Policy & Research Services Director

Presidency; Pretoria; Presencial; ZAR 1.603.854 - 2.169.567; Jornada completa

Descripción de la vacante

The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa invites applications for the role of Head of Policy and Research Services. This senior post requires guiding policy development, coordinating Government policy initiatives, and delivering high‑level research outputs for strategic decision‑making.

Based in Pretoria, the successful candidate will engage with government offices, think tanks and research bodies to identify gaps, drive evidence‑based interventions, and lead a multidisciplinary team to

Formación

• Senior Certificate plus an Honours degree or equivalent on NQF level 8.
• 8–10 years’ experience at senior managerial level.
• In depth understanding of the Public Service Regulatory Framework.

Responsabilidades

• Provide policy support and advise to the President and Deputy President of the Presidency.
• Facilitate policy coordination in Government through the Cabinet system and FOSAD.
• Liaise with senior officials responsible for research and policy development in Government as well as think-tanks and research institutions to identify research gaps and outcomes that impact on public policy and use such to make recommendations on interventions required.
• Provide technical support to the structures chaired by the President and Deputy President.
• Conduct socio-economic impact assessments in respect of policy outcomes.

Conocimientos

Communication (oral & writing)

Client orientation

Honesty & integrity

Service delivery innovation

Problem solving & analysis

Knowledge management

Willing to work extended hours

Educación

Honours degree / Postgraduate or equivalent (NQF 8)

Descripción del empleo

The Presidency is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. It is our intention to promote representivity (race, gender and disability). The candidature of persons whose transfer/appointment will promote representivity will receive preference.

Applications: The Presidency, Private Bag x1000, Pretoria, 0001 or Hand deliver at Government Avenue, Union Buildings, Pretoria or by email: [e-mail]

Closing Date: 10 July 2026 at 16h30 (walk-in) and 23:59 (online)

Note: Applications must quote the relevant reference number and include only TWO (2) documents (Z83 & CV). A fully completed and signed new Z83 Form, obtainable from any Public Service Department or on the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) website link: https://www.dpsa.gov.za/newsroom/psvc/ and a detailed updated Curriculum Vitae. ONLY shortlisted candidates will be required to submit certified copies of Identity Document, Grade 12 Certificate and the highest required qualifications as well as a driver’ s licence where necessary, to Human Resources on or before the day of the interview. Failure to do so will result in your application being disqualified. Foreign qualifications must be accompanied by an evaluation report issued by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). It is the applicant’s responsibility to have all foreign qualifications evaluated by SAQA and to provide proof of such evaluation report (only when shortlisted). Please ensure that you submit your application before the closing date as no late applications will be considered. Do not submit duplicate applications. If applying for multiple posts, submit separate applications for each post. Due to the large number of applications we envisage to receive, correspondence will be limited to successful candidates only, applications will however be acknowledged by auto response. Should you not be contacted within 3 months of the closing date of the advertisement, please consider your application to be unsuccessful. Should, during any stage of the recruitment process, a moratorium be placed on the filling of posts or the Department be affected by any process such as, but not limited to, restructuring or reorganisation of posts, the Department reserves the right to cancel the recruitment process and re-advertise the post at any time in the future. Important: The Department reserves the right not to fill a position. Shortlisted candidates will be required to be available for interviews at a date and time as determined by the Department. All shortlisted candidates will be subjected to Personnel Suitability Checks, which may include social media profiles of the shortlisted candidates and pre-employment screening to determine the suitability of a person for employment. Applicants must declare any pending criminal, disciplinary or any other allegations or investigations against them. Should this be uncovered during / after the interview took place, the application will not be considered and in the unlikely event that the person has been appointed such appointment will be terminated. The successful candidate will be required to enter into the SMS employment contract and a performance agreement. The requirements for appointment at Senior Management Service (SMS) level will be the successful completion of the Nyukela Public Service SMS Pre-entry Programme as endorsed by the National School of Government which can be accessed using the following link: https://www.thensg.gov.za/training-course/smspre-entry-programme/ and a generic managerial competency assessment (in compliance with the DPSA Directive on the implementation of competency based assessments).The competency assessment will be testing generic managerial competencies using the mandated DPSA SMS competency assessment tools. All shortlisted candidates for SMS posts will be subjected to a technical exercise and interview. Following the technical exercise and interview, a maximum of three (3) SMS candidates will undergo psychometric assessments to assess cognitive capabilities, behavioural preferences, emotional intelligence, and integrity. Failure to submit the requested two (2) documents (the Z83 & CV) on application, will result in your not being considered. In addition, the successful candidates will be required to disclose their financial interests.

Head of Policy and Research Services (REF: PRS/PRES/2026)

Re-advertisement, applicants who applied previously are encouraged to re-apply.

Salary: R1 885 710 per annum (level 15) (All-inclusive remuneration package)

Requirements: A Senior Certificate plus an appropriate Hons Degree/Postgraduate or equivalent qualification on NQF level 8 as recognized by SAQA. 8-10 years’ experience at senior managerial level.

Process competencies: Communication, both oral and writing. Client orientation and customer focus. Honesty and integrity. Service delivery innovation. Willing to work extended hours, when necessary. Problem solving and analysis. Knowledge management.

Core competencies: Financial management. Strategic capability leadership. Program and project management. People management and empowerment. Change Management. Stakeholder Management.

Knowledge: In depth understanding of the Public Service Regulatory Framework. Good understanding of government policies, programmes, strategies, projects and plans. Public Service Regulatory Framework. Government systems. Good knowledge and ability to use appropriate research methodologies. Monitoring and evaluation methods, tools and techniques. Knowledge of assessment and reviews techniques.

Duties: The successful candidate will be responsible for the following duties: Provide policy support and advise to the Political Principals in The Presidency. Facilitate policy coordination in Government through the Cabinet system and FOSAD. Liaise with senior officials responsible for research and policy development in Government as well as think-tanks and research institutions to identify research gaps and outcomes that impact on public policy and use such to make recommendations on interventions required. Provide technical support to the structures chaired by the President and Deputy President. Conduct socio-economic impact assessments in respect of policy outcomes.

NB: Email applications must on the subject line state ONLY the Reference number: PRS/PRES/2026 (with no spaces)