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Deputy Director: Maternal Health/VTP REF NO: G53/2026 at KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health
KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health
October 7, 2026
Full-time
On-site
REQUIREMENTS :
Matric Certificate (Grade 12). An undergraduate qualification (NQF 7) or Diploma (NQF 6) in Nursing. Or Medical degree (MBCHB) Plus. Current registration with SANC or HPCSA. A minimum of three (3) years' experience as an Assistant Director Plus.
Five (5) years' experience after registration with professional body in Maternal Health Programme Plus. Valid code EB Driver's License (code 8) Plus. Computer literacy. Additional Information: A Masters' Degree in Public Health or similar in research will be an added advantage. 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: Job Purpose: To develop, facilitate, monitor and evaluate evidence-based strategies to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality, including HIV-related and 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.
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 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.
Matric Certificate (Grade 12). An undergraduate qualification (NQF 7) or Diploma (NQF 6) in Nursing. Or Medical degree (MBCHB) Plus. Current registration with SANC or HPCSA. A minimum of three (3) years' experience as an Assistant Director Plus.
Five (5) years' experience after registration with professional body in Maternal Health Programme Plus. Valid code EB Driver's License (code 8) Plus. Computer literacy. Additional Information: A Masters' Degree in Public Health or similar in research will be an added advantage. 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: Job Purpose: To develop, facilitate, monitor and evaluate evidence-based strategies to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality, including HIV-related and 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.
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 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.