Chief Director: Policy and Strategy, Ref. No. DOTP 03/2025 at Western Cape Government

Job Purpose    

• The Department of the Premier, Western Cape Government(WCG) has an exciting employment opportunity for a suitable individual to strategically support the executive in the development and implementation of high-level provincial policies and strategies. The successful candidate will be responsible to contribute towards provincial objectives of jobs, safety, wellbeing, innovation, culture and governance. This post is stationed in Cape Town, CBD.

Minimum Requirements    

• A qualification at NQF level 7 as recognised by SAQA;
• A minimum of 5 years relevant senior management level experience.
• Successful completion of the Certificate for entry into the SMS (Senior Management Service) prior to appointment: The nominated candidate will be required to complete the Senior Management Pre-Entry Programme before the candidate may be appointed into this post. The duration of the online Pre-Entry Programme is 120 notional hours (15 days).

Recommendation    

• A relevant Masters Degree and experience of working in a policy and strategy environment, preferably in the Public Sector.

Key Performance Areas    
Provide strategic management, advice and guidance in respect of the following functional areas:

Facilitate the conducting of high-level policy analysis:

• Transversal coordination, managemant and promotion of innovative and evidence-based policy and strategy development, planning, implementation, and review.
• Facilitate the research and analysis of the provincial policy environment and identify critical areas for provincial government intervention, including futures capability.
• Analyse national and provincial policies, strategies and laws, and prepare provincial responses.
• Analyse on-going national policy and strategy developments, and sensitise Cabinet, Sector Committees and departments on its implications for the province.
• Facilitate the development of transversal provincial policies as may be required (including stakeholder consultation as required).
• Ensure that WCG legislation, policies and strategies align with the Provincial Strategic Plan and long-term plans.
• Facilitate the periodic review of the Provincial Strategic Plan in line with prescribed strategic planning and budgetary processes.
• Initiate and manage transversal futures modelling research.
• Ensure that WCG legislation, policies and strategies align and comply with human rights principles and with international, constitutional and national human rights obligations, policies and strategies.

Support the provincial executive in respect of provincial human social  development strategy:

• Facilitate and coordinate the collation of the Provincial Strategic Plan for the Human Development (HD) Social Sector.
• Advise in consultation with Provincial Treasury on the macro prioritisation of the provincial budget in line with provincial strategic priorities for the HD Social Sector.
• Facilitate the initiation of new integrated government programmes and projects in pursuance of provincial strategic priorities for the HD Social Sector as required.
• Advise on the alignment of HD Social Sector and departmental strategic plans, as well as integrated development plans, with provincial strategic priorities.
• Continuously assess progress with the implementation of HD Sector provincial programmes, projects and plans, and advise on the management of blockages.
•  Advise the Premier, Cabinet and departments on performance variances, and recommend corrective actions for the HD Sector.
•  Coordinate support for the Premier and DG in their participation in intergovernmental structures and forums for the HD Social Sector.

Support the provincial executive in respect of provincial economic stratgey:

• Facilitate and coordinate the collation of the Provincial Strategic Plan for the Economic Sector.
• Advise in consultation with Provincial Treasury on the macro prioritisation of the provincial budget in line with provincial strategic priorities for the Economic Sector.
• Facilitate the initiation of new integrated government programmes and projects in pursuance of provincial strategic priorities for the Economic Sector as required.
• Advise on the alignment of Economic Sector and departmental strategic plans, as well as integrated development plans, with provincial strategic priorities.
• Continuously assess progress with the implementation of Economic Sector provincial programmes, projects and plans, and advise on the management of blockages.
• Advise the Premier, Cabinet and departments on performance variances, and recommend corrective actions for the Economic Sector.
• Coordinate support for the Premier and DG in their participation in intergovernmental structures and forums for the Economic Sector.

Manage integrated provincial strategic planning:

•  Advise on the alignment of departmental strategic and annual performance plans as well as integrated development plans with provincial strategic priorities.
• Facilitate the development and periodic review of the provincial strategic plan in line with presribed strategic planning and budgetary processes.
• Advise, in consultation with the Provincial Treasury, on the policy prioritisation of the provincial budget in line with provincial strategic priorities.
• Change Management, People Management, Financial Management

Competencies    

Proven working knowledge and relevant working experience of the following:

• Legislation, regulatory frameworks, policies and best practices that have a bearing on the line functions; Information systems; Procurement and tendering processes; Policy development, and strategy management, monitoring and review processes; Modern systems of governance and administration; Global, regional and local political, economic and social affairs impacting on the provincial government of the Western Cape; The functioning of the Province and the activities of sister departments. Core Competencies: Strategic Capability and leadership, People Management and Empowerment, Programme and Project Management, Financial Management and Change Management.

Skills:

• Networking and network formation skills; Conceptual and formulation skills; Leadership skills with specific reference to the ability to display thought leadership in complex applications; Team building and strong interpersonal skills; Planning, organising and people management skills.