Social Services · Circular 32 of 2026

Community Development Practitioner: Sustainable

Department of Social Development

Overview

Community Development Practitioner needed in the Western Cape to facilitate integrated community development interventions across three grade levels with varying experience requirements.

Requirements

  • Grade 1: An appropriate 3-year tertiary qualification (National Diploma/B- Degree or higher);
  • No experience required.
  • Grade 2: An appropriate 3-year tertiary qualification (National Diploma/B-Degree or higher);
  • A minimum of 10 years appropriate experience in Community Development work after obtaining the required tertiary qualification.
  • Grade 3: An appropriate 3-year tertiary qualification (National Diploma/B-Degree or higher);
  • A minimum of 20 years appropriate experience in Community Development work after obtaining the required tertiary qualification.
  • Competencies: Knowledge of the following: Community development work, skills, attitudes and values of communities;
  • Human behaviour and social systems and legislation to assist with interventions at the points where people interact with their environments in order to promote self-empowerment;
  • The ability and competence to co- ordinate community development structures and ability to manage projects;
  • The ability to influence individuals and group to participate in their own self- empowerment ventures;
  • The understanding of social dynamics of communities;
  • Skills needed: Presentation;
  • Proven computer literacy;
  • Written and verbal communication;. Facilitation;. Research;
  • Knowledge and understanding of basic Financial Management.

Duties

  • Identify and facilitate the implementation of integrated community development interventions in partnership with the community and other relevant stakeholders;
  • Liaise and co-ordinate with all relevant role players, internal and external and stakeholders (e.g. in departments/provinces, NGOs, local community structures and faith-based organisations) to facilitate collaboration and to establish partnerships to ensure the sustainability of development actions within the community;
  • Support communities and perform administrative support on community development and related activities;
  • Keep up to date with new developments in the community development field to enhance service delivery.
  • Monitor funded organisations' financial compliance to ensure transferred funds are utilised in line with approved activities;
  • Implementation of the approved Community Development Norms and Standards.

How to apply

Only applications submitted online will be accepted. To apply submit your application online only: via http://www.westerncape.gov.za/jobs or https://westerncapegov.erecruit.co

Enquiries: Mr L Arnolds Tel No: (021) 483 6657

Notes

Shortlisted candidates will be required to attend interviews on a date and time determined by the department and will be required to submit duly completed and signed vetting and supporting documentation within the timeframe communicated by the WCG and prior to the interview date. Failure to provide the required duly completed and signed vetting and supporting documentation within the prescribed timeframe, without reasonable justification, may result in the shortlisted candidate not being considered further in the current recruitment and selection process. All shortlisted candidates shall undertake two pre-entry assessments. One will be a practical exercise to determine a candidate’s suitability based on the post’s technical and generic requirements and the other must be an integrity (ethical conduct) assessment. The selection process will be guided by the EE targets of the employing department. By applying for this position, you are consenting to the Western Cape Government contacting your previous employers/managers for an employment reference. Reference checks will include enquiries relating to your disciplinary records and reasons for leaving. Should you experience difficulties with your online application, technical support is available from Monday to Friday from 08:00 to 16.00. Contact the helpline at 086 137 0214. For all other queries relating to the position, kindly contact the enquiries person as indicated in the advert. Please ensure that you submit your application before the closing date as no late applications will be considered. Only applications submitted online will be accepted. Kindly note that technical support is only available from Monday to Friday from 8:00 to 16:00. Should you experience any difficulties with your online application you may contact the helpline on 0861 370 214. Please ensure that you submit your application on or before the closing date as no late applications will be considered. The selection process will be guided by the EE targets of the employing department. By applying for this post, you are consenting to the Western Cape Government contacting your previous employers/managers for an employment reference. Reference checks will include enquiries relating to your disciplinary records and reasons for leaving. All shortlisted candidates must make themselves available to be interviewed at a date, time and place as decided by the selection panel. All shortlisted candidates will be required to submit duly completed and signed vetting and supporting documentation within the timeframe communicated by the WCG and prior to the interview date. Failure to provide the required duly completed and signed vetting and supporting documentation within the prescribed timeframe, without reasonable justification, may result in the shortlisted candidate not being considered further in the current recruitment and selection process. All shortlisted candidates for SMS posts will be subjected to a technical exercise that intends to assess relevant functional elements of the job and an 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. The successful candidate will be required to complete the Senior Management Pre-Entry Programme (Nyukela) and submit the certificate before he/she can be appointed to this post. The purpose of the Senior Management Pre-Entry Programme, which is a public service specific training programme applicable to all applicants who aspire to join the SMS, is to ensure that potential SMS members have a background in processes and procedures linked to the SMS. The duration of the online Pre-Entry Programme is 120 notional hours (15 days). Full details may be sourced by the following link: https://www.thensg.gov.za/training- course/sms-preentryprogramme . The successful candidate shall be subjected to a leadership assessment, within one (1) month of appointment, to assess the managerial competencies required for SMS members in the Public Service as specified under Chapter Five (5) of the SMS handbook. This assessment shall be conducted to determine an individual’s ability to lead, manage, and direct others and to identify developmental gaps in core generic leadership and management competencies. The successful candidate will be required to enter into an employment contract and a performance agreement. The successful candidate will be subject to security vetting; and the candidate will have to disclose her/his financial interests. Furthermore, thank you, to the huge public interest, we receive many applications for our posts, and as such will not be able to respond personally to all applications. Therefore, should you not hear from us within 10 weeks from close of the advert please consider your application unsuccessful. MANAGEMENT ECHELON

Post 32/401, sourced from the DPSA Circular 32 of 2026. Apply directly to Department of Social Development by 28 September 2026, quoting reference DSD 65/2026. This is an unofficial index; the advert in the circular is authoritative.

Location
Western Cape
Salary
R289 296 – R564 846 p/a
Closing date
28 September 2026 Closed
Reference
DSD 65/2026
How to apply →

Apply directly to the department, by the closing date, quoting the reference.