ASSISTANT DIRECTOR: NEWS SERVICES (SENIOR REPORTER) is a South African government vacancy at Government Communication and Information System (GCIS). This job is part of Circular 17 of 2026 from the DPSA. centre: Pretoria | closing date: 12 June 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.
Applicants must submit their applications via the link http://erecruitment.gcis.gov.za or hand deliver applications to Tshedimosetso House, 1035 cnr Francis Baard & Festival streets, Hatfield, Pretoria.
Directorate
News Services
Salary
R487 197 per annum (Level 09)
Centre
Pretoria
Requirements
- Applicants must be in possession of a National Diploma (NQF Level 6) as recognised by SAQA in Journalism, Communication or an equivalent related qualification.
- At least three (3) years’ journalistic experience in print, broadcast and/or digital media, which one (1) year should be on salary level seven (7), eight (8) or equivalent supervisory level.
- Applicants must be computer literate, with sound working knowledge of Microsoft Word, email, internet-based research and digital content tools used for writing, editing, content filing and online publishing.
- Applicants must have sound knowledge of government policies and programmes, government communication, current affairs and the broader South African media environment.
- Applicants must be news-driven journalism professionals with strong editorial judgement and research skills.
- Applicants must have excellent English writing skills.
- He/she must be able to write accurate, clear and engaging news articles and feature stories for online platforms.
- He/she must also be able to produce or support the production of basic multimedia content, including photographs, short videos and other digital material suitable for digital platforms.
- Applicants must have knowledge of social media, digital publishing, online audience needs and multimedia storytelling.
- Applicants must have excellent interviewing skills, the confidence to interview senior and high-profile government officials, and the ability to process complex information, analyse the communication environment and generate original story ideas linked to government priorities and public interest.
- Good interpersonal, teamwork and communication skills are essential.
- Applicants must be willing to accept editorial guidance, coaching and mentoring.
- They must be able to work under pressure, meet deadlines, and be flexible and available to work after hours, including evenings, weekends and public holidays, when required.
- Applicants must also be available to travel, sometimes at short notice.
- A valid driver’s licence is essential.
- Proficiency in two official South African languages will be an added advantage.
Duties
- The successful candidate will be responsible for initiating, researching, developing and producing news and feature content for SAnews.gov.za and other GCIS platforms.
- This will include attending government briefings, media events and official programmes locally and across the country; conducting research and interviews; writing accurate and balanced government news stories; producing multimedia content; filing content under tight deadlines; and contributing to digital platforms through text, photographs and videos.
- The role will require the use of relevant digital reporting, content production and publishing tools in the performance of duties, in line with departmental policies and available resources.
- The successful candidate will also be expected to maintain strong working relationships with other government communicators and relevant stakeholders and contribute to the effective positioning of SAnews as a credible government news agency.
Enquiries
Ms Roze Britz Tel No: (012) 473 0263
Department Notes
Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply. The old prescribed application or employment form Z83 was withdrawn with effect from 31 December 2020. As per the Government Gazette No: 43872, any applicant who submits an application on or after 1 January 2021 must do so on the new prescribed Z83 form, obtainable from any Public Service Department or on the internet at www.gov.za/documents. Failure to submit an application on the new prescribed Z83 form will lead to disqualification. Applicants are not required to submit copies of qualifications and other relevant documents on application but must submit the fully completed and signed Z83 form and a detailed curriculum vitae. Communication regarding submission of certified copies of qualifications and other relevant documents will be limited to shortlisted candidates. Therefore, only shortlisted candidates will be required to submit certified documents on or before the day of the interview, following communication from the department. Should you be in possession of a foreign qualification, it must be accompanied by an evaluation certificate from the South African Qualification Authority (SAQA). Applicants who do not comply with the abovementioned requirements, as well as applications received late, will not be considered. Correspondence will be limited to short-listed candidates. If you have not been contacted within three (3) months after the closing date of this advertisement, please accept that your application was unsuccessful. The successful candidate must disclose to the DG particulars of all registrable financial interests, sign a performance agreement and employment contract with the DG within three months from the date of assumption of duty and obtain a top-secret security clearance. All appointments are subject to the verification of educational qualifications, previous experience, citizenship, reference checks and security vetting. The department reserves the right to fill or not to fill the vacant post. The successful candidates will enter into an employment contract with the GCIS that will be reviewed based on performance expiration. By submitting the employment application form, you agree and consent in terms of section 11 (1) of the Protection of Personal Information Act, 2013 (POPIA), for your personal information which you provide to the Government Communication and Information System (“GCIS”) being processed by the GCIS and its employees, agents, cabinet committees, and sub-contractors for recruitment purposes, in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act.
Notes
In line with the Directive on the Professionalisation of Human Resource Management and Development in Public Service, all shortlisted candidates will undertake a pre-entry practical exercise as part of the assessment method to determine their suitability based on the technical and generic requirements of the post. Please detail courses passed in the CV as per the academic transcript. This post will be filled by a suitably qualified candidate whose appointment will assist the department in achieving its Employment Equity targets in terms of the Department’s Employment Equity Plan. Preference will be given to coloured and white candidates. Suitably qualified People with disabilities will be given preference regardless of Race or Gender.
Z83 form: Government job applications usually require the Z83 application form. Download the Z83 application form before applying.
Original Text
Directorate: News Services
SALARY : R487 197 per annum (Level 09)
CENTRE : Pretoria
REQUIREMENTS : Applicants must be in possession of a National Diploma (NQF Level 6) as recognised by SAQA in Journalism, Communication or an equivalent related
qualification. At least three (3) years’ journalistic experience in print, broadcast and/or digital media, which one (1) year should be on salary level seven (7),
eight (8) or equivalent supervisory level. Applicants must be computer literate, with sound working knowledge of Microsoft Word, email, internet-based
research and digital content tools used for writing, editing, content filing and online publishing. Applicants must have sound knowledge of government
policies and programmes, government communication, current affairs and the broader South African media environment. Applicants must be news-driven
journalism professionals with strong editorial judgement and research skills.
Applicants must have excellent English writing skills. He/she must be able to write accurate, clear and engaging news articles and feature stories for online
platforms. He/she must also be able to produce or support the production of basic multimedia content, including photographs, short videos and other digital
material suitable for digital platforms. Applicants must have knowledge of social media, digital publishing, online audience needs and multimedia storytelling.
Applicants must have excellent interviewing skills, the confidence to interview senior and high-profile government officials, and the ability to process complex
information, analyse the communication environment and generate original story ideas linked to government priorities and public interest. Good
interpersonal, teamwork and communication skills are essential. Applicants must be willing to accept editorial guidance, coaching and mentoring. They
must be able to work under pressure, meet deadlines, and be flexible and available to work after hours, including evenings, weekends and public
holidays, when required. Applicants must also be available to travel, sometimes at short notice. A valid driver’s licence is essential. Proficiency in two official
South African languages will be an added advantage.
DUTIES : The successful candidate will be responsible for initiating, researching, developing and producing news and feature content for SAnews.gov.za and
other GCIS platforms. This will include attending government briefings, media events and official programmes locally and across the country; conducting
research and interviews; writing accurate and balanced government news stories; producing multimedia content; filing content under tight deadlines; and
contributing to digital platforms through text, photographs and videos. The role will require the use of relevant digital reporting, content production and
publishing tools in the performance of duties, in line with departmental policies and available resources. The successful candidate will also be expected to
maintain strong working relationships with other government communicators and relevant stakeholders and contribute to the effective positioning of SAnews
as a credible government news agency.
ENQUIRIES : Ms Roze Britz Tel No: (012) 473 0263
NOTE : In line with the Directive on the Professionalisation of Human Resource Management and Development in Public Service, all shortlisted candidates will
undertake a pre-entry practical exercise as part of the assessment method to determine their suitability based on the technical and generic requirements of
the post. Please detail courses passed in the CV as per the academic transcript. This post will be filled by a suitably qualified candidate whose
appointment will assist the department in achieving its Employment Equity targets in terms of the Department’s Employment Equity Plan. Preference will
be given to coloured and white candidates. Suitably qualified People with disabilities will be given preference regardless of Race or Gender.
Official source
This vacancy was imported from DPSA Circular 17 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.