DIRECTOR: EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE & EDUCATION DIRECTORATE

This position is a senior leadership role within the Free State Department of Health, based at the Head Office in Bloemfontein. The Director of the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Directorate is responsible for the overall coordination, management, and expansion of ECCE services across the province. Working within the broader framework of the public health and social development landscape, the role ensures that early childhood development provisioning aligns with national legislation, provincial strategic plans, and the department’s Annual Performance Plan. The post is graded at a senior management level and the appointment is subject to the signing of an annual performance agreement and the successful obtaining of a security clearance.

Candidates must hold a qualification at NQF level 7, recognised by the South African Qualifications Authority, and have at least five years of experience at a middle or senior managerial level. A valid Code B or EB driver’s licence is also required. The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong conceptual and formulation skills, thought leadership, and the ability to coordinate complex applications. Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills are essential, along with outstanding planning, organisational, and people management abilities. A highly developed interpretative ability, computer literacy, and the capacity to render objective advice and guidance are also key. The role demands someone who can multi-task, deal with ambiguity, and manage under rapidly changing and pressured circumstances, while also being able to persuade, influence, and lead teams of professionals and service providers through complex situations.

The main duties are wide-ranging and carry significant responsibility. The Director must ensure the effective and efficient management of the ECCE service, including the implementation of strategic, annual performance, and operational plans. This includes managing the unit’s performance in line with the Children’s Act 38 of 2005, particularly regarding partial care and child protection, as well as the National Curriculum Framework and other applicable ECCE legislation. Financial management is a core responsibility, requiring compliance with the Public Finance Management Act and related policies, including monitoring and ensuring timely transfer payments to Early Childhood Development centres. The Director will also oversee the professional development of social workers and ECCE practitioners, ensure partial care databases and registers are maintained, and verify that all ECCE services are uploaded onto the agreed Learner Management System.

Further duties include developing, conducting, and monitoring capacity-building support programmes for ECCE management and governance, arranging district quarterly review sessions, and providing guidance on expected outcomes. The role drives the expansion of ECCE services throughout the province by supporting districts, facilitating inter-sectoral coordination, and managing the provision of partial care facilities and programmes. The Director is also accountable for developing and implementing norms and standards for ECCE centres, managing a comprehensive electronic information management system, and overseeing the funding of partial care and ECCE facilities and programmes.

This SMS post requires successful completion of the Senior Management Pre-Entry Programme (Nyukela) prior to appointment. Shortlisted candidates will also undergo two pre-entry assessments: a practical exercise testing technical and generic suitability, and an integrity assessment. Applicants must apply through the department’s online e-Recruitment system, and their profiles serve as the equivalent of the newly approved Z83 form. A comprehensive CV, along with supporting documents such as qualifications, driver’s licence, and identity document, must be uploaded. While certification is not required at the point of application, certified copies will be required before the interview. Candidates with foreign qualifications must ensure their qualifications are evaluated by SAQA. The department encourages applicants who possess the strong leadership and technical skills outlined above to apply, with preference given to those who demonstrate the full range of managerial and interpersonal competencies required for this demanding and impactful role.