The Eastern Cape Department of Social Development invites interested and suitably qualified applicants to apply for various EPWP opportunities available across the province for the 2026/2027 financial year. The programme is aimed at unemployed youth, women, and community members seeking temporary employment opportunities in social development and community support services. Successful candidates will be contracted until March 2027.
Available opportunities include EPWP Change Agents, EPWP Youth Brigades, Women in Advocacy, VEP Field-workers, Household Profiling Assistants, Data Collection Assistants, and Older Persons Caregivers. Monthly stipends range from R3,082.00 to R5,500.00 depending on the position. Applications are open in multiple districts across the Eastern Cape, and interested applicants must submit the required documents before the closing date of 21 May 2026.
- Position: EPWP
- Duration: Contract ending March 2027
- Stipend: R3,082.00 – R5,500.00 per month
- Location: Eastern Cape
- Closing Date: 21 May 2026
The Eastern Cape Department of Social Development is inviting unemployed individuals to apply for EPWP opportunities for the 2026/2027 financial year. The programme offers temporary employment opportunities across multiple districts in the province until March 2027.
Applicants are encouraged to submit applications before the closing date of 21 May 2026.
EPWP Change Agents
- Project: EPWP Change Agents
- Stipend per month: R3,082.00
- Districts:
- Alfred Nzo
- Amathole
- Buffalo City Metro
- Chris Hani
- Joe Gqabi
- Nelson Mandela Metro
- Sarah Baartman
- OR Tambo
- Requirements:
- Unemployed youth
- Grade 12 minimum qualification
The EPWP Change Agents programme aims to empower unemployed youth through community-based development and social support activities.
EPWP Youth Brigades
- Project: EPWP Youth Brigades
- Stipend per month: R3,082.00
- Districts:
- Alfred Nzo
- Amathole
- Buffalo City Metro
- Chris Hani
- Joe Gqabi
- Nelson Mandela Metro
- Sarah Baartman
- OR Tambo
- Requirements:
- Unemployed youth
- Grade 12 minimum qualification
The Youth Brigades project is designed to provide work experience and skills development opportunities for young people across the Eastern Cape.
Women in Advocacy
- Project: Women in Advocacy
- Stipend per month: R3,082.00
- Districts:
- Alfred Nzo
- Amathole
- Buffalo City Metro
- Chris Hani
- Joe Gqabi
- Nelson Mandela Metro
- Sarah Baartman
- OR Tambo
- Requirements:
- Unemployed women
- Ages 18–45 years
- Grade 10 minimum qualification
- Mothers of children under five diagnosed with acute malnutrition may qualify
This programme focuses on supporting women through advocacy and community-based interventions.
VEP Field-workers
- Project: VEP Field-workers
- Stipend per month: R3,082.00
- Districts:
- Alfred Nzo
- Amathole
- Buffalo City Metro
- Chris Hani
- Joe Gqabi
- Nelson Mandela Metro
- Sarah Baartman
- OR Tambo
- Requirements:
- Unemployed youth
- Grade 12 qualification
- VEP sector experience will be an added advantage
The programme focuses on strengthening community support systems for vulnerable individuals and victims of abuse.
Household Profiling Assistants
- Project: Household Profiling Assistants
- Stipend per month: R5,500.00
- Districts:
- Alfred Nzo
- Amathole
- Buffalo City Metro
- Chris Hani
- Joe Gqabi
- Nelson Mandela Metro
- Sarah Baartman
- OR Tambo
- Requirements:
- Unemployed youth
- Grade 12 qualification
- Social Science qualification or relevant diploma
- Computer literacy
The role involves household data collection, profiling, and assisting with social development information systems.
Data Collection Assistant
- Project: Data Collection Assistant
- Stipend per month: R5,500.00
- Districts: Provincial Office
- Requirements:
- Unemployed youth
- Grade 12 qualification
- Computer literacy
- Data capturing experience will be an added advantage
Successful applicants will assist with data capturing, reporting, and information management duties.
Older Persons Caregiver
- Project: Older Persons Caregiver
- Stipend per month: R3,082.00
- Districts:
- Sarah Baartman
- Chris Hani
- Buffalo City Metro
- Requirements:
- Grade 10 or equivalent qualification
- Knowledge of caregiving
- Experience in home-based care may be beneficial
The caregiver programme focuses on providing support services to elderly community members through home-based care initiatives.
Documents Required When Applying
Applicants are requested to submit the following documents:
- Fully completed and signed Z83 application form
- Certified copy of South African ID
- Updated Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Certified qualifications
- Certification stamp must be dated from April 2026
- Motivation letter indicating the project of interest
Incomplete applications may not be considered during the recruitment process.
Important Application Information
Applications must be submitted to the relevant district offices listed by the Department of Social Development. Applicants are encouraged to apply at offices closest to their place of residence.
Late applications may not be accepted.
Provincial Office Application Address
Applications for Provincial Office positions can be submitted to:
Albertina Sisulu Building
No. 7 Beatrice Street
Qonce
Attention: Mr Y Singandu
Postal Address:
Director HRA: Social Development
PO Box 0039
Bisho, 5605
Alfred Nzo District
Erf 1881 Bridge Street
Counselling Centre
Mount Ayliff, 4735
Attention: Mr S Shweni
Postal Address:
Private Bag X401
Mount Ayliff, 4735
Amathole District
ABSA Building
85 Oxford Street
East London
Attention: Ms N Diniwa
Postal Address:
Private Bag X9066
East London, 5201
Buffalo City Metro
1 Smithfield Road
Cambridge
East London
Chris Hani District
6 Ebden Street
Komani, 5320
Joe Gqabi District
Themba Kojana Building
Aliwal North, 9750
Sarah Baartman District
Old SABC Building
Corner African & Hill Street
Makhanda, 6139
OR Tambo District
Erf 42 Tsolo Counselling Centre
Tsolo, 5170
Nelson Mandela Metro
Ibhayi Office Complex Struanway
Struandale
Port Elizabeth, 6001
Closing Date
The closing date for submission of applications is: 21 May 2026
Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible to avoid last-minute delays. The Eastern Cape Department of Social Development EPWP opportunities provide valuable work experience, community exposure, and income support for unemployed individuals across the province.