CHIEF DIRECTOR: CURRICULUM SUPPORT AND TRAINER PROFESSIONALISATION

National School of Government

Reference number: NSG 20/2026
Salary: R1 554 696 per annum (Level 14), an inclusive remuneration package
Centre: Pretoria
Province: Gauteng
Closing date: 5 October 2026
Circular: No 34 of 2026

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Requirements

A minimum bachelor’s degree or equivalent (NQF level 7). A post-graduate qualification will be an added advantage. Registration with a relevant professional body will also be an advantage. The successful applicant will be subjected to security vetting at an appropriate clearance level for senior managers. Experience: Extensive proven and relevant experience of which five (5) years must be at a senior managerial level, leading curriculum design and development in education, training, or public sector capacity building. Proven experience in: Curriculum development of courses, occupational qualifications, skills programmes, and higher education programmes. Proven experience in developing curriculum qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework. Leading large-scale education or professionalisation programmes. Managing multidisciplinary teams and budgets. Stakeholder engagement at the executive level (government, academia, international bodies). Demonstrated experience in driving innovation in learning and digital education. Experience in applied research, publication in curriculum, and development of curriculum frameworks. Knowledge: Higher education and skills development frameworks. Curriculum design, instructional design models, and outcomes-based education principles. Knowledge and understanding of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa and public sector legislation (including the Public Service Act, Public Administration Management Act, Municipal Systems Act, Municipal Structures Act, Skills Development Act, Public Finance Management Act, Municipal Finance Management Act, National Qualifications Framework Act and related Policies, Higher Education and Training Act. ETD practitioner professionalisation frameworks, standards, and competency models. Public sector governance, administration, and policy environment. Digital learning ecosystems, e-learning platforms, and emerging EdTech trends. Research methodologies, knowledge management, and policy development in public education sectors. Financial management, budgeting, and MTEF processes within government. Change management, organisational development, and institutional transformation. Skills Curriculum architecture design for multi-course blended programmes. Advanced design and management of complex simulations and action learning. Strategic selection and procurement of new learning technologies. Learning analytics by linking data from other systems (e.g., LMS). Change management to drive adoption of new learning technologies and methods. Mentoring and leadership of curriculum and instructional design teams. High level of integrity and ethical conduct. Intellectual leadership and credibility in the education and public sector space. Results driven with a strong sense of accountability. Innovative and forward-thinking mindset. Strong interpersonal and influencing ability. Resilience and ability to operate under pressure. Commitment to public service values and transformation. Attention to detail balanced with strategic perspective. Proven advanced writing, proofreading, and editing skills. Good conflict management skills. Public presentation & engagements. Advanced computer skills in MS Office Suite and Adobe.

Duties

The incumbent will be responsible for the following Key Results Areas: Develop, review, and implement curriculum policies, norms, standards, and institutional curriculum frameworks aligned with national priorities and organisational strategy. Lead the design and implementation of a comprehensive ETD practitioner professionalisation framework, including competency standards, learning pathways, and continuous professionals’ development programmes. Oversee the incorporation of Africanised and decolonised perspectives through a formal curriculum transformation plan incorporating inclusivity, citizen-centered service delivery, and social justice principles to enhance cultural relevance and responsiveness to the public sector needs. Oversee the planning and development and management of qualification and programme pipelines aligned to NQF level descriptors and institutional priorities. Integrate digital learning strategies and innovation frameworks into curriculum planning and delivery. Lead and manage the design, development, review, and continuous improvement of accredited and non-accredited programmes. Develop and implement standardised curriculum development methodologies, tools, and templates. Support other units to maintain quality assurance systems, including moderation, peer review, and continuous improvement processes. Lead the development of modular, stackable, and credit-bearing programmes including micro-credentials and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). Facilitate the integration of digital learning technologies and innovative instructional methodologies into programme delivery. Ensure alignment between curriculum architecture, accreditation requirements, learner pathways, and institutional strategy. Implement rigorous quality assurance mechanisms including accreditation, moderation, peer review, continuous improvement, and impact evaluation to ensure curriculum relevance, effectiveness, and compliance with accreditation standards across accredited and non-accredited programmes. Integrate cutting edge educational technologies and diverse instructional methodologies within a coherent digital leaning ecosystem, informed by learning analytics and emerging EdTech trends to enhance accessibility and learner impact. Contribute towards programme effectiveness, including learner performance, impact, and continuous improvement interventions. Conduct benchmarking exercises to align programmes with national and international best practices. Identify, establish, and manage strategic partnerships with government institutions, higher education institutions, SETAs, and international organisations. Design and implement capacity-building and continuous professional development initiatives for ETD practitioners. Provide advice and support to public sector institutions on curriculum development and professionalisation. Plan and facilitate knowledge-sharing platforms, including workshops, seminars, and communities of practice. Identify and secure funding opportunities, partnerships, and sponsorships to support curriculum and professionalisation initiatives. Design and tailor programme offerings to meet the needs of diverse learner groups. Facilitate collaboration and coordination with internal units and external stakeholders to strengthen curriculum and professionalisation initiatives. Provide secretariat and technical support to academic, curriculum and Professionalisation governance structure including the preparation of reports, submissions and compliance documentation. Establish, chair, and manage interdepartmental and intergovernmental forums, higher education institutions, Setas, professional bodies and international organisation to support curriculum development, Professionalisation, accreditation and research initiatives. Initiate and manage collaborative programmes with local and international institutions. Represent the institution at national and international platforms, forums and conferences, providing intellectual and Professionalisation leadership in public-sector education and training. Develop and maintain partnerships to support curriculum and professional development.

Where to send your application

Apply Online (fill out the form and give detailed information and email the form and Z83) Via This Link: APPLICATION FOR EMPLOYMENT CD: CURRICULUM SUPPORT & TRAINER PROFESSION, NSG: 20/2026. – Fill out form

Enquiries

Mpho Mugodo Tel No: (012) 441 6017

Note

For Post: Applications can be submitted using the link provided, should you submit your application and CVs to the incorrect link it will be regarded as lost and will not be considered. Applicants are required to quote the relevant reference number, their names on the subject line once they access the link. Applications must consist of: A fully completed and signed new Z83 form with a comprehensive CV containing contactable references. Use of the old Z83 Form will result in disqualification. Candidates should not attach certified documents to the application. Only shortlisted candidates will be required to submit certified documents on or before the day of the interview. The relevant reference number must be written on the application form. Foreign qualifications must be accompanied by an evaluation certificate from the South African Qualification Authority (SAQA). 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 shortlisted candidates, including SMS, shall undertake two pre-entry assessments. One must be a practical exercise, and the other must be an Integrity (Ethical Conduct) Assessment. All appointments are subject to personnel suitability checks such as security vetting, citizen verification, financial records check, and qualifications verifications. Applications that do not comply with the above-mentioned requirements as well as applications that are received late, will not be considered. The selection process of the SMS post will be in line with the Senior Management Service requirements. The successful candidate will be expected to sign a performance agreement within three months from the date of assumption of duties and where applicable to disclose particulars of all registrable financial interests within a month. The employment decision shall be informed by the Employment Equity Plan of the Department to achieve its employment equity targets. It is the Department’s intention to promote equity (race, gender, and disability) through the filling of this post. The NSG reserves the right not to make an appointment and to use other recruitment processes. Correspondence will be limited to shortlisted candidates only. Successful completion of the Senior Management Pre-Entry Programme (Nyukela) is required for appointments to the SMS posts. Enrolment for the course should be made on the NSG’s website at https://www.thensg.gov.za/trainingcourse/sms-pre-entry-programm For Attention and Enquiries: Kindly contact Mr Mpho Mugodo Tel No: (012) 441 6017 or Mr Thabo Ngwenya Tel No: (012) 441-6108.

Taken from Public Service Vacancy Circular 34 of 2026, published by the Department of Public Service and Administration on 18 September 2026. Open the PDF to check this post against the original. Last checked 18 September 2026.

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