Chief Executive Officer | Head Office, Pretoria | 5-Year Fixed Term Contract

The Chief Executive Officer position reports to the Public Protector and assists the Public Protector, in line with Section 3 (1) (b) of the Public Protector Act 23 of 1994, in providing strategic and operational leadership to ensure the institution functions efficiently and fulfils its mandate of promoting good governance, protecting the public against maladministration, and enforcing accountability in state institutions.

This is a high-impact leadership opportunity to shape accountability and governance in South Africa. The CEO will influence public sector reform, enhance citizen trust, and ensure that ordinary South Africans have access to justice and protection against maladministration.

The role oversees financial and human resources management, governance, compliance and day to day operations of the institution, while guiding staff and managing key stakeholder relationships to support the institution’s overall performance, sustainability and service delivery excellence across the institution.

Public Protector South Africa is a Chapter 9 institution established in terms of the Constitution, mandated to strengthen constitutional democracy by investigating, reporting on and remedying improper conduct in state affairs.

Key responsibilities and duties include:

Strategic Leadership and Governance

• Assists the Public Protector in providing effective strategic direction and leadership in the development and implementation of Strategic Plan, Annual Performance Plan and Business Plans

• Ensuring achievement of strategic goals and adherence to institutional values

• Facilitation of annual review of organisational strategic plan and annual plans

• Driving the performance enhancement and accountability system of the organisation and ensuring strategic performance reporting

• Developing the institutional budget and aligning with strategic plan and approval by Executive Committee (EXCO)

• Leading Public Protector South Africa core and support functions in line with legislation – the Constitution, the Public Protector Act, the PFMA and driving compliance with relevant legislation for efficiency and quality of investigation processes and standards

• Facilitating business process engineering to ensure efficiency of key processes

• Taking measures to ensure managerial best practices and evaluate legislative compliance regarding Human Resource Management and development, Supply Chain Management, Information Technology, Facilities Management, Financial Management, Communication and Outreach

• Leading and monitoring the process of policy development and implementation and ensuring compliance with relevant policies and statutory prescripts

Financial Stewardship

• Take ultimate accountability for the financial health and stability of the institution ensuring effective budget and expenditure management

• Ensuring Corporate Governance in line with King IV Principles, legislative and policy prescripts and best practices

• Ensure the development and implementation of the effective, efficient and transparent systems of financial management, risk management and improvement of internal control to achieve clean audit opinion

• Planning and monitoring expenditure patterns in line with budget, leading the risk management process to ensure that risks are identified, monitored and reduced for achievement of strategic goals

• Maintain high standard of integrity and ethics and instil them throughout the institution

Stakeholder and Relationship Management

• Build and maintain a strong, positive relationship with all stakeholders including the Chapter 9 institutions

• Manage International Relations and Parliamentary stakeholders

Operational Excellence

• Manage the day-to-day activities of PPSA to ensure the effective and efficient delivery of services

• Drive a culture of excellence, innovation, and high performance across all business functions

• Oversee the overall security of the institution and implementation of the Minimum Information Security Standards (MISS)

Human Capital and Organisational Culture

• Lead diverse team and foster high performing organisational culture

• Digital Transformation and Change Management

• Ensure the development and implementation of change management strategies

• Be a change leader during a transformation change to ensure effective change management

Qualifications and Experience

• A Master’s degree (NQF 9) in Business/Public Administration, Law, Finance or equivalent obtained from a recognised and registered tertiary institution

• A valid driver’s licence

• Ten (10) years proven leadership experience in a similar environment of which five years must have been at an Executive level

• Strategic planning skills and experience in conducting organisational effectiveness and efficiency reviews

• Understanding of Corporate Governance Prescripts – King IV Principles and best practices

• Good understanding and knowledge of Public Service prescripts and legislations in Strategic Financial Management, auditing practices, the Public Financial Management Act (PFMA) and Treasury Regulations

• Extensive experience in financial management, human capital, including governance principles and other related matters

Competencies and Skills

• Strategic Capability: Visionary and results-driven leadership

• Ethical and integrity-driven leadership

• Leadership and people management

• Financial and business acumen

• Stakeholder engagement and communication

• Governance, Risk and Compliance

• Problem solving and decision making

• Project Management

Location: Head Office, Pretoria
Reference: PPSA 02/02/2026
All-Inclusive Package: R2 352 642.00 – R2 650 233.00 per annum
Closing Date: 24 February 2026 at 16:30

Why Join PPSA:

This is a high-impact leadership opportunity to shape accountability and governance in South Africa. The CEO will influence public sector reform, enhance citizen trust, and ensure that ordinary South Africans
have access to justice and protection against maladministration.

Enquiries: Ms Zandile Luthuli at tel. (012) 366-7263

Note:
All appointments will be done in terms of the Public Protector Act and a 12-month probation period which may be extended to 18 months should performance targets not be met. The successful candidate will be expected to sign the secrecy declaration form and performance agreement within 2 months of accepting the position. All successful candidates will have to undergo security clearance and vetting. Competency assessments will be conducted. The Public Protector South Africa reserves the right not to fill the vacancy. Correspondence will be limited to shortlisted candidates. If you are not contacted within 2 months, please consider your application unsuccessful.

Applications must be accompanied by a covering letter with a detailed CV and three references, including certified copies of qualifications and ID document. Public Protector South Africa is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer and is committed to the achievement and maintenance of representivity.

Edge Executive Search Group has been appointed to handle the recruitment for the above position. To apply, click the Ditto link as provided in the document.

Please send applications along with all supporting documentation.