Center Head at National Health Laboratory Services

Key Job Responsibilities:

• Provide administrative and scientific leadership for the Centre in line with NICD’s strategic role and responsibilities
• Assist the National Department of Health and other stakeholders with timely expert advice and surveillance/research data relevant the Centre’s area of focus
• Establish strategic goals for the Centre through a consultative process with creation/regular review of the Centre’s annual and 5-year strategic plans
• Ensure that operational objectives are met according to agreed project timelines as per the strategic plan and annual performance plan
• Facilitate closer working relationships between sections in the Centre and with other Centre Heads in those areas where there exist opportunities for joint working towards common goals and NDOH priorities
• Be responsible for Centre budget (operational and capital expenditure) creation, expenditure and financial governance
• Ensure the Centre is compliant with NICD/NHLS policies and directives Be proactive in ensuring that successful grant applications are submitted and research funding raised by the Centre team
• Ensure that all sections contribute to the outputs of the Centre in terms of NICD surveillance publications, peer-reviewed scientific publications and other reports Create/maintain a cross-Centre team to co-ordinate a high quality teaching and training programme responsive to national and international requirements
• Undertake section lead responsibilities for one Centre section according to experience/skills, where applicable
• Document and maintain records of all Centre outputs through periodic Centre activity reports and contributions to the NICD annual report Co-ordinate the Centre’s interaction with media in line with NICD/NHLS policies Ensure that the Centre is responsive to outbreaks of Public Health Significance and to support the functions of the Emergency Operations Centre Ensure that the Centre is at cutting edge of latest developments and to encourage innovative initiatives
• Promote transformation and development in the Centre Management of all staff to ensure the centre is operated both efficiently and effectively Perform afterhours or call duties as rostered Be a brand ambassador for the NICD Be a brand ambassador for the NICD.

Minimum Requirements and Key Competencies 

• Minimum Medical Qualification –Mmed/FC-Path or PHD Medical Scientist
• HPCSA registered specialist or PHD in Public Health or Clinical Microbiology/Virology/Infectious Diseases or Epidemiology
• Management and Leadership qualification Ten (10)years Management experience preferably in a public health institution
• Eight (8) years communicable diseases/public health experience/epidemiology/ infectious diseases
• Managerial/ administrative experience  (> 10 years)
• Financial management (> 5 years)
• Public health surveillance experience (> 5 years)
• Laboratory experience (>3 years)
• Writing successful grant applications and performing research(> 5 years)
• Teaching and training experience (> 5 years)
• Knowledge of Microbiology, Virology, Immunology, Molecular Biology desirable Knowledge of statistics
• Knowledge of statistical software packages desirable Knowledge of quality management
• Communicable diseases knowledge
• Communication and interpersonal skills
• Team-building skills
• Time management skills
• Planning skills
• Project Management skills
• Research methodology
• Communication skills
• Interpersonal skills
• Report writing skills
• Computer Literacy.