DEPUTY DIRECTOR: REGIONAL SKILLS DEVELOPMENT IMPLEMENTATION LIMPOPO& MPUMALANGA REGION

This is a senior middle management position within the National Skills Fund, tasked with driving the implementation of skills development initiatives across the Limpopo and Mpumalanga regions. Based in Pretoria, the Deputy Director will oversee a portfolio of projects, ensuring they align with the broader post-school education and training system and contribute to national skills priorities. The role is demanding and strategic, requiring close collaboration with the regional head, regional structures, and a wide range of stakeholders.

Candidates must hold an appropriate Bachelor’s Degree or Advanced Diploma at NQF Level 7 in Public Management, Public Administration, Project Management, or a related field. A minimum of five years’ project management experience is required, with at least three to five of those years at Assistant Director level. Experience managing large projects, portfolios, or programmes in either the private or public sector will be a strong advantage, as will a sound understanding of the post-school education and training system. The successful candidate will be a dynamic leader with proven people management capabilities, strong communication skills, and the ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders. Additional technical skills include monitoring and evaluation, problem solving and analysis, report writing, presentation preparation, marketing and communication, knowledge management, quality management, budgeting and financial management, human resource management, change management, and negotiation. The incumbent must be client-orientated, customer-focused, and able to work well in a team. A valid driver’s licence is essential, and the role requires extensive national travel, occasional international travel, irregular working hours, and the ability to meet tight deadlines.

The core duties revolve around managing a portfolio of skills development projects. This includes ensuring projects report timely and accurately, monitoring and evaluating the allocation, management, operational performance, and funding of projects, and performing expenditure and performance information verification. The Deputy Director will also coordinate physical verification of learners, infrastructure, and assets across project sites, and ensure all project documentation is submitted for knowledge management purposes. Stakeholder management is a key responsibility, along with active participation in regional structures and platforms relevant to skills development. The role includes direct supervision of staff, providing feedback and strategic advice to the regional head, and contributing to the development and implementation of a project management framework for the region and nationally. This is a high-responsibility position for a results-driven professional committed to advancing skills development in South Africa.