Deputy Director: Chief Information Security Officer

DEPUTY DIRECTOR: CHIEF INFORMATION SECURITY OFFICER is listed by DEPARTMENT OF BASIC EDUCATION. The post is based in Department of Basic Education, Gauteng. The closing date is 05 October 2026.

Job Details

Requirements

Applicants must be in possession of NQF level 6 post matric qualification in Information Technology/Information Systems or equivalent qualification as recognised by SAQA; Four (4) years relevant experience as an Assistant Director or equivalent; A minimum of two (2) certifications in any of the following: ITIL, COBIT, CISA, CISM, CISSP, CRISC, ISO 27001 plus a minimum of at least five (5) years’ experience as a Chief Information Security Officer/ Information Security Officer; Experience in managing networks; Sound knowledge of Enterprise or Technology architecture environment is required, strategic management, information and communication technology systems and processes; Sound knowledge of Microsoft environment, virtualised, cloud environments; Sound knowledge of business continuity management; Sound knowledge of the E-government strategy and roadmap, interactive communication, problem solving and analytical thinking orientation, planning and organising skills, project management skills, strategic thinking; Understanding organisational information flows and maintaining an inventory of data; Understanding the data classification framework and implementing controls in accordance with the sensitivity levels; Vulnerability awareness through an understanding of the vulnerability Detection and management program; Patching and Remediation SLAs and Agreed-upon timelines for addressing security vulnerabilities; A valid driver's license.

Duties / Responsibilities

• The successful candidate will be responsible for CyberSecurity Program: Designing, configuring, deploying, and maintaining security controls to safeguard the Department’s infrastructure; Actively protecting the Department’s information technology assets and infrastructure from external or internal threats and ensuring compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements regarding information access, security, and privacy; Analysing problems and recommending solutions, products and technologies to meet the Organisation’s security and information security objectives; Performing security assessments for all systems and applications and checking for compliance with cybersecurity standards and regulations in projects and new system design implementation; Developing and interpreting the cybersecurity strategy and framework; Interpreting cybersecurity maturity levels and implementing road maps; Leading the implementation of best practice network security controls across cloud environments and On-premises platforms to maintain resistance against cyberattacks; Focusing on the safe adoption of AI integration; Data protection and encryption: Ensuring sensitive information is identified and adequately protected; Developing or installing software, such as data-at-rest encryption programs and SSL certificates to protect sensitive information in transit and in use; Supporting the development of disaster response and recovery strategies and its implementation within the DBE; Troubleshooting security and network problems to maintain a fit-for-purpose DR site and business continuity plans; Network, web, and Endpoint Security and monitoring; Threat and Vulnerability Management: Leading threat landscape assessment and situational Cyber-attack; Ensuring vulnerability assessments and penetration tests are performed periodically; Analysing and interpreting vulnerability results and facilitating remediation of identified vulnerabilities at Protection and Response Maturity levels in conjunction with other business application owners; Providing reports to Senior Management on the vulnerability management program.
• Incident response and third-line support: Providing third-line support to any Information security-related queries; Overseeing and providing advanced incident response support for breaches, intrusions, or data theft; Performing Third-Party Risk Management: Effective monitoring of supplier security postures; Ensuring rapid recovery capabilities.
• Delivering on Security Projects within budget; Training employees on Information Security.

Application Instructions

Submitted via post to: Private Bag X895, Pretoria, 0001 or hand-deliver to: The Department of Basic Education, 222 Struben Street, Pretoria or you can email your application to Sechele.O@dbe.gov.za/Segowa.M@dbe.gov.za/Kumalo.N@dbe.gov.za./Sko sana.th@dbe.gov.za Please visit the Department of Education’s website at www.education.gov.za

For attention: Ms N Monyela/ Mr M Segowa

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 be associated with.

Applicants, who do not comply with the requirements outlined above, will not be considered. A Pre-entry Certificate for the Senior Management Service (SMS) (Nyukela Certificate) is required for all SMS appointments; the full detail of the outlined requirements and course information can be sourced by following the link https://www.thensg.gov.za/training-course-SMS-pre-entry programme.

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 All shortlisted candidates, including SMS, shall undertake two preentry assessments.

One must be a practical exercise, and the other must be an Integrity (Ethical Conduct) Assessment. Selection panels shall score both technical exercises as an additional criterion in the interview process

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

• Ms N Monyela Tel No: (012) 357 3294/
• Mr M Segowa Tel No: (012) 357 4291

Required Documents

Z83, CV, Qualifications, Driver licence, Other

DPSA Circular Source

• Circular: DPSA Circular 34 of 2026
• Source pages: 5–6
• Open the DPSA circular PDF