Director: Early Childhood Care & Education Directorate

In brief

**Overview** This role is for a Director within the Early Childhood Care & Education Directorate, reference number PS16/2026/01, at the Free State Department Of Education. The position is based at the Head Office in Bloemfontein. The salary offered is an all-inclusive package ranging from R1,317,384 to R1,551,807 per annum (Level 13). This package includes a 70% basic salary, a state contribution to the Government Employee Pension Fund, and a flexible portion structured according to applicable guidelines. Appointment to this role is subject to the signing of an Annual Performance Agreement and obtaining a security clearance. **What you will do** The successful candidate will be responsible for: * Ensuring effective and efficient coordination and overall management of the Early Childhood Care & Education (ECCE) service in the province. * Managing the implementation of the strategic plan, Annual Performance Plan, and the Operational Plan. * Managing the performance of the unit in terms of the Children’s Act 38 of 2005 pertaining to partial care and Child Protection, as well as the implementation of the National Curriculum Framework (NCF) and all other applicable legislations in the ECCE sector. * Ensuring proper financial management and coordination in the ECCE sector in line with the PFMA and related policies. * Monitoring and ensuring timely transfer payments to ECDs. * Ensuring proper planning and coordination of professional development of Social Workers and ECCE practitioners in the ECD sector. * Ensuring that Partial care database/registers are in place and monitored. * Ensuring that all ECCE service is uploaded on the agreed upon Learner Management System. * Ensuring that capacity building support programs and training are conducted and monitored for ECCE management and governance and output assessed. * Ensuring that the district quarterly review sessions are arranged and guidance is provided on the expected outcomes. * Ensuring the expansion of the ECCE service within the province by providing the necessary support across the districts. * Facilitating Inter-Sectoral Coordination to improve and better the ECCE service. * Managing the provision of partial care facilities and programmes in the Free State. * Managing the provision of Early Childhood Care and Education programmes. * Developing and managing the implementation of norms and standards for Early Childhood Care & Education Centre’s. * Managing a comprehensive electronic information Management system. * Managing funding of partial care and Early Childhood Care & Education facilities and programmes. **Requirements (from the original advert)** * An applicable qualification at NQF level 7 as recognized by South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). * 5 Years of experience at a middle/senior managerial level. * Valid Code B/EB Driver’s license. **Who should apply** Preference will be given to candidates who demonstrate: * Strong conceptual and formulation skills. * Strong leadership skills, specifically the ability to display thought leadership and coordination of complex applications. * Strong interpersonal skills. * Excellent verbal and written communication skills. * Outstanding planning, organizational, and people management skills. * Computer literacy. * A highly developed interpretative and conceptualization/formulation ability. * The ability to render advice and guidance in an objective and dedicated manner. * The ability to multi-task, deal with ambiguity, and manage under rapidly changing and pressurized circumstances. * The ability to persuade and influence. * The ability to lead and direct teams of professionals and service providers. * The ability to deal with complex situations. **Deadline** Not specified **Reference** Original posting: https://www.govpage.co.za/vacancies/free-state-department-of-education-vacancies-from-dpsa-circular-39-of-2026 Source: govpage

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At a glance

• At least 5 years of experience.

• Driver's licence

Extracted automatically from the advert; confirm requirements on the original listing.

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