Education · Circular 33 of 2026

Deputy Director: S/dir: ECD Centres - Conditional Grant

Department of Education

Overview

Deputy Director for ECD Centres managing conditional grants, registration, infrastructure support and quality assurance at the Mpumalanga Education Head Office.

Requirements

  • An undergraduate qualification (NQF 7) as recognised by SAQA in the relevant field or equivalent qualification.
  • Minimum of 5 years’ relevant experience in an ECD environment.
  • Valid driver's license.
  • Knowledge of the key challenges in the ECD sector and how these can be mediated to improve the quality of learning outcomes in schools and to contribute to success in later life.
  • Knowledge of the key business processes in the ECD sector, including registration, subsidy management and reporting processes to accurately diagnose execution strengths and weaknesses, identify key issues, and develop implementation plans.
  • Knowledge of and ability to work with critical stakeholders within the ECD sector to strengthen the implementation of Early Childhood Development programmes.
  • Experience in all processes required in project management to deliver projects according to plans, time and budget.
  • Ability to translate strategy into operational reality, including breaking down strategies or programme initiatives into key tasks and identifying accountabilities.
  • Ability to align communication, people, culture, processes, resources and systems to ensure effective implementation and delivery of required results.
  • Ability to write clearly and understandably.
  • Good and functional knowledge of Government prescripts, knowledge of monitoring, evaluation and reporting systems and processes.
  • Good interpersonal relations and the ability to handle pressure.
  • Condition: Appointment will be subject to competency assessment.
  • All shortlisted candidates, including the SMS, 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.

Duties

  • Gather national business process reform plans and interpret them in line with provincial requirements.
  • Facilitates the adaptation of the national plans to develop integrated provincial implementation plans on ECD registration, infrastructure support, subsidy management and quality assurance and support.
  • Coordinates the development, execution and monitoring of provincial Silver/Gold registration and subsidy implementation plans across all districts.
  • Enables and support execution of the Provincial Programme Management Unit (PPMU) governance structures and processes to ensure effective and efficient execution of integrated provincial registration, infrastructure support and subsidy plans.
  • Plans, coordinates and facilitates all training related to new ECD business processes at the provincial and district level.
  • Coordinates all planned engagements of key departments and sector stakeholders critical towards the delivery of new ECD business processes.
  • Coordinates ECD programme support requirements from district officials and supporting functional departments.
  • Coordinates execution of stakeholder identification, engagements and communication through new and/or standard provincial communication channels with departmental internal communication team and existing district communication or engagement platforms (example- ECD forums, community forums etc.).
  • Monitors provincial plans and tracks implementation of plans for all related districts.
  • Consolidates provincial reports by facilitating inputs from district supervisors and functional leads.
  • Monitors dashboards and ensures weekly results/updates are published and shared with districts.

How to apply

The Mpumalanga Department of Education awaits applications from suitably qualified and experienced persons for appointment to positions, as set out below: Should be uploaded via the following link https://erecruitment.mpg.gov.za

Enquiries: Mr. EK Siwela Tel No: (013) 766 5922

Notes

Appointment will be subject to competency assessment. Shortlisted candidates will be subjected to a technical exercise that intends to test relevant technical elements of the job. 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 assessments). The competency assessment will be testing generic managerial competencies using the mandated DPSA SMS competency assessment tools. Applications should be submitted on the latest Form Z.83, obtainable from any Public Service Department. Applications must in all cases be accompanied by a recently updated comprehensive CV only. Only shortlisted candidates for a post will be required to submit certified copies of qualifications, identity document and driver’s license on or before the day of the interview following communication from the relevant HR section of the Department. The filling of posts will be done in terms of the Department’s approved Employment Equity Plan. Due to ongoing internal processes, the Department reserves the right to withdraw any post at any time. The Department reserves the right to verify the qualifications of every recommended candidate prior to the issuing of an offer of appointment. All short-listed candidates will be subject to a vetting process prior to appointment. If no response is received from Mpumalanga Department of Education within 90 days after the closing date of the advertisement, applicants must assume that their application was not successful. All shortlisted candidates, including the SMS, 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. Enquiries should be directed to 013 766 5524/5175/5267/5458/5350: Ms. NP Magagula / Ms. SL Mkhatshwa / Ms. SR Ndzinisa / Mr. X Sifunda, YT Mthethwa - HR Recruitment. MANAGEMENT ECHELON

Post 33/176, sourced from the DPSA Circular 33 of 2026. Apply directly to Department of Education by 08 October 2026, quoting reference A6/116. This is an unofficial index; the advert in the circular is authoritative.

Location
Mbombela, Mpumalanga
Salary
R932 292 p/a
Closing date
08 October 2026
Reference
A6/116
How to apply →

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