District Director

Requirements

An undergraduate qualification (NQF level 7) in Health; Plus degree or diploma in health management or Degree/diploma in general management. Plus A minimum of Five (5) years at a middle/senior managerial level in Public Health Care environment Plus Unendorsed valid driver’s license. Computer literacy with proficiency in Microsoft software applications. Additional Information: An undergraduate qualification (NQF level 7) in Clinical Health Science; Current registration with the relevant health professional body; Experience in primary health care and district health system. Post-graduate qualification in Public Health / Master in Business Management. Project Management. Knowledge, Skills, Training and Competencies Required: The incumbent of this post will report to the Chief Director: District Health Services: Head Office and will be responsible to ensure and account for the delivery of integrated, effective and efficient health service at all levels of care based on the Primary Health Care approach through the District Health System within UThukela District (whichever is relevant). The ideal candidates must: Possess a clear understanding of the challenges facing the public health sector due to poverty, resource limitations and opportunistic diseases such as TB, HIV and AIDS. Have the ability to analyse and interpret complex management data and information to inform decision-making and alignment processes timeously. Have the ability to develop innovative solutions for complex health and other service delivery management problems. Possess strong leadership to: ensure buy-in/support of other organs of state and external stakeholders to accomplish deliverables identified in the Annual Performance Plans of the District. Provide strategic direction to Institutions. Mediate processes for the allocation of resources to Institutions. Build a highly effective and efficient health service delivery team in the District; and reason/present/negotiate the case of the District at departmental management and planning fora. Have the ability to assess and manage the performance of the District Health System and directly supervise staff. Have the ability to interact effectively and efficiently with a wide range of stakeholders. Have the ability to turn around negative audit findings in the district to be a positive one. Possess a good Knowledge and understanding of universal health coverage Possess a clear understanding of risk and other management processes and the application thereof to ensure that the decentralised management model of the department is performing optimally. Possess knowledge of the governance framework and legislative imperatives set for the area of operation. Be computer literate with a proficiency in MS Office Software applications.

Key Responsibilities

Based on relevant policy imperatives, provide strategic leadership and ensure the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of an Annual District Health Services Delivery Plan. Account in terms of planned initiatives for the delivery of health services in the District. Coordinate and facilitate processes to prioritise health service delivery initiatives and the allocation of concomitant resources amongst health facilities in the District, whilst promoting service delivery equity. Monitor and evaluate health service delivery within the District, identify high risk areas and facilitate timeous corrective action where required. Provide transversal clinical support and other support services to Institutions. Ensure the development of an innovative and human rights sensitive cadre of health workers at all levels. Identify and address transversal health service delivery barriers that cannot be resolved at Institutional and district level and filter those requiring intervention at Provincial level. Facilitate the process of ensuring universal health access (NHI) for UThukela Health District. Oversee and coordinate the delivery of Emergency Medical Services 120 (EMS) and Forensic Pathology Services (FPS) across the district. Implement good governance, transparency, and accountability practices. Drive all public health services within the district towards achieving and sustaining a clean audit. Responsible for providing strategic leadership and overall management of all health services within the district. Ensure the delivery of high-quality, equitable, and patient-centred care across the district, while driving compliance, efficiency, and continuous improvement. Effectively manage and optimise all resources under your stewardship, including physical, and technological assets, to ensure efficiency, accountability, and maximum impact on service delivery. Build and maintain strong relationships with community structures, oversight bodies, NGOs, and other health sector partners. Participate in DDM, Operation Sukuma Sakhe (OSS) and other intersectoral collaborations. Ensure all public health facilities on readiness for audits, inspections, and quality assurance assessments. Promote a positive organisational culture in the district. Supervise, mentor, and develop public health teams in ensuring high performance, continuous improvement, and policy compliance.

How to Apply

Enquiries

Notes

Applications must be submitted on the 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 only (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 (when shortlisted). 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. 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 a 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 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 assessments to assess cognitive capabilities, behavioural preferences, emotional intelligence, and integrity. NB: All shortlisted candidates will be required to submit proof of work 121 experience endorsed and stamped by employer/s prior to the date of the interview. CLOSING DATE : 28 September 2026