QUALITY COUNCIL FOR TRADES & OCCUPATIONS (QCTO) VACANCIES

QUALITY COUNCIL FOR TRADES & OCCUPATIONS (QCTO)

A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO CONTRIBUTE TO NATION BUILDING

The vision of the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO) is to qualify a skilled and capable workforce.
The QCTO is a Council established under the Skills Development Act for standards generation and quality assurance for all occupational qualifications.

The QCTO is looking for a highly motivated, competent, and professional individual to fill the following position:

CHIEF DIRECTOR: MANAGEMENT OF THE OCCUPATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS SUB-FRAMEWORK (OQSF) x 1 - (This post is a re-advertisement and applicants who applied previously may re-apply)

Salary Level R1,554,696.00 - R1,858,821.00

Location Pretoria - GP ZA (Primary)

Job Description

Sets the direction and provides oversight for the implementation of the OQSF. This includes the management of the development and maintenance of Occupational Qualifications. Part Qualifications and Skill Programmes and the management of Assessment and Certification for qualifications, part qualifications and Skills programmes registered on the OQSF. 

• Contribute to the development of the QCTO organisational strategy.
• Provide strategic guidance and expert advice on the implementation of the Occupational Qualifications Sub-Framework (OQSF).
• Provide strategic guidance and oversight on the achievement of strategic functions related to the development, assessment, and certification of Occupational Qualifications. 
• Provide strategic oversight on the development and implementation of operational plans for the OQSF and provide guidance on changes required.
• Oversee the development of policies related to the implementation of the OQSF and review thereof to ensure they remain relevant.
• Provide oversight on the end – to – end process of the development of qualifications and part qualifications and skills programmes.
• Provide oversight on the end – to – end process of the maintenance of qualifications and historically registered qualifications.
• Provide oversight on the end – to – end process for the assessment and certification of occupational qualifications, part qualifications and Skills Programmes. 
• Provide oversight on the submission of qualifications and part qualifications to SAQA for registration.
• Building alignment across QCTO, SAQA, DHET, SETAs and relevant sector stakeholders and engage internal senior stakeholders on an ongoing basis to keep them abreast of matters related to meetings with external stakeholders.
• Engage senior external stakeholders on strategic partnerships related to the implementation of the OQSF within the broader PSET system.
• Engage with SAQA on qualifications registered and deregistered.
• Participate in relevant internal committees and external forums related to the OQSF.
• Lead budgetary planning for the Chief Directorate in alignment with QCTO objectives.
• Provide oversight on the allocation of budget to units for the operational execution of the Chief Directorate plans.
• Provide oversight on corrective actions to align expenditure to the budget.
• Provide oversight on risk management plans related to the implementation of the OQSF.
• Provide oversight on adherence to policy and statutory directives relevant to the QCTO.
• Provide oversight on the execution of the operational plan, including budget, performance targets, measurement metrics, and reporting.
• Manage the performance of direct reports in accordance with policy. 
• Provide necessary information and resources to direct reports required to deliver on the objectives and targets related to implementation of the OQSF.
• Lead and manage direct reports in a manner that creates a culture of high performance.
• Manage employee related matters.
• Operate within delegated authorisations.  
• Always adhere to the values of the OCTO. 
• Provide updates and key insights on the Chief Directorate to the QCTO Executive team.
• Actively participate in relevant executive and Domain meetings.
• Positively support the implementation of all Executive management decisions.
• Participate in any administrative processes related to services required by the QCTO.  

Job Requirements

• A recognised bachelor’s degree in education, Skills Development Management, Quality Assurance, Skills Development (NQF Level 7).
• A postgraduate degree (NQF Level 8) will be an added advantage.  
• 10 years collective experience, 5 of which must be at senior (Director) level.
• Experience in occupational qualifications management and assessment systems and methodologies  
• Experience in engaging and managing strategic stakeholders.
• Public Service and OCTO mandates and strategies.
• Knowledge of the Post school education sector and post school education framework.
• Government wide legislation.
• Legislative Knowledge and Prescripts, e.g. Relevant Acts, Public Service Act, PFMA and National Treasury Regulations, General knowledge of Public Service Regulations.
• Experience in strategic stakeholder engagement and management.
• Experience in the PSET sector.
• Experience in the management of human and financial resources at a functional (directorate) or unit level.

Skills Required: 

• Strategic capability and leadership.
• Budgeting and financial management.
• Project and programme management.
• Change management.
• Service delivery innovation (SDI).
• Problem solving and analysis.
• People management and empowerment.
• Client orientation and customer focus.
• Communication.
• Honesty and integrity.
• Knowledge management.
• Stakeholder engagement and management.
• Innovation and excellence.
• Empowerment and recognition.
• Respect and dignity.
• Ethics and integrity.
• Ownership and accountability.
• Authenticity.
• Accuracy.
• Attention to detail.
• Initiative and proactivity.
• Quality focus.
• Responsibility.
• Solution focus.
• Thoroughness.
• Time focus.

Closing Date 30/10/2026

QCTO is an equal opportunity employer committed to the principles of Employment Equity. We aim to promote equity through filling all numeric targets as contained in the Employment Equity Plan. To facilitate this process successfully, an indication of race, gender, and disability status is required. Preference will be given to underrepresented groups as per the QCTO Employment Equity targets. People who are differently abled are encouraged to apply.

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