CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER (CIO)

HWSETA; Gauteng; On-site; ZAR 1,732,000 - 2,165,000; Full time

Job summary

HWSETA seeks a Chief Information Officer (CIO) in Gauteng to provide strategic leadership of ICT, cybersecurity, and governance in a public entity setting. The role requires a Master’s degree and several senior IT certifications, with at least 10 years in ICT including 5+ at senior management level.

You will drive digital transformation, risk management, and data governance while ensuring compliance and value from IT investments. This is a high-responsibility leadership post.

Qualifications

• Master's degree or equivalent required.
• Multiple top IT governance and security certifications.
• Minimum 10 years ICT experience with 5+ in senior management.
• Experience in strategy, governance, digital transformation, cybersecurity.

Responsibilities

• Lead ICT strategy and digital transformation aligned to the organisation.
• Govern ICT policies, standards and compliance with PFMA, POPIA, MISS.
• Oversee cyber risk, incident monitoring and disaster recovery.
• Manage ICT budgets, procurement, contracts and SLAs.
• Lead and develop the ICT team; drive innovation.

Skills

Strategic capability

Leadership

Financial Management

Change Management

Knowledge Management

Service delivery

Problem solving

People management

Communication

Integrity

Education

Master's Degree (MBA, MCom, MIT or equivalent)

Tools

CISSP

CISM

CISA

CGEIT

COBIT

ITIL

PMP

PRINCE2

Cloud certifications (Azure/AWS)

TOGAF

ISO/IEC 27001 Lead Implementer/Auditor

POPIA certification (advantageous)

Job description

Chief Information Officer (CIO)

R1 732 000 – R2 165 000 p.a

Purpose

To provide strategic leadership and governance of the organisation's Information and Communications Technology (ICT) function by developing and implementing an integrated ICT strategy that supports the organisational strategy, digital transformation, cybersecurity, business continuity and service delivery. The incumbent will ensure the effective management of ICT infrastructure, enterprise applications, information security, data governance and technology investments while ensuring compliance with applicable legislation, governance frameworks and industry best practices.

Minimum Requirements

• A Master's Degree (MBA, MCom, MIT or equivalent)
• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
• Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
• Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)
• Certified in the Governance of Enterprise IT (CGEIT)
• COBIT Foundation/Implementation
• ITIL Foundation/Managing Professional
• Project Management Professional (PMP)
• PRINCE2 Practitioner
• Microsoft Azure, AWS or equivalent Cloud certifications
• TOGAF Enterprise Architecture
• ISO/IEC 27001 Lead Implementer or Lead Auditor
• POPIA / Privacy compliance certification (advantageous)
• Minimum of 10 years' ICT experience, of which at least 5 years must be at senior management level.
• Experience in: ICT Strategy, ICT Governance, Digital Transformation, Cybersecurity, Enterprise Systems, ICT Infrastructure, Cloud Technologies, ICT Project Management, Vendor and Contract Management and Budget Management.
• Experience within a State-Owned Entity (SOE), public entity or government environment will be an added advantage.

Core Management Competencies

• Strategic capability and leadership
• Financial Management
• Change Management
• Knowledge Management
• Service delivery innovation
• Problem solving and analysis
• People management and empowerment
• Client orientation and customer focus
• Communication
• Honesty & Integrity

Key Responsibilities

ICT Strategy and Digital Transformation

• Develop and implement the organisational ICT Strategy aligned to the Strategic Plan.
• Lead digital transformation initiatives to improve organisational efficiency.
• Identify emerging technologies that support innovation.
• Develop ICT roadmaps and investment plans.
• Advise Executive Management and the Board on ICT trends and opportunities.
• Ensure ICT initiatives support organisational performance and business objectives.

ICT Governance and Compliance

• Establish and maintain ICT governance frameworks.
• Develop ICT policies, standards and procedures.
• Ensure compliance with:
  • Public Finance Management Act (PFMA)
  • Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA)
  • Cybercrimes Act
  • Electronic Communications and Transactions Act
  • Minimum Information Security Standards (MISS), where applicable
  • Corporate Governance Frameworks
• Coordinate ICT audits and implement audit recommendations.
• Report ICT governance matters to Executive Management and the Board.

Cybersecurity and Information Security

• Develop and implement the Information Security Strategy.
• Develop and implement the AI Governance and Usage Policy
• Oversee cybersecurity governance.
• Manage cyber risk assessments.
• Monitor ICT security incidents.
• Ensure vulnerability assessments and penetration testing are conducted.
• Oversee disaster recovery plan and cyber resilience initiatives.
• Oversee the Promotion of cybersecurity awareness throughout the organisation.
• Owner and Manage ICT risk register

Oversee ICT infrastructure and enterprise systems

• Ensure high system availability.
• Oversee cloud services and network infrastructure.
• Oversee uptime and service delivery SLA’s
• Effective management of Information Assets.
• Monitor service levels and performance of ICT suppliers.

Enterprise Applications and Data Management

• Oversee ERP, HR, Finance and business applications.
• Ensure integration of organisational systems.
• Develop data governance frameworks.
• Promote data quality and integrity.
• Support business intelligence and reporting initiatives.
• Oversee the development of systems that are compliant, robust and use secure coding practices in line with relevant governance frameworks.

ICT Financial and Contract Management

• Develop and manage ICT budgets.
• Oversee the management ICT procurement.
• Oversee software licensing.
• Oversee the management of ICT contracts and Service Level Agreements.
• Ensure value for money from ICT investments.

Leadership and People Management

• Lead and develop the ICT team.
• Drive a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.
• Manage employee performance.
• Build ICT capability across the organisation.

Note: Correspondence will be entered into with shortlisted candidates only and no late applications will be considered. If you do not hear from us within 4 weeks after the closing date, consider your application as unsuccessful. The HWSETA is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to Employment Equity, disability and diversity. The HWSETA reserves the right not to fill any vacancy advertised.

Closing date: 13 November 2026