Health jobs in South Africa

Job Description
Background to TSS

The Technical Support Services (TSS) Activity helps USAID/Southern Africa address technical priorities and develop creative, innovative solutions to strategically allocate resources, strengthen connections with partners, and replicate best practices and effective program models. Through the TSS contract, Panagora Group augments capacity by providing technical, operational, and administrative support to USAID/Southern Africa's portfolio. TSS deploys advisors in response to USAID requests for priority work with government stakeholders, implementing partners, and/or other entities. TSS supports USAID staff and teams to integrate creative solutions into routine work. TSS also provides international and local expertise for surge support, as needed, for USAID Program Cycle requirements, planning, development, outreach, communications, and Health Office human resource functions.

Background

The National Department of Health (NDOH), in collaboration with the National Treasury (NT), seeks a highly skilled and experienced professional to support health sector budgeting, expenditure monitoring, and financial compliance. The consultant will play a critical role in ensuring the effective allocation and management of resources for priority health programs, including the Comprehensive HIV/AIDS and TB Conditional Grant. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to high-impact initiatives at the national and provincial levels while engaging with key stakeholders across government entities.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Budget Analysis and Planning

1. Lead the analysis of draft provincial budgets and provide strategic feedback to ensure alignment with health sector priorities.
2. Conduct in-depth reviews of the NDOH's baseline budgets, identifying risks and opportunities for impact-driven allocations.
3. Evaluate MTEF budget submissions, budget bids, and the ENE budget database and chapter, ensuring technical soundness and policy alignment.
4. Provide expert input on grant frameworks and Division of Revenue Act (DORA) submissions.
5. Represent the directorate in provincial MTEF budget processes and high-priority budget engagements.
6. Critically review and provide strategic recommendations on annual performance plans for the NDOH and public health entities.

2. Advanced Expenditure Monitoring and Compliance

1. Review in-year budget adjustment requests to ensure critical health funds, including HIV/AIDS and TB grants, are safeguarded.
2. Monitor and analyse departmental expenditure trends, liaising with the CFO to address discrepancies and optimize resource utilization.
3. Provide expert advice on requests under the PFMA and Treasury Regulations, including fund shifts and transfer payments.
4. Oversee the performance of conditional grants, with a focus on HIV/AIDS, TB, and NHI indirect conditional grants, ensuring alignment with financial and programmatic objectives.

3. HIV/AIDS and TB Financing Expertise

1. Lead financial analyses and provide expert input on funding for HIV treatment and multisectoral financing reform initiatives.
2. Monitor expenditure and performance trends for the Comprehensive HIV/AIDS and TB Conditional Grant, providing actionable insights.
3. Collaborate with NT consultants and stakeholders to advance innovative financing approaches for HIV prevention and treatment programs.

4. Provincial Health System Support

1. Serve as a key liaison between the NT Health Directorate, Intergovernmental Relations Unit, and Provincial Budget Support Unit to address selected provincial health system challenges (mainly budget, HRH positions and equipment).
2. Develop high-level briefing notes and reports on provincial health performance, including financial and non-financial analyses.
3. Actively participate in provincial health discussions, providing strategic recommendations to inform decision-making.

Deliverables:

Technical Assistance: Budget analysis and planning:

1. Written comments on departmental baseline documents, including inputs into the out-year baseline determination process and on extraordinary budgetary challenges and financial compliance matters.
2. Document outlining the analysis of Departmental (and where relevant, entities) MTEF and ENE budget submissions and workbooks, highlighting all queries resolved and recommendations.
3. Written feedback on provincial and national health budgets, including baseline and MTEF submissions.
4. Document with recommendations to improve grant frameworks/DORA including the reports on benchmarking meetings (e.g. through presentations, reports and/or as specified by Line Manager or IGR).
5. Finalized AENE workbooks and ENE budget chapters aligned to the National Treasury publication standards.
6. Review reports on conditional grant performance for each province (n=9) and recommendations for improvement as guided by the National Treasury.
7. Monthly progress meeting check-ins with USAID BHO.

Requirements

1. Master's degree or higher in Finance, Economics, Health Policy, Public Administration, or a closely related field.
2. At least 10 years of professional experience in health sector financing, budgeting, and expenditure monitoring, with a track record of delivering results in complex government or donor-funded environments.
3. Extensive experience working with conditional grants, public financial management frameworks, and large-scale budget processes in South Africa.
4. Demonstrated ability to lead high-level engagements and provide strategic input on complex financial and policy issues.
5. Proficiency in advanced financial modeling and analysis.
6. Deep understanding of public financial management legislation, including the PFMA and Treasury Regulations.
7. Proven ability to synthesize complex data into actionable insights for senior decision-makers.
8. Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills.
9. Outstanding written and verbal communication abilities, with a proven track record of producing high-impact reports and presentations.
10. Strong leadership and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to build consensus among diverse groups.
11. A results-oriented mindset and the ability to thrive under pressure and tight deadlines.

Reports to: Panagora Project Officer: Talent Acquisition and Onboarding and will collaborate closely with USAID, NDoH and key stakeholders, with monthly check-in meetings with the USAID team.

Location: This is an activity-based consultancy in Pretoria, South Africa.

To Apply: Fill out the online application. Please include a cover letter and resume. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered. Applicants will be required to complete a skills test.

No telephone inquiries, please. Finalists will be contacted. Only applicants who include the required application components will be considered.

Panagora Group is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

*Note: Panagora does not offer visa sponsorship at this time.