Exciting Career Opportunities: Join the Department of Agricultural and Rural Development as an Assistant Agricultural Practitioner in Seven Provinces
Assistant Agricultural Practitioners across seven provinces in South Africa, with a total of 231 posts available on a three-year fixed-term contract. Below is a concise summary and analysis of the key details provided, along with guidance for potential applicants:
Summary of the Job Advertisement
- Position: Assistant Agricultural Practitioner
- Contract Duration: 3 years (fixed-term)
- Salary: R193,359 per annum + 37% in lieu of benefits
- Number of Posts by Province:
- Free State: 36 posts (Ref No: FSDARD01/2025)
- Gauteng: 44 posts (Ref No: GDARD2025/01)
- KwaZulu-Natal: 34 posts (Ref No: KZNDARD01/2025)
- Mpumalanga: 52 posts (Ref No: MPDARD01/2025)
- Northern Cape: 30 posts (Ref No: NCDARD01/2025)
- North-West: 21 posts (Ref No: NWDARD01/07/2025)
- Western Cape: 14 posts (Ref No: WCDARD01/2025)
- Requirements:
- A three-year Diploma in Agriculture (NQF Level 6 or higher).
- Compulsory registration with the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP).
- Valid Code B driver’s license.
- No prior experience required.
- Knowledge and skills:
- Extension methodology.
- Good verbal and written communication.
- Basic reporting and public speaking skills.
- Understanding of group dynamics.
- Ability to communicate with clients and farmers.
- Willingness to conduct physical farm visits.
- Duties:
- Provide general agricultural advice to internal and external clients.
- Promote sustainable development.
- Demonstrate farming methods for efficient resource use (e.g., soil, water, veld, finances).
- Organize farmers’ days and information sessions.
- Conduct farm visits, use visitation tools for impact assessment, and develop farm business plans.
- Source technical and functional information (incomplete in the provided text, but likely involves gathering relevant agricultural data or resources).
Guidance for Applicants
- Eligibility Check:
- Ensure you have a three-year Diploma in Agriculture (NQF Level 6 or higher).
- Confirm registration with SACNASP or eligibility to register before applying.
- Verify possession of a valid Code B driver’s license.
- Assess your ability to meet the physical demands of farm visits and your communication skills for working with farmers and groups.
- Next Steps:
- If you’re interested in applying, check for the full advertisement, which may include additional details like application deadlines, submission methods (e.g., online portal, email, or physical delivery), and contact details for inquiries.
- Since the advertisement mentions placement based on allocated posts per province, indicate your preferred province (if applicable) and ensure you’re willing to work in rural or remote areas.
- Additional Notes:
- The role requires no prior experience, making it suitable for recent graduates or entry-level candidates with the required qualifications.
- Be prepared for fieldwork, as the job emphasizes physical farm visits and direct engagement with farmers.
- The 37% in lieu of benefits suggests no standard benefits (e.g., pension, medical aid) are included, which is typical for fixed-term contracts.
Summary of Key Responsibilities:
- Support for Producers:
- Provide technical support for agricultural projects, food security initiatives, and land development programs.
- Assist with planning, training facilitation, and aftercare for agricultural activities.
- Promote sustainable production and partnerships with agricultural stakeholders.
- Community and Organizational Development:
- Identify and mobilize interest groups to form cooperatives, farmer associations, or other entities.
- Facilitate meetings to assess training needs and build capacity through training and aftercare.
- Assist in developing and implementing business plans and reviving inactive projects.
- Information and Problem-Solving:
- Gather and analyze data, conduct extension surveys, and prioritize problem areas.
- Facilitate identification of real and perceived needs and establish structures to address them.
- Provide inputs on best practices, technologies, and trends to enhance production systems.
- Administrative Duties:
- Maintain an up-to-date database, including a register of farmers in the area.
- Compile and submit monthly and quarterly reports.
- Comply with public service policies, procedures, and technological advancements.
- Ensure safekeeping of physical assets.
- Sustainability and Evaluation:
- Support the implementation of programs and evaluate the effectiveness of production systems.
- Provide continuous support to ensure sustainable agricultural production.
Application procedures for each province, based on the provided information, with the closing date noted:
- Free State: Email applications to recruitment@dard.gov.za (Attn: Ms S Hlekiso) or hand deliver to Admin Building, 1st Floor, Room 228, Glen College of Agriculture, Glen.
- Gauteng: Apply online at http://professinaljobcentre.gov.za or hand deliver to Ground Floor, Main Entrance, 56 Eloff Street, Umnotho House, Johannesburg.
- KwaZulu Natal: Email to kznjobssouth@dard.gov.za or hand deliver to Cedara Office Reception (01 Cedara Road, Pietermaritzburg), South Service Centre (4 Pin Oak Avenue, Hilton), or North Service Office (Lot 11634, Corner Verbena and Aloe Loop Street, Veld ‘n Vlei, Richards Bay).
- Mpumalanga:
- Head Office: Email to dardlearecruitment-ho@mpg.gov.za or hand deliver/post to Director: Human Resource Management & Development, Samora Machel Building, Private Bag X 11219, Riverside Park, Mbombela, 1200.
- Ehlanzeni District: Email to dardlearecruitment-ehls@mpg.gov.za or hand deliver/post to District Director, Block 4, Aqua Street, PO Box 266, Riverside Park, Mbombela, 1200.
- Bohlabela District: Email to dardlearecruitment-ehln@mpg.gov.za or hand deliver/post to District Director, 101 Main Road, Private Bag X1321, Thulamahashe, 1365.
- Gert Sibande District: Email to dardlearecruitment-gs@mpg.gov.za or hand deliver/post to District Director, 44 Church Street, Private Bag X 9071, Ermelo, 2350.
- Nkangala District: Email to dardlearecruitment-nka@mpg.gov.za or hand deliver/post to District Director, Ebhudlweni Building, Government Complex, Private Bag X 4017, KwaMhlanga, 1022.
- Northern Cape: Email to blommiejacobs@ncpg.gov.za or tpika@ncpg.gov.za, or hand deliver/post to Private Bag X5018, Kimberley, 8301, or 162 George Street, Kimberley, 8301.
- North-West: Email to Dardrecruitment-HO@nwpg.gov.za (Attn: Ms. Keneilwe Modiegi) or hand deliver to Director Human Resource Management, Ngaka Modiri Molema District Office, Training Centre Building, Corner Onkgopotse Tiro Road, Mmabatho.
- Western Cape: Apply online only at www.westerncape.gov.za/jobs or https://westerncapegov.erecruit.co.
Closing Date: 15 August 2025 at 16:00.
Ensure applications are submitted to the correct address or portal for the relevant province, and include any required reference numbers (e.g., for Mpumalanga).