The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (KZNEDTEA) has officially opened applications for its May 2026 recruitment cycle. The department is seeking qualified, dynamic, and self-motivated individuals to fill several permanent professional vacancies at its Head Office in Pietermaritzburg and various district offices.
Secretary to Director: Strategic Planning Management
Secretary to Director: Environmental Quality Management
Driver/Messenger: Records Management
Qualifications and Requirements
1. Chief Director: Economic Empowerment
An appropriate Bachelor’s Degree in Economics/Accounting/ Development Studies, Business Management at NQF level 7 as recognised by SAQA.
Postgraduate qualification in an appropriate Bachelor’s Degree will be an added advantage.
A minimum of five years at a Senior Managerial level in one or more of the following areas: Economic Transformation, Economic Empowerment of target group (Women, Youth, People with Disabilities, Township/Rural Economies Revitalization, and Black Industrialists).
Completion of Nyukela Certificate for entry into the SMS (Senior Management Service) upon appointment.
A valid driver’s licence.
2. Deputy Director: Economic Analysis
An appropriate Bachelor’s Degree / Three-year National Diploma in Economics at NQF Level 6/7 as recognized by SAQA.
A postgraduate degree will serve as an added advantage.
A minimum of 3 years ‘experience in junior management or at an economist level focusing on economic analysis, economic modelling, economic research, and statistical analysis.
A valid driver’s License.Â
3. Deputy Director: Trade Promotion Facilitation
An appropriate Bachelor’s Degree in Trade Economics/International Trade /Business Economics/Commerce Degree in Economics or Development Studies/Business Administration at NQF Level 7 as recognized by SAQA.
An Honours/ Master’s Degree in any of the above fields will serve as an added advantage.
A minimum of 3 years’ junior management experience in the area of Trade and Investment Facilitation.
Experience and knowledge of global, provincial, and national trade and investment issues and their implications for the provincial economy is also required.
A valid driver’s License is required.
4. Control Environmental Officer Grade A: Environmental Impact Management
The ideal candidate must have: An appropriate Honours or equivalent qualification in Natural Sciences, Environmental Management, Environmental Law, or Environmental Sciences.
EAPASA Registration in terms of S24H of NEMA. 6 years’ experience in Environmental Management, of which a minimum of 3 years must be in Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).
A valid driver’s license.
5. Control Environmental Officer Grade A: Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement
The ideal candidate must have: An appropriate Honours Degree in Environmental Management/Environmental Law/Natural Science field.
Trained as an Environmental Management Inspector. A minimum of 6 years’ experience in Environmental Management of which 3 years must be as an Environmental Management Inspector (EMI) within Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement, currently designated Environmental Management Inspectors within Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement will be an added advantage.
A valid driver’s license.
6. Environmental Officer Grade: Specialised Production Grade A-C (OSD):Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement
An appropriate Degree in Environmental Management, Environmental Law, Natural Sciences, or Environmental Sciences, or a relevant qualification
A minimum of three (3) years’ experience in Environmental Management, of which one (1) year must be as an Environmental Management Inspector (EMI) within Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement.
Designated as an Environmental Management Inspector as well as Honours or Postgraduate qualifications in Environmental Management, will serve as an added advantage.
A valid driver’s license (code B).
7. Assistant Director: Policy and Legislation
An appropriate NQF Level 7 in Public Policy, Policy Development as recognized by SAQA.
An LLB Degree will serve as an added advantage.
A minimum of 3 years’ administrative/ practical work experience within an Economic Development, Research, Legislative, or Policy Development environment.
A valid driver’s License.
8. Environmental Officer Grade A-C: Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement
An appropriate Degree in Environmental Management/ Natural Sciences/ Environmental Law, or relevant qualification
A minimum of one to two (1-2) years’ experience in Environmental Management.
Trained as an Environmental Management Inspector, as well as Honours or Postgraduate qualifications in Environmental Management/ Natural Science/ Environmental Law, will serve as an added advantage.
A valid driver’s license (code B).
9. Environmental Officer Grade A-C: Air Quality Management
An appropriate Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Science / Environmental Management / Natural Sciences/ Environmental Law, or Chemical / Electrical Engineering
A minimum of one to two (1-2) years’ relevant experience in Environmental Management/Air Quality Management.
A valid driver’s license (code B).Â
10. Environmental Officer Grade A-C: Pollution and Waste Management
An appropriate Degree in Environmental Management/ Natural Sciences, and Environmental Law.
A minimum of one to two (1-2) years’ relevant experience in Environmental Management, preferably in Pollution and Waste.
A valid driver’s license (code B).
Proof of registration with EAPASA as an EAP/candidate EAP or evidence of awaiting a decision on a submitted EAPASA application for registration will be an added advantage.
The ideal candidate must have: An appropriate Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Science / Environmental Management / Natural Sciences/ Environmental Law
A minimum of one to two (1-2) years’ experience in Environmental Management.
A valid driver’s license (code B).
Proof of registration with EAPASA as an EAP/candidate EAP or evidence of awaiting a decision on a submitted EAPASA application for registration.
The ideal candidate must be in possession of an appropriate Grade 12/ Matric Senior Certificate with Accounting, Mathematics, and English, coupled with a basic understanding of the SCM environment.
A valid driver’s License.Â
13. Secretary to Director: Strategic Planning Management
The ideal candidate must be in possession of a Grade 12 certificate with typing as a subject, or any other training course/qualification that will enable the incumbent to perform the work satisfactorily.
Secretarial or Administrative certification is an advantage.
Practical experience in rendering secretarial/ administrative support to Management/ Senior Management will serve as an added advantage.
Computer literacy is a prerequisite.
14. Secretary to Director: Environmental Quality Management
The ideal candidate must be in possession of a Grade 12 Certificate or any qualification that will enable the person to perform work satisfactorily.
Practical experience in rendering secretarial/ administrative support to Management/ Senior Management will serve as an added advantage.
Computer literacy is a prerequisite.
15. Driver/Messenger: Records Management
Applicants must have Grade 12 Certificate plus a Code B driver’s license – light motor vehicles.
Applicants must have a minimum of 1 year of driving experience.
PDP will be an added advantage.
How to Apply for KZNEDTEA Recruitment 2026
Click on the button shown below to be taken to the careers page of KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, then follow the instructions there to apply.
