Following a period of instability at leadership level, the Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services (DTPS) plans to steady itself by filling deputy director-general (DDGs) vacancies.
The leadership crisis led to the exit and suspension of some high-profile officials. Over a period of six months in 2015, the department saw an exodus of three DDGs under hostile circumstances.
These leadership challenges negatively impacted the department's ability to execute functions timeously, as previously admitted by telecoms and postal services minister Siyabonga Cwele.
Presenting the department's 2017/2018 annual performance plan in Parliament yesterday, deputy minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams reiterated that filling the remaining DDG positions will see the department have a full leadership complement for the first time in many years.
According to her, last year's appointment of director-general Robert Nkuna, as well as the DDG for state-owned company oversight and DDG for administration, are the first signs of stability at the DTPS.
"All remaining DDG positions have been advertised and are in the recruitment process," Ndabeni-Abrahams noted.
Up to the task
With two DDG posts filled, the department is looking to fill three more DDG positions, for international affairs, policy development, and information society and development (ISAD) and research.
On its vacancies Web page, the DTPS states it is inviting applications from persons who are suitably qualified to join the department.
The position requirements for ISAD and research DDG, for example, state the candidate is required to have a relevant post-graduate qualification at NQF level eight, as recognised by the South African Qualifications Authority, and eight to 10 years' experience at senior management level, of which at least five years must have been as a project manager, preferably in the ICT arena.
The department also requires someone who is fully conversant in applications or application development.
The all-inclusive remuneration package for this position is almost R1.3 million per annum, according to the job post.
To view the complete list of requirements, click here.
Sekese to blame
The source of the department's woes was revealed to be former DG Rosey Sekese following an investigation by the Public Service Commission (PSC).
Cwele approached the PSC to investigate the management affairs of the department. It found the former DG was to blame for the department's leadership upheavals.
In the DTPS 2015/2016 annual report, Cwele said the department has taken decisive steps to stabilise the department's leadership.
According to the minister, the department implemented disciplinary steps against Sekese as per the PSC's recommendation.
Sekese was expelled as the outcome of that disciplinary process.
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