Opportunities Across National Departments
Date Issued: 16 May 2025
Publication No.: 16 of 2024
Country: South Africa
The Public Service Vacancy Circular is a vital resource for job seekers across South Africa. Issued weekly by the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA), the circular lists government job opportunities across national and provincial departments. These roles are open to qualifying individuals who wish to serve in the public sector and contribute to the development and governance of the nation.
The Public Service Vacancy Circular No. 16 of 2024, published on 16 May 2025, brings with it a wide array of vacancies across multiple national departments. These positions span various fields such as administration, policy, health, education, law enforcement, engineering, information technology, and communication.
This edition includes posts from 20 National Departments, offering career opportunities for individuals at different skill levels. Whether you are a new graduate, an experienced professional, or a skilled worker, there may be a post that matches your qualifications and career goals.
Why the Public Service Vacancy Circular Matters
The Public Service Vacancy Circular ensures transparency, equal opportunity, and accessibility for all South African citizens. It serves as an official and consistent channel through which government jobs are advertised. This promotes fairness and merit-based recruitment.
By advertising vacancies openly, the government encourages participation from a diverse group of applicants, ensuring the public service reflects the population it serves.
National Departments Hiring in Circular No. 16 of 2024
Below is a summary of the departments featured in this publication and the types of roles typically available in each:
1. Department of Cooperative Governance
This department focuses on strengthening coordination among national, provincial, and local governments. Vacancies may include administrative officers, policy analysts, and project managers.
2. Department of Correctional Services
Opportunities here may include correctional officers, social workers, psychologists, legal clerks, and human resource practitioners.
3. Department of Defence
Vacancies may involve technical support roles, security and defence personnel, engineers, and logistics staff.
4. Department of Employment and Labour
This department offers posts such as labour inspectors, employment service practitioners, admin clerks, and legal advisors.
5. Government Communication and Information System (GCIS)
GCIS handles government messaging and media relations. Vacancies may include communication officers, content writers, media analysts, and graphic designers.
6. Government Printing Works
Responsible for secure and official printing, this department may recruit machine operators, IT technicians, and quality assurance staff.
7. Department of Health
This department hires a wide range of professionals: nurses, environmental health practitioners, clerks, lab technicians, and epidemiologists.
8. Department of Higher Education and Training
Offers positions like lecturers, education policy developers, academic support staff, and administrators.
9. Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID)
This watchdog entity seeks investigators, legal officers, data analysts, and forensic specialists.
10. Department of Justice and Constitutional Development
Typical posts include court interpreters, legal administrators, state attorneys, and IT support personnel.
11. National School of Government
This department promotes public sector training and professional development. It may seek trainers, curriculum developers, and researchers.
12. Office of the Chief Justice
Provides support to judicial services. Positions could include court clerks, registrars, records officers, and IT technicians.
13. Department of Public Service and Administration
Responsible for civil service policy and reforms, the department may advertise posts such as governance specialists and HR policy officers.
14. Department of Small Business Development
This department may hire economic researchers, business development officers, and program managers to support SMEs.
15. Department of Sport, Arts and Culture
Jobs may include archivists, arts coordinators, sport development officers, and event managers.
16. Statistics South Africa
Often hires data collectors, statisticians, analysts, and field workers for census or survey projects.
17. Department of Trade, Industry and Competition
Roles may include trade analysts, industrial policy experts, economic researchers, and support staff.
18. Department of Traditional Affairs
Focused on supporting traditional leadership structures, jobs may include policy officers, community liaison officers, and cultural researchers.
19. Department of Water and Sanitation
This department needs engineers, technicians, environmental specialists, and infrastructure planners.
20. The Presidency
The heart of executive government, this office may advertise senior admin roles, protocol officers, researchers, and policy advisors.
Who Can Apply?
The circular is open to all South African citizens who meet the minimum requirements of the advertised posts. While most jobs require a Grade 12 certificate and tertiary qualifications, some offer learnerships or internships for youth and graduates.
Applicants should always read the full advertisement to understand:
- Minimum qualifications
- Key responsibilities
- Required experience
- Location of the post
- Application procedures and deadlines
How to Apply
- Download the Z83 form – This is the standard form used to apply for public service jobs in South Africa.
- Complete the Z83 fully and accurately.
- Attach your CV and certified copies of qualifications and ID.
- Follow the submission instructions exactly as listed in the post.
Applications must be submitted before the closing date mentioned in each job listing. Late applications are usually not accepted.
Final Thoughts
The Public Service Vacancy Circular No. 16 of 2024 is a gateway to meaningful employment within the South African government. It reflects the state’s commitment to transparency, merit-based hiring, and service delivery.
Whether you’re seeking a career in health, law, defence, or communications, this edition offers wide-ranging opportunities. By joining the public service, you don’t just get a job you take on a role in building and improving South Africa.
For the latest circulars, always visit the official DPSA website or consult your local Department of Labour.
Would you like a downloadable summary of this article or help applying for a specific post in the circular?
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