The DG Murray Trust (DGMT) is a public innovator through strategic investment. Innovation is achieved through behavioural change (influencing individual and societal mindsets and actions) and through technological change. For us, public innovation is simply the process of making the world a better place for all people, in synergy with nature.

We seek team members who share our clarity of purpose and vision for our country. We employ people from diverse backgrounds and industries to solve important problems. We support an inclusive culture by acknowledging the unique experiences and perspectives each individual brings to the table.

The DG Murray Trust and the National Treasury have signed a Memorandum of Understanding outlining their collaboration to enhance the allocative and operational efficiency of financing of a comprehensive package of early childhood development, child protection and other priority social welfare services. As part of that collaboration, DGMT seeks to appoint a technical analyst who will be seconded to support the National Treasury, and dedicated to work relating to early childhood development (ECD). The technical assistant will provide strategic analysis, research, advisory and project management capabilities to support the shared objectives of the DGMT and National Treasury.

ECD Resourcing

• Provide support for the development of a sound long-term financing strategy for ECD in collaboration with the Department of Basic Education (DBE), its civil society partners, service providers, and National Treasury colleagues.
• Provide technical support (including research, data collection and analysis, and collating reports) for a business case for additional funding allocations to ECD.
• Provide budget support through conducting public expenditure reviews on key service areas within ECD and participate in the budget submission process.
• Develop mechanisms for review of ECD as a crosscutting/interdepartmental service area in the budget process.
• Explore mechanisms that allow for pooling of public and private resources for ECD.
• Deep dive into various public finance sources that can be channelled towards ECD beyond DBE’s budget vote.

Expenditure analysis

• Detailed analysis of spending on ECD (through both equitable share and Conditional Grant)
• Deep dive engagement with provinces to unpack core reasons for slow or under-spending and providing insights and guidance on mechanisms to resolve challenges through finance frameworks.

ECD Conditional Grant

• Support to the ECD function within the National Treasury, including supporting the management of the ECD Conditional Grant and advisory support relating to changes and improvements in the annual ECD Conditional Grant framework.

New ECD initiatives

• Participation in processes to support the design and piloting or implementation of key government ECD initiatives, e.g.:
  • The design of an integrated funding model and financing mechanisms for ECD
  • A results-based finance initiative for ECD
  • A nutrition pilot for early learning programmes
  • An ECD employment initiative
  • Guidelines and support for provincial Education Departments’ implementation of the ECD Conditional Grant components
  • Explore innovative contractual arrangements (procurement) between government and non-state actors to expand ECD services.

• A post-graduate degree in a relevant field (e.g. Economics, Finance, Public Administration, Demography, Social Policy, Development Studies, among others)

• At least 5 years’ relevant work experience, preferably within the development or public sector.
• Working knowledge of government public finance management processes.

• Demonstrable quantitative and data analysis and interpretation skills
• Strong proficiency in MS Excel (Skills should include pivot tables, text formulas, macros, conditional formatting and generating graphs, at minimum.)
• Competency in statistical software packages (e.g. Stata or R) would be advantageous
• Analytical thinking, innovative and adaptative
• Good communication, research and report writing skills
• Able to work independently and prioritise workload
• Collaborative and engaging manner of working with colleagues and partners
• Applications must include 1-page cover letter