South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) Vacancies

To apply, click on the link at the end of the posts and all the best with your applications.

SENIOR SPECIALIST: DATA MANAGEMENT & ANALYSIS

Closing Date: November 13, 2025

All Inclusive Salary Package: R1 059 105 – R1 247 574 per annum

Benefits: All-inclusive remuneration package of R1 059 105 – R1 247 574 per annum. The successful candidate may structure the total package for a 13th cheque. The employer’s contribution towards Housing, Medical Aid, and Pension is included in the total package.

Contract Type: Permanent

Objective: The South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) is a statutory public entity, an oversight body of the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Act, No. 67 of 2008. The entity is charged with developing, fostering and maintaining an integrated and transparent national framework for the recognition of learning achievements, ensuring that:

• South African qualifications meet appropriate criteria and are internationally comparable.
• The country’s qualifications are of acceptable quality.
• The quality of education and training is enhanced.
• Access, mobility and progression within education, training and career paths are realised.

SAQA seeks to appoint a Senior Specialist: Data Management & Analysis to implement the data strategy and business processes required to create, maintain, and enhance data.

Reporting to the Senior Manager: Data Management & Analysis, this position will be responsible for the daily management of critical data assets, providing overall guidance and governance oversight for an allocated dataset, and actively managing the data.

Requirements are:

Minimum Qualifications

• An appropriate, recognised qualification at NQF Level 7 or equivalent.
• A relevant NQF level 8 qualification will be an advantage.

Minimum Experience

• Eight years of relevant work experience, including two years of working with large relational databases.
• Experience and exposure in the post-school education system will be an advantage.

Knowledge, skills and competencies

• Good knowledge of the legislative and regulatory environment governing the education sector.
• Advanced data and information management principles.
• Good understanding of data management practices and compliance standards.
• High-level data analysis and interpretation.
• Complex report preparation for executive and board-level audiences.
• Advanced proficiency in SQL, R, Python, Power BI, Excel and similar tools.
• Project leadership and management of technical initiatives.
• Attention to detail and quality assurance.
• Effective communication and stakeholder engagement at all levels.
• Training and capacity building for internal teams and external stakeholders.
• People Management: Coaching and mentoring of team members.

Key performance areas:

• Manage critical data assets, ensuring governance, accuracy and compliance with data standards.
• Provide oversight for datasets, ensuring high-quality data management.
• Develop, refine and enhance Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) related to data management and analysis.
• Provide expert advice and guidance on data quality, validation and compliance-related issues.
• Lead, plan and ensure the successful completion of complex technical projects and initiatives.
• Prepare and present technical reports for SAQA’s governance structures, including executive and board-level committees.
• Conduct, oversee or guide high-level, data-driven research to generate insights and recommendations that inform SAQA’s operational strategy and decision-making.
• Represent SAQA in high-level forums, contributing to discussions on data management and analytics.
• Facilitate training for external data suppliers on the use of SAQA’s load specifications and data validation tools.
• Design and deliver training programs to strengthen SAQA staff proficiency in data literacy and analytical skills.
• Coach, mentor and train team members to build analytical capacity and expertise.

SAQA will verify credit and criminal records as well as qualifications.
SAQA reserves the right not to make an appointment to the advertised post and will only communicate with short listed candidates.

Click here to apply

SENIOR MANAGER: FINANCE & SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT

Closing Date: November 5, 2025

All Inclusive Salary Package: R1,266,714 – R1,492,122 per annum

Benefits: All-inclusive remuneration package of R1,266,714 – R1,492,122 per annum. The successful candidate may structure the total package for a 13th cheque. The employer’s contribution towards Housing, Medical Aid, and Pension is included in the total package.

Contract Type: Permanent

Objective: The South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) is a statutory public entity, an oversight body of the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Act, No. 67 of 2008. The entity is charged with developing, fostering and maintaining an integrated and transparent national framework for the recognition of learning achievements, ensuring that:

• South African qualifications meet appropriate criteria and are internationally comparable.
• The country’s qualifications are of acceptable quality.
• The quality of education and training is enhanced.
• Access, mobility and progression within education, training and career paths are realised.

SAQA seeks to appoint a Senior Manager: Finance & Supply Chain Management to provide strategic oversight and leadership related to Finance and Supply Chain Management functions in line with the PFMA and National Treasury requirements. The incumbent will also ensure unqualified audit outcomes. Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer & Corporate Services Executive, this position will be accountable for the budget, finance and procurement processes that support SAQA’s Annual Performance Plan (APP) and financial objectives.

Requirements are:

Minimum Qualifications

• An appropriate, recognised qualification at NQF Level 8.
• A relevant NQF level 9 qualification will be an advantage.
• Certification with a recognised professional accounting body will be an added advantage.

Minimum Experience

• Eight years’ relevant work experience of which five years must be in a management role.
• Proven experience and exposure to the PFMA, Income Tax Act, VAT Act, and National Treasury regulations.
• Experience and exposure in the Education sector will be an advantage.

Knowledge, skills and competencies

• Accounting and payroll software packages.
• CaseWare software.
• GRAP standards.
• Strategic leadership.
• Financial management.
• Business acumen.
• Resilience, attention to detail and sound judgement.
• Stakeholder relations management.
• Transformational leadership with strong influence.
• Good knowledge of the Education sector legislative and regulatory environment.
• People Management.

Key performance areas:

• Achieve an unqualified audit opinion.
• Develop and implement finance and supply chain management strategy.
• Ensure that financial & supply chain management reports are completed and submitted and that all financial statements are prepared.
• Oversee the preparation for internal and external audits.
• Oversee the acquisition, recording, logistics and disposal of assets.
• Review of the SAQA budget.
• Manage the SAQA budget and APP budgetary input.
• Develop and implement the procurement plan in support of achieving the APP and budgets.
• Oversee the payroll and related function.
• Oversee the auditing standards as required by PFMA requirements and related legislation.
• Build and maintain strong stakeholder relations.
• Oversee internal and external reporting.
• Ensure compliance with internal policies and external regulatory requirements.
• Develop and manage the unit`s budget.
• Manage, mentor and guide staff.
• Foster a culture of creativity, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Manage stakeholder relations.
• Provide strategic advice to the Executives.

SAQA will verify credit and criminal records as well as qualifications.
SAQA reserves the right not to make an appointment to the advertised post and will only communicate with short listed candidates.

Click here to apply

We wish you all the best with your applications