong client orientation. In-depth knowledge is required of the Older Persons Act, departmental policies, residential care norms and standards, social welfare legislation, and broader public service frameworks such as the PFMA, Treasury regulations, the Public Service Act and Regulations, and the Labour Relations framework. Familiarity with social work, nursing, and residential care management prescripts, patient safety, holistic care models, and psychosocial support principles is also essential, as is an understanding of supply chain management, financial management, HR administration, facility operations, risk management, quality assurance, and monitoring and evaluation. The ability to coordinate multidisciplinary teams and facilitate integrated service delivery, along with operational planning, policy interpretation, negotiation, stakeholder management, analytical, and report-writing skills, is critical to success.

The Deputy Director’s duties are wide-ranging. The post holder will manage and administer the facility in full, including budgets, assets, infrastructure, and staff supervision, while ensuring compliance with Treasury regulations. They will provide strategic direction and financial oversight, strengthen reporting obligations in respect of elder abuse and the older persons abuse register, and monitor compliance with the Norms and Standards for Older Persons. The role also involves managing recreational, social, and wellbeing programmes that promote active ageing, facilitating care services, maintaining proper records and filing systems, overseeing support and auxiliary services, and monitoring the professional compliance of staff.

Shortlisted candidates will be subject to security clearance, verification of qualifications, and two pre-entry assessments: a practical exercise testing technical and generic suitability, and an integrity assessment. Foreign qualifications must be evaluated by SAQA. This is a demanding leadership role for a social work professional seeking to make a meaningful impact in older persons’ residential care.