Deputy Director-General: People Management (Ref No. DOTP 117/2026)

Job Purpose

The Western Cape Government is seeking a suitably qualified and experienced individual with a qualification at NQF Level 8 in Social Sciences, Industrial Psychology, Public Management, Business Management or a related field, together with extensive experience in a people management services environment. The Deputy Director-General will provide strategic leadership and support to the Director-General in strengthening people management capabilities across Western Cape Government departments to enhance organisational effectiveness and resident-centric service delivery.

This post is stationed in Cape Town, CBD.

Tracking Number

Enquiries

Remuneration

All-inclusive salary package of R 1,885,710.00 per annum (Salary Level 15).

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 (practical) that intends to assess relevant functional elements of the job, an Integrity (Ethical Conduct) Assessment and an interview. The technical and integrity exercises will be scored as additional criteria in the interview process.
7. 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.
8. 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 .
9. 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.
10. The successful candidate will be required to enter into an employment contract and a performance agreement.
11. The successful candidate will be subject to security vetting; and the candidate will have to disclose her/his financial interests.
12. 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:

• To improve resident-centric service delivery capability in Western Cape Government (WCG) departments (Organisational Development and Behaviour):
  • Enable transversal work organisation capacity and capability.
  • Enable OD practices.
  • Enable transversal Organisational Behaviour.
  • Enable transversal Employee Health and Wellness.

• Coordinate and enhance transversal learning and development in the WCG (People Training and Empowerment):
  • Render services with regard to people development.
  • Deliver learning and development programmes in the Province.

• Render transversal people management practices for WCG departments (People Management Practices):
  • Render people management policy and planning services.
  • Render people administation services with regard to establishment control, talent sourcing and appointments.
  • Manage service conditions.
  • Promote sound employee relations.
  • Render performance management and priority services.
  • Render auxiliary services.

• Drive collaboration with key stakeholders within the Department, Branch and WCG departments on matters pertaining to people management.
• Ensure that trust-based relationships with stakeholders are developed through managing stakeholder expectations, networking and fostering good communication.

Strategic Management (including change management):

• Define and review on a continual basis the purpose, objectives, priorities and activities of the Branch.
• Drive the Branch’s strategic planning process.
• Drive the development and management of the strategic and business plans for the Branch.
• Evaluate the performance of the Branch’s on a continuing basis against pre-determined key measurable objectives and standards.
• Report to the Director-General on a regular basis on the activities of the Branch 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 Branch, and of the resources (people, finances and assets) employed by it.
• Foster and promote a culture of innovation within the Branch, and the Department.

People Management and Empowerment:

• Recruit, develop, and retain staff in appropriate numbers and grades to ensure the achievement of the Branch’s Business Plan.
• Motivate, train, and guide employees to achieve excellence in service delivery.
• Manage performance, evaluation, and development of staff within the Branch.
• Ensure workforce planning, service delivery improvement, and information resources planning initiatives.
• Promote sound labour relations and maintain discipline within the Directorate.

Financial Management:

• Manage participation in the Branch’s budgeting process, including Annual and Adjustment Budgets.
• Assume accountability for efficient, economic, and effective management of the Branch’s budget and expenditure.
• Ensure adherence to procurement, tender, and contract management requirements.
• Ensure alignment of expenditure with departmental and strategic objectives.

An appropriate qualification at NQF level 8 as recognised by SAQA.

A minimum of 8 years’ experience at a senior managerial level.

Successful completion of the Certificate for entry into the SMS (Senior Management Service) prior to appointment: 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.

Knowledge of the following:

Proven senior management expertise and practical experience in:

Legislation and Governance: Deep understanding of modern systems of governance and public administration, including a thorough understanding of the constitutional, legal and institutional frameworks governing the South African public sector, and the application thereof in the Western Cape Government people management priorities.

Regulatory Frameworks: The Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), National and Provincial Treasury Regulations, Labour Relations legislation, and related financial prescripts, directives and collective agreements, with demonstrated ability to ensure compliance, risk management, and sound governance and Data Governance Frameworks.

Strategic Management: Policy development, strategic planning, monitoring, and evaluation and review of processes aligned with provincial priorities and government outcomes.

Financial Management: Public finance management, procurement and tendering processes, and human resource and discourse management.

People and Performance Management: Comprehensive experience in human resource management, team leadership and performance systems to drive accountability and results.

Operational Systems: Public service procedures, performance management systems, and information and knowledge management systems, enabling efficient operations, evidence-based decision-making and continuous improvement.

Programme and Project Management: End-to-end programme and project management, including planning, implementation, oversight, reporting and risk mitigation to achieve strategic and operational targets.

Contextual Awareness: Strong understanding of global, regional and local political, socio-economic and political dynamics, impacting the functioning of Western Cape and activities of provincial government departments, translating insights into informed strategic advice.

Service Delivery and Innovation: Skilled in operational and knowledge management systems supporting evidence-based decision-making, efficient operations, and continuous improvement.

Skills in the following:

Effective communication skills.

Strong ability to conceptualise, formulate and demonstrate thought leadership in complex applications.

Persuasion and influencing abilities.

Leadership, team-building and interpersonal skills.

Planning, organising, and people management skills.

Proven ability to multi-task, manage ambiguity, and perform efficiently in rapidly changing environments.