DEPUTY DIRECTOR: SKILLS DEVELOPMENT

The Deputy Director: Skills Development position is a senior management role within the National Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), based in Cape Town. This post sits at the heart of the department’s effort to build a capable, well-trained workforce aligned with national skills development legislation. The successful candidate will be responsible for driving the skills development planning cycle, managing interventions, and ensuring that the department meets its legal and operational obligations in human resource development. The role is particularly significant in a government department that must address scarce and critical skills while creating opportunities for young people through internships and bursaries communities. Working closely with internal branches and external stakeholders, the incumbent will ensure that skills development initiatives are well coordinated, properly monitored, and accurately reported, contributing to both departmental efficiency and the broader transformation agenda of the public sector.

Candidates must hold a National Diploma at NQF level 6 in Human Resource Development or Management, or an equivalent qualification in a related field recognised by SAQA. At least five years of experience in human resource management or a relevant discipline is required, with three of those years at an entry or junior managerial level, such as Assistant Director or its equivalent. The position demands a strong working knowledge of administrative procedures, the Skills Development Act, the Skills Levies Act, the Employment Equity Act, the SAQA Act, and project management principles. Familiarity with HR practices, personnel management systems, financial management, public relations, monitoring and control, and contract management is also essential. In addition, candidates need proven leadership and management skills, coordination abilities, strong organisational and planning capacity, and excellent written and verbal communication. The role calls for sound listening and report-writing skills, decision-making capability, and the ability to interpret regulations and develop appropriate policy. The successful applicant must be willing to work long hours when required, manage conflict effectively, perform under extreme pressure, and work both independently and as part of a team. Supervisory experience and a valid driver’s licence are further prerequisites.

The main duties revolve around managing skills development planning and interventions. This includes facilitating the skills planning process to compile the Workplace Skills Plan (WSP), ensuring its implementation, and coordinating ad hoc training programmes with proper reporting. The incumbent will oversee youth empowerment through internship programmes, supporting branches to identify scarce and critical skills and managing the rollout of internship opportunities. This involves coordinating interns and mentor training across the departmentadian and monitoring existing interns. The post also carries responsibility for the departmental bursary scheme, including managing payments and overseeing the orientation and compulsory induction programme. Furthermore, the Deputy Director will facilitate attendance of Senior Management Service members at Personal Mastery Training and SMS induction, ensuring that leadership development remains a priority.

As a Senior Management Service post, this vacancy carries additional requirements and conditions. Applicants must have completed the Senior Management Pre-Entry Programme endorsed by the National School of Government before appointment. Shortlisted candidates will be subjected to screening, security vetting, and verification of criminal records, citizenship status, creditworthiness, references, and qualifications. They will also undertake pre-entry assessments, including a technical exercise and an integrity test, and may be required to attend a generic managerial competency assessment. Certified copies of qualifications, identity documents, senior certificates, and driver’s licences will be required on or before the interview date, and foreign qualifications must be evaluated by SAQA. The DFFE is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, with preference given to appointable applicants from underrepresented designated groups in line with its equity plan. Persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. The department reserves the right not to make an appointment, and candidates who have not been contacted within three months after the closing date should consider their applications unsuccessful. By applying, candidates consent to the processing of their personal information in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act, for recruitment purposes only.