SOCIAL WORKER: SOCIAL SERVICES PROFESSIONAL: ECD: REF NO:

This position is for a Social Worker or Social Auxiliary Worker within the Early Childhood Development (ECD) directorate of the Department of Health and Wellness, based in Cape Town on a three-year contract. The role is professionally graded under the Occupation Specific Dispensation (OSD) for social services professionals, and is focused on providing essential administrative and compliance support across the ECD registration, infrastructure support, and subsidy business processes. The successful candidate will work at the district level to ensure that ECD centres meet regulatory standards and can access the funding they need to operate effectively, playing a key part in strengthening the early childhood development ecosystem in the Western Cape.

To be considered, applicants must hold an appropriate certificate or bachelor’s degree in Social Auxiliary Work or Social Work, and be registered with the South African Council for Social Service Profession as a Social Worker or Social Auxiliary Worker. A minimum of two years of relevant experience in the field is required. The role demands solid knowledge of early childhood development principles, including the policies and legislation that regulate ECD, age-appropriate stimulation, play-based learning, the ECD registration process, and the ECD subsidy application procedure. Strong administrative and compliance skills are essential, particularly in record keeping, documentation management, and applying registration requirements. Candidates should also be comfortable monitoring attendance, incidents, and programme progress, as well as mobilising community resources and collaborating with NGOs, clinics, schools, and other government departments. A thorough understanding of data confidentiality and the ethical handling of information is also necessary.

The core duties involve processing, organising, and tracking documentation that ECD centres need for registration and funding. This includes uploading and managing digital records on Department of Basic Education-approved platforms, monitoring the progress of applications, and flagging submissions that are incomplete or incorrect. The Social Worker will prepare district reports and data updates, including evidence to demonstrate readiness for site visits, and will liaise with district officials, ECD centres, and field staff to coordinate follow-ups and site visits. Another key responsibility is mapping and updating ECD centre information at the district level. The role also requires accompanying provincial or district officials on site visits to ECD centres, supporting document collection, engaging with practitioners, and helping resolve registration or subsidy queries directly at the centres.

As part of the appointment process, shortlisted candidates will be expected to be available for selection interviews on a date, time, and place determined by the department. All shortlisted candidates will also undergo two pre-entry assessments: a practical exercise to assess suitability against the technical and generic requirements of the post, and an integrity or ethical conduct assessment. In line with the department’s Employment Equity Plan, this advertisement intends to promote equal opportunities and fair treatment in employment, and applicants should note that excess personnel will receive preference. This is an excellent opportunity for a qualified social services professional who is passionate about early childhood development and wants to apply their administrative and community liaison skills within a structured government environment.