DEPARTMENT OF, FORESTRY, FISHERIES AND THE ENVIRONMENT VACANCIES

 
NOTE : Application must be submitted on a New signed Z83 form obtainable from any Public Service Department accompanied by a recent detailed Curriculum Vitae only, to be considered. Shortlisted candidates will be required to submit certified copies of qualifications, Senior Certificate, identity document and driver’s license on or before the day of the interview. It is the applicant’s responsibility to have foreign qualifications evaluated by the South African Qualification Authority (SAQA). The National Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. Preference may be given to appointable applicants from the underrepresented designated groups in terms of the Department’s equity plan. Persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Correspondence will be limited to successful candidates only. Short-listed candidates will be subjected to screening and security vetting to determine their suitability for employment, including but not limited to: Criminal records; Citizenship status; Credit worthiness; Previous employment (reference checks); and Qualification verification. Short-listed candidates will be expected to avail themselves at the Department’s convenience. Entry level requirements for SMS posts: In terms of the Directive on Compulsory Capacity Development, Mandatory Training Days & Minimum Entry Requirements for SMS that was introduced on 1 April 2015, a requirement for all applicants for SMS posts from 1 April 2020 is a successful completion of the Senior Management Pre-Entry Programme as endorsed by the National School of Government (NSG) prior to appointment. The course is available at the NSG under the name Certificate for entry into SMS and the full details can be obtained by following the below link: https://www.thensg.gov.za/training-course/sms-pre-entry-programme/. Furthermore, candidates shortlisted for the SMS post will be subjected to a technical exercise that intends to test relevant technical elements of the job. Following the interview and the technical exercise, the Selection Panel will recommend candidates to attend a generic managerial competency assessment in compliance with the DPSA Directive on the implementation of competency-based assessments. The person appointed to this position will be subjected to a security clearance, the signing of performance agreement and employment contract. The Department reserves the right not to make an appointment. By submitting the employment application form, you agree and consent in terms of Section 11(1) of the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA), 2013 (Act 4 of 2013), for your personal information which you provide to the DFFE to being processed by the department and its employees, agents, Cabinet committees, and subcontractors for recruitment purposes, in accordance with the POPIA of 2013. If you have not been contacted within three 3 months after the closing date of the advertisement, please accept that your application was unsuccessful. 
 
 
ERRATUM: Kindly note that the salary for the post of Legal Administration Officer (MR2): Corporate Legal Support & Litigation (Cape Town) with Ref No: RCSM09/2025 advertised in the Public Service Vacancy Circular 38 dated 17 October 202515 with the closing date of 10 November 2025 is amended. The salary for the post is R292 596 per annum, (OSD). Applications can be emailed to RCSM09-2025@dffe.gov.za. The closing date is extended to 24 November 2025.
 
 
 

​MANAGEMENT ECHELON
 
 
DIRECTOR: LITIGATION REF NO: RCSM11/2025 
SALARY : R1 266 714 per annum, (all-inclusive salary package) 
CENTRE : Pretoria 
 
REQUIREMENTS : An undergraduate qualification in Law or relevant qualification on (NQF7) within the related field as recognized by SAQA. A minimum of five (5) years’ experience at a middle/senior managerial level in the relevant field. Successful completion of the Public Service Senior Management Leadership Programme. Extensive drafting and negotiation experience, with an ability to provide innovative legal solutions in a highly litigious sector. Experienced litigation attorney or advocate with knowledge of the relevant environmental legislation or related experience. Advanced knowledge of South African High Court and Magistrate Court Rules, and experience in appearing in courts representing clients. Knowledge of litigation legal administration, demonstrable experience in dispute resolution mechanisms, policy development, project management, risk management, audit and legislation procedures. Knowledge: Strategic coordination/ planning, Business planning, Report/professional writing, Policy development, Business process management, Organisation performance management, Risk management, Audit procedures, Research methodologies and presentation, Project management, Groupwise, Policies, legislation and procedures, Legal Administration, Public Service and Departmental procedures and prescripts, Planning and performance management legislation, DFFE legislation and other supporting legislation, Skills & Competencies, Advanced skills in policy formulation, Advanced negotiation skills, Ability to work individually and in a team, Good interpersonal relations, Ability to work with difficult persons and to resolve conflict, Sense of responsibility and loyalty, Objectiveness, Integrity, Service orientated, Self-supervision, Highly developed sense of honesty, Protect the confidentiality of documents, Adequate skills in computer use, Advanced skills in financial, Advanced skills in respect of formal presentation and public speaking; negotiation skills, management and project management, Good interpersonal relations and diplomatic skills Relationship Management, Stakeholder engagement, Public Relations, Research, Strategic Capability and Leadership, Programme and Project Management, Financial Management, Change Management, Knowledge Management, Service Delivery Innovation (SDI), Problem Solving and Analysis, People Management and Empowerment, Client Orientation and Customer Focus, issues affecting the environment and general environmental law is required. 
 
DUTIES : Manage and provide strategic leadership to the Directorate. Manage civil litigation by and against the department; ensure adequate information and complete briefs for counsel; prepare submissions to Minister; give instructions to State Attorneys; provide support during trials and coordinate and ensure that affidavits are correct and complete. Alert the Minister and DG of judgments, implications and risks. Consult with stakeholders to obtain instruction to forward to the State Attorney or to provide oral legal advice, where applicable. Determine liability in respect of damages and losses. Recover debts and losses on behalf of the department. Provide legal education and awareness. 
 
ENQUIRIES : Ms M Mmola Tel No: (012) 399 9339 
APPLICATIONS : RCSM11-2025@dffe.gov.za

​OTHER POST
 
 
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR: EP NON-INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAMMES REF NO: EP29/2025 
SALARY : R582 444 per annum 
CENTRE : Springbok 
 
REQUIREMENTS : National Diploma (NQF6) in Environmental Science / Environmental Management or relevant qualification within the related field as recognized by SAQA. A minimum of three (3) years in a Project Management role. Knowledge of Environmental related legislation. Natural resource management. Invasive alien species management. South African National Standards. Administrative procedures. Financial management. Project management. Personnel management. Programme-based natural resource operational planning. Public Finance Management Act and Treasury Regulations. Human resource and Statistical analysis Extensive management and technical training in order to understand operational functioning of the programme. Public Service and departmental procedures and prescripts. Socio-economic development. The incumbent should have the following skills: Leadership and Management. Strategic thinking and planning. Analytical and Systems thinking. Conceptual thinking, Problem solving, Computer literacy, Communication skills, technical writing skills, Report/professional writing, Mentorship skills, Organising skills, Facilitation skills, Planning skills. Innovative and proactive. Ability to work long hours voluntarily. Ability to gather and analyse information. Proven leadership skills. Ability to develop and apply policies. Ability to work independently and in a team. Good interpersonal relations skills. Ability to work under extreme pressure. Conflict management and resolution. Ability to organize and plan under pressure. Ability to collect and interpret information and reports. 
 
DUTIES : Coordinate the implementation of EP Non-infrastructure projects and invasive alien plant clearing activities within the province. Ensure compliance with EP Non-Infrastructure projects operational standard, procedures and legal requirements for all projects implemented within the province. Facilitate the development and review of project operational plans for EP Non-infrastructure within the province. Facilitate stakeholder engagement to support EP Non-Infrastructure projects operations within the province. 
 
ENQUIRIES : Ms J Aysen, email address: LAysen@dffe.gov.za
APPLICATIONS : EP29-2025@dffe.gov.za