Assistant Director: Human Rights, Ref No. LG 12/2025 at Western Cape Government

Job Purpose    

• The Department of Local Government, Western Cape Government has an opportunity for a suitably qualified and competent individual to manage and coordinate the implementation of external human rights programmes and special projects and create an enabling environment for the mainstreaming of human rights concerns such as HIV/AIDS, Gender, Human Trafficking, Youth, Disability and children into the core functions of the Department and all 30 municipalities in the Western Cape. 

Minimum Requirements    

• An appropriate 3 year B-Degree (equivalent or higher qualification) in Humanities, Social Sciences and/or Psychology or similar field; A minimum of 1-year relevant experience in the field of human rights or relevant.  

Recommendation    

• Relevant experience in the field of human rights and gender mainstreaming; Appropriate experience at operational management level with proven ability to function effectively and independently in specialized and integrated management environments; A valid code B or higher driving licence. NB: People with disabilities that restrict driving abilities, but who have reasonable access to transport, may also apply.

Key Performance Areas    

• Manage the mainstreaming of human rights concerns into the core functions of the Department (creating an enabling environment for implementation); Manage the implementation of special projects on human rights such as HIV/AIDS. Gender, Human Trafficking, Youth, Disability, Children and Older Persons (i.e. external focus); Capacitating municipal focal persons and other relevant personnel through capacity building workshops, roadshows and awareness raising sessions for the advancement and implementation of human rights concerns and gender mainstreaming in municipalities; Manage the maintenance of sustainable partnership with relevant stakeholders and strengthen the participation/representation of the Department in the national and provincial special projects on human rights and gender mainstreaming; Manage the institutionalization of human rights concerns in municipalities; Manage the administration of external human rights and special projects in collaboration with municipalities and relevant stakeholders. 

Competencies    

• Knowledge of the following: Specialised field of gender, human trafficking, youth, disability, HIV/AIDS, children, older persons and social cohesion; Development, implementation, monitoring. evaluation and reporting on gender, human trafficking, youth, disability, HIV/AIDS and related policies and practices on gender mainstreaming; Understanding of international, national, provincial and regional instruments and legislation pertaining to the specific field of human rights and gender mainstreaming. Skills in the following: Proven computer literacy in MS Office Package (Word, Excel, PowerPoint etc)  Financial Management; Communication skills (written and verbal); Project management including monitoring, evaluation and report writing skills; Presentation and stakeholder management skills; Interpersonal, conflict and dispute resolution.