Education · Circular 34 of 2026

Assistant Director: ECD: Data Quality Assurance Officer

Western Cape Education Department (WCED)

Overview

Assistant Director role ensuring data quality assurance for ECD data within the Western Cape Education Department, based in Cape Town.

Requirements

Applicants must have a SAQA-recognised three-year post-matric qualification (NQF6 or higher) in Data Management, Information Systems, Statistics, Social Sciences, M&E or related field.
A postgraduate qualification in a relevant field will be an added advantage. 5 years' experience in data management, data quality assurance, monitoring or system support.
Experience in the education sector data (e.g., EMIS) or ECD programmes is beneficial.
Strong proficiency in: Microsoft Excel and data validation;
Business Intelligence tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau) advantageous;
Basic database and reporting processes.
Ability to support end-users and provide helpdesk-style guidance.
Good communication (verbal & written) and stakeholder coordination skills.
Problem-solving, attention to detail, and the ability to work independently.
A valid driver's licence and willingness to travel provincially.

Duties

The successful candidate will be responsible for monitoring and improving accuracy, completeness and consistency of ECD data in the Early childhood Administration and Reporting System -eCares.
Supporting district and provincial users with data entry, uploads, corrections and troubleshooting.
Conducting data quality checks and implementing improvement measures.
Maintaining records of discrepancies, resolutions and reporting artefacts.
Supporting preparation of routine provincial and district reports.
Conducting and supporting user training and capacity-building.
Promoting the utilisation of dashboards and reports for planning and service delivery.
Supporting user access management and assisting with system usage queries.
Collaborating with national, provincial and district stakeholders to drive improved data quality practices.
Conduct or support training sessions (virtually and in-person) for provincial and district users on data quality requirements (working with provincial training team).
Reinforce importance of accurate data entry and maintenance.
Share tips and guidance for improving data quality.
Design and implement data quality and completeness reviews.
Advocate for use of eCares reports and dashboards to support ECD operations and planning.
Advocate and train province and district users in using reports and dashboards to support their operations and planning for ECD, including data collection where appropriate (initialisation of eCares usage to support ECD business processes and ECD related Data usage and reporting practices).
Ensuring that reports and new plans are prepared with enough lead time to get the necessary approvals.
The candidate will report to the provincial EMIS head and work closely with the ECD Directorate.

How to apply

Applications must be submitted by using the following URL https://www.westerncape.gov.za/education via Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox. The applicants are advised to read the foreword available on the WCED website before applying for the post/s.

Enquiries: Ms R Leukes Tel No: (021) 833 8478

Post 34/265, sourced from the DPSA Circular 34 of 2026. Apply directly to Western Cape Education Department (WCED) by 09 October 2026 NOTE Applications must be made via the department’s on-line E-Recruitment system. The on-line system will automatically generate a Curriculum Vitae; applicants are therefore required to ensure that their profiles are fully completed. Certified copies of Identity Document, Senior Certificate and the highest required qualification as well as a driver’s license where necessary, will only be submitted by shortlisted candidates to HR on or before the day of the interview date. All applicants must be SA Citizens/Permanent Residents or Non-SA Citizens with a valid work permit. Applicants will be expected to be available for selection interviews and competency assessments at a time, date and place as determined by Western Cape Education Department (WCED). The Department reserves the right to conduct pre-employment security screening, and appointment is subject to positive security clearance outcome. Applicants must declare any/pending criminal, disciplinary or any other allegations or investigations against them. Should this be uncovered post the interview the application will not be considered for the post and in the unlikely event that the person has been appointed such appointment will be terminated. If you have not been contacted within 3 months of the closing date of this advertisement, please accept that your application was unsuccessful. 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. OTHER POSTS, quoting reference 327 Directorate: Early Childhood Development. This is an unofficial index; the advert in the circular is authoritative.

Location: Cape Town, Western Cape
Salary: R487 197 p/a
Closing date: 09 October 2026 NOTE Applications must be made via the department’s on-line E-Recruitment system. The on-line system will automatically generate a Curriculum Vitae; applicants are therefore required to ensure that their profiles are fully completed. Certified copies of Identity Document, Senior Certificate and the highest required qualification as well as a driver’s license where necessary, will only be submitted by shortlisted candidates to HR on or before the day of the interview date. All applicants must be SA Citizens/Permanent Residents or Non-SA Citizens with a valid work permit. Applicants will be expected to be available for selection interviews and competency assessments at a time, date and place as determined by Western Cape Education Department (WCED). The Department reserves the right to conduct pre-employment security screening, and appointment is subject to positive security clearance outcome. Applicants must declare any/pending criminal, disciplinary or any other allegations or investigations against them. Should this be uncovered post the interview the application will not be considered for the post and in the unlikely event that the person has been appointed such appointment will be terminated. If you have not been contacted within 3 months of the closing date of this advertisement, please accept that your application was unsuccessful. 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. OTHER POSTS Closed
Reference: 327 Directorate: Early Childhood Development

How to apply →

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