Job Openings at Public Protector South Africa

Requirements

• A minimum of bachelor degree in the following fields, Public Policy, Economics, Political Science, Sociology, Law, Governance, International Relations or equivalent.
• Eight years relevant experience in a research environment.
• Extensive experience in drafting opinion pieces and liaising with media houses.
• Experience working in a digital space

Responsibilities

• Conduct Research by designing, planning, and carry out research projects to address issues relevant PPSA, specific topics related to PPSA mandate.
• Conduct research and produce opinion pieces for the Public Protector.
• Provide evidence-based insights to inform to inform and assist in the development and refinement of PPSA policies.
• Collaborate with other researchers, government agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and academic institutions.
• Engage with government officials and stakeholders to ensure the relevance and practical application of research findings.
• Participate in task forces, committees, or working groups focused on specific institutional issues.
• Prepare research reports, publications, and policy papers for public dissemination or for internal PPSA use.
• Present findings to PPSA structures to support informed decision-making.
• Maintain accurate records of research processes, data, and conclusions for future reference or audits.
• Liaise with media houses on behalf of PPSA.

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Qualifications and Experience

• A SAQA accredited postgraduate qualification (NQF8) in Finance majoring in accounting and auditing Completed Trainee Accountant Programme/contract in a workplace accredited by the relevant body
• A minimum of 8 years’ working experience and applied knowledge of GRAP standards or equivalent At least five (5) years’ of working experience must have been at senior management level
• Demonstrable 5 years’ experience in financial management, preparation of monthly management accounts and Annual Financial Statements, preferably in the Public Sector
• Demonstrable 5 years’ experience in the application of the PFMA, Treasury Regulations and National Treasury Instruction Notes in a similar environment Excellent communication skills (verbal, presentation and report writing)

Advantages:

• Knowledge of using SAP or SAGE accounting system and CaseWare reporting
• Prior experience with public entities/constitutional institutions Understanding of the Public Protector’s mandate.

Key responsibilities and Duties
Strategic planning, budgeting and budget management:

• Financial inputs to the strategic and annual performance planning Manage the budget preparation process, ensuring compliance to timelines on submission of the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), Adjusted Estimates of National Expenditure (AENE) and Estimates of National Expenditure (ENE) Analyse variances of actuals against budgets and report with recommendations to prevent over/under expenditure on annual budget allocations 

Assets and liability management:

• Procedures for daily review of application of GRAP standards for the recognition and measurement of assets and liability transactions while ensuring validity, accuracy and completeness of transactions Accounting for all assets including maintenance of an up to date asset register and subsequent measurement transactions for Property, Plant and Equipment and Intangible Assets as well as monthly reconciliations, additions listings and disposals listings Timely collection of outstanding debtors balances, monthly aging reports and appropriate subsequent monthly measurements Payment of creditors within 30 days and monthly aging analysis and 30 day payment reports.

Financial Reporting

• Preparation and/or review of monthly management accounts, quarterly, interim and Annual Financial Statements in accordance with GRAP standards as well as the Public Finance Management Act, Treasury Regulations and National Treasury Instruction notes Preparation and/or review of monthly and cumulative listings and reconciliations supporting amounts and balances disclosed in the Statement of Financial Performance and Statement of Financial Position for the monthly management accounts, quarterly, interim and Annual Financial Statements
• Compile an audit files for each month and financial year comprising of the lead schedule or lead sheets, listings, reconciliations and other relevant documentation and present to the Chief Financial Officer on a monthly basis Liaise with and facilitate monthly submission of all reports that are required for disclosure notes in the Annual Financial Statements and the Annual Report from all relevant branch managers.

Manage audits

• Present lead schedules audit file to CFO and external auditors prior to commencement of audits Attend to and resolve both internal and external audit queries to prevent audit findings Comply with PPSA month end processes and deadlines 

Revenue and expenditure management:

• Complete allocation drawing schedules Procedures for daily review of application of GRAP standards for the recognition and measurement of revenue and expenditure transactions while ensuring validity, accuracy and completeness of transactions
• Oversee development and maintenance of monthly and cumulative up to date listings to support amounts disclosed in management accounts.

Payroll management:

• New employee intake validation procedures Implementation of controls regarding master data and changes thereto Monthly variance analyses and reconciliations of the payroll system to general ledger
• Timely, accurate and complete payment of salaries to valid recipients, including employees, third parties and statutory deductions payments Timely, accurate and complete filling of statutory returns.

 
Risk and operational plan Management

• Identification, recording, management and reporting on all risks in own area of responsibility including the development and implementation of risk mitigation plans
• Preparation and timely submission of monthly internal reports, including, monthly operational plan performance information reports, compliance and risk management monitoring and reports Review, develop and maintain appropriate financial policies and procedures in response to risks identified

Manage staff

• Providing effective leadership, mentorship and management support for staff within the Financial Management unit, as well as other units within the Chief Financial Officer’s cluster, as and when directed by the Chief Financial Officer Performing any functions of the Chief Financial Officer in his/her absence '
• Keep abreast of latest developments and provide continuous expert guidance to all finance officials on accounting issues (including interpretation of GRAP standards, legislation, regulations Through bench-mark with other public sector entities and research on financial reporting achieve leadership status in financial reporting by the institution.