Chief Director: Media Liaison and National and Provincial Communication at Department of Basic Education

REQUIREMENTS :

• An appropriate recognised qualification at NQF level 7 in Communication, Marketing, Public Relations or a related field, as recognised by SAQA. A relevant NQF level 8 or higher qualification, as recognised by SAQA, will be an added advantage. The incumbent must have a minimum of ten (10) years’ experience in communication, public relations, media liaison, marketing, content development and/or internal communications, of which at least five (5) years must have been at senior management level.
• Proven experience in strategic communication, media liaison, public relations, stakeholder communication, marketing campaigns, content development and internal communications will be required. Experience in the education sector, public sector, intergovernmental environment, or a similarly complex stakeholder environment requiring high-level media liaison, crisis communication and stakeholder management will be an added advantage.
• Process competencies: Knowledge Management, Service Delivery Innovation, Problem Solving and Analysis, Client Orientation and Customer Focus, Communication skills. Core Competencies: Strategic Capacity and Leadership, People Management and Empowerment, Financial Management and Change Management, promotion communication, innovation and creativity, and the ability to prepare speeches. The candidate must be confident, trustworthy, accurate, adaptable and diplomatic. Applicants must have a valid driver’s licence and be willing to travel extensively.

DUTIES :

• The successful candidate will be responsible for providing effective communication services to the Minister, the Department of Basic Education (DBE) and Education Departments in the provinces; Responsible for leading communication strategies for the Minister, DBE and provinces; Managing communication campaigns; Managing urgent and unplanned communication matters; Responding to deadlines and quality inputs; Overseeing and providing strategic direction in the development and implementation of communication channels and strategies for the Ministry, the Department of Basic Education and Provincial Education Departments;
• Overseeing, implementing and managing communication campaigns for the Department of Basic Education and providing support to communication campaigns undertaken by the Ministry of Basic Education, where required; Ensuring effective management and utilisation of appropriate communication channels for the Ministry and the Department of Basic Education; Building and sustaining a positive reputation for the Ministry and the Department of Basic Education; Managing planned, unplanned and urgent communication matters for the Ministry, where requested, and for the Department of Basic Education; Arranging media and press conferences; Responding to media enquiries; Responding timeously to deadlines and providing quality inputs into matters that affect the Ministry and the Department of Basic Education;
• Overseeing strategic content development, public relations, stakeholder communication, media liaison and internal communication functions in support of the Department’s priorities and the broader basic education sector; Supporting delegated tasks from the Minister, Deputy Minister, DG, HEDCOM and CEM; and ensuring proper financial, administrative and personnel management. Ensuring that appropriate financial, administrative and personnel management procedures are in place and in accordance with the requirements of the Department of Basic Education, relevant Public Service and Administration policies and the Public Finance Management Act.