Chief Director: Media Liaison and National and Provincial

Overview

Chief Director needed to lead media liaison and communication strategy for the Department of Basic Education in Pretoria, requiring 10 years' experience.

Requirements

• An appropriate recognised qualification at NQF level 7 in Communication, Marketing, Public Relations or a related field, as recognised by SAQA.
• A relevant NQF level 8 or higher qualification, as recognised by SAQA, will be an added advantage.
• The incumbent must have a minimum of ten (10) years’ experience in communication, public relations, media liaison, marketing, content development and/or internal communications, of which at least five (5) years must have been at senior management level.
• Proven experience in strategic communication, media liaison, public relations, stakeholder communication, marketing campaigns, content development and internal communications will be required.
• Experience in the education sector, public sector, intergovernmental environment, or a similarly complex stakeholder environment requiring high-level media liaison, crisis communication and stakeholder management will be an added advantage.
• Process competencies: Knowledge Management, Service Delivery Innovation, Problem Solving and Analysis, Client Orientation and Customer Focus, Communication skills.
• Core Competencies: Strategic Capacity and Leadership, People Management and Empowerment, Financial Management and Change Management, promotion communication, innovation and creativity, and the ability to prepare speeches.
• The candidate must be confident, trustworthy, accurate, adaptable and diplomatic.
• Applicants must have a valid driver’s licence and be willing to travel extensively.

Duties

• The successful candidate will be responsible for providing effective communication services to the Minister, the Department of Basic Education (DBE) and Education Departments in the provinces;
• Responsible for leading communication strategies for the Minister, DBE and provinces;
• Managing communication campaigns;
• Managing urgent and unplanned communication matters;
• Responding to deadlines and quality inputs;
• Overseeing and providing strategic direction in the development and implementation of communication channels and strategies for the Ministry, the Department of Basic Education and Provincial Education Departments;
• Overseeing, implementing and managing communication campaigns for the Department of Basic Education and providing support to communication campaigns undertaken by the Ministry of Basic Education, where required;
• Ensuring effective management and utilisation of appropriate communication channels for the Ministry and the Department of Basic Education;
• Building and sustaining a positive reputation for the Ministry and the Department of Basic Education;
• Managing planned, unplanned and urgent communication matters for the Ministry, where requested, and for the Department of Basic Education;
• Arranging media and press conferences;
• Responding to media enquiries;
• Responding timeously to deadlines and providing quality inputs into matters that affect the Ministry and the Department of Basic Education;
• Overseeing strategic content development, public relations, stakeholder communication, media liaison and internal communication functions in support of the Department’s priorities and the broader basic education sector;
• Supporting delegated tasks from the Minister, Deputy Minister, DG, HEDCOM and CEM; and ensuring proper financial, administrative and personnel management.
• Ensuring that appropriate financial, administrative and personnel management procedures are in place and in accordance with the requirements of the Department of Basic Education, relevant Public Service and Administration policies and the Public Finance Management Act.

How to apply

Submitted via post to: Private Bag X895, Pretoria, 0001 or hand-deliver to: The Department of Basic Education, 222 Struben Street, Pretoria or you can email your application Sechele.O@dbe.gov.za/Monyela.N@dbe.gov.za/Segowa.M@dbe.gov.za/Ku malo.N@dbe.gov.za. Please visit the Department of Education’s website at www.education.gov.za

Enquiries: Ms N Monyela Tel No: (012) 357 3294/ Mr M Segowa Tel No: (012) 357 4291

Notes

Applications must be submitted on the most recently approved Z83 Application for Employment Form, obtainable from the DBE Website or any Public Service Department/Webpage. Use of the old Z83 Form will result in disqualification. The Z83 must be completed in full and page 2 duly signed. A clear indication of the post and reference number that is being applied for must be indicated on your Z83. Applicants are not required to submit copies of qualifications and other relevant documents on application but must submit the Z83 with a detailed Curriculum Vitae (only). Certified copies of qualifications and other relevant documents will be requested from shortlisted candidates on or before the day of the interview. Successful candidates will be subjected to Personnel Suitability Checks (criminal record, citizenship & financial/asset record checks, qualification and employment verification including social media profiles). Appointment is subject to positive results of the security clearance process. The successful candidate will be required to sign an annual performance agreement and, where applicable, annually disclose his/her financial interests. All applicants are required to declare any conflict or perceived conflict of interest, to disclose memberships of Boards and directorships that they may be associated with. Applicants, who do not comply with the requirements outlined above, will not be considered. A Pre-entry Certificate for the Senior Management Service (SMS) (Nyukela Certificate) is required for all SMS appointments; the full detail of the outlined requirements and course information can be sourced by following the link https://www.thensg.gov.za/training-course-SMS-pre-entry programme. 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, behavioural preferences, emotional intelligence, and integrity All shortlisted candidates, including SMS, shall undertake two pre- entry assessments. One must be a practical exercise, and the other must be an Integrity (Ethical Conduct) Assessment. Selection panels shall score both technical exercises as an additional criterion in the interview process MANAGEMENT ECHELON