Director (3 Years Contract - Renewable - PRICELESS SA)

Additional information:

• The University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg wishes to appoint a dynamic, visionary, strategic leader and public health scholar as Director of the SAMRC/WITS Centre for Health Economics and Decision Science-PRICELESS SA.
• They seek an individual qualified at a professorial level, whose research has influenced health related policy at both national and international levels.
• This person must be passionate about health promotion, advancing the field of evidence to policy, including decision science, economics, and priority setting, as well as growing the next generation of health economists, public health lawyers and practitioners in line with the vision of the PRICELESS SA and the University of the Witwatersrand.
• PRICELESS is at the forefront of innovative economic and legal research that informs policy decisions, promotes health equity, and fosters sustainable health systems.
• Their work impacts not only South Africa but also sets a benchmark for global health standards.

Main purpose of the job:

• To lead Priceless, both internally and externally, including leading the development and delivery of the Priceless strategy.
• This Director is responsible for managing the vision and financial health of Priceless through securing funding as well as overseeing the compliant and appropriate management of all financial matters.
• The Director is also responsible for building influential stakeholder relationships, managing the governance and stakeholder engagement responsibilities, leading the staff and managing delivery of the Priceless strategy of research excellence.

Location:

• Wits School of Public Health, Parktown - Johannesburg

Key performance areas:

• Develop and drive the strategy and direction for the Unit that maintains and grows its impact and relevance in the health economics, law and policy environment.
• Lead and inspire a multidisciplinary team of researchers and scholars.
• Develop and execute a visionary research agenda that addresses critical health economic and policy challenges.
• Collaborate with governmental bodies, NGOs, and international organizations to influence health policy and practice.
• Secure funding and manage resources to sustain and expand the Unit’s research initiatives.
• Mentor the next generation of health economists and policy experts.

Required minimum education and training:

• A PhD or equivalent Degree/qualification in Public Health, Health Economics or related discipline.
• Must be appointable at a Professor or Associate Professor level.
• A distinguished research career in public health, prevention, promotion and non-communicable disease prevention.
• Experience in teaching, including post-graduate research supervision.
• Excellent leadership and interpersonal skills, and the ability to lead and work with a diverse team.
• High professional standing in the field of public health at national and international levels.
• Good track record of fundraising.

Required minimum work experience:

• 5 – 10 years’ experience working in a leadership position in a research environment with areas of expertise in grant funding, stakeholder engagement, strategy development and implementation in a health research environment.

Desirable additional education, work experience and personal abilities:

• Outstanding academic record.
• Skilled at networking and influencing stakeholders and thought leaders.
• Confident and competent at engaging with the media.
• Experienced in working and directing multidisciplinary teams.
• Practical experience in conducting health research using qualitative and/or quantitative designs.
• Resilient and energetic.
• Tactful, respectful, and non-judgmental.
• Good administrative and management skills.
• Able to work under pressure and adhere to deadlines.
• Self-motivated, able to work independently and work as the leader of a diverse/multidisciplinary team.
• Assertive and confident.
• Collaborative and adaptable.
• Able to lead and manage compliance across the organization.
• Experienced in development, maintenance and implementation of policies and procedures.

TO APPLY:

• Only if you do meet the minimum job requirements and experience as mentioned above, you may submit a detailed updated CV.
• Please Apply Online and complete your registration on Ditto Hire (our application tracking system) to enable and protect you as a candidate to accept the new POPIA terms and conditions.
• Please take note that the applicants who do not adhere to the above criteria will not be considered for the respective position.
• The closing date for all applications: 28 February 2025.

Please note:

• AJ PERSONNEL is only responsible for the advertising of the advertisement on behalf of their client Wits Health Consortium.
• Wits Health Consortium will only respond to shortlisted candidates.
• Candidates who have not been contacted within two weeks of the closing date can consider their applications to be unsuccessful.
• AJ Personnel does not have any salary or other information regarding the position.