Policy and Advocacy Officer (12 Months Contract - WITS RHAP)

SUMMARY:
Background: 

• The Rural Healthy Advocacy Project (RHAP) is a division of WITS HEALTH CONSORTIUM that seeks to promote fair and equal access to quality healthcare for rural communities throughout South Africa
• RHAP identifies and supports health policy and financing strategies that address systemic disparities that disadvantage rural areas and vulnerable populations in the public health sector by partnering with government, civil society, healthcare providers, and communities across the country
• In the next decade, RHAP aims to influence the National Health Insurance Fund (NHI) and play a crucial role in the health system's reorganisation
• This is to ensure that all South Africans have access to quality healthcare, regardless of their socio-economic status or location

POSITION INFO:
Main purpose of the job:

• To work in the province they reside and in close collaboration with the TBAC (TB Accountability Consortium), SANAC CSF, SANAC provincial implementing partners and Provincial Department of Health (PDOH) for addressing key priorities aimed at reducing TB burden and working towards progressive implementation of TB Plans. Engage with PDOH to review progress against implementation plans through program meetings, SANAC CSF feedback, Provincial Aids Councils, nerve centre and district meetings on a quarterly basis

• Kwa-Zulu Natal

• Knowledge/research translation and understanding of the NTP provincial targets and TB Care cascade
• Attending and participating in PDOH key monthly/quarterly meetings
• Provide technical support regarding state of TB program for supporting TB program implementation and evaluation
• Co-create and pilot the use of a community-led district performance scorecard to be displayed publicly (involving DOH and civil society)
• Advocate for uptake of One Impact tool
• Disseminate findings from one Impact and demand response to key obstacles from the relevant authority
• Monitor DOH responses to one Impact
• Provide input into national and provincial civil society’s annual parliamentary submissions to sustain public investment in ending
• May be required to conduct data handling

• Participate in partnerships that are in place or are developed
• Perform any research related activity required to support these partnerships
• Conduct Workshops to capacitate district staff of Provincial TB implementation plans

• Facilitate (logistics) and participate in project meetings including Staff meeting
• Act in a professional and friendly manner in all dealings with internal stakeholders
• Show a high level of customer centricity at all times

• Produce research outputs that consider the public health, sociology and economic evidence for the advocacy issues we are seeking to address
• Coordinate the provincial civil society responses to the effective implementation of the NTP
• Knowledge translation to improve advocacy combined with an understanding of political, TB programmatic and health governance structures in South Africa
• Use evidence-based approach to shape our advocacy appeals and submissions
• Use evidence-based approach to raise awareness with communities and stakeholders (such as policymakers and partner organisations) regarding pertinent advocacy issues

• Collate (and regularly update) a compendium of available TB resources and tools for the TBAC website
• Preparing content for social media

• Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health, Health System Science, or equivalent

• 3–5 years of experience in knowledge translation or research translation, including experience working or engaging with the Department of Health and/or healthcare implementing partners
• Understanding, or experience in working with SANAC Civil Society Forum (CSF) is also required

• Proactive, reliable and accountable
• Highly proficiency in use of MS Office, particularly Word and Excel
• Strong work ethic and desire for excellence
• Willingness to learn and receive constructive feedback
• Working overtime may be required from time to time
• Ability to maintain confidentiality, tact and discretion at all times
• Excellent written English and verbal communication skills
• Professional additional South African language would be an added advantage
• Strong interpersonal and relationship management skills
• Must have a Driver’s license

• Only if you meet the minimum job requirements and experience as mentioned above, you may submit a detailed updated CV
• Please Apply Online and complete your registration via our website to enable and protect you as a candidate, and to accept the new POPIA terms and conditions
• This will then create your permanent profile with which you can apply for all jobs as advertised by AJ PERSONNEL
• However, you may remove your profile from AJ PERSONNEL when you are no longer in the job market
• Please take note that the applicants who do not adhere to the above criteria will not be considered for the respective position
• 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
• Closing date: 2 July 2025
• Note: No CV will be accepted after the closing date

• WHC, in accordance with its Employment Equity goals and plan, will give preference to suitable applicants from designated groups as defined in the Employment Equity Act 55 of 1998 and subsequent amendments thereto
• AJ Personnel is only responsible for advertising and the response handling on behalf of their client Wits Health Consortium
• AJ Personnel does not have any salary or other information regarding the position