Kwazulu Natal Department Of Health Head Clinical Unit: Obstetrics and Gynaecology Vacancy 2026

Opportunity Overview

The Kwazulu Natal Department Of Health is an equal opportunity and affirmative employer, committed to promoting representivity across all levels and occupational categories within the Department.

This specific vacancy is for a Head Clinical Unit in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, based at Ladysmith Regional Hospital. The successful candidate will be responsible for leading, planning, and coordinating a comprehensive specialist service within the department.

This role requires a dedicated medical professional to provide expert consultation, manage the medical workforce, and ensure high standards of patient care and clinical governance.

Minimum Requirements

• An appropriate Medical and Specialist qualification that allows registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) as a Medical Specialist in Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
• Current registration with the HPCSA as a Medical Specialist in Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
• At least five years’ experience as a Medical Specialist after registration with the HPCSA in Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
• A valid driver’s licence.
• Advanced clinical knowledge and specialist expertise in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, including high-risk obstetrics, obstetric emergencies, and complex gynaecological care.
• Sound knowledge of applicable health and Public Service legislation, policies, clinical guidelines, professional ethics, patient safety, and clinical governance requirements.
• Ability to lead, supervise, mentor, and teach medical officers, interns, students, and members of the multidisciplinary team.
• Strong strategic planning, service development, resource management, communication, negotiation, conflict-resolution, decision-making, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to analyse clinical and service data, lead audits and quality-improvement initiatives, and present clear reports to hospital and district management.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, plan, coordinate, and monitor a comprehensive specialist Obstetrics and Gynaecology service, including antenatal, labour ward, obstetric theatre, inpatient, outpatient, and emergency gynaecological services.
• Provide direct specialist care and expert consultation for high-risk, complex, and referred patients, ensuring appropriate escalation and continuity of care.
• Ensure safe, evidence-based, patient-centred care through approved policies, protocols, standard operating procedures, and effective multidisciplinary teamwork.
• Lead maternal, perinatal, and gynaecological clinical governance, including morbidity and mortality reviews, patient-safety incident reviews, clinical audits, quality-improvement projects, and implementation of corrective actions.
• Coordinate referral pathways, outreach, and specialist support to district hospitals and other referring facilities within the hospital’s drainage area.
• Develop and implement departmental operational plans, service targets, clinical risk controls, and performance-monitoring systems aligned with hospital and Departmental priorities.
• Manage and develop the medical workforce through appropriate deployment, duty rosters, supervision, mentorship, leave planning, performance management, and succession planning.
• Promote undergraduate and continuing professional development, skills transfer, and clinically relevant research.
• Ensure cost-effective stewardship of medicines, blood products, equipment, consumables, theatre time, beds, and other scarce resources.
• Participate in hospital senior-management and strategic activities, support district and provincial programmes, and submit accurate clinical and management reports within required timeframes.
• Participate in the commuted overtime system and provide after-hours consultant leadership according to service needs.

How to Apply

To apply for this opportunity, please follow these steps:

• Visit the official application portal: http://www.kznonline.gov.za/kznjobs
• Ensure your application is submitted before the closing date of 04 September 2026.