DEPUTY DIRECTOR: OFFICE SUPPORT REF NO: 301026/12 Branch: Water And Sanitation Services Management: GP Cd: Provincial Operations: Gauteng

This position is for a Deputy Director of Office Support within the Department of Water and Sanitation, based in Gauteng and operating under the Provincial Operations unit. The role is a senior management post within the Branch of Water and Sanitation Services Management, tasked with ensuring the smooth and efficient functioning of the Head of Provincial Operations’ office. The incumbent will act as a central coordinator, providing high-level administrative, financial, and human resource support while also representing the Head at various meetings, workshops, and stakeholder engagements. This is a demanding role that requires a blend of strategic planning, operational oversight, and meticulous record-keeping to ensure the office meets all its governance and reporting obligations.

Candidates must hold a relevant NQF level 7 qualification in Public Administration, Business Administration, or Management, coupled with at least five years of management experience within an administrative environment. A valid, unexpired driver’s licence is required. The ideal applicant will possess a thorough understanding of public service policies, government legislation, and the Public Finance Management Act, as well as solid knowledge of financial management, programme and project management, and operational planning techniques. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills are essential, along with excellent interpersonal and communication abilities. The role also demands people and diversity management skills, client orientation, accountability, and ethical conduct.

The core duties are wide-ranging. The Deputy Director will coordinate and consolidate inputs for strategic and annual plans, manage queries and correspondence, and handle matters relating to portfolio committee issues, parliamentary queries, audit findings, referrals, and risk management, ensuring all deadlines are met. Document management systems must be developed and maintained to improve office efficiency. The post holder will record minutes, communicate decisions to relevant stakeholders, track progress, and prepare briefing notes and other documents to adequately prepare the Head of Provincial Operations. Financial administrative support includes determining and collating budget needs for the office, while human resource management of the Provincial Operations unit also falls under this role.

This is an equal opportunity employment position, with preference given to the Employment Equity targets, and women and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Shortlisted candidates will be subject to suitability checks, including qualification verification, reference checks, and criminal and credit checks. Foreign qualifications must be accompanied by a SAQA evaluation certificate, and foreign nationals or dual citizenship holders will need a police clearance from their country of origin. As this is a management echelon post, shortlisted candidates will undergo a technical exercise and interview, and successful candidates may be required to complete psychometric assessments, an integrity assessment, a financial disclosure form, and security clearance. A pre-entry certificate from the National School of Government is required prior to appointment. Correspondence is limited to shortlisted candidates, and applicants who do not receive feedback within three months should consider their application unsuccessful. The department reserves the right not to fill the position.