Personal Assistant at Department of Land Reform and Rural Development

REQUIREMENTS :

• Minimum requirements: Applicants must be in a possession of Grade 12 Certificate and National Diploma in Secretarial / Office Administration / Management or relevant equivalent qualification. Minimum of 3 years’ experience in rendering a support service to senior management.
• Job-related knowledge: Relevant legislation/policies / prescripts and procedures, Telephone etiquette, Basic knowledge of financial administration.
• Job related skills: Sound organisational ability. Computer literacy (Microsoft Office). Good interpersonal relations. High level of reliability. Communication (verbal and written). Language and ability to communicate well with people at different levels and from different backgrounds. Ability to do research and analyse documents and situations. Ability to act with tact and discretion. Self-management and motivation. Willingness to work extended hours. Classified Secrets Security Clearance. 

DUTIES :

• Provide a secretarial / receptionist support service to the manager. Receives telephone calls in an environment where, in addition to the calls for the senior manager, discretion is required to decide to whom the call should be forwarded. In the process the job incumbent should finalise some enquiries. Performs advanced typing work. Operates and ensures that office equipment, e.g. printers and photocopies are in good working order. Record the engagements of the senior manager. Utilises discretion to decide whether to accept/decline or refer to other employees’ requests for meetings, based on the assessed importance and urgency of the matter. Coordinates with and sensitises/advises the manager regarding engagements. Compiles realistic schedules for appointments. Render administrative support service. Ensures the effective flow of information and documents to and from the office of the manager. Ensures the safe keeping of all documentation in the office of the manager in line with relevant legislation and policies.
• Obtains inputs, collates and compiles reports, e.g.: Progress reports, Monthly reports and management reports. Scrutinises routine submissions/reports and make notes and/or recommendations for the manager. Respond to enquiries received from internal and external stakeholders. Drafts documents as required. Does filling of documents for the manager and the unit where required. Collects, analyses and collates information requested by the manager. Clarifies instructions and notes on behalf of the manager. Ensures that travel arrangements are well coordinated. Prioritises issues in the office of the manager. Manages the leave register and telephone accounts for the unit. Handles procurement of standard items like stationary, refreshments etc. for the activities of the manager and the unit. Obtains the necessary signatures on documents like procurement advice and monthly salary reports. Provides support to manager regarding meetings. Scrutinises documents to determine actions/information / other documents required for meetings.
• Collects and compiles all necessary documents for the manager to inform him / her on the contents. Records minutes/decisions and communicates to relevant role-players, follow-up on progress made. Prepares briefing notes for the manager as required. Coordinates logistical arrangements for meetings when required. Supports the manager with the administration for the manager’s budget. Collects and coordinates all the documents that relate to the manager’s budget. Assists manager in determining funding requirements for purposes of Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) submissions. Keeps records for expenditure commitments, monitors expenditure and alerts manager of possible over and under spending. Checks and correlates Basic Accounting System (BAS) reports to ensure that expenditure is allocated correctly. Identifies the need to move funds between items, consults with the manager and compiles draft memos for this purpose. Compares the MTEF allocation with the requested budget and informs the manager of changes.
• Studies the relevant public service and departmental prescripts/policies and other documents and ensure that the application thereof is understood properly. Remains up to date with regard to the prescripts / policies and procedures applicable to his / her work terrain to ensure efficient and effective support to the manager. Remains abreast with the procedures and processes that apply in the office of the manager.