Education · Circular 27 of 2026
Director: Formal Education and Skills Development
Department of Correctional Services
Overview
Director role managing formal education curriculum and skills development programmes for offenders at the Department of Correctional Services National Head Office in Pretoria.
Requirements
- An undergraduate qualification (NQF level 7) as recognized by SAQA in Education/Social Sciences or equivalent.
- A certificate for entry into the Senior Management Services (SMS) obtained from the National School of Government (NSG) is compulsory (required from all applicants prior to appointment).
- Five [5] years’ experience at a middle/senior managerial level in a similar environment.
- Security clearance.
- Computer literate.
- Valid driver’s licence.
- Required Knowledge: Knowledge and understanding of the South African Criminal Justice System and the Correctional Services architecture.
- Understanding of public service policy and related legislative framework (Public Service Act and Regulations, Public Finance Management Act and the Correctional Service Act 111 of 1998 as amended).
- Competencies And Attributes: Knowledge of all legislation, norms and standards that governs education and skills development.
- Knowledge of PFMA – compilation of budgets, estimation, expenditure & reporting.
- Understanding of DCS environment.
- Knowledge and understanding of Public Service policies and mandates.
- Understanding of justice cluster.
- Knowledge of relevant prescripts, social cohesiveness and quality improvement.
- Applied strategic thinking and networking/liaison with stakeholders.
- Project management and analytical thinking.
- Presentation and report writing skills.
- Service delivery standards.
- Developing others (coaching, mentoring, training).
- Decision making, problem solving, negotiation and organising.
- Communication and conflict management.
- Policy development, analysis, monitoring, evaluation and implementation advice.
Duties
- Manage, develop and design Formal Education curriculum programs in line with South African Qualification Authority standards (SAQA).
- Manage, develop and design formal education curriculum programs and strategies for offenders.
- Manage formal curriculum administration for offenders.
- Develop and manage the rollout of formal education and training of offenders in line with frameworks and departmental policies and procedures.
- Manage the coordination of formal training.
- Manage, develop and design skills development curriculum programs and strategies for offenders in line with South African Qualification Authority standards (SAQA).
- Manage skills development curriculum administration for offenders.
- Manage and ensure proper research and development of the program.
- Develop and manage the rollout of skills development training for offenders in line with relevant legislation, regulations, frameworks and departmental policies and procedures.
- Manage the coordination of the skills training.
- Identify risk factors and ensure monitoring and evaluation of formal education and skills development programs services.
- Develop strategies for monitoring and evaluation of the formal education and skills development programs.
- Ensure the effective and efficient management skills development monitoring tools.
- Management of human resources, finance, assets and performance information.
How to apply
Indicate the reference number and position you are applying for on your application form (Z83) and send your complete application to: The Department of Correctional Services, Post Advertisement Section, Private Bag X136, Pretoria, 0001 OR hand deliver at: 124 WF Nkomo Street, Poyntons Building, Corner WF Nkomo and Sophie De Bruyn Street, Pretoria, 0001 (Previous: Corner Church and Schubart Street) OR you can submit your application online at: https://careers.dcs.gov.za/
Enquiries: Ms TP Ngobeni Tel No: (012) 305 8589 or Ms NS Khumalo Tel No: (012) 307
Notes
Appointment under the Correctional Service Act Before you apply: All costs associated with an application will be borne by the applicant. Please take note that correspondence will only be conducted with the shortlisted candidates. If you have not been contacted within three (3) months of the closing date of the advertisement, please accept that your application is unsuccessful. Please do not call the department to enquire about the progress of your application. A pre-entry certificate from the National School of Government (NSG) is required from all applicants prior to appointment. The full details of the SMS pre-entry course are obtainable on: Certificate for entry into the SMS (Senior Management Service) | thensg Applicants must note that further checks will be conducted once they are shortlisted and that their appointment is subject to positive outcomes on these checks, which include security clearance, security vetting, qualification/s and criminal records verification. Appointment to some of these posts will be provisional, pending the issue of a security clearance. If you cannot get a security clearance, your appointment will be re-considered/possibly terminated. Fingerprints will be taken on the day of the interview. All shortlisted candidates will be subjected to a technical exercise that intends to test relevant technical elements of the job, the logistics of which will be communicated by the department. Following the interview and technical exercise, the selection panel will recommend candidates to attend a generic managerial competency assessment (in compliance with the DPSA directive on the implementation of competency- based assessment). The competency assessment will be testing generic managerial competencies using the mandated DPSA SMS competency assessment tool. Applications: Applications must be submitted on the Z83 form (Public Service application form) obtainable from any Public Service department and must be completed in full. Only a detailed CV should be attached to your application form. Only shortlisted candidates will be required to submit certified copies not older than 6 months of qualifications and other related documents on or before the day of the interview. Please send a separate and complete application for each post you are applying for, stating the correct reference for each position you are interested in. Candidates must comply with the minimum appointment requirements. CV’s should be aligned to reflect one’s degree of compliance with the advert requirements and responsibilities. The Department of Correctional Services reserves the right not to fill any of these advertised posts. OTHER POSTS
Post 27/12, sourced from the DPSA Circular 27 of 2026. Apply directly to Department of Correctional Services by 18 August 2026 @ 15h45. It is the sole responsibility of an applicant to ensure that their application reaches the Department of Correctional Services before closing date., quoting reference HO 2026/07/08. This is an unofficial index; the advert in the circular is authoritative.
- Location
- Pretoria
- Salary
- R1 340 691 p/a
- Closing date
- 18 August 2026 @ 15h45. It is the sole responsibility of an applicant to ensure that their application reaches the Department of Correctional Services before closing date. Closed
- Reference
- HO 2026/07/08
Apply directly to the department, by the closing date, quoting the reference.