Deputy Director: Ecd: Operations Manager

DEPUTY DIRECTOR: ECD: OPERATIONS MANAGER is listed by OFFICE OF THE PREMIER. The post is based in Cape Town, Western Cape. The closing date is 05 October 2026.

Job Details

Requirements

• Applicants must have a SAQA-recognised three-year post-matric qualification (NQF Level 6 or higher) with Project Management as an added advantage.
• Minimum 5 years' experience in an operational delivery or implementation support role.
• Experience in ECD programme implementation, stakeholder coordination and provincial support.
• Proven experience in planning and coordinating multi-functional projects.
• Strong communication, facilitation and reporting skills.
• Ability to influence, negotiate and drive delivery across provincial/district stakeholders.
• Ability to travel extensively and work beyond normal working hours.
• Understanding ECD registration, infrastructure support and subsidy processes will be advantageous.
• A valid driver's license is essential.

Duties / Responsibilities

• The successful candidate will be responsible for coordinating the execution of national ECD registration, subsidy and overall ECD business process improvement plans at provincial and district levels.
• Adapting national plans for provincial implementation and securing approvals from PED leadership.
• Facilitating training on registration processes, subsidy workflows and eCares system updates.
• Coordinating stakeholder engagements and ensuring alignment across key departments and sector partners.
• Supporting ELP implementation and ensuring requirements are met to achieve minimum compliance for subsidy fulfilment.
• Monitoring district delivery, tracking performance and ensuring timely resolution of blockages.
• Facilitating reporting processes, including weekly updates, dashboard monitoring and provincial consolidation.
• Driving execution of new initiatives to improve registration, subsidy and other ECD Business process administration efficiency.
• Provide ongoing implementation support to district teams and programme interventions.

Application Instructions

must be submitted online, or hand delivered at the Directorate of Human Resource Management, Second Floor, Ga-rona Building, Mmabatho. All attachments for online applications including the Z83 and CV must be one document in PDF, indicating the correct job title and the reference number of the post on the subject line of your e-mail. Use the correct e-mail address associated with the post. Failure to do so, your application will be disqualified.

Method: Hand delivery

Application address:
Applications must be submitted online, or hand delivered at the Directorate of
Human Resource Management, Second Floor, Ga-rona Building, Mmabatho.
All attachments for online applications including the Z83 and CV must be one
document in PDF, indicating the correct job title and the reference number of
the post on the subject line of your e-mail. Use the correct e-mail address
associated with the post. Failure to do so, your application will be disqualified.

Notes

All applications must indicate the correct reference number. The Office of the Premier is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer, and it is committed to the achievement and maintenance of diversity and equity in employment, especially in respect of race, gender and disability.

In terms of the Employment Equity Plan for the Office, preference will be given to Persons with Disabilities, Youth, and Females for all these positions. Applications must be submitted on the approved Z83 form (81/971431) obtainable from any Public Service Department or on the DPSA website, www.dpsa.gov.za, which must be completed in such a manner that provide sufficient information about your candidature and the post applied for by completing all relevant fields.

The declaration must be signed and initials in the second page are not mandatory. The Office reserves the right to introduce further objective criteria or post requirements for shortlisting should such a need arise.

Should the applicant/s use incorrect application form for employment (Z83), or not compliant with the notes, the application applicant/s will not be considered for selection purposes(disqualified). The Z83 must be accompanied by detailed Curriculum Vitae clearly indicating positions held, period in the position and key responsibilities with three contactable referees.

Subject of relevant qualification/s should be mentioned in the CV. Part A must be fully completed.

Part B, C and D questions of the Z83 may be left blank, marked as not relevant, and use dashes or N/A if they do not apply to you or the position applied for. Part E, F and G do not need to be completed if the CV has been attached and provides the required information, However, the question related to conditions that prevent re-appointment under Part F is compulsory for applicants seeking re-employment into the Public Service.

Applicants are not required to submit copies of qualifications and other relevant documents on application. The communication from the HR Directorate regarding the requirements for certified documents will be limited to shortlisted candidates.

Therefore, only shortlisted candidates for the post will be required to submit certified documents on or before the day of the interview following communication from HR. Failure to submit the requested documents will result in your application not being considered.

Successful completion of the Nyukela Public Service (SMS Pre Entry Certificate) is required prior to finalisation of an appointment into any SMS post. For more details on the pre-entry course visit: https: www.thensg.gov.za/training -course/sms-pre-entry programme.

All shortlisted candidates, including SMS, shall undertake two pre-entry assessments. One must be 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. Incomplete Z83 and late applications will not be considered.

Communication will be limited to shortlisted candidates only. Successful candidates for the advertised positions will be required to undergo personnel suitability checks, which include criminal records, citizenship, financial checks, qualifications, and previous employment (Reference checks).

It is the responsibility of the applicant to make sure that the South African Qualifications Authority evaluates foreign qualifications, and the evaluation certificate will be required on or before the day of the interview following communication from HR. If you do not hear from the Office, three months from the date of the advertisement, consider your application unsuccessful.

The Office reserves the right not to make an appointment following this advertisement for any reason. Candidates who previously applied for the re-advertised positions are encouraged to re-apply they are still interested.

NB: Due to austerity measures, the Office is not in a position to meet any travel and subsistence costs relating to the recruitment process for the shortlisted candidates.

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 R Leukes Tel No: (021) 833 8478

Required Documents

Z83, CV, Qualifications, Driver licence, Other

DPSA Circular Source

• Circular: DPSA Circular 34 of 2026
• Source pages: 191
• Open the DPSA circular PDF