About the Role
The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health is seeking a dedicated and skilled professional to join their team as a Deputy Director: Maternal Health in Pietermaritzburg. This pivotal role focuses on developing and implementing policies and guidelines that directly impact maternal health services across the province. By addressing critical issues in maternal health and vertical transmission prevention (VTP), you will play a vital part in enhancing the quality of care and ultimately saving lives in the community.
Working from the head office in Pietermaritzburg, this position is integral to the public service’s mission of reducing maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. The Deputy Director will collaborate with various stakeholders, including healthcare providers and district management teams, to ensure that best practices are followed and that healthcare practitioners are well-equipped with the latest knowledge and skills. This is not just a job; it’s a chance to make a profound difference in the lives of mothers and children throughout KwaZulu-Natal.
About the Department
The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health is committed to delivering quality health services to all residents of the province. Its mission is to provide accessible, equitable, and comprehensive healthcare services that promote health and well-being. By working within this department, you will contribute to essential programs that tackle public health challenges, including maternal health, and help ensure a healthier future for communities across KwaZulu-Natal.
What You’ll Do
- Develop, review, and ensure the implementation of maternal health policies and guidelines.
- Provide technical support and guidance to districts regarding best practices in maternal health and VTP coordination.
- Create and implement strategies aimed at reducing maternal and perinatal health-related issues, including those associated with HIV.
- Conduct outreach support visits to districts, focusing on those with the poorest performance in maternal health services.
- Facilitate training for healthcare providers on new developments, protocols, and VTP guidelines.
- Collaborate with national and provincial health departments, partners, and stakeholders to ensure program integration.
- Monitor and evaluate the performance of maternal health services and prepare quarterly reports on key activities.
- Oversee the coordination of provincial maternal mortality and perinatal morbidity committees.
What You’ll Need
- A Matric Certificate (Grade 12) and an undergraduate qualification (NQF 7) or Diploma (NQF 6) in Nursing, or a Medical degree (MBCHB).
- Current registration with the SANC or HPCSA.
- A minimum of three years’ experience as an Assistant Director, with at least five years after registration in the field of Maternal Health.
- Advanced Midwife qualification or relevant clinical experience in maternal health is required.
- Valid code EB Driver’s License (code 8).
- A Master’s degree in Public Health or similar will be an added advantage.
- Strong knowledge of maternal health policies, public health legislation, and project management skills.
How to Apply
All applications should be forwarded to the Chief Director: Human Resource Management Services, KZN Department of Health, as detailed below.
Requirements
Matric Certificate (Grade 12).An undergraduate qualification (NQF 7) or Diploma (NQF 6) in Nursing.
Or Medical degree (MBCHB) Plus.
Current Registration SANC or HPCSA.
Experience as a Clinical Coordinator for MCWH (Maternal, Child and Women’s Health will be a requirement.
A minimum of three (3) years’ experience as an Assistant Director Plus.
Five years’ experience after registration with professional body in Maternal Health Programme Plus.
Advance Midwife qualification or any maternal health related clinical experience is required.
Valid code EB Driver’s Licence (code 8) Plus.
Additional Information: A Masters’ degree in Public Health or similar in research will be an added advantage.
Master’s in Public Health (MPH) will also be an added advantage.
Computer literacy.
Knowledge, Skills, Training and Competencies: Job Purpose: To develop, facilitate, monitor and evaluate evidence-based strategies to i) reduce maternal morbidity and mortality, including HIV-related and ii) vertical transmission prevention (VTP) of HIV, syphilis and Hepatits B; and improve the quality of maternal and perinatal health through improving service delivery, ensuring transfer of appropriate knowledge, skills and developing community intervention strategies.
Manage resource allocation and monitor implementation of maternal health care and VTP policies within the province; comprehensive data collection, analysis and strategic planning in the field of maternal health and VTP.
The ideal candidate must possess the following: Technical knowledge on maternal health policies and VTP.
Knowledge of the current health and public health services legislation.
Financial management skills.
Project management skills.
Understanding of epidemiology and statistics.
Leadership skills, including good communication, decision making and clinical skills.
Possess sound knowledge of human resources.
Management skills, including budgeting, planning, implementation, and quality assurance.
Job Duties
Develop, review and ensure implementation of relevant policies and guidelines: Performance standard.Update existing provincial maternal health and VTP related guidelines and policies.
Develop new guidelines and policies for the Province in response to identified issues in maternal health and VTP field.
Provide guidance to districts regarding best practices for maternal health and VTP coordinators.
Identify maternal health and VTP advocacy needs according to priorities.
Program Management & Implementation: Performance standard.
Develop and implement strategies to reduce maternal and perinatal health-related morbidity and mortality, including HIV-related in each key programme area (preconception/ antenatal care; labour and childbirth, post- natal care) as per Saving Mothers recommendations and consolidated HIV guidelines.
Report on key activities conducted aligned to these strategies.
Facilitate engagement on programme performance at women’s health 237 management and provincial quarterly meetings.
Offer assistance and technical support to all districts to improve Maternal Health and VTP Services: Performance standard.
Support the district in devising district plans to address district-specific health issues.
Provide technical assistance to district and facility management team.
Conduct outreach support visits (on site or virtual to all districts) with priority given to districts with poorest performance.
Facilitate training in all key areas of women’s health programme.
Offer assistance and technical support to all districts to improve Maternal Health Services.
Stakeholder Collaboration - Liaise with national and provincial Departments of Health, funders (like UNICEF), partners, and local stakeholders to ensure coordinated effort and program integration.
Improve service delivery through capacity building: performance standard: Facilitate training of midwives and doctors where applicable on the new developments and protocols, as well as to maintain and improve skills and knowledge (e.
g.
ESMOE, EMOTIVE); engage districts to conduct skills audits for relevant trainings; Organize and provide orientation and training for healthcare providers and facility staff on VTP guidelines, screening, and preventative therapies.
Monitor and evaluate maternal health services: performance standard.
Review and update maternal health and VTP data elements.
Quarterly reports prepared with remedial actions.
Correct data errors.
Analysis of relevant indicator performance with the team.
Monitor quarterly the implementation of saving mothers recommendations.
Undertake other managerial and administration duties; performance standard.
Coordinate provincial maternal mortality confidential enquiry.
Coordinate Provincial perinatal morbidity and mortality committee.
EPMDS completed.
Compile DORA.
Participate in provincial and district interviews as panel member.
