National School of Government Vacancies

ANNEXURE I

NATIONAL SCHOOL OF GOVERNMENT
The National School of Government (The NSG) contributes to the building of an effective, capable and
professional public service through the provision of relevant, mandatory and non-mandatory training

programmes and professionalising the public sector towards a capable, ethical and developmental state.

APPLICATIONS : Applications must be submitted by using the relevant email address and
quoting the reference number in the subject line or hand-delivered to the ZK

Matthews Building, 70 Meintjies Street, Sunnyside, Pretoria, National School
of Government, Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications
electronically. E-mail to Recruitment.MMSSMS@thensg.gov.za, or hand
deliver to ZK Mathews Building, 70 Meintjies Street, Sunnyside, Pretoria. For
Attention And Enquiries: Kindly contact Mr Mpho Mugodo Tel No: (012) 441
6017 or Mr Thabo Ngwenya Tel No: (012) 441-6108.
CLOSING DATE : 10 April 2026

NOTE : Suitably qualified, dynamic, passionate, and experienced persons are invited
to apply for the vacant permanent position(s). Applicants are requested to visit
the NSG website at www.thensg.gov.za or www.dpsa.gov.za for information on
the requirements and duties of the position.Applications must consist of:Afully
completed and signed new Z83 form with a comprehensive CV containing
contactable references. Use of the old Z83 Form will result in disqualification.
Candidates should not attach certified documents to the application. Only

shortlisted candidates will be required to submit certified documents on or
before the day of the interview. The relevant reference number must be written
on the application form. Foreign qualifications must be accompanied by an
evaluation certificate from the South African Qualification Authority (SAQA). 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. All appointments are subject to personnel suitability
checks such as security vetting, citizen verification, financial records check,
and qualifications verifications.Applications that do not comply with the above-
mentioned requirements as well as applications that are received late, will not
be considered. The selection process of the SMS post will be in line with the
Senior Management Service requirements. The successful candidate will be
expected to sign a performance agreement within three months from the date

of assumption of duties and where applicable to disclose particulars of all
registrable financial interests within a month. The employment decision shall
be informed by the Employment Equity Plan of the Department to achieve its
employment equity targets. It is the Department’s intention to promote equity
(race, gender, and disability) through the filling of this post. The NSG reserves
the right not to make an appointment and to use other recruitment processes.
Correspondence will be limited to shortlisted candidates only. Successful

completion of the Senior Management Pre-Entry Programme (Nyukela) is
required for appointment of the SMS posts. Enrolment for the course should
be made on the NSG’s website at https://www.thensg.gov.za/training-
course/sms-pre-entry-programme

MANAGEMENT ECHELON

POST 10/286 : PRINCIPAL (DIRECTOR-GENERAL) REF NO: NSG 10/2025
Five-year Contract
Job Purpose: To provide strategic, knowledge and operational leadership in
building public sector capacity through education, training and development
interventions, and professionalising the public sector towards a capable,
ethical and developmental state.

SALARY : R2 352 642 per annum (Level 16), all-inclusive remuneration package,
comprising of the basic salary (70% of package), employer’s contribution to the
Government Pension Fund (13% of the basic salary) and a flexible portion. The
flexible portion of package can be structured according to Senior Management.
A non-pensionable allowance equal to 10% of the annual all-inclusive
remuneration package is also payable.

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CENTRE : Pretoria
REQUIREMENTS : A postgraduate degree or equivalent (NQF level 8) in Public Administration,
Economics, Political Science, Development Studies/Practice, Business
Administration or any other relevant discipline. Master’s degree (NQF Level 9)
or PhD in Public Administration, Political Science, Development

Studies/Practice, Business Administration or related discipline as an added-
advantage. Where applicable, registration with a relevant professional body will
be an added advantage. Experience: Minimum of 10 years' experience at a
senior management level in the public sector, academia or development
institutions, with demonstrated experience in leading complex institutions,
managing stakeholder relationships and delivering impact. Substantial
experience in education and training would be an added advantage.

Knowledge: Deep understanding of the global and South African public
administration landscape and public sector capacity building. Knowledge and
experience with pedagogical and related epistemological issues relevant to the
capacity building of individuals and institutions. Expert knowledge and
understanding of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa and public
sector legislation (including the Public Service Act, Public Administration
Management Act, Skills Development Act, Public Finance Management Act,

National Qualifications FrameworkAct, Higher Education and TrainingAct, and
Further Education and Training Act). Strategic leadership, management and
governance in public institutions. Policy development, curriculum innovation,
and adult learning methodologies. Research, academic governance and
knowledge management principles. Digital transformation within an education
and training environment. In-depth knowledge of corporate governance and
risk management principles. Understanding and knowledge of stakeholder

engagement and intergovernmental relations. Knowledge of strategic planning
and performance monitoring. Skills: Strategic and visionary leadership. Policy
influence and thought leadership. Stakeholder mobilisation and public
engagement. Financial, risk, and performance management. Complex
problem-solving and decision-making. Organisational agility and innovation
orientation. Excellent communication and presentation skills. Digital acumen
and change leadership. Analytical and decision-making skills. Conflict

resolution and negotiation skills. Good conflict management skills. Advanced
Computer skills. Project management and innovation. Competencies: Must be
able to provide a vision, set the direction for the organisation and inspire others
to deliver on the organisational mandate. Plan, manage, monitor and evaluate
specific activities to deliver the desired outputs. Compile and manage budgets,
control cash flow, institute risk management and administer tender
procurement processes by generally recognised financial practices to ensure

the achievement of strategic organisational objectives. Initiate and support
organisational transformation and change to implement new initiatives and
deliver on service delivery commitments successfully. Promote the generation
and sharing of knowledge and learning to enhance the organisation's collective
knowledge. Explore and implement new ways of delivering services that
contribute to improving organisational processes to achieve organisational
goals. Systematically identify, analyse and resolve existing and anticipated

problems to reach optimum solutions on time. Manage and encourage people,
optimise their outputs, and effectively manage relationships to achieve
organisational goals. Must be willing and able to deliver services effectively and
efficiently to put the spirit of customer service (Batho Pele) into practice.
Exchange information and ideas clearly and concisely, appropriate for the
audience to explain, persuade, convince and influence others to achieve the
desired outcomes. Display and build the highest standards of ethical and moral

conduct to promote confidence and trust in the Public Service. Personal
Attributes: Participate in professional development activities to maintain and
stay current with professional knowledge and curricular trends. Ability to multi-
task and organise, prioritise, and follow multiple projects and tasks through to
completion with attention to detail. Work independently while contributing to a
team environment. Ability to analyse problems, identify solutions, take
appropriate action, and resolve conflicts using independent judgment and

decision-making. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with
management, employees, stakeholders and the public. Integrity and honesty;
detail-oriented; creative and innovative; ability to work under pressure. Be
willing to travel and work extended hours. Preference will be given to African
females, African and Coloured males and people with disability in accordance
with our employment equity requirements.

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DUTIES : The incumbent will be responsible for the following Key Results Areas: Provide
knowledge leadership on state capacity building to enhance overall efforts of
the government in building a capable developmental state. Lead the strategic
direction and imperatives of the institution in line with key national and sectoral
policy frameworks and developmental agendas. Lead the institutional

repositioning towards a future-oriented public sector that embraces digital
transformation, innovation and service excellence. Chair and provide
leadership external and internal committees and governance structures that
ensures inclusive participation, and drive decisions towards goals. Foster a
culture of accountability, transparency and collaborative problem-solving within
committees and governance structures. Ensure full compliance with PFMAand
other legislative requirements as Accounting Officer, enable regular review,

strengthen internal controls to mitigate risks and ensure financial integrity.
Drive organisational change management initiatives for agility and
responsiveness; maintain open channels (including with staff and organised
labour) for communicating change initiatives. Foster an organisational culture
that embraces innovation, flexibility, agility and continuous improvement.
Provide leadership and oversight in governance by promoting open reporting
and information sharing, model ethical behaviour and practices, enforce codes

of conduct and regularly assess governance effectiveness. Provide leadership
in data-driven research, business intelligence and market analysis to inform
interventions and establish monitoring mechanisms such as digital dashboard)
to track progress across the public sector. Integrate international capacity
building standards through benchmarks and strategic alliances that assess the
SouthAfrican public sector progress. Provide strategic direction and leadership
in the design and implementation of a structured learning pathway (including

higher education qualifications) and curriculum framework. Lead and facilitate
institutional development interventions (including strategic planning, change
management, organisational design and skills audits). Lead the design, piloting
and implementation of artificial intelligence (AI) innovation to support public
sector service delivery models. Lead in the implementation and monitoring of
professionalisation interventions, including the National Framework Towards
the Professionalisation of the Public Sector. Lead and provide strategic

direction in quality management to ensure the effectiveness, efficiency and
continuous improvement of the education, training and development
interventions. Lead the institution in its accreditation status with various
bodies, including the PSETA, LGSETA, QCTO and CHE, adhere to minimum
requirements and ensure compliance. Lead the design of strategies to monitor
and evaluate ETD design and delivery as well as the measurement of data-
driven and evidence-based institutional impact and outcomes. Lead in the

quality of learner assessment and moderation, achievement of learning
outcomes against specified criteria, and issuing of certificates. Foster a culture
of institutional quality management through systems, processes, services and
products, including peer reviews, performance audits and continuous
improvement. Lead in the management and provide oversight of the NSG
Training Trading Account to maximise revenue generation, including
diversifying revenue streams. Expand offerings to fee-paying clients, including

the three spheres of government, SOEs, the private sector and international
partners. Monitor financial performance and undertake regular financial
analytics to track revenue targets and identify business growth opportunities.
Lead engagements with strategic partners in the joint design, delivery and
revenue sharing of high-demand interventions, increasing market reach. Lead
in the strategic design of ICT and procurement planning to leverage economies
of scale and financial prudence. Oversee the financial and non-financial

compliance, including payment of supplier invoices, reducing wasteful,
irregular and fruitless expenditure. Provide leadership in financial and non-
financial performance, including reporting and presentations to Department of
Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (DPME), National Treasury, parliamentary
committees and the Audit Committee. Drive compliance with Minimum
Information Security Standards, including security vetting and training
initiatives. Provide leadership and implement interventions to promote equity,

youth employment and disability inclusion. Engage with relevant authorising
structures and political executives to secure ongoing support for NSG efforts
and wider capability development interventions. Lead in the hosting of
workshops, research colloquia, roundtable discussions and the NSG seminar
series to stimulate debate, insight and understanding of public sector issues.
Network and collaborate with relevant external and international stakeholders

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to ensure mutually beneficial relationships that serve the interests of the NSG.
Participate in domestic and global partnerships with Higher Education
Institutions (HEI’s), organs of state, research institutions and professional
bodies to undertake joint projects. Undertake and present papers at national
and/or international conferences, including providing support to NSG officials
where required. Lead in the research with NSG stakeholders and partners

(empirical and desktop research) to generate and disseminate knowledge
through interaction and publications. Provide leadership to the secretariat of
the African Management Development Institutes’ Network (AMDIN), including
the management of its revenue
ENQUIRIES : Ms Letty Raseroka Tel No: (012) 441 6017

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