Deputy Director: Initiation and Evaluation at Department of Higher Education and Training

REQUIREMENTS :

• An appropriate bachelor’s degree/ advanced diploma (NQF Level 7) in Development Studies, Public Management or Public Administration and Governance, Development Finance, Economics, Finance, Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE), Monitoring and Evaluation, Project Management, Accounting, or a related qualification within Human Resource Development, Financial Management, Business Management/Administration, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Social Sciences, Bachelor of Engineering or Public Sector Governance. This must be coupled with a minimum of five (5) years’ relevant experience in project management, programme management, evaluation, or project funding with 3 years’ experience in a junior management level. 

DUTIES :

• The successful candidate will be responsible for the effective implementation of the project initiation and evaluation lifecycle within the National Skills Fund (NSF), ensuring that all funding processes are conducted in a compliant, transparent, and efficient manner. This includes the implementation and management of Requests for Proposals (RFPs), Expressions of Interest (EOIs), and unsolicited funding processes, as well as the development and application of funding frameworks, evaluation templates, and application guidelines aligned to NSF policies and strategic objectives. The incumbent will oversee the receipt, logging, and tracking of all funding applications and ensure the effective coordination and execution of evaluation processes.
• This includes conducting and/or overseeing administrative compliance checks, tax compliance verification, restriction checks, technical evaluations, and reputational risk assessments. This requires ensuring that all evaluation processes are conducted fairly, consistently, and in accordance with approved criteria and governance standards. A key responsibility of the role includes conducting and reviewing due diligence processes, including site visits and institutional verification, to assess the capacity, credibility, and readiness of applicants. The incumbent will be required to validate the accuracy of information provided by applicants and identify and mitigate risks associated with funding decisions. The Deputy Director will play a critical role in supporting governance and decision-making processes by preparing and submitting comprehensive reports, submissions, and recommendation packs for internal governance structures, including the Funding Recommendation Committee (FRC) and the Funding Adjudication Committee (FAC).
• The role also involves coordinating and administering committee processes, including scheduling meetings, preparing documentation, and recording minutes, as well as preparing submissions and memoranda for the Executive Office (EO), Director-General (DG), and other relevant stakeholders. The incumbent will support contracting readiness by facilitating the preparation of Memoranda of Agreement (MOA), and related documentation, ensuring alignment between approved project budgets and implementation plans. The role further requires contributing to the development of monitoring and evaluation frameworks and conducting or overseeing project reviews, impact assessments, and performance evaluations to assess the effectiveness and outcomes of funded programmes. In addition, the Deputy Director will be responsible for preparing and submitting reports, presentations, and performance updates as required, and ensuring that all documentation and information related to project initiation and evaluation are properly maintained for knowledge management and audit purposes.
• The role requires active engagement with internal and external stakeholders across the PSET sector, participation in national, regional, and local platforms, and provision of guidance and support on skills development initiatives. The incumbent will also be responsible for managing staff under his or her supervision, providing leadership, guidance, and performance management, and contributing to the overall effectiveness and cohesion of the Directorate. The role requires active participation as a member of the Directorate team and contributing to continuous improvement and organisational excellence within the NSF.