Assistant Director: Payroll | Government Pensions Administration Agency
| Job Title | Assistant Director: Payroll | Government Pensions Administration Agency | Pretoria |
| Company | DPSA |
| Job Reference | ASD/PAY/2026/06-1P |
| Category | Government |
| Location | Pretoria, ZA |
| Employment Type | Full Time |
| Date Posted | 2026-06-25T19:17 |
| Closing Date | 2026-07-03T21:16 |
| Status | Open for Applications |
| Salary | ZAR 238147 - 487197 per year |
Assistant Director: Payroll | Government Pensions Administration Agency | Pretoria - Job Description
Introduction
The Government Pensions Administration Agency is looking for an experienced payroll professional to join their Financial Accounting team in Pretoria. If you have a solid background in public sector payroll administration and supervisory experience, this permanent Assistant Director role offers an excellent opportunity to advance your career in one of South Africa's most respected government financial institutions.
About the Company
Payroll administration in a large government organisation like the GPAA is a highly technical and high-stakes function. You will be responsible for managing the full payroll cycle for all GPAA employees — from PAYE processing and IRP5 authorisations to third-party payments, garnishee orders, GEPF contributions, medical aid deductions and debt management. Accuracy is non-negotiable because errors directly affect the financial wellbeing of government employees.
Beyond the technical payroll function, you will supervise a team, manage performance, compile work plans and provide reporting to stakeholders including STATS SA, National Treasury and the GEPF Board of Trustees. This is a role for someone who is meticulous, experienced with PERSAL, and capable of leading a payroll team with confidence and accountability.
Responsibilities
• Manage the process of PAYE including IRP5 authorisations and EMP201 and EMP501 submissions
• Authorise manual payments, SMS and MMS arrears
• Manage employer contributions, third-party payments and departmental deductions
• Authorise payment of garnishee and maintenance orders
• Ensure correct GEPF employer and member contributions and payment
• Review calculations and deductions of overpayments, debt and interest
• Ensure acknowledgement of debt is within departmental policy and legislation
• Monitor tracking and tracing of debtors and progress on debt status
• Provide accurate monthly reporting on payroll expenditure and variances
• Report quarterly on payroll matters to STATS SA and annually in the Human Resource Information Annual Report
• Monitor termination of service payroll transactions and review final payment calculations
• Manage and develop staff including performance management, coaching and work plans
Required Qualifications
• A relevant three-year National Diploma or Degree in Finance
• Three to five years of relevant experience including two years of supervisory experience
• Five years of relevant experience in Payroll or Salary Administration
• Knowledge of: PFMA, Government Employee Pension Act and rules, Financial Accounting, General Ledger Bookkeeping, Computer Literacy
• Skills: Analytical thinking, customer relations, problem solving, communication, ability to work under pressure and independently, honesty, integrity, attention to detail
How to Apply
1. Log in or register at https://erecruitment.gpaa.gov.za/ and complete your full profile.
2. Ensure that your payroll and supervisory experience is described in detail across all relevant work history entries.
3. Upload your qualifications, ID and Matric certificate. Certified copies are required before interview, not at application stage.
4. Apply for reference number ASD/PAY/2026/06-1P through the system.
5. Submit before 12:00 midday on 03 July 2026.
6. For enquiries contact Mapule Mahlangu at (012) 399 2639 or Shandukani Tshiuda at (012) 319 1102, or email Enquiries.erecruitment@gpaa.gov.za.
TIPS TO STRENGTHEN YOUR APPLICATION
• PERSAL system experience is essential for this role in the public sector. Make sure your profile specifically mentions PERSAL and the payroll functions you have performed on it.
• Easy File experience for EMP501 submissions to SARS is directly relevant. Mention it if you have it.
• Your five years of payroll experience is a baseline — the quality and complexity of that experience matters more than the duration. Describe the size of payrolls you managed and the number of employees affected.
• Attention to detail will be assessed practically. Prepare to demonstrate your ability to identify errors and reconcile figures accurately under test conditions.
• Supervisory experience must be clearly described — list the size of the team you managed and the scope of your supervisory responsibilities.