DEPUTY DIRECTOR: MATERNAL HEALTH/VTP REF NO: G66/2026 This is a re-advertisement, those who previously apply must re-apply. Cluster: Maternal Child and Women’s Health and Nutrition

This is a re-advertised senior nursing and public health leadership position within the Maternal Child and Women's Health and Nutrition cluster of the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health, based at the Head Office in Pietermaritzburg. The Deputy Director for Maternal Health and Vertical Transmission Prevention (VTP) is responsible for developing, facilitating, monitoring and evaluating evidence-based strategies to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality, including HIV-related causes, and to prevent the vertical transmission of HIV, syphilis and Hepatitis B from mother to child. The role operates at a strategic provincial level, requiring the incumbent to manage resource allocation, oversee the implementation of maternal health care and VTP policies across the province, and drive comprehensive data collection, analysis and strategic planning in this specialised clinical field.

Candidates must hold a Matric certificate together with an undergraduate qualification at NQF level 7 or a diploma at NQF level 6 in Nursing, or a medical degree (MBCHB), and must be currently registered with either the South African Nursing Council or the Health Professions Council of South Africa. A minimum of three years' experience as an Assistant Director is required, along with five years' post-registration experience in the Maternal Health Programme, and prior experience as a Clinical Coordinator for Maternal, Child and Women's Health. An Advanced Midwife qualification or equivalent maternal health clinical experience is essential, as is a valid code EB (code 8) driver's licence. A Master's degree in Public Health or a related research field would be a strong advantage, as would proven computer literacy.

The core duties span policy development, programme management, district support, stakeholder collaboration, capacity building and monitoring and evaluation. The Deputy Director will develop, review and update provincial maternal health and VTP guidelines and policies, provide guidance to districts on best practices, and identify advocacy needs according to provincial priorities. In terms of programme implementation, the role involves developing strategies to reduce maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality across preconception, antenatal, labour and childbirth, and post-natal care, aligned with Saving Mothers recommendations and consolidated HIV guidelines. The incumbent will facilitate engagement at women's health management and provincial quarterly meetings, and offer technical assistance and outreach support visits to districts, prioritising those with the poorest performance.

Stakeholder collaboration is a key element, requiring liaison with national and provincial health departments, funders such as UNICEF, and local partners to ensure coordinated programme integration. The role also involves facilitating training for midwives and doctors on new protocols such as ESMOE and EMOTIVE, conducting skills audits, and organising orientation for healthcare providers on VTP guidelines, screening and preventative therapies. Monitoring and evaluation responsibilities include reviewing and updating maternal health and VTP data elements, preparing quarterly reports with remedial actions, correcting data errors, analysing indicator performance, and monitoring the implementation of Saving Mothers recommendations. Additional managerial duties include coordinating the provincial maternal mortality confidential enquiry, chairing the provincial perinatal morbidity and mortality committee, completing the EPMDS, compiling DORA reports, and participating in interview panels for provincial and district appointments.

Applicants should note that this is a re-advertisement, and those who previously applied must submit a fresh application. The position is graded at a senior management level with an all-inclusive salary package, and applications must be submitted on the prescribed Z83 application form. The ideal candidate will possess strong technical knowledge of maternal health policies and VTP, understanding of current health and public health services legislation, financial and project management skills, knowledge of epidemiology and statistics, and sound leadership, communication, decision-making and clinical skills, alongside human resources management capabilities including budgeting, planning, implementation and quality assurance.