About the Role
The Department of Education is seeking a Deputy Director based in Bloemfontein to support the Early Childhood Development (ECD) sector through effective management of the Provincial eCares System. This role is vital for enhancing the educational landscape in the Free State, where improving access to quality education for young learners is paramount. The Deputy Director will play a key part in ensuring that educators and administrators utilize the eCares System efficiently, thereby fostering better decision-making and data-driven strategies in education. Your contributions will have a direct impact on the lives of children and families, making this a meaningful role in public service.
In this position, you will be responsible for overseeing system usage, performance, and user compliance. By advocating for and promoting the effective use of the eCares System, you will help streamline processes that are essential for managing early childhood education data. Collaborating closely with provincial stakeholders and national teams, your work will support the development of educational programs that cater to the needs of the community, ensuring that every child has a strong educational foundation.
About the Department
The Department of Education plays a crucial role in shaping the future of South Africa through the promotion of quality education and equitable access to learning opportunities. With a mandate to ensure that every child receives a comprehensive education, the department focuses on enhancing educational practices, supporting educators, and implementing data-driven initiatives. Working within this department means being part of a larger mission to uplift communities and foster a brighter future for the next generation.
What You’ll Do
- Lead provincial support for the usage and performance management of the eCares System.
- Monitor user compliance with system functionalities and data workflows.
- Provide first-line helpdesk support for users and manage user access, roles, and permissions.
- Conduct ongoing training sessions on new releases and functional improvements.
- Collaborate with stakeholders to drive the usage of the system across districts and circuits.
- Oversee the testing and implementation of system updates, including developing test plans and validating enhancements.
- Ensure continuity of system operations by working with vendors and addressing technical issues.
- Maintain alignment between eCares and EMIS Masterlists for accurate provincial reporting.
What You’ll Need
- A three-year post-matric qualification (NQF Level 7) in Education or Information Systems/ICT/Computer Science/Data.
- At least 5 years of management experience in a relevant field.
- 6-7 years of experience in systems administration, user support, and user acceptance testing.
- Advanced skills in data reporting and system usage monitoring, particularly in cloud-based environments.
- Strong analytical abilities and proficiency in data manipulation (Excel).
- Excellent problem-solving skills and a customer service-oriented mindset.
- A valid driver’s license and willingness to travel extensively.
How to Apply
Please refer to the application instructions below.
Requirements
Applicants must be in possession of a SAQA-recognised three-year post- matric qualification (NQF Level 7) in Education (B.Ed.
/ PGCE) or a SAQA- recognised three-year post-matric qualification (NQF Level 7) in Information Systems / ICT / Computer Science / Data or related field.
5 years Management Experience.
6-7 Years’ relevant experience in Systems administration and user support; User Acceptance Testing (UAT) and training facilitation.
Data reporting and system usage monitoring.
Knowledge of: Cloud-based system operations; Provincial EMIS environment and/or ECD system landscape.
Strong analytical, data manipulation and reporting skills (Excel advanced level).
Ability to coordinate multi-level stakeholders (national, provincial, district).
Problem-solving ability, attention to detail, and customer service orientation.
Ability to work independently and travel extensively.
A valid driver’s license is essential.
EMIS experience will be an added advantage.
Job Duties
The successful candidate will be responsible for Provincial eCares System Use & Performance management.Lead provincial support for system usage, performance and adoption; Monitor user compliance with system functionality and data workflows; Advocate system utilisation for decision-making.
User Support & Access Management; Manage 1st line helpdesk support for PED users; Manage user access, roles and permissions; Escalate issues promptly to national and service providers.
User Training & Capacity Building- Conduct ongoing training on: New releases; Functional improvements; Reporting and dashboards.
Support districts and circuits to drive usage.
Testing & Implementation-Lead provincial testing of system releases and updates; Develop test plans, record UAT outcomes, submit feedback to developers; Validate system enhancements prior to deployment.
Systems Maintenance Support- Work with DBE and vendors (e.
g.
Mezzanine/Vodacom) to ensure continuity; Identify and resolve technical issues affecting provincial users.
Reporting & Master Data Management-Maintain alignment between eCares and EMIS Masterlists; Validate EMIS number allocation in eCares; Support provincial reporting needs and accuracy.
Stakeholder Collaboration-Work closely with PED ECD and EMIS Directorates; National EMIS and ECD teams social partners such as Ilifa Labantwana and the Bana Pele Initiative.
The candidate will report to the provincial EMIS head and work closely with the ECD Directorate.
