The National Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) is hiring. If you have experience in law reform, biodiversity, strategic planning, programme monitoring and evaluation, telecommunications/auxiliary services, or high-level administration, this is your chance to apply for government jobs in Pretoria. These Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment vacancies include both senior management and assistant director roles, as well as control-level specialist posts. Persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.
The closing date for applications is 17 November 2025 at 16:00. Applications must be submitted with a completed and signed new Z83 form and a detailed CV. Only shortlisted candidates will later be asked to submit certified copies of qualifications, ID, and driver’s licence.
Vacancy Snapshot
| Employer: | Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) |
|---|---|
| Closing Date: | 17 November 2025 at 16:00 |
| Location: | Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa |
| Where to Apply: | Director-General, DFFE, Private Bag X447, Pretoria, 0001; or hand-deliver to Environment House, Erf 1563 Arcadia Extension 6, Cnr Soutpansberg and Steve Biko Road, Arcadia, Pretoria; or email to the specified email for each post, quoting the reference number |
1. Chief Director: Law Reform and Policy Coordination
Reference No: RSCM10/2025
Salary: R1 494 900 per annum (all-inclusive package)
Level: Senior Management Service (SMS)
Centre: Pretoria
Requirements
- Undergraduate qualification in Law (NQF 7) or relevant equivalent recognised by SAQA
- A minimum of 5 years’ senior managerial experience in the relevant field
- Successful completion of the NSG Senior Management Pre-Entry Programme (Certificate for entry into SMS)
- Experience in:
- Law reform
- Policy coordination
- Legislative drafting
- Processing Bills through the South African legislative system
- Knowledge of:
- Legal administration and strategic coordination
- Policy development and organisational performance management
- Risk management, audit processes and project management
- Budget planning, procurement and PFMA-aligned financial prescripts
- Research methodology and use of legal databases (Juta, Sabinet, LexisNexis)
- Strong leadership, stakeholder engagement, negotiation, presentation and high-level writing skills
- Must be able to work under pressure, manage conflict, maintain confidentiality, and meet deadlines
Duties
- Oversee and manage all law reform requests affecting the Department
- Manage drafting, vetting, commenting on and processing of Bills administered by the Department
- Provide general legal support and guidance on legislation and directives
- Coordinate legislation and policy across the Department to ensure alignment and compliance
- Advise on legal risk, strategic positioning and governance of environmental legislation
Enquiries
Ms P. Diphaha Tel: (012) 399 9602
Applications
Email: RSCM10-2025@dffe.gov.za
(Quote the reference number RSCM10/2025 in the email subject line)
2. Control Biodiversity Officer Grade A: CITES Policy Development and Implementation
Reference No: BC29/2025
Salary: R612 480 per annum
Centre: Pretoria
Requirements
- Four-year Degree (NQF 8) in Environmental Management / Natural Sciences or equivalent
- Six (6) years post-qualification experience in the biodiversity/environmental field
- Strong working knowledge of:
- National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, 2004 (NEMBA)
- National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (NEMA)
- CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora)
- CBD (Convention on Biological Diversity)
- Sustainable use and protection of natural resources
- Proven experience in policy development and policy implementation
- Understanding of legal and administrative processes for environmental legislation
- Skills required:
- Strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, reporting and coordination
- Technical writing, research, analysis and presentation
- Ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and work under pressure
- Strong interpersonal capability, conflict management and problem-solving
Duties
- Develop, review and amend CITES-related regulations, policies, norms, standards, strategies and plans
- Lead stakeholder consultation during the legislative and policy development process
- Develop and monitor national frameworks for CITES implementation
- Provide technical guidance to provinces and enforcement authorities
- Coordinate the allocation of CITES quotas
- Compile national reports (annual and bi-annual) and represent South Africa in CITES structures
- Prepare for and participate in international forums such as CITES Standing Committee meetings and Conferences of the Parties
- Evaluate CITES permit applications and facilitate permit issuance
- Ensure that international CITES decisions are incorporated into South African practice
Enquiry
Ms M.O. Kumalo Tel: 060 834 3088
Applications
Email: BC29-2025@dffe.gov.za
(Use the reference BC29/2025 in the subject line)
3. Assistant Director: Auxiliary and Telecommunication Management Services
Reference No: CMS15/2025
Salary: R468 459 per annum
Centre: Pretoria
Requirements
- National Diploma (NQF 6) in Public Administration or relevant qualification
- Minimum of 3 years’ experience in Auxiliary and Telecommunication Services
- Knowledge of:
- Administrative procedures
- HR practices
- Financial management and project management
- Contract management and service level agreements
- Strong computer literacy, planning, coordination and reporting skills
- Ability to analyse information, inspect services and manage service providers
- Strong verbal and written communication
- Ability to work independently or as part of a team
Duties
- Oversee telecommunication services in the Department
- Facilitate installation and movement of telephone lines
- Ensure maintenance and replacement of faulty equipment
- Coordinate upgrades of telephony at regional offices
- Administer Telkom contracts and facilitate payment of data and voice lines
- Conduct awareness sessions on telecom usage and compliance
- Support contract management and service delivery monitoring
- Prepare submissions for appointment/renewal of service contracts
- Oversee auxiliary services:
- Ensure cleaning and auxiliary services are adequately staffed
- Ensure control measures and duty rosters are in place and followed
- Ensure relevant training for auxiliary support staff
- Ensure availability of correct equipment and resources to deliver support functions
Enquiries
Ms B. Mampshika Tel: (012) 399 8516
Applications
Email: CMS15-2025@dffe.gov.co.za
(Use the reference CMS15/2025 in the subject line)
4. Assistant Director: Programme Monitoring and Evaluation
Reference No: EP19/2025
Salary: R468 459 per annum
Centre: Pretoria
Requirements
- Undergraduate qualification (NQF 6) in one of the following or related fields:
- Social Sciences
- Economic Sciences
- Development Studies
- Monitoring and Evaluation
- Statistics
- Research
- Minimum of 3 years’ proven experience in project management, Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E)
- At least 2 years’ practical experience doing social research (public or private sector)
- Strong knowledge of:
- Government-Wide Monitoring and Evaluation System (GWM&E)
- Programme Performance Management Framework
- Contract management
- Ability to manage and analyse data using tools such as MS Access, Excel, STATA and ATLAS.ti
- Strong reporting, analytical and presentation skills
- Ability to develop communication products such as newsletters
- Good stakeholder coordination skills and willingness to travel long distances for extended periods
- A valid driver’s licence is a must
Duties
- Participate in conducting monitoring and evaluation studies in the branch
- Capture, clean and analyse data, and prepare monthly/quarterly performance reports
- Generate customised reports for different stakeholders and communicate findings
- Support regions with data collection, verification and feedback
- Assist with implementation of recommendations from M&E reports
- Develop the branch M&E newsletter and contribute to the review of the M&E framework and plans
- Engage stakeholders at different levels and support overall branch performance monitoring
Enquiries
Mr M. Moela Tel: (012) 399 9730
Applications
Email: EP19-2025@dffe.gov.za
(Use the reference EP19/2025 in the subject line)
5. Assistant Director: Strategic Planning and Business Performance
Reference No: CMS25/2025
Salary: R468 459 per annum
Centre: Pretoria
Requirements
- National Diploma (NQF 6) in Commerce, Humanities, Social Science, Business, Public Administration or related field
- Minimum of 3 years’ experience in organisational planning / performance / related field
- Experience supporting:
- Organisational strategic planning and operational planning
- Performance monitoring and reporting
- Evaluation and audit coordination
- Knowledge of:
- Public Service and departmental prescripts
- Government planning frameworks and Medium-Term plans
- Project and financial management
- Strong skills in:
- Planning and organising
- Report writing and communication
- Analysis and problem solving
- Facilitation and stakeholder engagement
- Working under pressure and meeting deadlines
- Ability to work individually and in a team, including working long hours when required
Duties
- Coordinate development and review of:
- The Department’s 5-year Strategic Plan
- Annual Performance Plan (APP)
- Annual Operational Plan
and ensure alignment with national planning frameworks, sector priorities and the Medium-Term Development Plan
- Coordinate the production of departmental performance reports
- Coordinate the development and review of the Department’s Service Delivery Improvement Programme
- Oversee internal monitoring, reporting and evaluation processes within the Department
- Coordinate internal and external audit processes and responses
- Develop and implement performance management policy frameworks and guidelines for the Department
Enquiries
Ms L. Tsekiso Tel: (012) 399 9661
Applications
Email: CMS25-2025@dffe.gov.za
(Use the reference CMS25/2025 in the subject line)
How to Apply
You can apply for the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment vacancies in three ways:
- By Post
Director-General
Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment
Private Bag X447
Pretoria
0001 - By Hand Delivery
Environment House
Erf 1563 Arcadia Extension 6
Cnr Soutpansberg and Steve Biko Road
Arcadia, Pretoria - By Email
Each post has its own dedicated email address (see under Applications for each post).
You must quote the reference number in the email subject line.
Important Application Rules
- You must submit a new, fully completed and signed Z83 form (the updated version in use in the Public Service).
- You must include a recent, detailed CV.
- Do not attach certified copies of your ID, Senior Certificate, driver’s licence or qualifications when you first apply. Those will only be requested from shortlisted candidates.
- If you obtained qualifications outside South Africa, you are responsible for getting them evaluated by SAQA.
- The Department may use employment screening, including:
- Criminal record checks
- Credit checks
- Citizenship verification
- Reference checks
- Qualification verification
- For SMS-level posts (like Chief Director), you must already have completed the NSG Senior Management Pre-Entry Programme before you can be appointed.
If you are not contacted within 3 months after 17 November 2025, please consider your application unsuccessful.
Employment Equity and Suitability Checks
The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. Preference may be given to candidates from underrepresented groups as per the Department’s employment equity plan. Persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
All recommended candidates will be expected to undergo:
- Security vetting
- Competency assessments (for SMS posts)
- Possible technical exercises and managerial competency assessments as required by DPSA
How to Get Shortlisted
To improve your chances:
- Use the correct reference number for the post you are applying for.
- Tailor your CV to match the Duties and Requirements of that specific post.
- Make sure your Z83 is signed, dated, and complete. An unsigned or old-version Z83 can disqualify you.
- For SMS applicants: attach proof that you have completed the NSG Pre-Entry Programme.