SENIOR HUMAN RESOURCE OFFICER

This position offers an opportunity for an experienced human resource professional to take on a senior administrative role within the Free State Department of Education, based at the Thabo Mofutsanyana District Office. The Senior Human Resource Officer is responsible for supervising and executing complex human resource administration functions, ensuring that HR practices align with the legislative framework governing the Public Service. The role sits within a district office environment, where the incumbent will be expected to provide guidance, allocate work, and maintain quality standards across a range of HR processes. This is a hands-on supervisory role that combines strategic oversight with day-to-day administration, making it ideal for someone with a solid background in public sector HR and a working knowledge of systems such as PERSAL.

Candidates must hold a Senior Certificate together with a Diploma in Human Resource Management or a related field at NQF Level 6, recognised by SAQA. A minimum of three years’ experience in an HR environment is required, along with relevant PERSAL certificates. The role demands a thorough working knowledge of the legislative framework governing the Public Service, including the Public Service Regulations of 2016 as amended and the Public Finance Management Act. In addition, applicants should be computer literate, well-organised, and capable of planning and prioritising work. Strong verbal and written communication skills are essential, as is the ability to work flexibly within a team and take responsibility for outcomes.

The core duties involve supervising and implementing human resource administration practices, particularly in the area of HR provisioning. This includes recruitment and selection, appointments, transfers, verification of qualifications, serving as secretariat at interviews, handling absorptions, and managing probationary periods. The officer will also implement conditions of service and service benefits such as leave, housing, medical aid, injury on duty, long service recognition, overtime, relocation, pension, and various allowances. Other responsibilities include processing terminations of service, recommending and approving transactions on PERSAL according to delegations, managing performance, preparing reports on HR administration issues and statistics, and responding to HR administration enquiries. The role also involves allocating work and ensuring the quality of outputs, as well as supporting personnel development within the team.

The Department intends to promote representativity through this vacancy, with preference given to applicants from designated groups, particularly people with disabilities, women, and youth. Applicants must submit a comprehensive, detailed CV with a complete chronological record of training, experience, competencies, and previous employment, as well as the names and telephone numbers of three referees. Copies of qualifications and other documents should not be submitted at the application stage; only shortlisted candidates will be asked to provide certified documents. All shortlisted candidates will be subjected to personnel suitability checks, including criminal record verification, citizenship verification, financial record checks, qualification verification, and may be required to consent to access to their social media accounts. Correspondence will be limited to shortlisted candidates, and separate applications must be submitted for each vacancy. Applicants who terminated their services with voluntary severance packages may not apply. Salary progression is subject to performance assessment, and the Department reserves the right not to fill advertised positions. Candidates must be available for selection interviews on a date, time, and place determined by the Free State Department of Education. It is the applicant’s responsibility to have foreign qualifications evaluated by SAQA, and non-RSA residents or permanent residents must submit proof only when shortlisted. If no notification of appointment is received within four months of the closing date, applicants should accept that their application was unsuccessful. New appointments in the public service must join the Government Employee Medical Scheme to qualify for a government medical subsidy.