Head of Division – Public Health Surveillance & Response

SUMMARY:
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POSITION INFO:

ROLE OVERVIEW

Provide strategic leadership and management oversight for a national public health surveillance and response division. The role ensures effective disease monitoring, outbreak detection, and coordinated response to infectious disease threats across South Africa.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide strategic leadership across the Division and ensure alignment with national health priorities
• Oversee communicable disease surveillance systems and ensure early detection of outbreaks
• Lead outbreak investigations and coordinate response efforts with provincial and district health teams
• Strengthen public health data systems and ensure timely reporting and analysis
• Build and maintain partnerships with government, WHO, CDCs, universities, and other stakeholders
• Lead development and implementation of public health guidelines, policies, and preparedness plans
• Represent the Division in national and international health security forums
• Drive training and capacity building for outbreak response and surveillance teams
• Support resource mobilisation, budgeting, and operational planning
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, and regulatory requirements

REQUIREMENTS Qualifications

• MBChB with specialist qualification in Microbiology, Virology, Clinical Pathology, Infectious Diseases, or related field
• HPCSA registration as a medical specialist

Experience

• 13–15 years senior management experience in a public health environment
• 8–10 years experience in communicable diseases, epidemiology, or infectious disease surveillance

KEY SKILLS

• Strong leadership and strategic management
• Experience in outbreak response and disease surveillance
• Knowledge of epidemiology, microbiology, and public health systems
• Stakeholder engagement and partnership building
• Research, reporting, and data analysis skills
• Financial and project management capability