Department of Employment. The Department of Employment and Labour has announced new employment opportunities for suitably qualified South African candidates. A total of 139 contract positions are available under the Labour Activation Programmes within the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF).
The vacancies include 70 Assistant Director: Labour Activation Programmes positions and 69 Senior Practitioner: Labour Activation Programmes positions. Successful candidates will work on programmes focused on employment support, enterprise development, job preservation and labour activation initiatives.
These positions are offered on a three-year contract basis and are available across UIF offices and provincial offices in South Africa.
Application Closing Date: 8 April 2026
Job Location: South Africa – National and Provincial Offices
Total Vacancies: 139 Posts
Department of Employment and Labour Vacancies 2026 Overview
The recruitment drive is aimed at strengthening the implementation and management of Labour Activation Programmes. Candidates with qualifications and experience in areas such as project management, public administration, business management, development studies, social sciences, risk management, auditing or accounting may qualify for these opportunities.
Applicants should carefully check the requirements for their preferred position before submitting an application.
Assistant Director: Labour Activation Programmes – 70 Posts
The Department is recruiting 70 Assistant Directors to support and coordinate Labour Activation Programmes.
Salary: R468,459 per year + 37% in lieu of benefits
Reference Number: HR4/4/3/2ASDLAP
Available Positions by Location
The posts are distributed across different offices as follows:
- UIF Pretoria – 10 posts
- Gauteng – 15 posts
- KwaZulu-Natal – 11 posts
- Eastern Cape – 9 posts
- Mpumalanga – 4 posts
- Limpopo – 4 posts
- Free State – 5 posts
- North West – 3 posts
- Northern Cape – 3 posts
- Western Cape – 6 posts
Requirements
Applicants for the Assistant Director position must have a degree at NQF Level 6 in a relevant field. Acceptable fields include Public Administration or Management, Business Administration or Management, Development Studies, Project Management, Social Science, Risk Management, Auditing or Accounting.
Candidates must also have four years of relevant experience, including:
- Two years of experience in Labour Activation, Project Management or Enterprise Development
- Two years of supervisory-level experience
Key Skills and Responsibilities
Successful candidates should have good project management, policy analysis, communication and report-writing abilities. Planning, organising and computer literacy are also important.
The main responsibilities include coordinating Labour Activation Programmes such as TERS, Business Recovery and Employability initiatives. Appointees will also engage with stakeholders, support awareness campaigns, monitor projects and evaluate programme performance.
They may also be responsible for managing financial resources, staff and other assets within their area of responsibility.
Senior Practitioner: Labour Activation Programmes – 69 Posts
A further 69 positions are available for Senior Practitioners who will support the implementation and administration of Labour Activation Programme projects.
Salary: R397,116 per year + 37% in lieu of benefits
Reference Number: HR4/4/3/1SPLAP
Available Positions by Location
- UIF Pretoria – 9 posts
- Gauteng – 15 posts
- KwaZulu-Natal – 11 posts
- Eastern Cape – 9 posts
- Mpumalanga – 4 posts
- Limpopo – 4 posts
- Free State – 5 posts
- North West – 3 posts
- Northern Cape – 3 posts
- Western Cape – 6 posts
Requirements
Applicants should have a degree at NQF Level 6 in a relevant discipline such as Public Administration or Management, Business Administration or Management, Development Studies, Project Management, Social Science, Risk Management, Auditing or Accounting.
At least two years of functional experience in Labour Activation Programmes, Project Management or Enterprise Development is required.
Skills and Duties
The role requires skills in financial management, communication, reporting, monitoring and evaluation. Analytical, research and time-management skills are also important.
Senior Practitioners will assist with implementing Labour Activation Programme projects, provide administrative and project support, monitor contracts and deliverables, and supervise resources within their assigned unit.
Documents Required for Application
Candidates applying for these Department of Employment and Labour Vacancies 2026 should make sure their application contains the required documents.
Applicants must submit:
- A completed and signed Z83 application form
- A comprehensive and updated CV
The required documents should be combined into one PDF file. Applicants should not submit ZIP files or JPEG files where the instructions require a combined PDF.
The reference number and exact job title should also be clearly indicated in the application.
Candidates should ensure that all information supplied in their applications is accurate. The recruitment process may include qualification verification, criminal checks, ITC checks and competency assessments. Employment Equity targets will also be considered during the selection process.
How to Apply for Department of Employment and Labour Vacancies 2026
Applications are submitted by email according to the location and position being applied for. Candidates should use the appropriate email address and clearly mention the relevant reference number and job title.
Some of the listed application email addresses include:
- UIF Head Office: [email protected]
- Gauteng: [email protected]
- KwaZulu-Natal: [email protected]
- Eastern Cape: [email protected]
- Mpumalanga: [email protected]
- Limpopo: [email protected]
- Free State: [email protected]
- North West: [email protected]
- Northern Cape: [email protected]
- Western Cape: [email protected]
Before sending an application, candidates should check the vacancy instructions carefully and make sure that the correct documents and reference information are included.
Enquiries
Candidates who need clarification about the vacancies can use the listed departmental contacts:
- Ms PP Duma: (012) 337 1767
- Ms H Rampou: 082 758 7855
- Mr SV Dludla: (031) 366 2080
- Mr S Joko: (043) 701 3030
- Ms E Baholo: (013) 655 8700
- Mr M Phala: (015) 290 1742
Conclusion
The Department of Employment and Labour Vacancies 2026 offer 139 contract opportunities across national and provincial offices in South Africa. The recruitment includes 70 Assistant Director posts and 69 Senior Practitioner posts under Labour Activation Programmes within the UIF.
