Central Energy Fund (CEF) Group Chief Operations Officer Vacancy 2026
Central Energy Fund (CEF)
Chemical & Energy (CHIETA)
Monthly stipend
Not stated
Closing date
10 Sept 2026
6 days left
- Opportunity
- Permanent
- Minimum education
- Postgraduate (NQF 8+)
- Location
- National (All Provinces)
- SETA
- CHIETA
- Posted
- 04 Sept 2026
Sourced via the GovPage vacancy bulletin, last confirmed there by our scraper on 4 September 2026.
The apply link goes directly to careers.cefgroup.co.za — applications never pass through SetaJobs.
We rewrite adverts for readability; the closing date, requirements and application method come from the source advert — confirm them there before you apply. How we source listings →
Opportunity Overview
The Central Energy Fund (CEF) is a Schedule 2 state-owned diversified energy company operating under the Department of Mineral & Petroleum Resources. CEF's core mandate is to enhance South Africa's and the broader region's energy supply security through strategic activities such as exploration, acquisition, development, marketing, and partnerships.
This senior opportunity for a Group Chief Operations Officer (COO) involves leading the Group Business Development Executives. The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in designing and developing CEF Investment Economic Models, collaborating with subsidiaries and strategic investors to deliver breakthrough analytical investment solutions. The role focuses on driving business development, growth, capital projects, improving operational efficiency, and expanding CEF's footprint in the renewable energy sector, while also fostering community participation through rural development enterprises and supporting SMME growth.
Minimum Requirements
To be considered for this role, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Matric certificate.
- Honours degree (NQF8) in Engineering, Economics, Business Management, Business Administration, Finance, Leadership, or a relevant business qualification.
- 15 years of experience overseeing operations, of which 5 to 8 years must be in a senior management role, and 3 to 5 years in a similar capacity.
- Possess a business qualification or project management qualification, or an equivalent.
- A Master’s degree (NQF 9) in a relevant field will be an added advantage.
Key Responsibilities
The Group Chief Operations Officer will be responsible for:
- Leading the Group Business Development Executives.
- Designing and developing CEF Investment Economic Models that inform financial investment decisions.
- Partnering cross-functionally with subsidiaries and other strategic investors/stakeholders.
- Driving business development, growth, and capital projects.
- Improving operational efficiency, planning, and project development.
- Taking a lead role in developing initiatives supporting the CEF Group strategy.
- Proactively positioning the organisation in the energy market, particularly in the renewables sector.
- Establishing community participation through rural development enterprises.
- Promoting the development of SMMEs as an integral part of business growth.
- Leading the development, enhancement, and implementation of economic and other quantitative models to predict growth/loss and financial performance in energy demands at country and global levels.
What the Work Involves
As the Group Chief Operations Officer, you will be based in Sandton, South Africa, leading a dynamic team of Group Business Development Executives. Your daily activities will involve strategic planning, overseeing the design and application of complex economic models for energy investments, and fostering key partnerships with both internal subsidiaries and external strategic investors. The role requires a strong focus on business growth, managing significant capital projects, and continually seeking ways to enhance operational efficiency. You will be instrumental in shaping CEF’s strategic direction within an evolving energy landscape, with a particular emphasis on expanding into renewable energy and ensuring that the organisation's growth supports rural development and small to medium-sized enterprises.
How to Apply
Applications for this position must be submitted online by 10 September 2026 at 23:59 SAST.
To apply, please visit the CEF careers portal directly: https://careers.cefgroup.co.za/jobs/apply/group-chief-operations-officer-143
This listing in context
What the 335 opportunities we currently hold say about this one.
- Live permanent posts
- 133
- Open to all provinces
- 30
- Closing within 7 days
- 6
17% of the 133 live permanent posts we hold ask for Postgraduate (NQF 8+). The commonest requirement is Degree (NQF 7), at 25%.
Live permanent posts stay open for a median of 13 days between posting and closing date.
Calculated by SetaJobs from the 335 listings open on this site right now, and updated as they change.
What you'll need to apply
Municipalities, state-owned companies and public entities each run their own process, mostly on their own application form rather than the Z83 — use a Z83 only where this advert asks for one. Send exactly what it lists.
- The employer’s own application form
- Your CV
- Certified copy of your ID
- Certified copies of any qualifications
What this kind of post involves
A permanent post is ongoing employment with no end date, carrying full benefits and, in the public service, a defined salary level with annual notch progression. These are advertised competitively and the selection process is considerably more formal than for programme placements.
How the selection usually runs
- Applications are screened against the stated minimum requirements first, mechanically — not meeting one is fatal regardless of the rest of your application.
- Shortlisted candidates are interviewed by a panel, and for many posts a competency assessment or practical exercise follows.
- Verification of qualifications, criminal record and references happens before an offer, and it is a common point of delay.
What you leave with
Ongoing employment with benefits, and in government a position on a salary scale with a defined progression path.
Where this leads next
Notch progression within your level
Satisfactory annual performance assessment.
The next salary level up
Competing for an advertised post at that level — levels are attached to posts, not to people.
Supervisory or management post
Experience at the level below, plus the qualification the higher post specifies.
A typical route, not a guarantee — progression depends on vacancies, funding and your own performance.
Watch out for this
The screening is mechanical and happens before anyone reads your CV: the advert’s own application instructions are applied as written, and an incomplete or unsigned form is discarded whatever the rest of the application says.
About CHIETA & this sector
CHIETA develops skills for the chemical industries, from petrochemicals to pharmaceuticals, often through structured learnerships with large employers.
