Circular 27 of 2026 · Post 27/13 · Ref HO 2026/07/09
DIRECTOR: SOCIAL WORK SERVICES
Department of Correctional Services (DCS)
- CentreNational Head Office: Pretoria
Job details
- Circular
- 27 of 2026
- Page No.
- 7
- Circular Post
- 27/13
- Reference number
- HO 2026/07/09
- Department
- Department of Correctional Services (DCS)
- Centre
- National Head Office: Pretoria
- Salary
- R1 340 691 per annum, (all-inclusive package)
- Closing date
- 18 August 2026
About this vacancy
Review the complete requirements and application instructions for this vacancy at Department of Correctional Services (DCS).
The listed centre is National Head Office: Pretoria.
Applications close on 18 August 2026.
Application and salary information
Salary
R1 340 691 per annum, (all-inclusive package)
Application route
Complete submission instructions are provided under How to apply.
Requirements
- An undergraduate qualification (NQF level 7) as recognized by SAQA in Social Work or equivalent.
- Five [5] years of experience at a middle/senior managerial level in a similar environment.
- Registration with the South African Council for Social Service Professions (SACSSP) as a Social Worker.
- A certificate for entry into the Senior Management Services (SMS) obtained from the National School of Government (NSG) is compulsory (required from all applicants prior to appointment).
- Computer literate.
- Valid driver’s licence.
- Required Knowledge: Knowledge and understanding of the South African Criminal Justice System and the Correctional Services architecture.
- Understanding of public service policy and related legislative framework (Public Service Act and Regulations, Public Finance Management Act and the Correctional Service Act 111 of 1998 as amended).
- Competencies and Attributes: Knowledge of professional counselling and social work services.
- Building and sustaining relationships in primary health care.
- Strategic capability and leadership.
- Service delivery innovation.
- Client orientation and customer focus.
- Financial management.
- Change management.
- People management and empowerment.
- Programme and project management.
- Communication skills (verbal and written).
- Problem solving and decision making.
- Transformation management.
- Influencing and impact.
- Policy development, facilitation, conflict management and conceptual skills.
- Diversity management.
- Negotiation skills.
- Confidentiality.
- Interpersonal relations and time management.
- Accountability.
- Diplomacy and tact.
- Policy development and implementation.
- Good corporate governance principles.
Duties
- Manage, develop, design, implementation, administration and evaluation of services and programmes in line with relevant legislation, regulations, frameworks and departmental policies and procedures.
- Manage social support services.
- Manage and monitor the coordination of special categories for inmates.
- Ensure the coordination of outreach programmes to educate others about psychosocial related problems.
- Plan and ensure that social work research is undertaken.
- Liaise and attend meetings with external stakeholders as part of stakeholder engagement.
- Management of human resources, finances, assets and performance information.
Enquiries
- Ms TP Ngobeni Tel No: (012) 305 8589
- Ms NS Khumalo Tel No: (012) 307
How to apply
Where and how to submit your application.
Indicate the reference number and position you are applying for on your application form (Z83) and send your complete application to: The Department of Correctional Services, Post Advertisement Section, Private Bag X136, Pretoria, 0001 OR hand deliver at: 124 WF Nkomo Street, Poyntons Building, Corner WF Nkomo and Sophie De Bruyn Street, Pretoria, 0001 (Previous: Corner Church and Schubart Street) OR you can submit your application online at: https://careers.dcs.gov.za/
Notes and Z83 guidance
Before you apply: All costs associated with an application will be borne by the applicant. Please take note that correspondence will only be conducted with the shortlisted candidates. If you have not been contacted within three (3) months of the closing date of the advertisement, please accept that your application is unsuccessful. Please do not call the department to enquire about the progress of your application. A pre-entry certificate from the National School of Government (NSG) is required from all applicants prior to appointment. The full details of the SMS pre-entry course are obtainable on: Certificate for entry into the SMS (Senior Management Service) | thensg Applicants must note that further checks will be conducted once they are shortlisted and that their appointment is subject to positive outcomes on these checks, which include security clearance, security vetting, qualification/s and criminal records verification. Appointment to some of these posts will be provisional, pending the issue of a security clearance. If you cannot get a security clearance, your appointment will be re-considered/possibly terminated. Fingerprints will be taken on the day of the interview.
- All shortlisted candidates will be subjected to a technical exercise that intends to test relevant technical elements of the job, the logistics of which will be communicated by the department. Following the interview and technical exercise, the selection panel will recommend candidates to attend a generic managerial competency assessment (in compliance with the DPSA directive on the implementation of competencybased assessment). The competency assessment will be testing generic managerial competencies using the mandated DPSA SMS competency assessment tool.
- Applications: Applications must be submitted on the Z83 form (Public Service application form) obtainable from any Public Service department and must be completed in full.
- Only a detailed CV should be attached to your application form.
- Only shortlisted candidates will be required to submit certified copies not older than 6 months of qualifications and other related documents on or before the day of the interview. Please send a separate and complete application for each post you are applying for, stating the correct reference for each position you are interested in.
- Candidates must comply with the minimum appointment requirements. CV’s should be aligned to reflect one’s degree of compliance with the advert requirements and responsibilities.
- The Department of Correctional Services reserves the right not to fill any of these advertised posts.
Z83 form: Government job applications usually require the Z83 application form. Download the Z83 application form before applying.
Additional notes
Appointment under the Correctional Service Act
Do you qualify?
Use this private checklist after reviewing the vacancy details and application instructions.
0 of 6 items checked
This checklist is only a guide and does not confirm eligibility. The recruiting department makes the final decision.
Your checklist progress stays in this page only. Nothing is saved, sent or shared, and it clears when you refresh or leave the page.
Official source
This vacancy was imported from DPSA Circular 27 of 2026 for reference.
Disclaimer: SA Gov Jobs is an independent job information service and is not a government department. 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.
Original Text
SALARY : R1 340 691 per annum, (all-inclusive package)
CENTRE : National Head Office: Pretoria
REQUIREMENTS : An undergraduate qualification (NQF level 7) as recognized by SAQA in Social Work or equivalent. Five [5] years of experience at a middle/senior managerial
level in a similar environment. Registration with the South African Council for
Social Service Professions (SACSSP) as a Social Worker. A certificate for entry into the Senior Management Services (SMS) obtained from the National
School of Government (NSG) is compulsory (required from all applicants prior to appointment). Computer literate. Valid driver’s licence. Required Knowledge:
Knowledge and understanding of the South African Criminal Justice System and the Correctional Services architecture. Understanding of public service
policy and related legislative framework (Public Service Act and Regulations,
Public Finance Management Act and the Correctional Service Act 111 of 1998 as amended). Competencies and Attributes: Knowledge of professional
counselling and social work services. Building and sustaining relationships in primary health care. Strategic capability and leadership. Service delivery
innovation. Client orientation and customer focus. Financial management.
Change management. People management and empowerment. Programme and project management. Communication skills (verbal and written). Problem
solving and decision making. Transformation management. Influencing and impact. Policy development, facilitation, conflict management and conceptual
skills. Diversity management. Negotiation skills. Confidentiality. Interpersonal relations and time management. Accountability. Diplomacy and tact. Policy
development and implementation. Good corporate governance principles.
DUTIES : Manage, develop, design, implementation, administration and evaluation of services and programmes in line with relevant legislation, regulations,
frameworks and departmental policies and procedures. Manage social support services. Manage and monitor the coordination of special categories for
inmates. Ensure the coordination of outreach programmes to educate others about psychosocial related problems. Plan and ensure that social work
research is undertaken. Liaise and attend meetings with external stakeholders as part of stakeholder engagement. Management of human resources,
finances, assets and performance information.
ENQUIRIES : Ms TP Ngobeni Tel No: (012) 305 8589 or Ms NS Khumalo Tel No: (012) 307
NOTE : Appointment under the Correctional Service Act