Social Worker: Substance Abuse, Ref No. DSD 122/2026

Western Cape Government; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 338,000 - 755,000; Full time

Job summary

Western Cape Government seeks Social Workers specialized in Substance Abuse to provide social work services, M&E support, and advocacy in the substance use field. Travel may be required to fulfil duties.

A Bachelor of Social Work and SACSSP registration are essential, with graded experience expectations from none to 30 years. The role is permanent within the Department of Social Development in Western Cape, based in Cape Town, with typical OSd remuneration bands and opportunities for

Qualifications

• Social workers must hold a relevant tertiary qualification in Social Work (Bachelor of Social Work) and be eligible for professional registration with the South African Council for Social Service Professions as Social Worker.
• Registration with SACSSP as a Social Worker is required.
• Grade progression: Grade 1 no experience; Grade 2 at least 10 years post-registration; Grade 3 at least 20 years; Grade 4 at least 30 years of post-registration experience.

Responsibilities

• Render a social work service for care, support, protection and development of vulnerable individuals, groups, families, communities and organisations.
• Attend to matters related to social instability and initiate actions such as on-site monitoring and evaluating NPOs' compliance with signed Transfer Payment Agreements.
• Ensure compliance with NPO registration and with the Prevention of and Treatment for Substance Abuse Act 70 of 2008; maintain continuous professional development.

Skills

Written and verbal communication

Report-writing

Computer literacy

Presentation and facilitation

Client orientation

Mentoring and coaching

Education

Bachelor of Social Work

Professional registration with SACSSP

Job description

Social Worker: Substance Abuse, Ref No. DSD 122/2026

Details

Closing Date 2026/11/30

Reference Number WCG261021-12

Tracking Number DSD 122/2026

Job Title Social Worker: Substance Abuse, Ref No. DSD 122/2026

Department Social Development

Salary level OSD

Enquiries Ms Fatima Isaacs at [phone]

Job Type Permanent

Location - Country South Africa

Location - Province Western Cape

Location - Town / City Cape Town

Job Purpose

The Department of Social Development, Western Cape Government has opportuniies for suitably qualified and competent Social Workers to provide social work and Monitoring & Evaluation services in the Substance Abuse field. The successful incumbent must be willing to travel when required.

A relevant tertiary qualification in Social Work (Bachelor of Social Work) that allows professional registration with the South African Council for Social Service Professions as Social Worker; Registration with the South African Council for Social Service Professions as a Social Worker; Grade 1: No experience; Grade 2: A minimum of 10 years appropriate experience in Social Work after registration as a Social Worker with the South African Council for Social Service Professions; Grade 3: A minimum of 20 years appropriate experience in Social Work after registration as a Social Worker with the South African Council for Social Service Professions; Grade 4: A minimum of 30 years appropriate experience in Social Work after registration as a Social Worker with the South African Council for Social Service Professions.

Key Performance Areas

Render a social work service with regard to the care, support, protection and development of vulnerable individuals, groups, families, communities and organisations through the relevant programmes; Attend to any other matters that could result in, or stem from, social instability in any form; This would include the following actions; New application (Pre funding):On-Site Monitoring; Monitoring NPOs compliance against signed Transfer Payment Agreement (TPA); Evaluate NPOs compliance against Legislative, Programme Specific and Generic Norms and Standards; Case Work, Telephonic, Ministerial complaints process; Rapid response following complaint/enquiries about NPOs, or a concern raised by a programme; Ensure compliance with registration requirements of NPO’s (regulatory frameworks); Ensure compliance in terms of the Prevention of and Treatment for Substance Abuse Act 70 of 2008;Continuous Professional Development; Keep up to date with new developments in the social work and social welfare fields; Perform all the administrative functions required of the job.

Knowledge of the following: Prevention of and Treatment for Substance Abuse Act 70 of 2008 and related legislative frameworks; National Drug Master Plan and relevant policy guidelines; Minimum Standards for In-patient and Out-patient substance abuse treatment and rehabilitation services; Key national and provincial mandates for substance abuse prevention, early intervention, and community-based treatment; Drug Master Plan 2019 – 2024, Norms & Standards for Substance Abuse Programmes. Competent and Knowledgeable in various M&E frameworks; Supervision Framework for Social Workers; Human behaviour and social systems and skills to intervene at the points where people interact with their environments in order to promote social well-being; Social work theory and interventions; Information and Knowledge Management; Protocol and professional ethics; Relevant legislations, policies and prescripts (norms and standards); Social dynamics, work values and principles; Developing and empowering others. Skills in the following: Challenge structural sources of poverty, inequality, oppression, discrimination and exclusion; Written and verbal communication; Report-writing; Self-management; Motivation; Good planning and organizing; Problem solving and analytical; Computer literacy; Presentation and facilitation; Client orientation and customer focus; Ability and competence to assist, develop, advocate for, and empower individuals, families, groups, organisations and communities to enhance their social functioning and their problem-solving capabilities; Ability to promote, restore, maintain, advocate for and enhance the functioning of individuals, families, groups and communities by enabling them to accomplish tasks, prevent and alleviate distress and use resources effectively; Understanding and ability to provide social work services towards protecting people who are vulnerable, at risk and unable to protect themselves; Ability to mentor and coach Social Workers Grade 1.

Remuneration

Grade 1: R 338 208 - R 397 668 per annum, Grade 2: R 413 004 - R 478 395 per annum, Grade 3: R 496 668 - R583 833 per annum, Grade 4: R 608 859 - R 754 785 per annum (OSD as prescribed)

Note on remuneration: Cost-to-employer (CTE) remuneration packages for certain occupation-specific dispensations (OSD) are inclusive of all costs related to service benefits or obligations including basic salary, 13th cheque, medical assistance, housing assistance, pension-fund contributions, etc. Where remuneration is not indicated as CTE, employees' service benefits or obligations are funded or co-funded in terms of the applicable prescripts or collective agreements.

Notes

Shortlisted candidates will be required to attend interviews on a date and time determined by the department and will be required to submit duly completed and signed vetting and supporting documentation within the timeframe communicated by the WCG and prior to the interview date. Failure to provide the required duly completed and signed vetting and supporting documentation within the prescribed timeframe, without reasonable justification, may result in the shortlisted candidate not being considered further in the current recruitment and selection process.

All shortlisted candidates shall undertake two pre-entry assessments. One will be a practical exercise to determine a candidate’s suitability based on the post’s technical and generic requirements and the other must be an integrity (ethical conduct) assessment. The selection process will be guided by the EE targets of the employing department.

By applying for this position, you are consenting to the Western Cape Government contacting your previous employers/managers for an employment reference. Reference checks will include enquiries relating to your disciplinary records and reasons for leaving.

Should you experience difficulties with your online application, technical support is available from Monday to Friday from 08:00 to 16.00. Contact the helpline at 086 137 0214. For all other queries relating to the position, kindly contact the enquiries person as indicated in the advert. Please ensure that you submit your application before the closing date as no late applications will be considered.

This project is an initiative of the Western Cape Government.