Health · Circular 33 of 2026
Chief Director
Department of Health
Overview
Chief Director to lead Strategic Health Programmes at the KwaZulu-Natal Health Head Office, requiring an NQF level 7 health qualification and five years of senior managerial experience.
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 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.
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.
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 HeadOffice.JobApplication@kznhealth.gov.za. NB//The subject of your e-mail must be the post name that you are applying for. Applicants may also visit any one of our Designated Online Application Centre’s (DOACS) where our friendly staff will assist you with applying online or receiving your hardcopy application. You can find the list of Designated Online Application Centre’s (DOACS) at www.kznonline.gov.za/kznjobs All applications should be forwarded to: The Chief Director: Human Resource Management Services, KZN Department of Health, Private Bag X9051, Pietermaritzburg, 3200 OR Hand delivered to: 330 Langalibalele Street, Natalia Building, Registry, Minus 1:1 North Tower FOR ATTENTION : Miss L Mthalane
Enquiries: Dr TD Moji Tel No: (033) 395 2816
Notes
Applications must be submitted on the new prescribed Application for Employment form (Z83) which must be originally signed, initialed and dated. Applications received on the incorrect Z83 will not be considered. All required information on the Z83 must be provided. Failure to complete or disclose all information will automatically disqualify the applicant. The Z83 should be accompanied by a comprehensive CV (with detailed experience). Persons with disabilities should feel free to apply for the post. The appointments are subject to positive outcomes obtained from the State Security Agency (SSA) to the following checks (security clearance (vetting), criminal clearance, credit records, citizenship), verification of Educational Qualifications by SAQA, verification of previous experience from Employers and verification from the Company Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC). Only shortlisted candidates will be required to submit certified documents on or before the day of the interview following communication from Human Resources. Foreign qualifications must be accompanied by an evaluation report issued by SAQA. It is the applicant’s responsibility to have all foreign qualifications evaluated by SAQA and to provide proof of such evaluation. Applicants: Please ensure that you submit your application before the closing date as no late applications will be considered. If you apply for more than 1 post, submit separate applications for each post that you apply for. Should you not be contacted within 3 months of the closing date of the advertisement, please consider your application to be unsuccessful.
Post 33/136, sourced from the DPSA Circular 33 of 2026. Apply directly to Department of Health by 30 September 2026, quoting reference G42/2026. This is an unofficial index; the advert in the circular is authoritative.
- Location
- Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal
- Salary
- R1 554 696 p/a
- Closing date
- 30 September 2026
- Reference
- G42/2026
Apply directly to the department, by the closing date, quoting the reference.