Delegate Application – Please note: This is not a job opportunity, but an application to join the Women Leading in the Public Sector executive development programme.
The Auditor-General South Africa (AGSA) and Finance and Accounting Services Sector Education and Training Authority (FASSET) are recruiting 500 dynamic women leaders from across South Africa’s public sector to take part in a prestigious leadership development programme, fully funded by FASSET.
This programme is designed for women in senior public service roles who are ready to lead with confidence, drive systemic change, and build a more ethical, effective, and inclusive public sector.
As a public sector leadership fellow, you will join a national cohort of high-potential women leaders to:
- sharpen your strategic, ethical, and crisis leadership capabilities,
- gain tools to navigate complexity, influence stakeholders, and lead with integrity,
- build a powerful peer network of women public leaders,
- participate in group coaching circles, leadership immersions, and high-impact conversations,
- access an alumni network and ongoing leadership support after graduation.
This is a 12-month programme, requiring a monthly time commitment of approximately two days for learning modules, three hours for a masterclass, and two hours for group coaching. All sessions take place during work hours, and participants are expected to make arrangements with their employer to apply for leave where necessary.
Requirements
To be eligible for the Women Leading in the Public Sector programme, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Be South African by birth
- Female individuals
- Hold a minimum qualification of NQF Level 7
- Currently hold a senior or executive management role
- Be currently employed within the South African public sector
- Your employer/profession must be affiliated with FASSET (any department or unit)
– If not affiliated, you must work within a finance, audit, or compliance unit - Must not have previously participated in Women Leadership Programme funded by FASSET
- Persons with disabilities are welcome to apply – reasonable accommodations will be made where required
Benefits
Participants selected for the Women Leading in the Public Sector programme will receive the following:
- Executive leadership development
A high-level, practice-driven programme designed by Duke Corporate Education, with a focus on strategic thinking, ethical governance, stakeholder engagement, and leading through complexity. - Structured coaching and peer learning
Participants will engage in individual and group coaching circles to support leadership growth, self-awareness, and professional development. - Cross-sector public service network
Access to a national cohort of senior women leaders from across the public sector, enabling collaboration, shared learning, and long-term relationship building. - Immersive learning experiences
A combination of virtual modules and in-person sessions, including a Public Sector Leadership Exchange to explore effective leadership practices within government. - Alumni recognition and ongoing connection
Graduates will join an alumni community dedicated to strengthening public sector leadership and advancing gender equity in government.
Skills Required
- Must be South African by birth
- Identify as female
- Hold a minimum qualification of NQF Level 7
- Have at least 5 years of experience in a senior or executive management role
- Currently employed within the South African public sector
- Employer/profession must be affiliated with FASSET
What We Do
Leaders are the greatest levers for winning in an unpredictable world. They create the conditions for success with customers, employees, stakeholders and society. Duke CE's purpose is to help these leaders get ready for what’s next in the midst of uncertainty. We primarily do this through our custom leadership programs, consistently ranked at the top by the Financial Times and Business Week. Previous experiences, right answers and new content are insufficient in addressing today’s challenges. In some instances, these may actually be counter-productive. Leaders need to have the capacity to understand context and how things work systematically. To do this effectively requires more than simply closing knowledge gaps. It requires a more fundamental reorientation and re-wiring to be successful.
