Job Details: Assistant Director – Early Childhood Development Data Quality Assurance Officer
Free State Department of Education
- Reference Number: PS4/2026/03
- Position: Assistant Director: Early Childhood Development (ECD) Data Quality Assurance Officer
- Department: Free State Department of Education
- Centre: EMIS Sub-Directorate (Supporting ECD)
- Location: Bloemfontein
- Salary
- R605,742 – R713,535 per annum
Salary Level: 10
Main Purpose of the Position
To ensure the accuracy, completeness, consistency, and reliability of Early Childhood Development (ECD) data captured within the eCares (Early Childhood Administration and Reporting System). The role supports data quality management, user support, reporting, training, monitoring, and stakeholder coordination to improve evidence-based planning, service delivery, and decision-making within the ECD sector.
Key Responsibilities
1. Data Quality Assurance and Management
- Monitor the quality of ECD data captured in the eCares system.
- Ensure data accuracy, completeness, consistency, and reliability.
- Conduct routine data quality assessments and validation exercises.
- Identify data discrepancies, inconsistencies, and missing information.
- Implement corrective measures to improve data integrity.
- Design and implement data quality review processes and improvement plans.
2. System Support and User Assistance
- Provide support to district and provincial users regarding:
- Data entry
- Data uploads
- Record corrections
- System navigation
- Troubleshooting and issue resolution
- Respond to system usage enquiries and provide helpdesk-style assistance.
- Assist users in resolving technical and operational challenges related to eCares.
3. Data Validation and Quality Control
- Perform detailed data verification and validation checks.
- Monitor compliance with established data standards and procedures.
- Ensure timely correction of identified data issues.
- Track recurring errors and recommend preventative solutions.
4. Reporting and Information Management
- Support the preparation of:
- Provincial reports
- District reports
- Management information reports
- Monitoring and evaluation reports
- Maintain records relating to:
- Data discrepancies
- Resolutions implemented
- Quality assurance activities
- Reporting outputs
- Ensure reports are prepared within required timeframes for approval and submission.
5. Dashboard and Business Intelligence Support
- Promote effective use of reports and dashboards.
- Support users in interpreting and utilising data for:
- Planning
- Monitoring
- Resource allocation
- Service delivery improvement
- Encourage evidence-based decision-making across districts and ECD programmes.
6. Training and Capacity Building
- Conduct and support training sessions for:
- Provincial officials
- District officials
- System users
- Deliver training both virtually and in person.
- Educate users on:
- Data quality standards
- Accurate data entry practices
- Data maintenance requirements
- Effective system utilisation
- Develop practical guidance and support materials.
7. User Access and System Administration Support
- Assist with user access management processes.
- Support account administration and permissions management.
- Monitor system utilisation and user engagement.
- Ensure compliance with information management procedures.
8. Stakeholder Coordination and Collaboration
- Collaborate with:
- National stakeholders
- Provincial departments
- District offices
- ECD Directorate personnel
- EMIS teams
- Support implementation of data quality improvement initiatives.
- Facilitate communication and cooperation among stakeholders.
9. Monitoring and Continuous Improvement
- Monitor implementation of data quality improvement plans.
- Recommend process enhancements and system improvements.
- Promote best practices in data management and reporting.
- Support ongoing enhancement of ECD data systems and processes.
Minimum Requirements
Educational Qualifications
Applicants must possess a SAQA-recognised three-year post-matric qualification (NQF Level 6 or higher) in one of the following fields:
- Data Management
- Information Systems
- Statistics
- Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E)
- Social Sciences
- Information Management
- Business Intelligence
- Computer Science
- Or another related field
Added Advantage
- A postgraduate qualification in a relevant discipline.
Experience Requirements
Applicants must have:
- Minimum 5 years’ experience in:
- Data management
- Data quality assurance
- Monitoring and evaluation
- Information systems support
- Reporting and information management
Advantageous Experience
- Education sector information systems (EMIS).
- Early Childhood Development (ECD) programmes.
- Government information management environments.
- User support and training functions.
Required Technical Skills
Data Management and Analysis
- Data validation and verification.
- Data quality assessment techniques.
- Data cleansing and correction processes.
- Information management and reporting.
Microsoft Excel
Strong proficiency in:
- Data analysis
- Data validation
- Formula creation
- Spreadsheet management
- Reporting and data presentation
Business Intelligence Tools
Advantageous experience with:
- Microsoft Power BI
- Tableau
- Dashboard creation and utilisation
- Data visualisation techniques
Database Knowledge
Basic understanding of:
- Database structures
- Data storage and retrieval
- Reporting systems
- Information systems processes
Required Competencies
Analytical Skills
- Strong analytical thinking.
- Ability to identify trends, inconsistencies, and data gaps.
- Problem-solving capability.
- Attention to detail and accuracy.
Communication Skills
- Excellent verbal communication skills.
- Strong written communication abilities.
- Training and presentation skills.
- Ability to explain technical concepts to non-technical users.
Training and Facilitation Skills
- User training and coaching.
- Capacity building and knowledge transfer.
- Facilitation of workshops and support sessions.
Stakeholder Management Skills
- Relationship building.
- Coordination and collaboration.
- Customer-focused support approach.
- Ability to work across multiple stakeholder groups.
Organisational Skills
- Planning and prioritisation.
- Time management.
- Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
- Independent work capability.
Additional Requirements
- Valid South African driver’s licence.
- Willingness to travel throughout the province.
- Ability to conduct both virtual and face-to-face support and training sessions.
- Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with teams.
Reporting Structure
The successful candidate will:
- Report directly to the Provincial EMIS Head.
- Work closely with the ECD Directorate.
- Support provincial and district stakeholders in improving ECD data quality, reporting, and system utilisation.