Centre Heads 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 prioritiesBe 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
• Ensure that coordinated quality assurance processes are in place throughout the Centre 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 Outbreak Response Unit/ Emergency Operations Centre/NMC Ensure that the Centre is at cutting edge of latest developments and to encourage innovative initiativesPromote transformation and development in the Centre Management of all staff to ensure the centre is operated both efficiently and effectively.

 
Minimum Requirements and Key Competencies

• Minimum Medical Qualification–MMed (Virology/Microbiology)/FC-Path(Virology/Microbiology)/ PhD in (Virology/Microbiology) Masters in Medical Science/ Masters in Epidemiology and HPCSA registered as a specialist in Clinical Microbiology/Virology/Infectious Diseases or Medical Scientist Clinical Microbiology/Virology/Infectious Diseases
• Epidemiology expertise desirable 10 to 15 years Management experience preferably in a public health institution 8 to10 years communicable diseases/public health experience/epidemiology/ infectious diseases experienceManagerial/ administrative experience (> 10 years)
• Management and Leadership skills 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)