Advertiser: Department of Home Affairs
REF NO: HRMC 54 / 14 / 6
Contract position linked to the term of office of the Minister
SALARY: A basic salary of R148 584 to R175 023 per annum (Level 6). In addition, a range of competitive benefits are offered.
CENTRE: Head Office, Pretoria, Office of the Minister
REQUIREMENTS: A Grade 12 Certificate or an NQF level 4 equivalent is required, and or Reception / Secretarial Office Administration Certificate A minimum of 1 year experience in Receptionist or Secretarial environment is required A post graduate qualification will be an added advantage Knowledge of the Public Service Regulatory Framework, Human Resource legislations and prescripts as well as office administration processes Knowledge of Archives Act an Records Management practices, processes and procedures Knowledge of various filing systems Must be computer literate (spreadsheet and word processing programmes) and good customer focus Time management, decision making, good planning, organizing, telephone adequate, typing, verbal and written communication skills.
DUTIES: The successful candidate will be responsible for, amongst others, the following specific tasks: Receive and direct Clients to relevant Units as per their requests Registering of visitors in the visitor’s book and issuing of permits Receive requests, visitors and assist on their request if possible Liaise with Clients / Visitors and relevant officials Transfer or convey messages to internal officials through emails Register the received documents for collection by registry or officials Alert the unit (facilities management) related to reception issues / challenges Advice the Clients on relevant matters based on their requests Provide administrative and secretarial support to the Minister’s Advisors Remain abreast with the procedures and processes office administration.
ENQUIRIES: Ms P Reddy, Tel No: (012) 406 7263
APPLICATIONS: Quoting the relevant reference number, direct applications to Head Office: The Director General: Department of Home Affairs, Postal Address: Private Bag X114, Pretoria, 0001, Physical Address: 232 Cnr Johannes Ramokhoase (Proes) and Thabo Sehume (Andries) Street, Pretoria, 0002
Are you looking for an exciting and challenging career in a rapidly changing organisation? The Department of Home Affairs has embarked on an extensive turnaround programme, aimed at developing a culture of responsiveness and improved service delivery. We are looking for committed, passionate and talented individuals to form part of a new leadership team, equipped with the right skills to deliver a world-class service. If you have what it takes to serve the needs of South Africa’s citizens, residents and visitors - and your credentials meet the requirements of any of the following positions - then respond before the closing date. Join our leadership team in transforming our vision into a reality. The Department of Home Affairs is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. It is our intention to promote representivity (race, gender, disability) through the filling of positions. Candidates whose appointment / transfer / promotion will further the objective of representivity will receive preference.
CLOSING DATE: 1 August 2014
APPLICATIONS: Applications must be sent in time to the correct address as indicated at the bottom of the circular, to reach the address on or before the closing date. Applications send to a wrong address and / or received after the closing date or those that do not comply with the requirements, will not be taken into consideration. In the event of hand-delivery of applications, applicants must sign an application register as proof of application.
NOTE: Applications must be submitted on the Application for Employment Form (Z.83), obtainable from any Public Service department or at www.gov.za and should be accompanied by a comprehensive CV, including the details of at least two contactable referees (should be people who recently worked with the applicant) and certified copies of qualifications and identity document (with an original certification stamp). It is the responsibility of applicants in possession of foreign qualifications to submit evaluated results by the South African Qualifications Authority. Where a valid driver’s licence is a requirement, applicants must attach certified copies of such licences. No faxes or e-mailed applications will be considered. If no contact is made within three months of the closing date, please accept that the application was unsuccessful.
Successful candidates will be required to enter into a performance agreement and be subjected to security clearance procedures. Successful candidates may be required to undergo a competency assessment. Candidates who possess a tertiary qualification, as well as those who promote representivity (especially People with Disability), are encouraged to apply.
Interview Hints and Tips
Arrive on time for the interview. Plan your trip and leave early if you have to or if you are unfamiliar with the area. Give yourself enough time to find the building as well as parking. You also need keep your diary open after the interview. Your interview might be running longer than anticipated.
Remember to take a few extra copies of your CV with you. One copy is for you should you have to refresh your memory. The other copies are for the interviewer and anyone else sitting in on the interview. You only need to produce these if there is a need for them.
Be careful not to over- or under-dress for an interview. The golden rule is to look professional and smart even if everyone else at the company is wearing jeans. Speak to your employment agency for guidance with specific acompanies.
Women:
- More conservative outfit and coordinate all the colours
- Moderate shoes
- Limited jewellery
- Make sure your hairstyle is neat and hair clean
- Not too muck make-up and perfume
- Nails must be neat and clean
Men:
- Conservative suit with a white long sleeve shirt
- Conservative tie (no cartoon characters)
- Dark socks, professional shoes
- Limited jewellery
- Make sure your hairstyle is neat and hair clean
- Not too much aftershave
- Nails must be neat and clean
The interviewer will be judging the effect of your appearance on customers as well as staff. Your "look" must project the fact that you are the perfect '"fit" for that specific position and company.
Get rid of chewing gum and check your overall appearance before walking into the organisation's premises.
Switch your cellphone off once the interviewer knows that you have arrived for the interview - never, ever take a call during an interview. If there is a medical emergency in your family and your phone needs to be on then inform the interviewer and ask for permission to leave your phone on. In most cases the person will agree to it.
Remember to take a file with pen paper with you to the interview. This will assist you in making notes and to write down questions you might want to ask later.
The interview starts when the first question is asked. Right? Wrong. The interview starts the minute you arrive at the company and you will be under scrutiny by everyone who knows that interviews are being held. Be friendly with cleaning staff, secretaries and everyone else you encounter on your way to the interview. This will make you feel more positive as well as leave positive people in your wake. The last thing you need is for a staff member to mention how rude you were before the interview. Or for the secretaries to tell the manager that you had an attitude with them and you thought you were important!
Studies have shown that most interviewers make up their mind within the first few minutes. You therefore need to greet your interviewer by making comfortable eye contact, shaking hands firmly and introducing yourself in a confident manner.
Make a connection and build a relationship with the interviewer. Remember that they are already happy with your CV and now wants to check you out. Your attitude will be more important than most of your answers.
Only sit down when offered a chair.
If you are offered any coffee or tea you have three choices: Coffee, tea or nothing. Do not go and ask for something not offered - the organisation might not have it on the premises and the interviewer could feel embarrassed.
Keep an eye on your body language and avoid fidgeting, biting your nails, playing with your car keys, etc.