ASSISTANT DIRECTOR: ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH

This position, based in Pretoria within the National Department of Health’s Environmental Health and Communicable Diseases directorate, offers an experienced environmental health professional the opportunity to shape national policy and support public health implementation across South Africa. As an Assistant Director, the incumbent operates at management echelon level in an OSD-graded post, focusing on developing and refining the legislative, normative and procedural framework for environmental health services. The role sits at the intersection of policy design, intergovernmental coordination and capacity building, requiring a candidate who can translate public health priorities into practical guidance for provinces and municipalities.

Applicants must hold an NQF level 6 qualification in Environmental Health and be registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa as an Environmental Health Practitioner, with registration in good standing. An NQF level 7 qualification in environmental health is considered an advantage. A minimum of five years’ appropriate experience after registration is required, of which at least three years must be in a management role, for example as a Chief Environmental Practitioner or equivalent. The role demands a thorough knowledge of South African environmental health legislation, policy-making processes, and monitoring and evaluation systems. Strong communication, research and analysis, planning, organising, administrative, project management and financial management skills are essential, along with computer proficiency in the MS Office package. The successful candidate must be willing to work overtime, travel extensively, and hold a valid driver’s licence.

The core duties involve developing environmental health policies, guidelines, plans, norms, standards and procedures, with particular emphasis on food control, the management of the disposal of the dead, and the prevention of communicable diseases. The Assistant Director will ensure the creation of strategies and guidelines in these areas and provide capacity to provinces and municipalities on existing and newly promulgated legislation, norms and standards. This includes supporting surveillance of premises, food control, disposal of the dead, and broader environmental health surveillance programmes. The role requires active participation in intergovernmental activities to ensure human health aspects are integrated into other sectors’ policies, plans and programmes, and collaboration with relevant stakeholders on programme matters. Technical support and capacitation of provinces and municipalities on the implementation of national policies is a key responsibility, as is monitoring and evaluating the implementation of environmental and municipal health services. The post also involves coordinating environmental health events management and disaster management activities and programmes implemented by provinces and municipalities.

Candidates should note several important conditions attached to the selection process. All shortlisted applicants will undertake a practical exercise and an integrity assessment, and those considered for SMS posts will face a technical exercise and interview as part of the recruitment process. A limited number of candidates may be required to undergo psychometric assessments. The department will also conduct personnel suitability checks and other vetting procedures. Applicants must complete the new Z83 application form fully and submit it with a comprehensive CV only; certified copies of qualifications are requested only for those reaching the final selection phase. Foreign qualifications must be evaluated by the South African Qualifications Authority. By applying, candidates consent to the processing of personal information in line with POPIA. The department reserves the right not to fill the post, and correspondence will be limited to shortlisted candidates.