Food Service Aid Vacancy at the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation 2026
South Africans looking for an entry-level government opportunity can consider the Food Service Aid vacancy at the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (DPME).
The department is recruiting a Food Service Aid for its Corporate Services branch in Pretoria. Importantly, no previous work experience is required, making this an opportunity that may be suitable for candidates who are looking to enter the workforce.
The position offers a salary of R144,024 to R169,656 per annum and is classified at Salary Level 02. Applications close on 28 August 2026 at 16:30.
Food Service Aid Vacancy: Key Details
Here are the main details applicants should know:
- Position: Food Service Aid
- Reference Number: 16/2026
- Post Number: 29/106
- Department: Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation
- Branch: Corporate Services
- Location: Pretoria
- Salary: R144,024 to R169,656 per annum
- Salary Level: Level 02
- Experience required: No experience required
- Closing date: 28 August 2026 at 16:30
- Enquiries: Ms BX Sebuyana
- Telephone: 012 312 0471
- Application email: Recruitment37@dpme.gov.za
Who Can Apply for the Food Service Aid Vacancy?
The position has a relatively low formal educational requirement.
Applicants need one of the following:
- NQF Level 1, which is below Grade 10
- NQF Level 2, which is Grade 10
- An ABET Level 2 certificate or equivalent
The department specifically states that no experience is required.
This makes the Food Service Aid vacancy particularly relevant to people who have not yet accumulated significant formal work experience.
Is Previous Food Service Experience Required?
No.
The official advertisement clearly states that no experience is required.
However, basic food services experience would be an added advantage. A qualification or certificate in food preparation or food services would also be beneficial, although it is not listed as a compulsory requirement.
Applicants should therefore not be discouraged if they have never worked in a food service environment.
What Skills Are Required?
The DPME is looking for candidates with basic interpersonal and communication abilities.
The vacancy lists the following competencies and skills:
- Good interpersonal relations skills
- Good communication skills
- Basic numeracy
- Ability to work as part of a team
- Flexibility
- Reliability
- Ability to accept responsibility for assigned work
These requirements suggest that applicants should be able to work cooperatively with colleagues and take responsibility for their daily duties.
What Knowledge Is Required?
Applicants should have basic knowledge of food preparation and workplace hygiene.
The department identifies knowledge of the following areas:
- Hygienic food preparation
- Managing stock and stores in the kitchen and storeroom
- Using different cleaning equipment and products
- Batho Pele Principles
Understanding basic hygiene and safe working practices will therefore be important for someone appointed to the position.
What Does a Food Service Aid Do?
The successful candidate will provide services related to food preparation, kitchen cleaning and preparing boardrooms.
The advertised duties include:
- Preparing venues for meetings and functions
- Providing food preparation services
- Cleaning the kitchen
- Maintaining cleaning materials, products and equipment
- Monitoring stock
- Requesting cleaning materials when required
- Reporting broken cleaning machines and equipment
- Safekeeping catering equipment and stock
- Filling aqua coolers
- Applying hygiene and safety measures in the work area
The role therefore combines food service, cleaning, stock management and general support duties.
Where Is the Food Service Aid Position Based?
The position is based in Pretoria within the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation.
Applications can be posted or hand delivered to:
Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation
Private Bag X944
Pretoria
0028
Hand-delivered applications can be submitted at:
330 Grosvenor Street
Hatfield
Pretoria
0028
Applicants should quote the relevant post and reference number when submitting their application.
How Much Does the Food Service Aid Job Pay?
The Food Service Aid position offers a salary of:
R144,024 to R169,656 per annum
The position is classified as Salary Level 02, with benefits applicable according to the department’s conditions of employment.
The advertised salary is an annual figure. Applicants should not assume that the amount represents the monthly salary.
How to Apply for the Food Service Aid Vacancy
Applicants must submit a signed Z83 application form together with a comprehensive CV.
The CV must specify all relevant experience and provide the dates of that experience in month/year format.
Applicants must also provide details for three reference persons.
The required reference information includes:
- Name
- Contact number
- Email address
- The capacity in which the reference knows the applicant
The department states that failure to submit the required information will result in the application not being considered.
Where Can You Email the Application?
Applicants can also email their applications to:
Make sure that the application clearly identifies the position being applied for and includes the correct reference number.
The reference number for this position is:
16/2026
Do You Need Certified Documents?
Not at the initial application stage.
The DPME states that certified copies of qualifications and other relevant documents will only be requested from shortlisted candidates.
Applicants should therefore submit the required Z83 and comprehensive CV at the initial stage rather than unnecessarily sending certified documents that have not been requested.
Food Service Aid Vacancy Closing Date
The closing date is:
28 August 2026 at 16:30
This is a strict deadline, so applicants should not leave their applications until the last minute.
Make sure the Z83 is properly completed and signed, the CV is attached and the application is sent to the correct address or email.
Who Should Consider Applying?
The opportunity may be suitable for South Africans who:
- Have an NQF Level 1 or Level 2 qualification
- Have an ABET Level 2 certificate or equivalent
- Have an interest in food service work
- Have basic food preparation knowledge
- Are comfortable with cleaning and kitchen-related duties
- Can work as part of a team
- Have good interpersonal skills
- Are reliable and flexible
- Do not have previous work experience
The fact that no experience is required makes this vacancy particularly relevant to entry-level job seekers.
Is a Food Preparation Certificate Required?
No.
A qualification or certificate in food preparation or food services is listed as an added advantage, rather than a compulsory requirement.
Similarly, basic food services experience is beneficial but not mandatory because the advertisement explicitly states that no experience is required.
What Is Batho Pele?
The vacancy requires applicants to have knowledge of the Batho Pele Principles.
Batho Pele means “People First” and is associated with improving service delivery within South Africa’s public service.
For this position, understanding the importance of respectful and professional service can therefore be useful.
Tips for Applying
Although this is an entry-level position, applicants should still take the application seriously.
Complete the Z83 Correctly
Check every section before submitting the application.
Make sure the form is signed and that the correct reference number is included.
Prepare a Clear CV
Your CV does not need to be unnecessarily long.
Focus on relevant information such as:
- Education
- Food preparation experience
- Cleaning experience
- Community or volunteer experience
- Relevant certificates
- Contact details
- References
If you have no formal work experience, you can still include relevant practical or community experience where appropriate.
Highlight Relevant Skills
If you have experience preparing food, maintaining cleanliness, managing stock or working at events, make sure this is clearly reflected in your CV.
Do not claim experience you do not have.
Submit Before the Deadline
Do not wait until 16:29 on the closing date.
Give yourself enough time to check the documents and confirm that the application has been sent successfully.
What Happens After Applying?
The DPME states that correspondence will only be conducted with shortlisted candidates.
Shortlisted candidates must also be available for interviews at a date and time determined by the department.
Pre-employment checks will be conducted for shortlisted candidates. These include security clearance, security vetting, qualification verification and criminal record checks.
The department also states that shortlisted candidates will undertake two pre-entry assessments:
- A practical exercise
- An integrity or ethical conduct assessment
The practical exercise is intended to assess suitability based on the technical and generic requirements of the position.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the reference number for the Food Service Aid position?
The reference number is 16/2026.
Where is the Food Service Aid vacancy located?
The position is based in Pretoria at the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation.
How much does the Food Service Aid position pay?
The salary is R144,024 to R169,656 per annum.
Is experience required?
No. The advertisement states that no experience is required.
What qualification is required?
Applicants need NQF Level 1, NQF Level 2, an ABET Level 2 certificate or an equivalent qualification.
Is food service experience an advantage?
Yes. Basic food services experience is listed as an added advantage.
Is a food preparation certificate required?
No. A qualification or certificate in food preparation or food services is listed as an added advantage.
When does the vacancy close?
Applications close on 28 August 2026 at 16:30.
Where can I email my application?
Applications can be emailed to Recruitment37@dpme.gov.za.
Who can I contact for enquiries?
Enquiries can be directed to Ms BX Sebuyana on 012 312 0471.
Final Thoughts
The Food Service Aid vacancy at the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation is an entry-level government opportunity worth considering for applicants who meet the basic educational requirements.
One of its biggest advantages is that previous work experience is not required. Candidates with basic food service experience or a food preparation qualification may have an advantage, but these are not listed as compulsory requirements.
The successful candidate will work in Pretoria and support food preparation, kitchen cleaning, boardroom preparation, stock management and workplace hygiene and safety.
Applications close on 28 August 2026 at 16:30.
If you meet the requirements, prepare your signed Z83 and comprehensive CV carefully and submit your application using the correct reference number, 16/2026.
Visit the official website AND Check for the Z83 Application Form Here
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