Iziko Museums of South Africa invites interested and suitably qualified candidates to apply for several employment opportunities across the Research & Exhibitions, Collections & Digitisation, Customer Services, Education and Office of the CEO departments.
The available positions include Technical Assistant: Cenozoic Palaeontology, Collections Assistant and several Administrative Assistant positions. Some opportunities are offered on five-month fixed-term contracts, while the Administrative Assistant positions are indefinite appointments.
Iziko Museums of South Africa is committed to preserving, researching and promoting South Africa’s diverse cultural and natural heritage. Candidates interested in museum collections, palaeontology, administration, customer services, education and institutional support are encouraged to apply.
Applications must be submitted by email before 11 September 2026 at 4:00pm. Late applications will not be considered.
Iziko Museums of South Africa is recruiting for the following positions:
Available Positions
- Research & Exhibitions Department
- Technical Assistant: Cenozoic Palaeontology – 2 Positions
- Collections & Digitisation Department
- Collections Assistant – 4 Positions
- Customer Services Department
- Administrative Assistant
- Education Department
- Administrative Assistant
- Office of the CEO
- Administrative Assistant
Interested candidates are invited to apply for available positions at Iziko Museums of South Africa across the Research & Exhibitions, Collections & Digitisation, Customer Services, Education and Office of the CEO departments. Available opportunities include Technical Assistant: Cenozoic Palaeontology, Collections Assistant and Administrative Assistant positions. Candidates who meet the relevant requirements are encouraged to submit their applications before 11 September 2026 at 4:00pm.
Iziko Museums of South Africa stand as African museums of excellence, dedicated to empowering and inspiring people to celebrate and respect diverse heritage. Motivated individuals are invited to apply for several positions across different departments. Each role offers the chance to contribute to the preservation, research, and celebration of cultural and natural history.
Office of the CEO Department
- Administrative Assistant
Research & Exhibition Department
- Position: Technical Assistant: Cenozoic Palaeontology
- Contract: Five-month fixed-term (possible extension depending on funding)
- Positions Available: 2
- Basic Salary: R 17 147.23 per month, plus benefits
- Job Grade: 14
Requirements:
- Grade 12/BSc or equivalent
- Prior experience as a Research Technician in fossil collections (Cenozoic or similar)
- Ideal: Bachelor of Science (BSc) with significant prior experience in fossil collections
- Basic experience in:
- Working with museum collections
- Fieldwork in palaeontology and archaeology sites
- Sorting fossils
- Computer data entry and management
- Ability to sort and classify fossil specimens
- Efficiency, accuracy, and neatness in work
- Team collaboration skills
- Knowledge of the history of life on earth
- Good communication and presentation skills
- Computer literacy in MS Office Suite
- Driver’s license preferable
Key Responsibilities:
- Assist with development and conservation of Cenozoic fossil collections
- Sort and identify fossils
- Participate in fossil excavation (up to five days at a time)
- Capture information onto databases
- Organise and maintain fossil collections
- Assist with exhibitions and education programs
Competencies Required:
- Thinking Skills
- Ownership
- Teamwork
- Communication
- Planning & Organising
- Building Relationships
- Patience and Endurance
- Integrity
- Stress Tolerance
- Adaptability
- Technical and Professional Knowledge
Collections & Digitisation Department
- Position: Collections Assistant
- Contract: Five-month fixed-term (possible extension depending on funding)
- Positions Available: 4
- Basic Salary: R 19 218.00 per month, plus benefits
- Job Grade: 13
Requirements:
- Grade 12/BSc or equivalent
- Ideal: Relevant 3-year degree/diploma in a related field
- Proven experience with natural history museum specimens/collections
- Experience with Specify database or similar systems
- Computer literacy in Microsoft 365
- Driver’s license advantageous but not required
Key Responsibilities:
- Maintain collection data, inventories, and stocktaking
- Assist with packing, unpacking, and moving collections material
- Provide assistance in storage areas
- Clean material in storage and on display
- Prepare, accession, and register new specimens and objects
Competencies Required:
- Thinking Skills
- Ownership
- Teamwork
- Communication
- Planning & Organising
- Building Relationships
- Patience and Endurance
- Integrity
- Stress Tolerance
- Adaptability
- Technical and Professional Knowledge
Customer Services Department
- Position: Administrative Assistant
- Contract: Indefinite appointment
- Basic Salary: R 276 963.49 per annum, plus benefits
- Job Grade: 12
Requirements:
- Grade 12 (Matric)
- Certificate in administration, office management, business management, or related field
- Minimum two years’ experience in administrative or secretarial support within a customer-focused, public sector, or institutional environment
- Experience supporting senior management
- Skills in report preparation, minute taking, and records management
- Office administration experience including diary management, meeting coordination, filing systems, and document control
- Ability to prepare presentations, correspondence, and official documentation
- Experience managing petty cash, office supplies, and stock control
- Ideal: Diploma in administration or business management with three years’ experience in government or large institutional administration
- Valid Code EB Driver’s license advantageous
- Experience in budget administration or financial record-keeping advantageous
Key Responsibilities:
- Provide general administrative and secretarial support
- Manage communication, coordination, and information flow
- Assist with financial administration and procurement support
- Oversee records and document management
- Support health, safety, and compliance initiatives
Competencies Required:
- Aligning Performance for Success
- Strategic Thinking
- Decision Making
- Innovation
- Business Acumen
- Ownership
- Teamwork
- Planning & Organising
- Building Partnerships
- Facilitating Change
- Gaining Commitment
- Communication
- Risk Tolerance
- Visitor/Stakeholder Focus
- Delegation
- Stress Tolerance
- Adaptability
- Integrity
- Technical and Professional Knowledge
Education Department
- Position: Administrative Assistant
- Basic Salary: R 276 963.49 per annum, plus benefits
- Job Grade: 12
Requirements:
- Grade 12 (Matric)
- Certificate in administration, office management, business management, or related field
- At least two years’ experience in administrative or secretarial support within a customer-focused, public sector, or institutional environment
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including report writing and minute taking
- Basic office management skills, including petty cash handling, mail distribution, and franking
- Ability to work longer hours when required
- Experience preparing presentations, correspondence, and official documentation
- Ideal: Diploma in administration, office/business management, or related field with three years’ experience in government or large institutional administration
- Secretarial or Administrative Diploma with relevant experience as secretary/administrative/office assistant
- Valid Code EB Driver’s licence advantageous
- Experience assisting with budget administration or financial record-keeping advantageous
- High proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel), Internet, Email, MS Project, Access
- Administrative experience in fundraising and budgeting advantageous
Key Responsibilities:
- Provide general administrative and secretarial support
- Manage communication, coordination, and information flow
- Assist with financial administration and procurement support
- Oversee records and document management
- Support health, safety, and compliance initiatives
Competencies Required:
- Aligning Performance for Success
- Strategic Thinking
- Decision Making
- Innovation
- Business Acumen
- Ownership
- Teamwork
- Planning & Organising
- Building Partnerships
- Facilitating Change
- Gaining Commitment
- Communication
- Risk Tolerance
- Visitor/Stakeholder Focus
- Delegation
- Stress Tolerance
- Adaptability
- Integrity
- Technical and Professional Knowledge
Office of the CEO
- Position: Administrative Assistant
- Basic Salary: R 276 963.49 per annum, plus benefits
- Job Grade: 12
Requirements:
- Grade 12 (Matric)
- Certificate in administration, office management, business management, or related field
- At least three years’ relevant experience as administrative assistant or in a related portfolio
- Experience providing administrative support to senior management
- Skills in report preparation, minute taking, and records management
- Experience preparing presentations, correspondence, and official documentation
- Office administration experience including diary management, meeting coordination, filing systems, and document control
- Ideal: Diploma in administration or business management with five years’ experience in government or large institutional administration
- Secretarial or Administrative Diploma with relevant experience as secretary/administrative/office assistant
- Valid Code EB Driver’s licence advantageous
- Experience managing petty cash, office supplies, and stock control
- Experience assisting with budget administration or financial record-keeping advantageous
- Administrative experience in fundraising and budgeting advantageous
- Driver’s licence preferable
Key Responsibilities:
- Provide administrative and support services, including minute taking
- Manage communication, coordination, and information flow
- Assist with financial administration and procurement support
- Oversee records and document management
- Support health, safety, and compliance initiatives
Competencies Required:
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams)
- Sound knowledge of office administration systems and procedures
- Strong organisational and time management skills
- Ability to manage multiple priorities
- Excellent attention to detail and accuracy
- Business Acumen
- Planning & Coordination
- Ability to work independently and in a team
- Basic project coordination skills advantageous
Application Process
Applications must include:
- Cover letter of application
- Detailed CV with at least two contactable referees
- Certified copies of identity document and certificates
Applications must be emailed to the Human Resources Department at [email protected]. The subject line must clearly state the position applied for.
Closing Date: 11 September 2026 at 4pm. Applications received after this deadline will not be considered.
Enquiries: HR Department – 021 481 3985.
Iziko Museums correspond only with short-listed candidates within two months of the closing date.
Equal Opportunity Commitment
Iziko Museums of South Africa are committed to developing a diverse workforce. Preference will be given to candidates who promote representivity in terms of the Employment Equity Act. The institution reserves the right not to fill advertised positions.
Salary and Benefits
The salaries listed exclude benefits. Iziko Museums provide:
- Generous contributions to a designated retirement fund (compulsory)
- Contributions to a designated medical aid (voluntary)
- Housing subsidy (voluntary)
- Generous working hours and leave entitlement
Application Process
Applications must include:
- Cover letter of application
- Detailed CV with at least two contactable referees
- Certified copies of identity document and certificates
How to Apply
Applicants must prepare a cover letter and detailed CV containing at least two contactable referees.
Certified copies of the identity document and relevant certificates must also be included with the application.
- Applications must be submitted by email to: [email protected]
- The position being applied for must be clearly stated in the email subject line.
Applications must reach the Human Resources Department by 4:00pm on 11 September 2026. Applications received after the closing deadline will not be considered.
Iziko Museums of South Africa will communicate only with shortlisted candidates. Communication with shortlisted candidates is expected to take place within two months after the closing date.
Iziko is an equal-opportunity employer committed to developing a diverse workforce. Preference will be given to candidates who promote representivity within Iziko in terms of the Employment Equity Act.
Iziko Museums of South Africa reserves the right not to fill any of the advertised positions.
Iziko Museums correspond only with short-listed candidates within two months of the closing date.