assistant director: research, Ref No. LDOE 185/01/2026

Apply for assistant director: research at department of department of education. Closing date 2026-03-06.

Job Summary

Department: department of education

Directorate: research and policy coordination

Province: limpopo

Reference: LDOE 185/01/2026

Closing Date: 2026-03-06

Salary: R468,459

No Of Vacancy: 1

Salary Level: 9

Centre: Head Office, Polokwane

Minimum Qualification

Relevant NQF level 6 qualification as recognized by SAQA.

Experience Required

5 years in Educational Research and Policy Analysis

Required Competencies & Skills

  • Advanced Research Methodology (Qualitative & Quantitative)
  • Data Analysis and Interpretation
  • Project Management
  • Policy Analysis
  • Technical Report Writing
  • Team Leadership and Supervision
  • Strategic Planning
  • Functional Computer Literacy (SPSS/STATA or similar software is a plus).

Requirements

  • Minimum of five (5) years' experience
  • At least three (3) years must be at lower management or supervisory level (Salary Level 7/8) within the research or policy field.

Key Responsibilities & Duties

  • Lead the planning, facilitation, and integration of research activities across the department
  • Formulate critical research questions to address departmental challenges and educational outcomes
  • Design data collection methodologies and oversee the gathering of qualitative and quantitative research data
  • Manage the end-to-end implementation of research projects within the provincial schooling system
  • Synthesize research findings to inform policy coordination and strategic decision-making
  • Collaborate with academic institutions and external research bodies to enhance departmental evidence-based practices.

Salary Detail

Remunaration

R468459 per annum, (all-inclusive package)

Salary Criteria

per annum

How to Apply

Contact Detail

Mr Lukheli TV at 081 535 3675, Mr. Ramaru TE at 067 873 7345, Mesdames Mmowa LS at 081 532 6059, Phasiwe N at 081 550 2664 and Matupi MJ at 081 530 8921.

Reference No:

LDOE 185/01/2026

Application Process

Follow these steps to ensure your application is not disqualified:

  • Step 1: Download the New Z83 Form (2021) below.
  • Step 2: In 'Section A', quote Reference Number: LDOE 185/01/2026
  • Step 3: Ensure you sign and date the form on the last page.
  • Step 4: Click 'Submit Application' to send your Z83 and CV to the department.

For job applications in South Africa, you can easily access the official Z83 form in two convenient ways: Download Z83 (PDF) for a ready-to-use version, or choose the Editable New Z83 Form to complete online before printing. Both options ensure compliance with government requirements and save time during the application process.

Ready to submit? Click the button below to visit the official department page.

Apply on Official Government Site

Frequently Asked Questions

Candidates are often asked to draft a research proposal based on a specific educational problem (e.g., high dropout rates) or to interpret a dataset and present findings for a policy briefing.
Research provides the evidence needed to improve learner performance and administrative efficiency. You will be looking into why certain districts perform better than others, the impact of nutrition programs, or the effectiveness of new curriculum implementations.
While you will manage the projects, you will likely oversee teams or service providers who collect data in schools. However, your role includes the technical design of research questions and ensuring data quality.

Disclaimer: TheAfrica.co.za is a private, independent job aggregator. We are not affiliated with the South African Government or any department mentioned. While we strive for 100% accuracy, job details and links are provided "as-is" and may change without notice. Users are encouraged to verify details on the official government gazette or department websites before applying.

POPIA Notice: By downloading forms or clicking 'Apply', you acknowledge that this site does not collect or store your personal application data. Your application is submitted directly to the respective department's official platform.

Apply for this Job