Government EntityMpumalanga - Agriculture, Rural Development, Land and Environmental Affairs
    Reference NumberDARDLEA/2026/08/04
    SalaryR 1 317 384.00 per annum (All-inclusive package)
    Centre / LocationHead Office
    Closing DateSeptember 11, 2026
    Source and Applicationerecruitment.mpg.gov.za

    Reference Number: DARDLEA/2026/08/04

    Department: Agriculture, Rural Development, Land and Environmental Affairs (DARDLEA)

    Job Type: Permanent

    Directorate: Animal Research and Technology Development Services

    Chief Directorate: Chief Directorate: Research, Training and Capacity Building Services

    Programme: Technology, Research and Development Services

    Salary Level: 13

    Remuneration: R 1 317 384.00 per annum (All-inclusive package)

    Location: Head Office

    Closing Date: Friday, September 11, 2026

    Job Description

    Strategic capability, leadership and management skills. Programme and project management,
    financial management, service delivery
    and
    innovation, problem-solving, analysis and change management. Must have
    facilitation and coordination skills. Must
    have a good understanding of agricultural
    sector
    development. Knowledge and application of the Public Finance Management Act,
    Public Service Act, Public
    Service
    Regulations Treasury Regulations, Public Private Partnership and other
    relevant
    prescripts. Must have good verbal and written
    commination skills to facilitate various collaborations with a variety of
    stakeholders. Knowledge of project management, strategic
    planning, report writing, facilitation, coordination, planning
    and organizing, diversity
    management
    and group dynamics. Knowledge of policy analysis and development.
    Good communication
    skills (written and verbal including scientific/technical
    report writing) and analytical skills.
    Having published in scientific media will be an added advantage. Computer
    literacy (MS Word, MS Excel and MS Power Point). A valid driver’s license.

    Requirements

    Grade 12 plus a recognised Bachelor’s
    Degree/Post Graduate Degree in Animal
    Science or Animal Production at (NQF 7) as recognized by South African
    Qualifications Authority (SAQA). An Honours/MSc Degree specializing in Animal Science/production will be an added
    advantage.
    A Nyukela Public
    Service SMS Pre-entry certificate (submitted prior appointment)
    .
     Must have. A minimum of five (5) years’
    experience at Middle/Senior managerial level
    within animal research and
    technology development services.

    Duties

    The successful candidate will be reporting to the Chief
    Director:
    Research, Training and Capacity Building
    Services
    . He/she will be responsible to provide strategic leadership and management of the Research
    Directorate. Develop Research
    policies, strategies, processes
    and systems which will promote
    improved productivity in the province. To enhance productivity
    through developing appropriate animal production systems and recommending
    optimum production practices by producers. Oversee collaborations and partnerships with research institutions,
    industries, commodity organizations and academic institutions on research matters.
    Lead
    the publication and disseminating of research information and technologies. Ensure
    the participation of the department on research forums Provincial, National
    and International.  Establish and maintain functional relationship with
    the farmer support services in the Districts
    and Local Municipalities. Ensure the implementation of national mandates
    pertaining to Animal Research.  Oversee the Development and coordination of strategic, annual
    and operational planning
    processes of the Directorate. Oversee the development and implementation of the Service
    Delivery Improvement Plan in the Directorate. Oversee
    the process of developing internal policies, systems, frameworks and
    guidelines in line with national policy guidelines /directives for all the functional areas of the post. Oversee
    effective human resources and financial management. Oversee compliance with Public
    Service prescripts, departmental policies as well as norms and standards for managing research and agricultural
    training.

    More Information

    Only shortlisted
    candidates will be required to submit certified documents. Foreign
    qualifications must be accompanied by an evaluation certificate from the South
    African Qualification Authority (SAQA). Emailed applications will not be
    considered. All shortlisted candidates, including the SMS, shall undertake two
    pre-entry assessments. One will be a practical exercise to determine a
    candidate’s suitability based on the post’s technical and generic requirements
    and the other will be an integrity (ethical conduct) assessment. Shortlisted
    candidates will be required to be available for assessments and interviews at a
    date and time to be determine by the Department. The first two recommended
    candidates for Deputy Directors posts will be subjected to competency
    assessment.
    All shortlisted
    candidates for SMS posts will be subjected to a technical exercise and
    interview.  Following the technical
    exercise and interview, a maximum of three (3) SMS candidates will undergo
    psychometric assessments to assess cognitive capabilities, behavioral
    preferences, emotional intelligence, and integrity.

    Correspondence
    will be limited to shortlisted candidates only. The successful candidate will
    be expected to enter into an employment contract and a performance agreement
    within 3 months of appointment. Failure to comply with the above instructions
    will result in your application being disqualified. Should you not be contacted
    within 3 months of the closing date of the advertisement, please consider your
    application to be unsuccessful. The successful candidate will be appointed
    subject to positive results of the security clearance process. The Department
    is committed to providing equal opportunities and adheres to the affirmative
    action policy in line with Employment Equity Act, the SMS Handbook and all
    relevant legislation applicable in the Public Service.

    ENQUIRIES: Ms. SP Shongwe Tel
    No: (013) 766 6003 or Mr. MG Ngwane Tel No: (013) 766 6110 or Ms. NF Mgiba Tel
    No: (013) 766 6476

    Requirements

    Grade 12 plus a recognisedBachelor’s Degree/Post GraduateDegreeinAnimal Science or Animal Productionat(NQF7)as recognized by South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). An Honours/MSc Degreespecializing in Animal Science/production will be an added advantage.A Nyukela Public Service SMS Pre-entry certificate (submitted prior appointment).Must have. A minimum of five (5) years’ experience at Middle/Senior managerial levelwithin animal research and technology development services.

    Duties

    The successful candidate will be reporting to the Chief Director:Research, Training and Capacity Building Services. He/she will be responsible to provide strategicleadershipandmanagementoftheResearchDirectorate.DevelopResearchpolicies,strategies,processesandsystemswhichwillpromoteimprovedproductivityin the province. To enhance productivity through developing appropriate animal production systems and recommending optimum production practices by producers. Overseecollaborations and partnerships with research institutions, industries, commodityorganizationsandacademicinstitutionsonresearchmatters.Leadthepublicationanddisseminatingofresearchinformationandtechnologies.EnsuretheparticipationofthedepartmentonresearchforumsProvincial,NationalandInternational.Establishand maintain functional relationship with the farmer support services in the DistrictsandLocalMunicipalities.EnsuretheimplementationofnationalmandatespertainingtoAnimal Research.  Oversee the Development and coordinationofstrategic,annualandoperational planning processes of the Directorate. Oversee the development andimplementationoftheServiceDeliveryImprovementPlanintheDirectorate.Overseethe process of developing internal policies, systems, frameworks and guidelines inlinewithnationalpolicyguidelines/directivesforallthefunctionalareasofthepost.Overseeeffectivehumanresourcesandfinancialmanagement.OverseecompliancewithPublic Service prescripts, departmental policies as well as norms and standards formanaging research and agricultural training.

    Source / Circular Reference

    erecruitment.mpg.gov.za