Department Of Forestry – Fisheries – Environment South Africa – Jobs – 7 Vacancies Across 6 Positions – 2026

The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) South Africa has announced 6 exciting career opportunities across multiple disciplines with a single closing date.

These government positions offer competitive salaries ranging from R 228 321 to R 1 494 900 per annum, providing excellent opportunities for career growth in South Africa’s environmental and resource management sector.

Management Echelon Positions

1. Chief Director: Risk And Ethics Management – Ref: ODG01/2026

Salary: R 1 494 900 Per Annum (All-Inclusive Salary Package)

Location: Pretoria – Gauteng

Directorate: Office Of Director General

Requirements

• Undergraduate qualification (NQF7) in Risk Management/Auditing/Strategic Management or relevant qualification recognized by SAQA.
• Affiliation with relevant professional bodies (IRMSA, IIA, Ethics).
• Certification as fraud examiner or ethics officer (Advantage).
• Minimum 5 years of experience at senior management level.
• Successful completion of SMS Pre-Entry Program (NSG) required.
• Valid driver’s license.

Key Responsibilities

• Implement and maintain systems to identify and mitigate risks.
• Develop Enterprise Risk Management framework.
• Manage ethics and fraud prevention strategy.
• Conduct fraud and corruption investigations.
• Manage fraud risk assessment.
• Provide oversight into ethics and fraud prevention.
• Conduct organizational awareness programs.
• Report to Management and Audit Risk Committee.
• Manage human and financial resources.

Knowledge Required

• Public Sector Risk Management Framework.
• Public Service Anti-Corruption Strategy.
• Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act.
• PFMA and Treasury Regulations.
• Preferential Procurement Policy Framework Act

Target Group: All designated groups including Persons with Disability.

Contact: Ms P Diphaha – Tel: (012) 399 9602 / 060 9765508

Email: ODG01-2026@dffe.gov.za

2. Chief Director: Demand And Acquisition Management – Ref: CFO01/2026

Salary: R 1 494 900 Per Annum (All-Inclusive Salary Package)

Location: Pretoria – Gauteng

Directorate: Chief Financial Officer

Requirements

• Undergraduate qualification (NQF7) in Supply Chain Management/Financial Accounting or relevant qualification recognized by SAQA.
• Minimum 5 years of experience at senior management level.
• Successful completion of SMS Pre-Entry Program (NSG) required.

Key Responsibilities

• Ensure effective acquisition management in compliance with SCM prescripts.
• Facilitate effective demand management framework.
• Ensure adequate contract management and compliance.
• Establish Bid Specification, Evaluation and Adjudication Committees (BSC, BEC, BAC).
• Lead Secretariat services for BAC.
• Ensure sound corporate governance.
• Provide strategic leadership to Chief Directorate.
• Conduct SCM risk assessments.
• Report to Management and Audit Risk Committee.
• Manage human and financial resources.

Knowledge Required

• Demand management, procurement and business practices.
• Acquisition and contract management services.
• Strategic planning and budgeting.
• PFMA and Treasury Regulations.
• Project management.

Target Group: All designated groups including Persons with Disability.

Contact: Ms P Diphaha – Tel: (012) 399 9602 / 060 9765508

Email: CFO01-2026@dffe.gov.za

3. Director: Mining Appeals – Ref: RCSM01/2026

Salary: R 1 266 714 Per Annum (All-Inclusive Salary Package)

Location: Pretoria – Gauteng

Directorate: Regulatory Compliance and Sector Monitoring

Requirements

• Undergraduate qualification (NQF7) in Law or relevant qualification recognized by SAQA.
• Minimum 5 years of experience at middle/senior managerial level in legal field.
• Admission as attorney or advocate with proven practice years.
• Valid certificate of good standing from relevant professional body.
• Successful completion of SMS Pre-Entry Program (NSG) required.
• Additional qualifications in EIA and/or compliance (Advantage).

Key Responsibilities

• Manage administration and coordination of appeals against environmental decisions.
• Review draft integrated environmental authorization appeal decisions.
• Coordinate mining, waste management and enforcement appeals.
• Provide technical legal support to the Minister.
• Draft mining appeals decisions.
• Coordinate general reporting on mining-related appeals.
• Provide general legal support services.
• Review compilation of documents and court records.
• Attend consultation with Legal Counsel.
• Manage contract for Advisory/appeal panels.
• Oversee assets and resources within directorate.

Knowledge Required

• Environmental and mining law.
• Constitutional law and administrative law.
• Legislative interpretation and policy analysis.
• Legal drafting and report writing.
• PFMA and Treasury Regulations.

Target Group: All designated groups including Persons with Disability

Contact: Adv F Patel – Tel: (012) 399 9330

Email: RCSM01-2026@dffe.gov.za

4. Director: Priority Infrastructure Projects – Ref: RCSM02/2026

Salary: R 1 266 714 Per Annum (All-Inclusive Salary Package)

Location: Pretoria – Gauteng

Directorate: Regulatory Compliance and Sector Monitoring

Requirements

• Undergraduate qualification (NQF7) in Natural Science/Social Science or relevant qualification recognized by SAQA.
• Postgraduate qualification in related field (Advantage).
• Formal training in environmental law (Advantage).
• Minimum 5 years of experience at middle/senior managerial level in environmental management.
• Compulsory: Registration with Environmental Assessment Practitioners Association of South Africa.
• Successful completion of SMS Pre-Entry Program(NSG) required.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee, process and review EIA applications for strategic integrated projects.
• Implement integrated environmental decision-making.
• Review Integrated Environmental Management tools.
• Process NEMA Section 30A directives.
• Process Initial Environmental Evaluation (IEE) applications.
• Respond to Ministerial, PAIA, Parliamentary queries.
• Oversee assets and resources management.
• Ensure compliance with regulated timeframes.
• Introduce enhanced controls for permitting system.

Knowledge Required

• Integrated Environmental Management (IEM) tools.
• Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations.
• NEMA suite of legislation.
• Public Service financial legislative frameworks.
• Strategic planning and project management.

Target Group: All designated groups including Persons with Disability

Contact: Dr Sabelo Malaza – Tel: (012) 399 8792

Email: RCSM02-2026@dffe.gov.za

5. Director: EIA Strategic Support, Coordination And Reporting – Ref: RCSM03/2026

Salary: R 1 266 714 Per Annum (All-Inclusive Salary Package)

Location: Pretoria – Gauteng

Directorate: Regulatory Compliance and Sector Monitoring

Requirements

• Undergraduate qualification (NQF7) in Natural Science/Social Science or relevant qualification recognized by SAQA.
• Postgraduate qualification in related field (Advantage).
• Minimum 5 years of experience at middle/senior managerial level in environmental management.
• Compulsory: Registration with Environmental Assessment Practitioners Association of South Africa.
• Successful completion of SMS Pre-Entry Programmed (NSG) required.

Key Responsibilities

• Finalize EIA interpretation queries within agreed timeframes.
• Develop process for NEMA Chapter 3 compliance.
• Coordinate NEMA planning regime discussions.
• Manage NEMA Section 24H legislative reform process.
• Establish Council for practitioners’ registration.
• Facilitate NEMA Section 24H Registration process.
• Manage relations with EAPASA.
• Track all EIA applications (SIP and power generation focus).
• Respond to parliamentary queries, media queries and Minister’s correspondents.
• Process PAIA and PAJA requests.
• Ensure sound corporate governance.
• Introduce enhanced controls for permitting system.

Knowledge Required

• Integrated Environmental Management (IEM) tools.
• Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations.
• NEMA Chapter 3 requirements.
• Public Service financial legislative frameworks.
• Stakeholder engagement.

Target Group: All designated groups including Persons with Disability

Contact: Dr Sabelo Malaza – Tel: (012) 399 8792

Email: RCSM03-2026@dffe.gov.za

6. Director: Biodiversity Conservation – Ref: BC01/2026

Salary: R 1 266 714 Per Annum (All-Inclusive Salary Package)

Location: Pretoria – Gauteng

Directorate: Biodiversity Conservation

Requirements

• Undergraduate qualification (NQF 7) in Environmental Science/Environmental Management or relevant qualification recognized by SAQA.
• Minimum 5 years of experience at Middle/Senior managerial level.
• Successful completion of SMS Pre-Entry Program (NSG) required.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide specialist policy advice on ecosystem-based conservation program.
• Coordinate development of national biodiversity conservation policies.
• Facilitate Biodiversity Management Plans development.
• Manage national policies, legislation, strategies and program.
• Provide technical inputs to Multilateral Environmental Agreements.
• Develop tools and policies per legislation framework.
• Monitor biodiversity concerns in Environmental Authorizations.
• Provide biodiversity inputs into appeal process.
• Coordinate implementation of biodiversity-related multilateral agreements.
• Prepare national reports for Convention on Migratory Species.
• Prepare reports for African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds activities.
• Develop proposals for mobilizing biodiversity conservation resources.

Knowledge Required

• Natural resource management planning.
• Program-based natural resource operational management.
• Policy development and application.
• Stakeholder management.
• Research and development.

Target Group: All designated groups including Persons with Disability

Contact: Ms M Matshusa – Tel: (012) 399 8877

Email: BC01-2026@dffe.gov.za

7. Assistant Director: Internal Control And Compliance – Ref: CFO02/2026

Salary: R 468 459 Per Annum (Level 9)

Location: Pretoria – Gauteng

Directorate: Chief Financial Officer

Requirements

• National Diploma (NQF6) in Auditing/Accounting/Financial Management or relevant qualification with accounting as major subject.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in internal control/Supply Chain Management/Auditing/Financial Management.
• Knowledge of BAS, LOGIS and PERSAL (Advantage).

Key Responsibilities

• Investigate irregular, fruitless and wasteful expenditure.
• Identify potential financial risks (including fraud risks).
• Facilitate management action to mitigate risks.
• Test and monitor compliance with PFMA, Treasury Regulations, SCM and HR prescripts.
• Perform assessments and raise findings on control weaknesses.
• Monitor implementation of internal and external audit recommendations.
• Attend audit steering committee meetings.
• Coordinate and report on fruitless and wasteful expenditure registers.
• Coordinate and report on irregular expenditure registers.
• Perform internal control assessments.
• Conduct quarterly key control assessments.
• Coordinate assurance process (responses to auditors, management responses).
• Facilitate development of departmental action plans.
• Implement departmental loss control system.
• Serve as secretariat of Departmental Loss Control Committee.

Knowledge Required

• PFMA, Treasury Regulations, BBBEE Act, PPPFA.
• Legislative environment for government finance and SCM.
• Policy development, implementation and monitoring.
• Financial management systems and controls.

Target Group: All designated groups including Persons with Disability

Contact: Mr S Kulube – Tel: (012) 399 8979

Email: CFO02-2026@dffe.gov.za

How To Apply

Application Requirements

1. Completed Z83 Form

2. Detailed CV/Resume (Recent And Detailed)

Submission Methods

Option 1: Postal Address

Private Bag X447, Pretoria, 0001 – South Africa

Option 2: Hand Delivery

Environment House, Erf 1563 Arcadia Extension 6, Corner Soutpansberg and Steve Biko Road, Arcadia, Pretoria (During Office Hours)

Option 3: Email

Use specific email address for each position (Listed Above)

Important Notes

• Application must be on signed Z83 form with recent detailed CV only.
• All online attachments must be in PDF format as one (1) document.
• Indicate correct job title and reference number on subject line.
• Use correct email address for each post.
• JPEG (picture/snapshot) applications will NOT be accepted.
• Submit separate applications for multiple positions.
• Late applications will not be considered.
• If no response within 3 months, consider application unsuccessful.

Selection Process

Shortlisted Candidates Must Provide

• Certified copies of qualifications.
• Certified Senior Certificate.
• Certified ID copy.
• Certified driver’s license (on or before interview day).
• SAQA evaluation reports (for foreign qualifications).

Assessments Include

• Pre-entry assessments (2 assessments for all shortlisted candidates): Practical exercise (technical and generic requirements), Integrity (ethical conduct) assessment.
• Generic managerial competency assessment (SMS positions after interview).
• Citizenship status verification.
• Credit worthiness check.
• Previous employment reference checks.
• Qualification verification.

SMS Requirements (Senior Management Service)

All SMS applicants must have Successful completion of Senior Management Pre-Entry Program endorsed by the National School of Government (NSG) prior to appointment.

Course Name: Certificate for Entry into SMS

Where to Complete: National School of Government (NSG)

Proof Required: Shortlisted candidates must provide proof of successful completion.

Employment Equity

The Department is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. Preference may be given to appoint able applicants from underrepresented designated groups per the Department’s equity plan. Persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Disclaimer: This information is based on official DFFE vacancy circulars. Always refer to original documentation for complete accuracy.