DIRECTOR: EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE & EDUCATION DIRECTORATE

Department of Basic Education

Reference number: PS16/2026/01
Salary: R1 317 384 – R1 551 807 per annum (Level 13), an all-inclusive salary package. The total package includes 70% basic salary, a state contribution to the Government Employee Pension Fund and flexible portion that may be structured in terms of the applicable guidelines. This appointment is subject to the signing of an Annual Performance Agreement and obtaining a security clearance.
Centre: Bloemfontein, Head Office
Province: Free State
Closing date: 19 November 2026
Circular: No 39 of 2026

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Requirements

An applicable qualification at NQF level 7 as recognized by South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). 5 Years of experience at a middle/senior managerial level. Valid Code B/EB Driver’s license. Preference will be given to candidates with strong conceptual and formulation skills; strong leadership skills with specific reference to the ability to display thought leadership and co-ordination of complex applications; strong interpersonal skills; excellent verbal and written communication skills; outstanding planning, organizational and people management skills; computer literacy; a highly developed interpretative and conceptualization/ formulation ability; the ability to render advice and guidance in an objective and dedicated manner; The ability to multi-task, deal with ambiguity and manage under rapidly changing and pressurized circumstances; the ability to persuade and influence; the ability to lead and direct teams of professionals and service providers and ability to deal with complex situations.

Duties

Ensure effective and efficient coordination and overall management of the Early Childhood Care & Education (ECCE) service in the province. To manage the implementation of strategic plan, Annual Performance Plan and the Operational Plan. To manage the performance of the unit in term of the Children’s Act 38 of 2005 pertaining to partial care and Child Protection as well as the implementation of the National Curriculum Framework (NCF) and all other applicable legislations in the ECCE sector. Ensure proper financial management and coordination in the ECCE sector in line with the PFMA and related policies. Monitor and ensure timely transfer payments to ECDs. Ensure proper planning and coordination of professional development of Social Workers and ECCE practitioners in the ECD sector. To ensure that Partial care database/registers are in place and monitored. Ensure that all ECCE service is uploaded on the agreed upon Learner Management System. Ensure that capacity building support programs and training are conducted and monitored for ECCE management and governance and output assessed. Ensure that the district quarterly review sessions are arranged and guidance is provided on the expected outcomes. Ensure the expansion of the ECCE service within the province by providing the necessary support across the districts. Facilitate Inter-Sectoral Coordination to improve and better the ECCE service. Manage the provision of partial care facilities and programmes in the Free State. Manage the provision of Early Childhood Care and Education programmes. Develop and manage the implementation of norms and standards for Early Childhood Care & Education Centre’s. Manage a comprehensive electronic information Management system. Manage funding of partial care and Early Childhood Care & Education facilities and programmes.

Where to send your application

Please go to the website as indicated below to apply for this post. https://www.erecruitment.fs.gov.za

Enquiries

Mr. ET Montso Tel No: (051) 404 8426

Note

All applicants must login/register to apply for positions. The applicant’s profile on the eRecruitment 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. Applicants should upload their curriculum vitae (CV) on the e-Recruitment system. (Please ensure is in PDF format & maximum size 3MB). The Curriculum Vitae should be specific regarding previous positions occupied and the start date and end date of the position(s) should be indicated. Accompanying relevant documentation required to be uploaded on the system such as copies of all qualifications including National Senior Certificate/Matric certificate, Driver’s license, ID, etc., such documents need not be certified at point of application, however, certification will be required prior to attending the interview. Only short-listed candidates will be required to submit certified copies of qualifications and other related documents on, or before the day of the interview following an invitation from the Department to attend an interview, and such qualification(s) and other related document(s) should be in line with the requirements of the advertisement. Successful completion of the Senior Management Pre-Entry Programme (Nyukela) is required for being considered for this SMS post prior to appointment. Enrolment for the course should be made on the NSG’s website at https://www.thensg.gov.za/trainingcourse/sms-pre-entry-programme. 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 will be an integrity (ethical conduct) assessment. criterion in the interview process. Selection panels shall score both technical exercises as an additional criterion in the interview process. Selection panels shall score both technical exercises as an additional criterion in the interview process. Applications received after the closing date and those that do not comply with these instructions will not be considered. The onus is on the applicants to ensure that their applications are submitted online timeously. Candidates who possess foreign qualifications and/or short courses certificates must take it upon themselves to have their qualifications evaluated by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). The highest relevant qualification should be captured/listed as the first qualification on the e-recruitment profile. Applicants are respectfully informed that if no notification of appointment is received within 4 months of the closing date, they must accept that their applications were unsuccessful. Communication will be limited to short-listed candidates only. Suitable candidates will be subjected to personnel suitability checks (criminal record check, citizenship verification, financial assets check, qualification verification and reference checks). Applications must declare any pending criminal, disciplinary or any other allegations or investigations and/or record. The Department reserves the right not to make appointments on the advertised post(s). Free State Provincial Department of Health is compliant with the requirements of POPIA. The Department of Health is an equal opportunity affirmative action employer. The employment decision shall be informed by the Employment Equity Plan of the Department. It is the Department’s intention to promote equity (race, gender and disability) through the filling of this post(s) with a candidate whose transfer / promotion / appointment will promote representativity in line with the numerical targets as contained in our Employment Equity Plan.

Taken from Public Service Vacancy Circular 39 of 2026, published by the Department of Public Service and Administration on 30 October 2026. Open the PDF to check this post against the original. Last checked 30 October 2026.