Executive Manager - Academic Affairs, Research and Quality Assurance (AARQA) Laboratory Service (5 - year fixed term contract)

Main Purpose of the job:

Providing strategic direction, management oversight and monitoring and evaluation of diagnostic, teaching, training and research and development mandates of the organisation and its total quality management and accreditation.

Key Job Responsibility:

• Contribute as a member of the executive team responsible for strategic planning of the organisation, including specific initiatives such as the Roadmap process.
• Manage a team dedicated to the organisation Quality Assurance (standardised compliance/PT schemes/health technology assessment/document control sytem/ISO 9001) and accreditation.
• Manage excellence in the teaching and training function (including diagnostic activities of academic staff) of the organisation, both internally and in relationships with the various Universities and Universities of Technology.
• Contribute to optimal cooperation with various key stakeholders and build strong relationships with the regulatory health councils, professional societies and tertiary institutions.
• Set strategic direction in terms of research, development and innovation within the organisation and in collaboration with the universities to ensure a sustainable research platform.
• Provide strategic direction and system for grants management to ensure optimal research funding, prioritisation, utilisation and compliance.
• Manage and ensure training of organisation staff within AARQA.
• Develop and oversee the management of operational and capex expenditure and budgets within AARQA, to ensure the most effective utilisation of financial resources in accordance with the PFMA.
• Guide the management of patents, royalties and intellectual property of the organisation to protect their interests.
• Keep abreast of laboratory technology best practice and work with other members of the executive team to ensure implementation of new technologies in line with specific business needs.

Minimum requirements:

• MMed/FC Path qualification.
• HPCSA registration as a specialist in pathology.
• Twelve years experience in pathology/diagnostic infectious disease environment.
• Five years experience on a senior management role in pathology and/or diagnostic environment and/or infectious disease.

Advantageous:

• Management qualification.
• Evidence of experience in and understanding of the higher education sector and university programmes in SA.
• Evidence of experience in Health Research in SA.
• Evidence of experience in quality management in the health or laboratory sector.
• Experience in managing a large department or unit budget.
• Evidence of experience in health systems strengthening, academic institution functioning, ISO 15189, epidemiology or biostatistics and grants and financial management processes.
• Understanding of applicable health, information and education legislation and donor funding.

Attributes:

• Inspire a sense of vision, purpose and direction.
• Build organisational capability to deliver greater results.
• Exemplifies personal drive and integrity by adhering and promoting the organisation's values and aligning processes accordingly.
• Understand the organisation's direction and role within government and align academic activities with the organisation's strategies.