DEPUTY DIRECTOR: FOOD SECURITY is a South African government vacancy at Free State Department of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environmental Affairs. This job is part of Circular 25 of 2026 from the DPSA. centre: Glen | closing date: 07 August 2026. Use this page to review the requirements, duties, application instructions and official source links before applying.
Job details
Applications
Where to send your application.
Please submit your application before the closing date as late applications will not be considered. Do not submit duplicate applications. If applying for multiple posts, submit separate applications for each post. Due to high volumes, the Department will not acknowledge receipt of applications. Communication will be limited to shortlisted candidates only. If you have not heard from us within 4 months, 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 is 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 readvertise the post at any time in the future. Important: FSDARDEA is an opportunity employer committed to promoting representivity and affirmative action. We encourage applications from all qualified candidates. The Department reserves the right not to fill vacancies. By applying you consent to the collection and processing of your personal information for recruitment purposes. Shortlisted candidates will be required to be available for assessments and interviews at a date and time as determined by the Department. Shortlisted candidates will undergo personnel suitability checks, security vetting and reference checks (including social media profiles). Applications must declare any pending criminal, disciplinary or any other allegations or investigations. Successful candidates must pass security clearance, sign an employment contract, sign an annual performance agreement and disclose financial interests. All applicants are required to declare any conflict or perceived conflict of interest, to disclose memberships of Boards and directorships that they may be associated with. Failure to disclose relevant information may result in disqualification or termination. No late applications will be considered. MANAGEMENT ECHELON
Salary
R932 292 per annum (Level 11), (all-inclusive remuneration package)
Requirements
- An appropriate Bachelor’s Degree / Post Graduate Diploma in Agriculture (NQF level 8).
- 3 – 4 years’ experience in middle management level at Assistant Director level in agriculture preferably in a food security environment.
- Driver’s license.
- Compulsory SACNASP Registration.
Duties
- Promote household food and nutrition security.
- Coordinate food security programmes in Department and provincial level.
- Liaise with key role players when planning and implementing food security.
- Represent the Department on Provincial and National Food Security and Food Security related forums (e.g.
- SAVAC, IFNSF, PAVAC).
- Compile and update Database of households and institutions benefitting from agricultural food security initiatives.
- Compile and Update Database of all Food Security Role players in the Free State.
- Create awareness with regard to Food Security.
- Disseminate information on food security to management, peers and clients.
- Monitor and evaluate implementation and impact of Food Security initiatives in the Department.
- Coordinate and Implement YAFF (Youth in Agriculture).
- Coordinate pre-event activities (Awareness, applications and adjudication).
- Coordinate video and profiles for National adjudication.
- Coordinate, plan and implement Provincial event.
- Coordinate and support National event.
- Coordinate post-event activities (evaluations, etc).
- Represent Department at NOC meetings.
- Coordinate and Implement FEA (Female Entrepreneur Awards) in the province.
- Coordinate pre-event activities (Awareness, applications and adjudication).
- Coordinate video and profiles for National adjudication.
- Coordinate, plan and implement Provincial event.
- Coordinate and support National event.
- Coordinate postevent activities (evaluations, etc).
- Represent Department at NOC meetings.
- Perform administrative and related functions.
- Compile reports as required.
- Human capital development: Supervise and manage staff.
- Participate and apply the PDMS (Own and subordinates).
- Self-development through informal and formal training initiatives that is relevant to the duties of the official.
- Effective management of all physical assets of the unit.
- Give inputs for budget planning.
- Manage grant funding allocated to Food Security as Food Security Pillar Manager.
- Manage grant funding allocated to FEA as Provincial FEA coordinator.
Enquiries
Mr G Madiba at 064 063 6910
Notes
To apply, submit a newly implemented Z83 form and detailed Curriculum Vitae (PDF document to a maximum of 10 megabytes) via e-mail or hand delivery. The Department will not be held responsible for server delays. Late applications due to technical issues will not be considered. Shortlisted candidates must provide certified copies of required documents (Identity Document, qualifications, etc) where necessary and service certificates to support senior management experience to Human Resources before the interviews, including South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) evaluation reports for foreign qualifications. Failure to comply will result in disqualification. To be appointed at Senior Management Service (SMS) level, you must complete the SMS Pre-entry programme offered by the National School of Government (NSG). Find course details here: https://www.thensg.gov.za/training-course/sms-pre-entry-programme/ appointment is subject to successful competition of the Nyukela Programme: Pre-entry Certificate to SMS and submission of proof. 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, behavioural preferences, emotional intelligence and integrity. All shortlisted candidates for other posts, shall undertake a pre-entry assessment which will be in the form of a practical / technical exercise. Candidates will also be assessed on Integrity (Ethical Conduct). Selection panels shall score the technical exercise as an additional criterion in the interview process. NB: Please note that false or fraudulent qualifications submitted by applicants will be reported to the South African Police Services (SAPS), and a criminal case shall be opened.
Z83 form: Government job applications usually require the Z83 application form. Download the Z83 application form before applying.
Original Text
SALARY : R932 292 per annum (Level 11), (all-inclusive remuneration package)
CENTRE : Glen
REQUIREMENTS : An appropriate Bachelor’s Degree / Post Graduate Diploma in Agriculture (NQF level 8). 3 – 4 years’ experience in middle management level at Assistant
Director level in agriculture preferably in a food security environment. Driver’s license. Compulsory SACNASP Registration.
DUTIES : Promote household food and nutrition security. Coordinate food security programmes in Department and provincial level. Liaise with key role players
when planning and implementing food security. Represent the Department on
Provincial and National Food Security and Food Security related forums (e.g.
SAVAC, IFNSF, PAVAC). Compile and update Database of households and institutions benefitting from agricultural food security initiatives. Compile and
Update Database of all Food Security Role players in the Free State. Create awareness with regard to Food Security. Disseminate information on food
security to management, peers and clients. Monitor and evaluate implementation and impact of Food Security initiatives in the Department.
Coordinate and Implement YAFF (Youth in Agriculture). Coordinate pre-event activities (Awareness, applications and adjudication). Coordinate video and
profiles for National adjudication. Coordinate, plan and implement Provincial event. Coordinate and support National event. Coordinate post-event activities
(evaluations, etc). Represent Department at NOC meetings. Coordinate and
Implement FEA (Female Entrepreneur Awards) in the province. Coordinate pre-event activities (Awareness, applications and adjudication). Coordinate
video and profiles for National adjudication. Coordinate, plan and implement
Provincial event. Coordinate and support National event. Coordinate postevent activities (evaluations, etc). Represent Department at NOC meetings.
Perform administrative and related functions. Compile reports as required.
Human capital development: Supervise and manage staff. Participate and apply the PDMS (Own and subordinates). Self-development through informal
and formal training initiatives that is relevant to the duties of the official.
Effective management of all physical assets of the unit. Give inputs for budget planning. Manage grant funding allocated to Food Security as Food Security
Pillar Manager. Manage grant funding allocated to FEA as Provincial FEA coordinator.
ENQUIRIES : Mr G Madiba at 064 063 6910
Official source
This vacancy was imported from DPSA Circular 25 of 2026 for reference.
Disclaimer: This vacancy was imported from the official DPSA circular PDF. Please confirm the reference number, closing date, and application instructions in the original circular before applying. View the official DPSA vacancy circulars.