Chief Director: Financial Management, Ref No. DSD 102/2026

Job Purpose

The Department of Social Development, Western Cape Government (WCG), is offering an exciting opportunity for a dynamic, results-driven, and experienced professional to manage sustained effectiveness, efficiency and economy in providing financial management services, and provide an operational support service.

Tracking Number

Enquiries

Remuneration

All–inclusive salary package of R 1 554 696 per annum (salary level 14).

Note: The remuneration package consists of a basic salary (70%) and the employer’s contribution to the Pension Fund. The remainder of the package may be structured according to your personal needs.

Notes

1. Only applications submitted online will be accepted.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. All shortlisted candidates must make themselves available to be interviewed at a date, time and place as decided by the selection panel.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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 .
8. 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.
9. The successful candidate will be required to enter into an employment contract and a performance agreement.
10. The successful candidate will be subject to security vetting; and the candidate will have to disclose her/his financial interests.
11. 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.

Line management:

Strategic management, advice and guidance in respect of the following functional areas: Ensure departmental management and financial accounting services; Ensure a departmental management accounting service, Budgeting and planning, Budget monitoring and reporting, Ensure a departmental financial accounting service, Expenditure management, Bookkeeping and financial statements, Salary administration and debt management, Banking and cash management, Provide and manage supply chain management (SCM) services; Manage governance and contract management, Manage bid- and quotation, logistics and LOGIS, Manage departmental assets and fleet management, Render a service with regard to planning, compliance, performance management, capacity building and risk management, Provide an operational support service; Ensure the rendering of information and communication technology (ICT), human capital, corporate assurance, legal and communication support services, Manage the professional development of occupation specific dispensation (OSD) professions, Provide executive support to the HoD, Coordinate security management, occupational health and safety (OHS) and accommodation matters, Ensure sound internal control practices; Ensure proper governance, Render assurance services, Provide effective and efficient fraud and losses management service

Strategic Management (including change management)

Define and review on a continual basis the purpose, objectives, priorities and activities of the Chief Directorate, Drive the Chief Directorate’s strategic planning process, Drive the development and management of the strategic and business plans for the Chief Directorate, Evaluate the performance of the Chief Directorate on a continuing basis against pre-determined key measurable objectives and standards, Report to the HoD on a regular basis on the activities of the Chief Directorate and on matters of substantial importance relating to operational management support, Monitor and ensure compliance with relevant legislation and prescripts in respect of adequate and appropriate record keeping of the activities of the Chief Directorate, and of the resources (people, finances and assets) employed by it, Foster and promote a culture of innovation within the Chief Directorate, and the Department, Diligently perform all duties assigned to the post of Chief Director.

People Management:

Participate in the recruitment of employees in the numbers and grades appropriate to ensure the achievement of the Chief Directorate’s Business Plan, Motivate, train and guide employees within the Chief Directorate, to achieve and maintain excellence in service delivery, Actively manage the performance, evaluation and rewarding of employees within the Chief Directorate, Monitor information capacity building within the Chief Directorate, Ensure involvement in the compilation of a workforce plan, a service delivery improvement programme, and an information resources plan for the Chief Directorate, Promote sound labour relations within the Chief Directorate, Actively manage and promote the maintenance of discipline within the Chief Directorate.

Financial Management:

Manage participation in the budgeting process at Chief Directorate level, Ensure the preparation of the Annual and Adjustment Budgets for the Chief Directorate, Assume direct accountability for the efficient, economic and effective control and management of the Chief Directorate’s budget and expenditure, Assume direct accountability for ensuring that the correct tender and procurement procedures are adhered to in respect of purchases for the Chief Directorate, Assume direct accountability for ensuring contracts are managed effectively and efficiently for the Chief Directorate and Department, Report to the Head of Department and relevant oversight role players/ committees on all aspects of the Chief Directorate’s finances, Assume overall accountability for the management, maintenance and safekeeping of the Chief Directorate assets, Assume direct accountability for ensuring that appropriate risk management procedures are in place and adhered to for the Chief Directorate, Ensure that full and proper records of the financial affairs of the Chief Directorate are kept in accordance with any prescribed norms and standards.

• An appropriate qualification (NQF Level 7) or higher, as recognised by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA);
• A minimum of five (5) years’ relevant experience at a senior managerial level;

Knowledge 

Proven knowledge of and working experience with the legislation, regulatory frameworks, policies and best practices that have a bearing on the line functions, Proven knowledge and understanding of information systems that aid in the management of knowledge and information pertaining to the line function, Proven knowledge and understanding of programme and project management, Proven knowledge and understanding of procurement and tendering processes, Proven knowledge and understanding of policy development, and strategy management, monitoring and review processes, Proven knowledge and understanding of modern systems of governance and administration, Proven knowledge and understanding of public service procedures, processes and systems, Proven knowledge and understanding of the global, regional and local political, economic and social affairs impacting on the provincial government of the Western Cape, Proven knowledge and understanding of Constitutional, legal and institutional arrangements governing the South African public sector, Proven knowledge and understanding of public finance, human resources and discourse management processes, Proven knowledge and understanding of the Public Finance Management Act, National and Provincial Treasury Regulations, other financial policies, prescripts, directives and collective agreements, Proven knowledge and understanding of the functioning of the Province and the activities of sister departments, Proven knowledge and understanding of the policies of the government of the day, Proven knowledge and understanding of Labour Relations legislation and regulations, Proven knowledge and understanding of performance management in general, Proven Knowledge on strategic sourcing, preferential procurement and Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BEE), Knowledge of financia management processes, Knowledge of industry trends and best practices per commodity groups, Knowledge of procurement best practices including sourcing strategies and the different mechanisms for procurement, Knowledge on procurement policies, procedures and contract management, Knowledge of records management, inclusive of registry servicesm and policy and procedures governing these functions.

Core Competencies:

Strategic Capability and Leadership, Project and Programme Management, Change Management, People Management and Empowerment, Financial Management.

Skills:

Numeracy, Literacy, Computer Literacy, Language skills, Project Management, Accounting/ Finance/ Audit, Economic, Financial and Statistical analysis, Legal Administration |Strategic Planning, Excellent networking and network formation skills, Strong conceptual and formulation skills, Strong leadership skills with specific reference to the ability to display thought leadership in complex applications, Team building and strong inter-personal skills, Excellent communication skills (verbal and written), Outstanding planning, organising and people management skills, Highly developed interpretive and conceptualisation and formulation ability, Ability to multi-task, deal with ambiguity and manage under rapidly changing and pressurised circumstances, the ability to persuade and influence, Ability to deal with wide variety of external and internal stakeholders.