SENIOR COMMUNICATION OFFICER: EXTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS is a South African government vacancy at Government Pensions Administration Agency (GPAA). This job is part of Circular 21 of 2026 from the DPSA. centre: Pretoria | closing date: 03 July 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.
To apply visit: https://erecruitment.gpaa.gov.za/
Salary
R413 001 per annum (Level 08)
Centre
Pretoria
Requirements
- A relevant B degree / N Dip / B Tech or equivalent three-year qualification (with minimum 360 credits) in Communications or related field coupled with a minimum of three (3) years relevant experience in Media Relations.
- The experience gained should include the drafting/writing of articles, speaking notes, media statements, publications etc. computer literacy that includes Microsoft packages.
- Knowledge of media landscape.
- Knowledge and experience in execution of media campaigns.
- Knowledge and experience of writing reports.
- Good analytical skills.
- Good communication skills (both verbal and written).
- Creativity.
- Integrity.
- Logical.
- Understanding of GEPF/GPAA and its processes.
- Understanding of the Pension Fund (Employee Benefits) and financial sector.
Duties
- The incumbent will be responsible for a wide variety of tasks which include but are not limited to the following: Develop and maintain external stakeholder contact database, media monitoring and analysis;
- Keep the Communications Unit abreast of developments in pensions and finance sector.
- Monitor GPAA/GEPF coverage in the media.
- Recommendations to management to remedy media coverage.
- Arrange, coordinate and oversee media briefings.
- Record media briefing proceedings as part of a media monitoring and evaluation process.
- Regularly update media database.
- Create platforms to increase stakeholder engagements and maintain database.
- Organize workshops for external stakeholders.
- Liaise and maintain relationships with National and Provincial Departments and other stakeholders;
- Interact with different divisions and stakeholders to source information that needs to be communicated to the public.
- Communicate with stakeholders regarding the implementation of the communication strategy.
- Assist in the implementation of Communication, Stakeholder and marketing strategy in GPAA.
- Maintain the external communications channels;
- Arrange and conduct regular and specialized interactions, including media visits.
- Ensure pre-recorded interviews are edited.
- Conduct live interviews.
- Create opportunities for and attend media briefings.
- Research and write articles for members’ and pensioners publications;
- Draft speaking notes and media statements.
- Prepare briefing notes and packs for campaigns.
- Draft all publications and coordinate members’ and pensioners’ publications.
- Provide co-ordination of all external communication campaigns, and reports;
- Coordinate all outreach platforms.
- Provide logistical support for all roadshows and campaigns in GPAA.
- Assist with coordination of marketing on behalf of GPAA.
- Provide administrative support to the unit;
- Perform office administrative activities.
- Organise office logistical matters.
- File office correspondence, documents and reports.
- Draft and type standard correspondence and documents.
- Completion of forms and documents related to claims, payments, invoices and consultant fees.
- Order stationery and equipment for the section.
Enquiries
Sanele Ngema Tel No: (012) 399 3501 for more information and application enquiries. Enquiries.erecruitment@gpaa.gov.za
Department Notes
All shortlisted candidates, including the SMS, shall undertake two preentry 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. It should be noted that the GPAA does not support the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in any of its recruitment and selection processes and will disqualify an application if it picks up the use of AI when completing assessments without acknowledging the source of information. Successful completion of the Nyukela Public Service SMS Pre-entry Programme as endorsed by the National School of Government, available as an online course on https://www.thensg.gov.za/training-course/sms-pre-entry-programme/, prior to finalisation of appointment, is a requirement for all SMS positions. For SMS positions, certain candidates may be required to undergo additional Psychometric Assessments. Applicants must note that pre-employment checks and references will be conducted once they are short-listed and the appointment is also subject to a positive outcome on these checks, which include, but not limited to: security clearance, security vetting, qualification/study verification, citizenship verification, financial/asset record check, previous employment verification and criminal record. Applicants will be required to meet vetting requirements as prescribed by Minimum Information Security Standards in line with the new DPSA Directive effective 01 April 2024. By submitting your application, it also means you consent to the GPAA processing your information for Human Resources Management purposes. It is the applicant’s responsibility to have all their foreign qualifications (this includes O and A level certificates) evaluated by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA), at your own expense. Upon appointment, successful candidates will be required to sign a Performance Agreement within 3 months from date of appointment and for candidates whose appointment exceeds 12 calendar months will be appointed on probation for the period of twelve (12) calendar months excluding leave taken as prescribed by Public Service Regulation 68. The status of your application will be visible on the e-Recruitment system. However, if you have not received feedback from the GPAA within 6 months of the closing date, please regard your application as unsuccessful. The candidate must take note: It is the GPAA’s intention to promote equity (race, gender and disability) through the filling of this post(s) with a candidate whose transfer/promotion / appointment will promote representativeness in line with the numerical targets as contained in GPAA’s Employment Equity Plan. Note: The GPAA reserves the right not to fill the below-mentioned posts, withdraw or to put on-hold a position and/or to re-advertise a post. The GPAA is compliant with the requirements of POPIA.
Original Text
External Communications
Permanent
The purpose of the role is: To provide support in the Media and External communication of GPAA.
SALARY : R413 001 per annum (Level 08)
CENTRE : Pretoria
REQUIREMENTS : A relevant B degree / N Dip / B Tech or equivalent three-year qualification (with minimum 360 credits) in Communications or related field coupled with a
minimum of three (3) years relevant experience in Media Relations. The experience gained should include the drafting/writing of articles, speaking
notes, media statements, publications etc. computer literacy that includes
Microsoft packages. Knowledge of media landscape. Knowledge and experience in execution of media campaigns. Knowledge and experience of
writing reports. Good analytical skills. Good communication skills (both verbal and written). Creativity. Integrity. Logical. Understanding of GEPF/GPAA and
its processes. Understanding of the Pension Fund (Employee Benefits) and financial sector.
DUTIES : The incumbent will be responsible for a wide variety of tasks which include but are not limited to the following: Develop and maintain external stakeholder
contact database, media monitoring and analysis; Keep the Communications
Unit abreast of developments in pensions and finance sector. Monitor
GPAA/GEPF coverage in the media. Recommendations to management to remedy media coverage. Arrange, coordinate and oversee media briefings.
Record media briefing proceedings as part of a media monitoring and evaluation process. Regularly update media database. Create platforms to
increase stakeholder engagements and maintain database. Organize workshops for external stakeholders. Liaise and maintain relationships with
National and Provincial Departments and other stakeholders; Interact with different divisions and stakeholders to source information that needs to be
communicated to the public. Communicate with stakeholders regarding the implementation of the communication strategy. Assist in the implementation of
Communication, Stakeholder and marketing strategy in GPAA. Maintain the external communications channels; Arrange and conduct regular and
specialized interactions, including media visits. Ensure pre-recorded interviews are edited. Conduct live interviews. Create opportunities for and attend media
briefings. Research and write articles for members’ and pensioners publications; Draft speaking notes and media statements. Prepare briefing
notes and packs for campaigns. Draft all publications and coordinate members’ and pensioners’ publications. Provide co-ordination of all external
communication campaigns, and reports; Coordinate all outreach platforms.
Provide logistical support for all roadshows and campaigns in GPAA. Assist with coordination of marketing on behalf of GPAA. Provide administrative
support to the unit; Perform office administrative activities. Organise office logistical matters. File office correspondence, documents and reports. Draft
and type standard correspondence and documents. Completion of forms and documents related to claims, payments, invoices and consultant fees. Order
stationery and equipment for the section.
ENQUIRIES : Sanele Ngema Tel No: (012) 399 3501 for more information and application
enquiries.
Enquiries.erecruitment@gpaa.gov.za
Official source
This vacancy was imported from DPSA Circular 21 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.