merSETA is Hiring for Specialist Quality Systems

The Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services SETA (merSETA) invites applications for a Specialist Quality Systems position on a 12-month fixed-term contract at its Head Office. This opportunity supports the design and implementation of quality management systems, performance reporting, and compliance within South Africa’s skills development sector.

merSETA Announces Specialist Quality Systems Opportunity in Strategy and Research Division

The Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services Sector Education and Training Authority (merSETA) has opened applications for a Specialist Quality Systems (C3) position within its Strategy and Research Division. This vacancy presents an opportunity for experienced quality management professionals to contribute to strengthening institutional performance, reporting accuracy, and compliance in one of South Africa’s key public entities driving skills development.

Established under the Skills Development Act (Act No. 97 of 1998), merSETA operates as a Schedule 3A public entity tasked with facilitating skills development across multiple industries. These include Metal and Engineering, Motor Retail and Components Manufacturing, Automobile Manufacturing, Plastics Manufacturing, and New Tyre Manufacturing. Through its work, merSETA supports workforce readiness and industry growth, ensuring that South Africa’s manufacturing and automotive sectors remain competitive and sustainable.

This appointment is offered on a 12-month fixed-term contract and is based at the Head Office. The role offers a competitive monthly salary of R43,310.88, positioning it as an attractive opportunity for professionals with expertise in quality management systems and public-sector performance frameworks.

Purpose of the Role

The Specialist Quality Systems role is designed to support the design, implementation, monitoring, and continuous improvement of merSETA’s Quality Management System (QMS). The incumbent will help ensure accurate, auditable, and compliant organisational performance reporting. In practice, this means safeguarding data integrity, validating performance information, and aligning strategic plans with actual deliverables.

By strengthening the organisation’s QMS maturity, the Specialist will play a critical role in ensuring that merSETA meets legislative and regulatory requirements while maintaining high standards of transparency and accountability.

Key Responsibilities

The successful candidate will contribute across multiple dimensions of quality management, performance reporting, and compliance. Core responsibilities include maintaining and improving the QMS in alignment with legislative and organisational requirements. This includes assisting in developing QMS strategies, performance improvement plans, and frameworks that enhance reporting efficiency and organisational accountability.

The role also involves supporting the maintenance of the ISO 9001:2015 certification, ensuring that quality standards remain aligned with internationally recognised benchmarks. Cross-functional coordination is central to the position, as the Specialist will engage with various business units to ensure that reporting and quality assurance requirements are fully understood and consistently applied.

Another critical component of the role is data validation and performance verification. The Specialist will be responsible for quality-assuring organisational performance data, confirming accuracy, completeness, and audit readiness. This includes oversight of APP, QMR, and Operational Plan reporting processes, conducting pre-submission quality checks, and identifying deviations or systemic risks.

The position further entails developing and standardising Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), reporting templates, indicator protocols, and data validation tools. The Specialist will monitor organisation-wide compliance with QMS policies and reporting timelines while driving corrective and preventive actions where non-conformances are identified.

In addition, the role requires preparation and consolidation of documentation for internal and external audits, including reviews by the Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA). Supporting governance structures through QMS dashboards, reports, and decision-making insights is another vital responsibility.

Capacity building also forms part of the Specialist’s mandate. This includes facilitating staff training, coaching, and awareness programmes to improve reporting discipline, data integrity, and overall QMS maturity. The role further contributes to process mapping and optimisation, digital enablement of QMS tools, and serving as a key point of contact for business units seeking expert guidance on quality management matters.

Qualifications and Experience

Candidates applying for the Specialist Quality Systems role must hold a three-year Diploma (NQF Level 6) in Quality Management, Operations Management, Engineering, or a related field. A minimum of three years’ experience in Quality Management Systems and ISO 19011:2018 Internal Auditing within a public sector environment is required.

Applicants with a Bachelor’s degree (NQF Level 7) in Quality Management, Operations Management, Engineering, or related disciplines will have an advantage. Additional experience beyond three years in QMS implementation or internal auditing, particularly in public sector institutions, will further strengthen an application.

Advantageous credentials also include certification in ISO standards, Total Quality Management (TQM), or QMS Lead Auditing. Familiarity with government performance reporting frameworks such as APP, QMR, and Operational Plans, as well as experience in SETA environments or indicator verification processes, is considered beneficial.

Knowledge and Skills Requirements

The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong quality assurance capabilities and an in-depth understanding of performance reporting, audit processes, and compliance requirements. Experience in QMS implementation, SOP development, process mapping, and corrective action management is essential.

Attention to detail, data validation proficiency, facilitation skills, and the ability to train and guide staff are key competencies for success in this role. The Specialist must also possess strong analytical abilities to identify risks, systemic trends, and improvement opportunities across organisational processes.

Employment Equity and Organisational Commitment

merSETA remains committed to employment equity and transformation. Preference will be given to suitably qualified Affirmative Action candidates and People Living with Disabilities in line with the organisation’s Employment Equity Plan. This approach reflects merSETA’s ongoing commitment to creating a diverse, inclusive, and representative workplace.

Application Process and Closing Date

Interested candidates must submit a fully completed job application form, a detailed CV with three references, and ensure that the Reference Number: SQS/HO/14/01/26 is clearly quoted as the subject line of the email. Applications should be sent to the merSETA recruitment email address provided in the advert.

The closing date for applications is 14 January 2026. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Applicants who do not receive feedback within two months after the closing date should consider their application unsuccessful. merSETA reserves the right not to make an appointment.

Final Note

This Specialist Quality Systems opportunity offers professionals the chance to play a meaningful role in strengthening public-sector performance, accountability, and skills development in South Africa. By joining merSETA’s Strategy and Research Division, the successful candidate will contribute to shaping quality management practices that support national skills advancement and industry growth.