The Department of Social Development (DSD) in South Africa has advertised vacancies for qualified and experienced candidates to join its team in Pretoria. The available positions include Chief Director: Human Capital Management, Deputy Director: Population Policy and Strategy Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation, Deputy Director: Systems Development, and HR Information Systems Officer.
The opportunities are based at the HSRC Building in Pretoria and cover human resource management, population policy, information technology, systems development and human resource information management.
The department aims to promote representivity in the Public Service, including race, gender and disability. Candidates whose appointment, promotion or transfer will contribute to these objectives will receive preference. Applications from persons with disabilities are encouraged, alongside candidates from the designated groups specified for each position. The closing date for all the advertised positions is 30 October 2026.
Department of Social Development Vacancies 2026
The following table summarises the available positions, reference numbers, annual salaries and minimum qualification requirements.
| Position | Reference Number | Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Chief Director: Human Capital Management | V1/A/2026 | R1,554,696 |
| Deputy Director: Population Policy and Strategy Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation | V1/C/2026 | R932,292 |
| Deputy Director: Systems Development | V1/D/2026 | R932,292 |
| HR Information Systems Officer | V1/D/2026 | R338,106 |
All four positions are based at the HSRC Building in Pretoria. The advertised salaries for these positions are inclusive remuneration packages, subject to the applicable government employment rules.
1. Chief Director: Human Capital Management
Reference Number: V1/A/2026
Branch: Sector Corporate Services
Centre: HSRC Building, Pretoria
Salary: R1,554,696 per annum
Requirements
Applicants must possess a qualification at NQF Level 7, recognised by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA), in Human Resources Management, Industrial Psychology, Public Management, Public Administration or Business Administration. Candidates must also have at least five years of experience at senior management level.
Applicants should have knowledge of the Public Service Act and Regulations, employment equity, labour relations, performance management frameworks, SETAs, SAQA processes, curriculum development, Treasury Regulations and the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA).
Knowledge of dispute resolution, collective bargaining, CCMA processes, employee health and wellness, the White Paper on Social Welfare, and relevant gender policies and strategies is also required. The successful candidate should demonstrate strategic leadership, policy development, financial management, project management, communication, problem-solving, change management, stakeholder engagement, risk management and monitoring and evaluation skills.
Key Duties
The Chief Director will manage and coordinate human resource management services, including employee relations, employee wellness, training, development and performance management.
The role also involves developing and reviewing policies, regulations, guidelines and frameworks relating to Social Service Professionals. The successful candidate will oversee the implementation of gender and disability mainstreaming throughout the department.
Additional responsibilities include managing the chief directorate’s budget, human resources and performance in accordance with applicable legislation, policies and government regulations.
Enquiries
Mr XA Brukwe
Telephone: (012) 312-7665 / 7866
2. Deputy Director: Population Policy and Strategy Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation
Reference Number: V1/C/2026
Directorate: Population Policy Monitoring and Evaluation
Centre: HSRC Building, Pretoria
Salary: R932,292 per annum
Requirements
Applicants must have an NQF Level 7 qualification recognised by SAQA in Population Studies, Demography Studies or Social Sciences, together with three to five years of experience at junior management level in a population and development environment.
Candidates should understand the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, the Social Development sector, the Public Service Act and Regulations, and the South African Population Policy.
Knowledge of population and development policies and legislation, the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act (PAJA), the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA), the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA), and government monitoring and evaluation processes is also required.
Suitable candidates should possess programme and project management, policy analysis, research, report writing, planning, coordination, financial management, stakeholder engagement and monitoring and evaluation skills.
Key Duties
The successful candidate will develop, manage, review and monitor the implementation of population policies, strategies, plans and frameworks. Other responsibilities include coordinating South Africa’s international strategy on population and development, establishing and managing monitoring and evaluation systems, and strengthening collaboration with relevant stakeholders and partners.
The Deputy Director will also manage human resources in accordance with applicable human resource management, labour relations, staff development and performance management policies.
Enquiries
Ms T Gumbeni
Telephone: (012) 312-7924
3. Deputy Director: Systems Development
Reference Number: V1/D/2026
Directorate: Systems Development
Centre: HSRC Building, Pretoria
Salary: R932,292 per annum
Note: This is a re-advertised position.
Requirements
Applicants must possess an NQF Level 7 qualification recognised by SAQA in Business Information Systems, Information Technology specialising in Software Development or Systems Development, or Computer Sciences. Candidates must also have three to five years of experience at junior management level.
Applicants should have knowledge of the Public Service Digital Transformation Strategy, Public Service legislation, information and communication technology frameworks, database development standards, information security, network management and IT infrastructure.
Knowledge of system development methodologies, project management, vendor management, contract negotiation and business process management is also required.
Candidates should be familiar with relevant technologies, including ASP.NET, VB.NET, SQL, XML, HTML and JavaScript. Competencies in database development, systems development, project coordination, problem-solving, communication, stakeholder liaison and report writing are important.
Key Duties
The Deputy Director will develop, review and implement systems, database and development plans, policies and strategies aligned with business needs, legislative requirements and applicable standards.
The role includes developing databases, computerised systems, software applications and integrations to meet the department’s information systems requirements.
The successful candidate will maintain and support databases, computerised systems and software applications to ensure their availability, reliability and security.
Other duties include monitoring system utilisation, ensuring compliance with data security policies and regulatory requirements, preparing performance reports, and managing human resources and performance in line with government requirements.
Enquiries
Ms M Nkhethoa
Telephone: (012) 312-7108
4. HR Information Systems Officer
Reference Number: V1/D/2026
Directorate: Human Resources Management
Centre: HSRC Building, Pretoria
Salary: R338,106 per annum
Requirements
Applicants must have an NQF Level 6 qualification recognised by SAQA in Human Resources Management, Public Management or Public Administration. The qualification must include PERSAL certificates in Post Establishment Administration.
Candidates must also have one to two years of experience in Human Resource Information Management within a PERSAL establishment environment.
Applicants should understand the Public Service Act and Regulations, Batho Pele Principles, departmental human resource policies, PERSAL and Vulindlela systems, and PFMA requirements for personnel expenditure reporting.
Additional knowledge is required in compensation analysis, organisational design, personnel administration, information security, Microsoft Excel, human resource business partner tools, remuneration codes, labour relations, employment equity, PAIA and POPIA.
Suitable candidates should demonstrate computer literacy, analytical ability, communication, financial administration, report writing, planning, organisation, problem-solving, numeracy and client service skills.
Key Duties
The HR Information Systems Officer will administer the department’s PERSAL establishment and ensure that staff establishment records are aligned with the approved organisational structure.
The successful candidate will collect and compile human resource information and assist with preparing monthly, quarterly and annual reports on HR activities.
Other responsibilities include providing advice and support to employees on human resource information and post establishment matters, as well as supporting capacity assessment and human resource planning processes.
Enquiries
Mr B Bubu
Telephone: (012) 312-7503
How to Apply for Department of Social Development Vacancies
Interested and suitably qualified candidates must submit a completed and signed Z83 application form accompanied by a comprehensive curriculum vitae. The CV must include a detailed description of previous duties and the names of two referees.
Applicants must quote the correct reference number for the position they are applying for. Candidates applying for more than one position must submit a separate application for each vacancy. Applications may be submitted by email or delivered to the department’s physical address.
Email Applications
Applicants should send their applications to the appropriate email address below, depending on the position.
| Position | Application Email |
|---|---|
| Chief Director: Human Capital Management | erecruit.HCM2@dsd.gov.za |
| Deputy Director: Population Policy and Strategy Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation | erecruit.PPSIME@dsd.gov.za |
| Deputy Director: Systems Development | erecruit.DDSD2@dsd.gov.za |
| HR Information Systems Officer | erecruit.HRISO@dsd.gov.za |
Postal and Physical Applications
Postal address:
The Director-General
Department of Social Development
Private Bag X901
Pretoria
0001
Physical address:
HSRC Building
134 Pretorius Street
Pretoria, South Africa
Applicants submitting applications by hand must sign the application register book as proof of submission.
Internal applicants must submit and register their applications in the register book at the Department of Social Development reception area, addressed to Mr S Boshielo.
For attention: Mr S Boshielo
Required Documents
Applicants must submit the following documents:
- A completed and signed Z83 application form using the new prescribed version.
- A comprehensive curriculum vitae detailing duties performed and including the names of two referees.
- Certified copies of qualifications and identity documents when requested at the interview stage.
- Certificates of service for applicants applying for Occupational Specific Dispensation (OSD) posts, to be submitted at the interview stage where applicable.
- Evaluation of foreign qualifications by SAQA, where applicable.
The department states that failure to use the new Z83 form or to provide requested documentation may result in disqualification or the application not being considered.
Applicants can obtain the Z83 form from the Department of Public Service and Administration vacancies website.
Important Information for Applicants
- Candidates applying for the Chief Director position, which is an SMS post, must successfully complete the Certificate for Entry into the Senior Management Service before appointment.
- Further details are available through the National School of Government SMS pre-entry programme. The advertised notice states that the course costs R417 and takes 120 hours to complete.
- Shortlisted SMS candidates will undergo technical exercises and interviews, with further assessments that may include psychometric testing, integrity assessments and managerial competency assessments. Successful candidates will be required to sign an employment contract and annual performance agreement, complete a financial disclosure form and undergo security clearance.
- Other shortlisted candidates may also be subjected to competency assessments and personnel suitability checks. Appointments are subject to satisfactory outcomes of the applicable checks.
- Applicants with disabilities and candidates from the designated employment equity groups are encouraged to apply, subject to the specific provisions outlined for each position.
- The department will correspond only with shortlisted candidates. If applicants have not been contacted within three months after the closing date, they should consider their applications unsuccessful. The department also reserves the right to cancel or not fill any advertised vacancy.
Closing Date
The closing date for the Department of Social Development vacancies is 30 October 2026. Interested candidates should ensure that their applications are complete, correctly referenced and submitted before the deadline. Late applications will not be considered.
Apply for Department of Social Development Vacancies 2026
Qualified candidates who meet the requirements are encouraged to apply for the available positions in Pretoria. Before submitting an application, carefully review the requirements, duties and application instructions for the relevant position. Ensure that the correct Z83 form is completed and that the application is sent to the designated email address or delivered to the specified address before the closing date. Closing date: 30 October 2026.
