Social Worker Grade 1 and Community Development Practitioner Grade 1

Eastern Cape Department of Social Development

The Eastern Cape Department of Social Development is inviting suitably qualified and interested South African applicants to apply for 29 employment opportunities within the department. The vacancies are available for Social Worker Grade 1 and Community Development Practitioner Grade 1 positions across various districts and service delivery centres in the Eastern Cape.

These opportunities are suitable for candidates with qualifications in Social Work, Social Sciences, Development Studies, Community Development and related fields who are interested in contributing to the improvement of communities and the delivery of social welfare services.

The department is recruiting 21 Social Worker Grade 1 positions and 8 Community Development Practitioner Grade 1 positions. Successful candidates will be responsible for supporting vulnerable individuals, families and communities, facilitating community development initiatives, providing social work interventions and implementing relevant departmental programmes.

Applications must be submitted through the Eastern Cape Provincial e-Recruitment System. Applicants are encouraged to carefully read the requirements, employment equity targets and application instructions before submitting their applications.

1. Social Worker Grade 1 (X21 Posts)

Position: Social Worker Grade 1 Number of Posts: 21 Salary: R338 208 – R397 668 per annum (OSD) Reference Numbers: DSD 04/11/2026 to DSD 24/11/2026 Province: Eastern Cape Closing Date: 13 November 2026

Available Positions and Centres

The 21 Social Worker Grade 1 vacancies are available at the following centres:

Reference NumberDistrict and Centre

DSD 04/11/2026Amathole: Mnquma LSO

DSD 05/11/2026Amathole: Amahlati LSO

DSD 06/11/2026Amathole: Great Kie LSO

DSD 07/11/2026Alfred Nzo: Mount Ayliff SDC

DSD 08/11/2026Alfred Nzo: Ntabankulu LSO

DSD 09/11/2026OR Tambo: KSD LSO

DSD 10/11/2026OR Tambo: Ingquza Hill LSO

DSD 11/11/2026OR Tambo: Mhlontlo LSO

DSD 12/11/2026Joe Gqabi: Burgersdorp SDC

DSD 13/11/2026Joe Gqabi: Lady Grey SDC

DSD 14/11/2026NMM: Ebhayi SDC

DSD 15/11/2026NMM: Zwide SDC

DSD 16/11/2026NMM: Walmer SDC

DSD 17/11/2026Sarah Baartman: Sunday’s River Valley

DSD 18/11/2026Sarah Baartman: Graaff-Reinet SDC

DSD 19/11/2026BCM: East London

DSD 20/11/2026BCM: KWT Thuthuzela Centre

DSD 21/11/2026BCM: Mdantsane Thuthuzela Centre

DSD 22/11/2026Chris Hani: Emalahleni LSO

DSD 23/11/2026Chris Hani: Inxuba Yethemba LSO

DSD 24/11/2026Chris Hani: Sakhisizwe LSO

Minimum Requirements

Applicants must meet the following minimum educational and professional requirements:

• Standard 10/Grade 12.
• A Bachelor of Social Work degree.
• Latest proof of registration with the South African Council for Social Service Professions (SACSSP) as a Social Worker.

Candidates who do not have a driver’s licence at the time of appointment will be required to submit proof of a driver’s licence within six months from the date of assuming duty.

Appropriate and recognisable Social Work experience obtained after registration with the SACSSP as a Social Worker will be considered for appointment.

Required Competencies and Skills

Applicants should demonstrate the following competencies:

• Ability to challenge structural sources of poverty, inequality, oppression, discrimination and exclusion.
• Knowledge and understanding of human behaviour and social systems.
• Ability to intervene where people interact with their environments to promote social well-being.
• Skills to assist, develop, advocate for and empower individuals, families, groups, organisations and communities.
• Ability to improve social functioning and problem-solving capabilities.
• Ability to promote, restore, maintain and enhance the functioning of individuals, families, groups and communities.
• Understanding of how to prevent and alleviate distress and help people use available resources effectively.
• Ability to provide social work services to protect vulnerable people who are at risk and unable to protect themselves.
• Ability to mentor and coach Social Auxiliary Workers.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Successful candidates will be expected to perform the following duties:

• Render social work services relating to the care, support, protection and development of vulnerable individuals, groups, families and communities.
• Implement relevant social development and welfare programmes.
• Provide support to Social Auxiliary Workers and volunteers.
• Keep up to date with new developments in the Social Work and Social Welfare fields.
• Perform all required administrative functions associated with the position.

Employment Equity Targets

The department has specified the following employment equity targets for the available Social Worker positions:

• Mnquma LSO: African/Coloured Male.
• Amahlati LSO: African/Coloured Male.
• Great Kie LSO: African/Coloured Male.
• Mount Ayliff SDC: African Male.
• Ntabankulu LSO: African Male and persons with disabilities.
• KSD LSO: African Male.
• Ingquza Hill LSO: African Male and persons with disabilities.
• Mhlontlo LSO: African Male.
• Burgersdorp SDC: African Male.
• Lady Grey SDC: African Male.
• Ebhayi SDC: African Male and persons with disabilities.
• Zwide SDC: Coloured Female.
• Walmer SDC: White Male.
• Sunday’s River Valley: Coloured Female.
• Graaff-Reinet SDC: Coloured Female and persons with disabilities.
• East London: African Male.
• KWT Thuthuzela Centre: African Male.
• Mdantsane Thuthuzela Centre: African Male.
• Emalahleni LSO: African Male and persons with disabilities.
• Inxuba Yethemba LSO: African Male.
• Sakhisizwe LSO: African Male.

Applications are welcome from all racial groups, with the department implementing its Employment Equity Plan to achieve equitable representation.

Enquiries

Applicants can contact the relevant district representatives for position-related enquiries:

• Alfred Nzo: Mr S Shweni
• Amathole: Ms Z Habe
• BCM: Ms P Gqabantshi
• Chris Hani: Ms N Mzinjana
• Joe Gqabi: Ms P Tsuputse
• NMM: Ms L Lukwe
• Sarah Baartman: Mr M Rwexana
• OR Tambo: Ms Z Dlanjwa

2. Community Development Practitioner Grade 1 (X8 Posts)

Position: Community Development Practitioner Grade 1 Number of Posts: 8 Salary: R289 296 – R337 959 per annum (OSD) Reference Numbers: DSD 25/11/2026 to DSD 32/11/2026 Province: Eastern Cape Closing Date: 13 November 2026

Available Positions and Centres

The eight Community Development Practitioner vacancies are available at the following centres:

Reference NumberDistrict and Centre

DSD 25/11/2026Amathole: Ngqamakwe SDC

DSD 26/11/2026Alfred Nzo: Mount Frere SDC

DSD 27/11/2026BCM: Mdantsane 1 SDC

DSD 28/11/2026OR Tambo: Ngqeleni SDC

DSD 29/11/2026Joe Gqabi: Ugie SDC

DSD 30/11/2026NMM: Motherwell SDC

DSD 31/11/2026Sarah Baartman: Alexandria LSO

DSD 32/11/2026Sarah Baartman: Sunday’s River Valley LSO

Minimum Requirements

Applicants must possess the following qualifications:

• National Senior Certificate (Grade 12).
• A Bachelor’s Degree or National Diploma in Social Sciences, Developmental Economics, Development Studies or Community Development.

Candidates who do not have a driver’s licence when appointed will be required to submit proof within six months from the date of assuming duty.

Computer literacy will be an added advantage.

Appropriate and recognisable work experience obtained after meeting the required educational qualifications will be considered for appointment.

Required Competencies and Skills

Applicants should demonstrate the following competencies:

• Theoretical understanding and practical experience or exposure to community development issues.
• Ability to use a facilitative approach to encourage constructive participation in programme development and implementation.
• Ability to document and report on programmes and projects using the required formats.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong organising and planning skills.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Successful candidates will be responsible for the following:

• Facilitate awareness campaigns on community development programmes.
• Mobilise local communities into integrated development structures.
• Facilitate community development initiatives within local municipalities.
• Facilitate the development of community profiles using contextualised participatory development methodologies.
• Facilitate the development, alignment and utilisation of resources from various government departments.
• Support the implementation of Integrated Development Plans within local municipalities.
• Assess applications for departmental funding submitted by community organisations.
• Monitor and evaluate funded programmes and projects.
• Provide support services to funded programmes and projects.

Employment Equity Targets

The department has identified the following employment equity targets:

• Ngqam