NATIONAL ASSEMBLY 1905.
Mr S J F Marais (DA) to ask the Minister of Energy:
Whether she has employed a ministerial special advisor; if so, (a)
what are the duties of the advisor, (b) at which post level was the
appointment made, (c) what is the salary level of the advisor, (d)
what is the duration of the employment contract entered into with the
advisor and (e) why was it necessary to appoint this advisor?
NW2143E
Reply
Yes. A national Cabinet Minister may employ two special advisors.
(a)Â Â Â Â Â Â The appointment of special advisors to executive authorities is
regulated by section 12A of the Public Service Act, 1994 and the
dispensation approved by the national Cabinet in terms of section 12A.
The Minister has appointed one special advisor in terms of Public Service
Act (section 12A):
⢠To advise the Executive Authority on the exercise or performance of
the Executive Authorityâs powers and duties;
⢠To advise the Executive Authority on the development of policy that
will promote the relevant departmentâs objectives; or
⢠To perform such other tasks as may be appropriate in respect of the
Executive authorityâs powers and duties.
(b)Â Â Â Â Â Â The Cabinet approved dispensation for the appointment and
remuneration of special advisors sets out the different compensation
levels that are applicable to special advisors.
In determining a compensation level for a special advisor the
individualâs level of expertise and the stature in the particular field
are taken in to account. The Dispensation provides for the following four
different levels of compensation in order to accommodate different levels
of expertise:
(a)Â Â Â Â Â Â Compensation level (I) (Director level in public service)
(i)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Enjoys noticeable national recognition as a competent
expert.        Â
(ii)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Complexity advice to be rendered comparable to that
given by a Director (Senior Management Service Grade A) in
the Public Service.
(b)Â Â Â Â Â Â Compensation level (II) (Chief Director level in public
service)
           (i)        Enjoys recognition as a competent expert at a
national level.
(ii)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Complexity of advice to be rendered comparable to that
given by a Chief Director (Senior Management Service Grade B)
in the Public Service.
(c)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Compensation level (III) (Deputy Director-General level in
public service)
(i)Â Â Â Enjoys recognition as a competent expert at national and
to some degree at international level
(ii)Â Â Complexity of advice to be given comparable to that given
by the Deputy Director-General (Senior Management Service
Grade C) in the Public Service.
(d) Â Â Â Â Â Compensation level (IV) (Director-General level in public
service)
(i)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Enjoys recognition as a competent expert at national
and international level;
(ii)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â To appoint and retain persons with very high level
skills and/or skills.
(ii)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Complexity of advice to be rendered is comparable to
that given by a Director-General (Senior Management Service
Grade D) in the Public Service.
(c)Â Â Â Â Â Â The Special Advisor is compensated according to Compensation
level IV as stated above because he enjoys recognition as VI and the
complexity of advise rendered is comparable to VI
(d)Â Â Â Â Â Â The duration of the contract has been agreed upon between the
special advisor and the Executive Authority. Regardless of the contract
period, the contract will terminate at the end of the month following the
month that the Executive Authority vacates office for any reason.
(e)Â Â Â Â Â Â To advise and perform other tasks for the Executive Authority
(as provided for in section 12A of the Public Service Act) with respect
to her portfolio, in the individual/s area of expertise.
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