Executive Officer: National Skills Fund REF NO: DHET02/02/2025

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Department of Higher Education and Training

Pretoria

ZAR 400 000 - 500 000

Be among the first applicants.

2 days ago

Job description

Job title : Executive Officer: National Skills Fund REF NO: DHET02/02/2025

Job Location : Gauteng, Pretoria
Deadline : March 17, 2025

Requirements

An appropriate NQF level 8 qualification in the field of finance/ economics/ public management and related qualification recognized by SAQA. Admission as a Chartered Accountant (South Africa) will serve as a distinct advantage.
8 years’ experience at senior managerial level coupled with extensive management experience in the field of financial management/ economic management and corporate governance.
Previous working experience in strategy management in similar organization. In-depth knowledge of the post school education and training, the national skills fund mandate and strategies. Knowledge of the education system and pedagogy. Knowledge of post-school education framework.
Knowledge of National Skills Fund business strategies and goals, National Skills Fund Services, National Skills Fund business processes, and value chain, National Skills Fund policies, procedures and regulations, National Skills values as well as National Skills Fund goals. Good understanding and knowledge of legislative frameworks such as Skills Development Act, Skills Development Levies Act, Public Service Act, Public Service Regulations, Public Financial Management Act and National Treasury Regulations. Acumen and understanding of the transformation challenges within the post-education and training sector.
Solid understanding of the dialectic relationship between the fourth industrial revolution and higher education and research. Strong stakeholder engagement with high-level strategic management and leadership capabilities. A good understanding of the policy and legislative environment as well as socio-economic growth and development goals locally and internationally that impact higher education. Excellent knowledge of key education legislation in the post-school education and training sector.
Knowledge of strategic planning and policy development. Knowledge of marketing, brand and communication management. Knowledge of functioning of public sector Education environment. Knowledge on the issues pertaining to the NSF and DHET. Strategic capability and leadership. Project and programme management. Budget and financial management. Change management. People management and empowerment.
Service delivery innovation, problem solving and analyzing, knowledge management, client orientation and customer focus, marketing and communication management, honesty and integrity, monitoring and evaluation, negotiation, quality management, stakeholder engagement and management and technical proficiency. Extensive experience in the application of strategic management, business planning and design, performance measurement, financial accounting (including principles of GRAP/MCS), management accounting, cost accounting, internal controls, internal and external audit, information systems, and Supply Chain Management.
Ability to establish good working relations with key stakeholders such as the National Treasury and Auditor-General of South Africa. Acumen and experience in managing and interacting with key stakeholders at the senior level; proven strategic and leadership capabilities, programme and project management, and people management and empowerment; well-developed research and development methodologies.
Skills: excellent communication skills (written and verbal). Client orientation and customer focus, honesty and integrity, and time management skills. Excellent project management, problem-solving, report writing, computer and analytic skills are key to this post.

Duties

Responsible for proactive leadership and providing strategic direction to the National Skills Fund to ensure that it meets its mandate. Direct the development of the National Skills Fund strategy. Manage the final approval of the National Skills Fund Strategic Plan. Establish long, medium, and short-term strategic opportunities for the National Skills Fund. Provide strategic and policy advice to the Executive Authority and Director-General regarding the National Skills Fund.
Provide support to the Minister and Director-General in relation to the development of solutions for the challenges specific to the Branch to ensure delivery of the Branch-related key results area including paying a direct role regarding inputs into strategy, being accountable for relevant inputs to Parliamentary Committee meetings, cluster meeting and implementation of the sector plan. Direct policy and provide inputs into policy development aligned to the National Skills Fund strategic plan.
Formulate policy and planning recommendations to the relevant department and fund governance committee. Review and provide inputs into high-level decisions impacting the skills development environment and sector. Approve and authorize capital allocation for Chief Directorates and projects.
Take overall accountability for the management of financial and physical resources within the National Skills Fund. Mobilize and allocate resources in accordance with the defined priorities. Direct and manage the management team and all units within the National Skills Fund.
Accountable for the operations of the National Skills Fund. Ensure institutional transformation and change. Accountable for the Grants Disbursement Framework. Oversee marketing branding and communications activities for the National Skills Fund. Oversee the development of the public relations and communication strategy for the National Skills Fund.
Participate, lead and guide National Skills Fund’s participation in strategic stakeholder engagement and management as well as intergovernmental relations management structures. Promote organization and stakeholder change related to the organization’s mission. Represent the Department on key forums and structures to promote the skills agenda. Manage the National Skills Fund’s relationship with the Department of Higher Education and Training and relevant public entities.
Provide strategic advice and support in respect of the establishment, management and enhancement of strategic relationships and partnerships by the Department. Ensure adherence to policy and statutory directives relevant to the post-school education sector.
Monitor the execution of the operational plan for the Directorate including a budget, performance targets, and measurement metrics and reporting. Ensure sufficient capacity within sub-programmes to achieve the monitoring objectives of projects and programmes. Manage the performance of employees in accordance with the policy.
Provide employees with the necessary information and resources to deliver on their objectives and meet the targets for the Directorate. Motivate team members and create a culture of high performance. Operate within delegated authorities. Always adhere to the values of the National Skills Fund.