DEPUTY DIRECTOR: INFORMATION SYSTEMS

The Department of Correctional Services is seeking a Deputy Director for Information Systems within its Information Management directorate, based at the National Head Office. This is a senior management role focused on the strategic leadership of knowledge and information management across the department. The successful candidate will be responsible for shaping how the DCS generates, stores, shares, and reuses knowledge, ensuring that information assets are managed effectively to support decision-making, service delivery, and institutional learning. The position is graded under the Public Service Act and forms part of the department’s broader efforts to modernise and professionalise its information management practices.

Applicants must hold a degree in Library or Information Management, or a relevant qualification, and have between three and five years of management experience at an ASD level in Knowledge Management, Business Management, or Library Information Management. Computer literacy and a valid driver’s licence are essential. The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong knowledge of information management principles, business and management practices, research methodologies, policy formulation, and business writing, including case study development. A thorough understanding of relevant legislation, best practices, and frameworks governing knowledge and information management is also required. In addition, the role demands competencies in communication, project and programme management, change management, problem solving, analysis, service delivery innovation, decision making, people management, and empowerment.

The duties are wide-ranging and strategic. The Deputy Director will establish and develop mechanisms and processes that ensure knowledge generation, transfer, and re-use throughout the DCS environment. This includes developing and implementing a knowledge management policy, as well as marketing and change management plans to embed knowledge practices across the department. The role involves communicating and executing the knowledge management strategy and related projects and programmes, while working with both internal and external stakeholders to develop information and knowledge products. The post holder will also develop and administer technologies that enable easy access to knowledge and information, and will ensure that data is analysed, transformed into meaningful information, packaged, and shared across the department. Developing and implementing a data and information management strategy for the DCS is a core responsibility, alongside applying metadata and ensuring data integrity for all information and knowledge products.

Further duties include helping to entrench and institutionalise knowledge management plans, processes, procedures, and related initiatives. The Deputy Director will develop and manage the department’s knowledge management strategy, policies, and procedures, and provide technical support on knowledge management issues to the department and relevant stakeholders. The role also involves developing and implementing a knowledge capacity building programme, establishing knowledge management learning networks and forums, and ensuring the proper functioning of the departmental resource centre. Managing the resources of the sub-directorate and overseeing performance information are additional key responsibilities. This is a demanding leadership position that requires a blend of strategic vision, technical expertise, and stakeholder engagement to drive meaningful improvements in how the DCS manages its knowledge and information assets.