DEPUTY DIRECTOR: INITIATION AND EVALUATION (REF NO

DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION

About this role

About IT and technology roles in South Africa

Information technology skills are among the most in-demand in the South African job market. Cape Town has established itself as a significant technology hub, while Johannesburg and Pretoria host the majority of corporate IT teams. The public sector is also a major employer of IT professionals, with posts in systems administration, network management, and software development regularly advertised through DPSA and government departments. Remote work is more common in technology than in any other South African sector.

About the hiring department

This vacancy is within DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION. Government departments in South Africa advertise vacancies through the Public Service Commission and are required to follow a standardised recruitment process governed by the Public Service Act. Applications are screened against the minimum requirements listed in the advert before any CV is reviewed by a panel.

Shortlisted candidates are contacted directly by the department. If you do not receive a response within 90 days of the closing date, your application was not successful. NewGenJobs tracks every application you submit through your personal dashboard so you always know where you stand.

Requirements

• ·This must be coupled with a minimum of five (5) years’ relevant experience in project management, programme management, evaluation, or project funding with 3 years’ experience in a junior management level
• ·Candidates with a proven track record in project initiation and evaluation, programme and portfolio management, or funding administration within the public or private sector will have a distinct advantage
• ·Experience in managing high-volume funding processes, infrastructure or development projects, and exposure to governance- intensive environments will be beneficial
• ·A sound understanding of the Post- School Education and Training (PSET) system will serve as an added advantage
• ·This is a middle management position within a highly regulated and governance- intensive environment, requiring a dynamic and results-driven individual with strong leadership and coordination capabilities
• ·The successful candidate must possess a solid understanding of project initiation, evaluation, and due diligence processes, as well as knowledge of public sector governance frameworks,

Key Duties

• ·The successful candidate will be responsible for the effective implementation of the project initiation and evaluation lifecycle within the National Skills Fund (NSF), ensuring that all funding processes are conducted in a compliant, transparent, and efficient manner
• ·This includes the implementation and management of Requests for Proposals (RFPs), Expressions of Interest (EOIs), and unsolicited funding processes, as well as the development and application of funding frameworks, evaluation templates, and application guidelines aligned to NSF policies and strategic objectives
• ·The incumbent will oversee the receipt, logging, and tracking of all funding applications and ensure the effective coordination and execution of evaluation processes
• ·This includes conducting and/or overseeing administrative compliance checks, tax compliance verification, restriction checks, technical evaluations, and reputational risk assessments
• ·This requires ensuring that all evaluation processes are conducted fairly, consistently, and in accordance with approved criteria and governance standards
• ·A key responsibility of the role includes conducting and reviewing due diligence processes, including site visits and institutional verification, to assess the capacity, credibility, and readiness of applicants
• ·The incumbent will be required to validate the accuracy of information provided by applicants and identify and mitigate risks associated with funding decisions
• ·The Deputy Director will play a critical role in supporting governance and decision-making processes by preparing and submitting comprehensive reports, submissions, and recommendation packs for internal governance structures, including the Funding Recommendation Committee (FRC) and the Funding Adjudication Committee (FAC)
• ·The role also involves coordinating and administering committee processes, including scheduling meetings, preparing documentation, and recording minutes, as well as preparing submissions and memoranda for the Executive Office (EO), Director-General (DG), and other relevant stakeholders
• ·The incumbent will support contracting readiness by facilitating the preparation of Memoranda of Agreement (MOA), and related documentation, ensuring alignment between approved project budgets and implementation plans

How to Apply

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