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MANUFACTURING, ENGINEERING AND RELATED SERVICES SETA (MERSETA)
 
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 INTERNAL & EXTERNAL ADVERT 
 
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER (CEO) 
Organisation: Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services SETA (merSETA) Location: Head Office, Johannesburg Contract Type: Fixed-Term Contract (ending 31 March 2030) Reference Number: CEO/MER/2025 
Remuneration: Patterson Grading F: Inclusive CTC package per annum 
 
About merSETA 
The Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services Sector Education and Training Authority (merSETA) is a pivotal institution established to facilitate skills development in the manufacturing, engineering, and related services sector of South Africa. Our mandate covers approximately 44,000 businesses with a workforce of around 750,000 people. We are seeking a visionary and dynamic leader to join us as the Chief Executive Officer and steer the organisation towards achieving its strategic goals and contributing to the national skills development agenda. 
 
Purpose of the Role The Chief Executive Officer is responsible and accountable for all aspects of the merSETA's corporate management, core business delivery, and financial management and reporting. The CEO will provide strategic direction, leadership, and overall management to ensure the ongoing viability of the merSETA, managing an overall levy income of approximately R1.9 billion. This executive role involves making major corporate decisions, managing the company's overall resources and operations, and acting as the primary point of communication with the Accounting Authority (Board), the executive team, government entities, and all other stakeholders. The Chief Executive Officer is required to demonstrate exemplary ethical leadership by upholding the values of integrity, accountability, respect, collaboration, and innovation. Furthermore, the CEO must actively foster a culture of good governance in accordance with the principles of the King IV Code and in alignment with merSETA’s core values. 
 
Key Responsibilities 
The successful candidate will be entrusted with the following key responsibilities:
  • Strategic Leadership and Governance: 
    • Provide effective strategic direction and leadership in the development and implementation of the Strategic Plan, Annual Performance Plan, and Business Plans. 
    • Ensure the effective implementation of Board decisions and provide professional advice, research, and guidance to the Board and its Committees to facilitate effective decision-making. 
    • Drive the implementation of the National Skills Development Plan (NSDP) and Strategy within the sector. 
    • Ensure the organisation complies with all legislative and regulatory requirements (including the PFMA, SDA, SDLA, SAQA, QCTO) and upholds the highest standards of corporate governance. 
  • Financial Stewardship: 
    • Take ultimate accountability for the financial health and stability of the organisation, ensuring the effective management of the budget. 
    • Ensure the development and implementation of effective, efficient, and transparent systems of financial management, risk management, and internal control in line with National Treasury standards. 
    • Oversee the strategic and timely disbursement of mandatory and discretionary grants to sectoral stakeholders. 
  • Stakeholder and Relationship Management: 
    • Build and maintain strong, positive relationships with all stakeholders, including the Department of Higher Education and Training, National Treasury, the National Skills Authority, organised labour, employer organisations, and training providers. 
    • Serve as the primary spokesperson and public face of the organisation, enhancing brand prominence and positioning merSETA as a leader in skills development. 
    • Develop and manage the Service Level Agreement (SLA) with the Department of Higher Education and Training. 
  • Operational Excellence: 
    • Manage the day-to-day affairs of the SETA to ensure the effective and efficient delivery of services and funded projects. 
    • Drive a culture of excellence, innovation, and high performance across all core business functions.
    • Oversee research and development initiatives to inform strategy and improve service delivery. 
  • Human Capital and Organisational Culture:
    • Lead a diverse team of over 270 staff members, fostering a positive, enabling, and high-performance organisational culture. 
    • Oversee all aspects of human resource management, including talent attraction and retention, performance management, and succession planning for key executive positions. 
    • Ensure the continuous development and capacity building of all personnel. 
  • Digital Transformation and Change Management:
    • Function as a change leader for the merSETA during any period of transformation, ensuring effective management of the change process and adequate communication across the organisation. 
 
Minimum Requirements 
  • Qualification: A post-graduate qualification (NQF Level 9 or higher) in Business Management, Accounting, Finance, Public Administration, Law, or Education. 
  • Experience: A minimum of fifteen (15) years of relevant work experience, of which at least ten (10) years must be at a senior management level and five (5) years at an executive level. 
  • Knowledge: In-depth knowledge and understanding of the skills development legislative framework, public finance management (PFMA), and corporate governance principles. 
 
Advantageous Requirements
Qualification: A PhD (Doctorate) degree (NQF Level 10) in a relevant field. 
Experience: Five (5) years of experience in a senior management or executive role within a public entity. 
 
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Competencies 
  • Strategic Capability: Proven ability to develop, articulate, and implement a clear strategic vision. 
  • Leadership and People Management: Exceptional leadership skills with the ability to inspire, motivate, and develop a large and diverse team. 
  • Financial and Business Acumen: Strong command of financial management, budgeting, and resource allocation in a complex environment. 
  • Stakeholder Engagement and Communication: Outstanding interpersonal, negotiation, and public speaking skills, with the ability to engage effectively at all levels, from government ministers to community members. 
  • Governance, Risk, and Compliance: A demonstrable track record of upholding integrity and ensuring compliance within a highly regulated environment.
  • Problem-Solving and Decision-Making: Superior analytical skills and the ability to make sound judgements and decisive actions. 
 
 
Application Process 
To apply, please submit a comprehensive Curriculum Vitae (CV), a detailed cover letter motivating your suitability for the role, and certified copies of your qualifications to: CEOrecruitment@merseta.org.za. Please quote the reference number CEO/MER/2025 in the subject line of your email. 
 
Closing Date for Applications: 30 November 2025 
 
Please Note: 
  • Correspondence will be limited to shortlisted candidates only. If you have not been contacted within two (2) months of the closing date, please consider your application unsuccessful. 
  • The successful candidate will be subject to background verification checks, including criminal records, credit, and qualification verification. 
  • The merSETA is an equal opportunity employer and reserves the right not to make an appointment. The appointment will be made in line with our Employment Equity Plan. 
 
Shortlisted candidates will be required to undergo psychometric testing and a competency-based assessment as part of the selection process.
 
 
 
 
 
 







​INTERNAL & EXTERNAL ADVERT 
 
We have an excellent opportunity for the following professionals to join Operations Division. 
 
ADMINISTRATOR: ADMIN & CERTIFICATION (B5) X2 
Reference Number: AAC/HO/19/11/25 
SALARY: R28 039,77 pm 
FIXED-TERM CONTRACT: UNTIL 31 MARCH 2027 
Head Office 
 
Purpose: The position is responsible for providing effective, efficient, and sound administration services within the Learning Programmes and Quality Assurance Department as well as providing support to the Specialists and Managers in the Department. 
 
Key Accountabilities and Responsibilities 
The ideal candidate should be able to fulfil and perform the following key accountabilities and responsibilities: 
  • Sound effective and efficient administration of all records and information to enable easy accessibility, accuracy, and comprehensiveness of information. 
  • Accurate capturing of information on the system, ensuring the database is kept up to date. 
  • Ensure well organized, up-to-date electronic filing system is implemented and maintained. 
  • Update files with current and relevant information and get approval for disposal of outdated documents. 
  • Handle, report and respond to stakeholder queries and complaints. 
  • Perform administrative tasks related to all functions in Learning Programmes and Quality Assurance Department and provide secretarial support in the Department.
  • Efficiently and effectively prepare documentation and reports for committees, meetings, and other forums as applicable. 
  • Efficiently and effectively coordinate meetings, ensuring sufficient preparations, attendance registers and minutes as applicable. 
  • Administrative support for provider accreditation, Verification Reports, Processing of Learner SOR, and learner certification, including trade test certificate applications. 
  • Prepare various daily, weekly, monthly, and quarterly and ad-hoc reports for various submissions. 
  • Verify supporting documentation for authenticity. 
  • Capture and conduct quality assurance of information on the Management Information System (NSDMS) to approve or reject applications. 
  • Capture and conduct quality assurance of information on the Management Information System (LMS) to Recommend or reject applications. 
  • Assist with preparing documentation for Auditors and provide audit information (internal and external) as requested. 
 
Qualifications and Experience 
  • A 3-year Diploma (NQF Level 6) in one of the following fields—or an equivalent NQF Level 6 qualification that matches a 3-year Diploma in these areas: 
    • Business Administration 
    • Office Administration 
    • Project Management 
    • Development/Training
    • 1 year experience in administration within a similar environment 
 
Advantageous 
  • 3-year Bachelor’s degree (NQF Level 7) in one of the following fields—or an equivalent NQF Level 7 Level qualification that matches a Bachelor’s degree in these areas: 
    • Business Administration 
    • Office Administration 
    • Project Management 
    • Development/Training
    • More than 1 year experience in administration within a similar environment 
 
Knowledge and Skills 
  • Technical and Competence skills 
  • Customer Service Orientation Skills 
  • Communication Skills 
  • Collaboration and teamwork Skills 
  • Attention to Detail Skills 
 
Offer
The merSETA offers a competitive salary package and an opportunity to work with a dynamic and diverse team. If you meet the requirements and are interested in this exciting opportunity, please submit your application for consideration. 
 
 
CLOSING DATE: 19 November 2025 
 
The merSETA is an equal opportunity employer and preference will be given to suitably qualified Affirmative Action Candidates and People Living with Disabilities in line with the Employment Equity Plan. To apply for this opportunity, submit a fully completed job application form, a detailed curriculum vitae with three references, clearly quoting the Reference Number only as a subject in the email: recruitment@merseta.org.za.
 
Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. Should you not be contacted within 2 months after the closing date, please know that your application was not successful. 
The merSETA reserves the right not to make an appointment. 
 
NB: All applications without quoting “the correct Reference Number” in the subject line will be automatically disqualified 
 
Applicants are requested to follow all instructions as outlined in the advert when submitting their applications.





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​INTERNAL & EXTERNAL ADVERT 
 
We have an excellent opportunity for the following professionals to join the Corporate Services Division. 
 
MANAGER: ORGANISATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND CHANGE MANAGEMENT (D3) 
Reference Number: MOD/HO/19/11/25 
Salary Level: 87,124.30 per month 
FIXED-TERM CONTRACT: 24 MONTHS 
HEAD OFFICE 
 
Purpose: The incumbent will be responsible for leading and overseeing the internal HR consultancy function which will include overseeing projects across key practice areas such as operating model design, organizational design, organizational transformation and change management, team effectiveness and cross-functional collaboration, and process and performance improvement. The role also involves designing the implementation of a number of changes and interventions that will enable and improve the effectiveness of the business on organisational, team and individual level. 
 
Key Responsibilities 
The ideal candidate should be able to fulfil and perform the following responsibilities: 
  • Design and drive the implementation of development interventions that shape and embed the business culture and values that will result in effective strategic delivery in collaboration with leadership and other stakeholders. 
  • Collaborate with the HR team to identify, develop, and facilitate organisation development programs and initiatives to address organisational capability gaps. 
  • Assist divisions in identifying operational problems and developing and implementing new programmes and/or procedures. 
  • Design and implement organisation and operating model design frameworks and tools to enable organisational effectiveness. 
  • Lead change management initiatives aimed at improving ways of working including cross-functional alignment, operating rhythms, team effectiveness, and decision-making across the organization. 
  • Provide change management consultation to include assessment of current and future change initiatives, redesign and implementation of change and transition processes. 
  • Ensure that metrics are in place to measure change impact and success. 
  • Utilizes diagnostic surveys and other evaluation tools to design, implement, and evaluate organizational improvements; 
  • Work in partnership with the management team to design, implement, and support organisational development programmes and initiatives that effectively address identified gaps. 
  • Project Management the roll out of culture change initiatives and interventions. 
  • Oversee capacity analysis and process mapping across the merSETA. 
  • Implement and support strategic interventions that enable HR to meet the strategic demands of business through organisational development and change management interventions. 
  • Contribute to the re-alignment of departments and units to increase efficiency and align activities with business objectives. 
  • Establish and maintain relationships with key internal stakeholders, such as Human Resources, Managers, Union, Executives to ensure the effective delivery of organisational effectiveness and change management services. 
 
Qualifications and Experience 
  • Postgraduate degree (NQF level 8) in one of the following fields – or an equivalent NQF level 8 that matches the Postgraduate degree in these areas 
  • Industrial Psychology 
  • Human Resource 
  • Social Science or related field 
  • 10 years' experience within Human Capital with 5 years’ experience Organisational Effectiveness and Change Management 
  • Must be registered with Health Professional Councils of South Africa(HPCSA). 
  • Experience in the implementation of Strategic Human Resource projects in the public sector is essential 
  • Technical expertise in organizational design principles , organisational culture, change management methodologies and performance optimization. 
  • Experience with project management and leading cross-functional teams. 
 
Skills:
  • Behavioural psychology 
  • Change and communication practices. 
  • Organisational Effectiveness Trends 
  • Human Capital Practices and processes 
  • People Analytics and Employee Insights 
  • Human Resource management 
 
This role requires extensive travel around the country to all merSETA regional Offices. 
 
Offer
The merSETA, offers a competitive salary package and an opportunity to work with a dynamic and diverse team. If you meet the requirements and are interested in this exciting opportunity, please submit your application for consideration. 
 
 
CLOSING DATE: 19 November 2025 
 
The merSETA is an equal opportunity employer and preference will be given to suitably qualified Affirmative Action Candidates and People Living with Disabilities in line with the Employment Equity Plan. To apply for this opportunity, submit a fully completed job application form, a detailed curriculum vitae with three references, clearly quoting the Reference Number only as a subject in the email: recruitment@merseta.org.za.
 
Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. Should you not be contacted within 2 months after the closing date, please know that your application was not successful. 
 
The merSETA reserves the right not to make an appointment. 
 
NB: All applications without quoting “the Reference Number” in the subject line will be automatically disqualified. 
 
Applicants are requested to follow all instructions as outlined in the advert when submitting their applications.