About the Role
The KZN Department of Health is seeking a Chief Director to be based in Pietermaritzburg. This pivotal role is designed to provide strategic capabilities and leadership in strengthening vital health programmes across the province. The individual will oversee the implementation of key initiatives aimed at combatting significant health challenges such as HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and maternal mortality, ensuring that the community receives effective healthcare services. With a focus on improving public health outcomes, this position is crucial for fostering a healthier future for the residents of KwaZulu-Natal.
As a Chief Director, you will play an essential part in shaping health policy and strategy, coordinating multi-sectoral responses, and liaising with various stakeholders, including Operation Sukuma Sakhe. Your efforts will contribute to the development and execution of health programmes that not only address immediate concerns but also lay the foundation for long-term improvements in health service delivery. This role is ideal for a passionate leader ready to make a difference in public service and health management.
About the Department
The KZN Department of Health is dedicated to enhancing the health and well-being of all residents in the province. Its mandate involves managing public health services, ensuring the availability of quality healthcare, and addressing the health needs of communities. By working in this department, you will be part of a team that strives to implement effective health strategies, improve healthcare access, and promote healthy lifestyles, making a meaningful impact on the lives of South Africans.
What You’ll Do
- Provide strategic leadership and oversight for health programmes including HIV/AIDS and TB initiatives.
- Develop and implement governance structures and service development programmes.
- Manage and monitor the implementation of strategic health activities and budgets.
- Coordinate responses to health challenges across various sectors to mitigate barriers to service delivery.
- Ensure effective communication strategies and reliable health information systems are in place.
- Liaise with stakeholders to innovate solutions for health policy barriers.
- Support resource acquisition and distribution from donor-funded partners.
- Guide provincial and district teams in executing health programme objectives and reporting on outcomes.
What You’ll Need
- An undergraduate qualification (NQF level 7) in Health Science or MBCHB.
- Current registration with the relevant health professional body.
- A minimum of five years’ experience in a senior managerial role managing strategic health programmes.
- Unendorsed valid Code B driver’s licence (Code 08).
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
- Additional qualifications in Public Health Management or relevant Health Management is advantageous.
- Strong leadership skills and the ability to work independently under pressure.
- Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with a strong understanding of HR practices.
How to Apply
Applicants are encouraged to apply for posts through the online e-Recruitment system at www.kznonline.gov.za/kznjobs or submit their Z83 and CV directly to the following email address [email protected].
Looking for more South African government jobs? Browse the latest vacancies on JobsSouthAfrica.co.za. If you are applying for the first time, read our Complete Guide to Applying for Government Jobs in South Africa, covering the Z83 form, certified copies, CV format, interview tips and more.
Requirements
An undergraduate qualification (NQF level 7) in Health Science or MBCHB; Plus Current registration with the relevant health professional body; Plus A minimum of five (5) years’ experience at a senior managerial level managing Strategic Health Programmes.Plus Unendorsed valid Code B driver’s licence (Code 08).
Computer literacy in Microsoft Software applications.
Additional Qualification: A post graduate qualification in Public Health Management or relevant Health Management qualification; Plus experience in Health Programme Management and District health Services Management will be an added advantage.
NB: For the Pre-Entry Certificate for SMS, any individual may register for the course and complete such in anticipation of wishing to apply for an SMS post in future.
The course is available at the NSG under the name Certificate for entry into the SMS and the full details can be sourced by following the link: https://www.
thensg.
gov.
za/training-courses/sms-pre-entry- programme/.
Individuals who have completed the course already, and who are therefore in possession of a certificate are welcome to submit such, however it is not required that an applicant submit such when applying for the post prior to the closing date.
However, prior to an appointment being made to any SMS post, the appointee to such a post must have completed the pre-entry certificate and must be in possession of such prior to taking up the post.
All shortlisted candidates, including the SMS, shall undertake two pre-entry assessments.
One will be a practical exercise to determine a candidate’s suitability based on the post’s technical and generic requirements and the other must be and integrity (ethical conduct) assessment.
All shortlisted candidates for SMS posts will be subjected to a technical exercise and interview.
Following the technical exercise and interview, a maximum of three (3) SMS candidates will undergo psychometric assessment to assess cognitive capabilities, behavioural preferences, emotional intelligence and integrity.
NB: All shortlisted candidates will be required to submit proof of work experience endorsed and stamped by the employer/s prior to the date of the interview.
Knowledge, Skills, Training and Competencies: The incumbent of this post will report to the Deputy Director General: Clinical Support Services, and will be responsible to provide management, leadership and coordination of Strategic Health Programmes, which includes HIV/AIDS, TB, MCWH, Nutrition, Food 119 Services Management MMC, ACSM, Strategic Information Management and Youth, Gender and Transformation, in the Department.
The ideal candidate must: Have the ability to work independently and under pressure.
Be able to handle sensitive and personal information with strict confidence.
Possess strong leadership and strategy execution skills.
Have experience in budgeting, financial planning and analysis.
Possess good understanding of HR practices and staff relations.
Have high level of communication skills (written and verbal).
Be computer literate with a proficiency in Microsoft Office Software applications.
Have planning and organisational, project management, financial management, decision making and problem solving skills.
Have an understanding of legislative prescripts governing the public service.
Possess knowledge of government communication structures and principles.
Job Duties
Job Purpose: Provide Strategic capabilities and Leadership in strengthening Strategic Health Programmes through planning, setting up of governance structures, service development through programming and project management, monitoring and reporting.Oversee and manage the implementation of strategic health programmes activities, budget and policies across interrelated functions to ensure that all targets are achieved in line with the strategic plans of the Department.
Develop appropriate environment for implementing medium and long term plans to mitigate the impact of HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis pandemic, Maternal Mortality, Malnutrition and Child related, Communicable Diseases as well as Mens Health trends and identify strategies for evaluation of services.
Ensure development and implementation of effective communications strategies and reliable information systems for the benefit of the Department.
Identify and address transversal health service delivery barriers that need intervention from beyond strategic health programmes.
Co- ordinate the multi-sectoral responses for the HIV, TB and STIs in line with the Provincial HIV, TB and STI plan.
Co-ordinate the support, resource acquisition and distribution from all Donor funded Support Partners including signing of MOUs between the KZN Department of Health and Partners.
Liase with all relevant stakeholders.
Including Operation Sukuma Sakhe (OSS) and Development Model (DDM) partakers with a view to finding innovative solutions for identified policy barriers in SHP.
Provide Strategic leadership to Provincial Teams and District Teams in the Development, Implementation monitoring and reporting on the HIV and TB Conditional Grant Business Plan in line with the Conditional Grant Framework and DORA indicators.
Ensure the effective, efficient and economical management of allocated resources of SHP component.
