Assistant Director: Persal and Vulindlela Operations (Epp)

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR: PERSAL AND VULINDLELA OPERATIONS (EPP) is listed by NATIONAL TREASURY. The post is based in Pretoria, Gauteng. The closing date is 05 October 2026.

Job Details

Requirements

• A Grade 12 is required coupled with a minimum National Diploma (NQF Level
• 6) in Information Technology or Information Systems or Business Analysis.
• A Bachelor’s Degree (NQF Level
• 7) in any of the above disciplines is added advantage; and A Qualification in Project Management is added advantage.
• A minimum of 3 years’ experience obtained in an application or system support or operations environment.
• Experience in transversal financial management systems operations and support processes (incident, problem, change and release management).
• Experience in Project Management (IT Systems Implementation).
• Knowledge and experience of the public-sector financial framework and end-user support in a multi-stakeholder environment.
• Knowledge and experience of PERSAL and its operations.

Duties / Responsibilities

• Some key Outputs include: Financial Management Systems Development, Configuration, Maintenance and Enhancement: Maintain, configure and enhance PERSAL, Vulindlela and related transversal financial management systems in line with approved policies, procedures, standards and controls.
• Analyse policy, business and user requirements and translate approved changes into system specifications, functional requirements and technical implementation actions.
• Coordinate system design, development, configuration, testing, quality assurance, implementation and postimplementation support for new or enhanced system functionality.
• Support modernisation, patching, upgrades and integration activities by providing functional clarification, operational input and implementation support.
• Maintain technical documentation, system rules, control records, standard operating procedures, user guides and knowledge articles to support consistent service delivery.
• System Operations, Processing, Availability and Control Management: Provide operational and technical support for payroll, EFT, EDT, SCOA, reporting, leave, salary package structuring and related financial management system processes.
• Monitor system availability, peak-period readiness, processing schedules, pay dates, closing dates, disk-space requirements and recovery measures to support business continuity.
• Apply approved system controls to prevent irregular, duplicate, unauthorised or noncompliant payments and transactions, including deceased-employee salary controls and exception management.
• Support user access management, role and profile maintenance, access reviews and segregation-of-duties controls in line with security requirements.
• Monitor and report on service performance, incident trends, request volumes, turnaround times and operational risks to support continuous improvement.
• Change, Release, Testing and Modernisation Support: Coordinate change and release activities for enhancements, upgrades, patches, initiatives and new implementations in line with approved governance processes.
• Conduct and coordinate technical, functional, user-acceptance and post-implementation testing to confirm that implemented functionality meets approved requirements.
• Support feasibility assessments, planning, implementation readiness, defect resolution and stakeholder communication for approved system changes.
• Ensure requests are recorded, assessed, approved, prioritised and implemented in a controlled manner to protect system integrity and avoid duplication.
• Stakeholder Engagement, Client Support and Problem Resolution: Liaise with departments, internal teams, external institutions, service providers and forums to identify, analyse, prioritise and resolve system incidents, queries and service requests.
• Provide third-level support, technical guidance and expert input for escalated PERSAL and financial management system matters.
• Prepare and issue system notices, circulars, user messages, implementation communications, audit inputs and stakeholder updates relating to system changes and operations.
• Coordinate user forums, stakeholder engagements, intervention strategies and knowledge-sharing activities to strengthen user readiness and service continuity.
• Governance, Compliance, Contractor Support and Knowledge Transfer: Support compliance with approved policies, regulations, delegations, standards, audit requirements, service levels and operational controls across system maintenance and support activities.
• Assist with policy research, analysis and alignment of system competencies with requirements from DPSA, Office of the Accountant-General, CPO and other relevant stakeholders.
• Support contractor deliverables by coordinating work allocation, SCC activities, timesheet and overtime recommendations, SLA monitoring and remedial actions where required.
• Facilitate documentation, knowledge transfer and collaboration between officials, consultants and service providers to strengthen internal capability and reduce dependency on external support.

Application Instructions

Interested applicants must submit their applications via the online link https://erecruitment.dws.gov.za

Notes

Effective from 7 April 2021, the National Treasury now utilizes an e-Recruitment System which means all applicants must login/register to apply for positions, we only accept hand delivered/posted applications should an applicant prove that he/she tried to apply via e-Recruitment with no success and the National Treasury ICT unit was unable to assist. The applicant’s profile on the e- Recruitment is equivalent to the newly approved Z83, and it is the responsibility of applicants to ensure their profiles are fully completed or their applications will not be considered, as per the DPSA Practice Note.

Certain documentation will still be required to be uploaded on the system such as copies of all qualifications including National Senior Certificate/Matric certificate, ID, etc., however these documents need not be certified at point of application, however certification will be required prior to attending the interview. Please note: 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. It should be noted that the National Treasury does not support the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in any of its recruitment and selection processes and will disqualify an application if it picks up the use of AI when completing assessments without acknowledging the source of information.

Successful completion of the Nyukela Public Service SMS Pre-entry Programme as endorsed by the National School of Government, available as an online course on https://www.thensg.gov.za/training-course/sms-pre-entry-programme/, prior to finalisation of appointment, is a requirement for all SMS positions. All shortlisted candidates for SMS posts will be subjected to technical exercise and 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. All qualifications, criminal and SA citizenship checks will be conducted on all short-listed candidates and, where applicable, additional checks will be conducted in line with the new DPSA Directive effective 01 April 2024.

Please note that by responding to our advertisement/s, you consent to the collection, processing, and storing of your Personal Information for internal HR processes in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA), Act No. 4 of 2013. In the event that your application is unsuccessful, the Department will retain your personal information only for audit purposes as required by policies, only for a specific period, of which the submitted documents will then be destroyed as legislated in the National Archives Act.

It is the applicant’s responsibility to have all their foreign qualifications (this includes O and A level certificates) evaluated by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA), at your own expense. Upon appointment, successful candidates will be required to disclose particulars of all registrable financial interests and to sign a Performance Agreement within 3 months from date of appointment and for candidates whose appointment exceeds 12 calendar months will be appointed on probation for the period of twelve (12) calendar months excluding leave taken as prescribed by Public Service Regulation 68.

The status of your application will be visible on the e- Recruitment system. However, if you have not received feedback from the National Treasury within 3 months of the closing date, please regard your application as unsuccessful.

Other related documentation such as copies of qualifications, identity document, driver’s license etc need not to accompany the application when applying for a post as such documentation must only be produced by shortlisted candidates during the interview date in line with DPSA circular 19 of 2022. With reference to applicants bearing professional or occupational registration, fields provided in Part B on the online Z83 must be completed as these fields are regarded as compulsory.

Failure to complete or disclose all required information will automatically disqualify the applicant. No late applications will be accepted.

Shortlisted candidates will be subjected to suitability checks (SAQA verification, reference checks criminal and credit checks). SAQA evaluation certificate must accompany foreign qualifications (only when shortlisted).

Applications that do not comply with the abovementioned requirements will not be considered. All shortlisted candidates for SMS posts will be subjected to a technical exercise and 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 and a pre-entry certificate obtained from the National School of government is required prior to the appointment. 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. Candidates will be required to complete a financial disclosure form and undergo security clearance.

Foreigners or dual citizenship holders must provide a police clearance certificate from country of origin (only when shortlisted). The Department of Water Sanitation is an equal opportunity employer.

In the filling of vacant posts, the objectives of section 195 (1) (i) of the Constitution of South Africa, 1996 (Act No: 108 of 1996) the Employment Equity imperatives as defined by the Employment Equity Act, 1998 (Act No: 55 of 1998) and relevant Human Resources policies of the Department will be taken into consideration. Correspondence will be limited to short-listed candidates only.

If you do not hear from us within three (3) months of this advertisement, please accept that your application has been unsuccessful. Faxed applications will not be considered.

The department reserves the right not to fill these positions. Women and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply and preference will be given to the EE Targets.

Department Notes

Department Notes

Effective from 7 April 2021, the National Treasury now utilizes an e-Recruitment System which means all applicants must login/register to apply for positions, we only accept hand delivered/posted applications should an applicant prove that he/she tried to apply via e-Recruitment with no success and the National Treasury ICT unit was unable to assist. The applicant’s profile on the e- Recruitment is equivalent to the newly approved Z83, and it is the responsibility of applicants to ensure their profiles are fully completed or their applications will not be considered, as per the DPSA Practice Note.

Certain documentation will still be required to be uploaded on the system such as copies of all qualifications including National Senior Certificate/Matric certificate, ID, etc., however these documents need not be certified at point of application, however certification will be required prior to attending the interview. Please note: 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. It should be noted that the National Treasury does not support the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in any of its recruitment and selection processes and will disqualify an application if it picks up the use of AI when completing assessments without acknowledging the source of information.

Successful completion of the Nyukela Public Service SMS Pre-entry Programme as endorsed by the National School of Government, available as an online course on https://www.thensg.gov.za/training-course/sms-pre-entry-programme/, prior to finalisation of appointment, is a requirement for all SMS positions. All shortlisted candidates for SMS posts will be subjected to technical exercise and 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. All qualifications, criminal and SA citizenship checks will be conducted on all short-listed candidates and, where applicable, additional checks will be conducted in line with the new DPSA Directive effective 01 April 2024.

Please note that by responding to our advertisement/s, you consent to the collection, processing, and storing of your Personal Information for internal HR processes in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA), Act No. 4 of 2013. In the event that your application is unsuccessful, the Department will retain your personal information only for audit purposes as required by policies, only for a specific period, of which the submitted documents will then be destroyed as legislated in the National Archives Act.

It is the applicant’s responsibility to have all their foreign qualifications (this includes O and A level certificates) evaluated by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA), at your own expense. Upon appointment, successful candidates will be required to disclose particulars of all registrable financial interests and to sign a Performance Agreement within 3 months from date of appointment and for candidates whose appointment exceeds 12 calendar months will be appointed on probation for the period of twelve (12) calendar months excluding leave taken as prescribed by Public Service Regulation 68.

The status of your application will be visible on the e- Recruitment system. However, if you have not received feedback from the National Treasury within 3 months of the closing date, please regard your application as unsuccessful.

Circular Notes

Circular Notes

must be submitted on the most recently approved Z83 Application for Employment Form, obtainable from the DBE Website or any Public Service Department/Webpage. Use of the old Z83 Form will result in disqualification.

The Z83 must be completed in full and page 2 duly signed. A clear indication of the post and reference number that is being applied for must be indicated on your Z83.

Applicants are not required to submit copies of qualifications and other relevant documents on application but must submit the Z83 with a detailed Curriculum Vitae (only). Certified copies of qualifications and other relevant documents will be requested from shortlisted candidates on or before the day of the interview.

Successful candidates will be subjected to Personnel Suitability Checks (criminal record, citizenship & financial/asset record checks, qualification and employment verification including social media profiles). Appointment is subject to positive results of the security clearance process.

The successful candidate will be required to sign an annual performance agreement and, where applicable, annually disclose his/her financial interests. All applicants are required to declare any conflict or perceived conflict of interest, to disclose memberships of Boards and directorships that they may 4 be associated with.

Applicants, who do not comply with the requirements outlined above, will not be considered. MANAGEMENT ECHELON

Enquiries

only (No applications): Recruitment.ENQUIRIES@treasury.gov.za

Required Documents

Z83, Qualifications, Certified ID copy, Driver licence, Other

DPSA Circular Source

• Circular: DPSA Circular 34 of 2026
• Source pages: 123–125
• Open the DPSA circular PDF