Community Health Lead, South Africa (Ftc)

Healthcare Businesswomen’S Association; Gauteng; On-site; ZAR 700 000 - 900 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading organization is seeking a Community Health Lead in South Africa to enhance breast cancer care through local program design and stakeholder collaboration. The role involves managing access solutions, evaluating impact, and ensuring effective partnerships. Ideal candidates will possess an advanced degree and extensive experience in global health or the pharmaceutical industry.

Qualifications

• 5+ years experience in the pharmaceutical industry or global health.
• Strong knowledge of the local healthcare landscape.

Responsibilities

• Drive end-to-end process for local program scoping, design, and implementation.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to co-design initiatives and support policy changes.
• Support the design of monitoring and evaluation frameworks.

Skills

Business Networking

Communication

Curiosity

Marketing

Media Relations

Public Affairs

Education

Advanced Degree in business, economics, public health, engineering, medicine

Tools

Microsoft Access

Job description

The Community Health unit strives to improve access, health equity, and patient outcomes in a sustainable way in countries around the world.

The Community Health Lead, South Africa, is responsible for co-designing and driving the implementation of a local Breast Cancer (BC) Community Health model in partnership with the Novartis International Country Organization.

This includes establishing a deep understanding of the local oncology ecosystem in the public sector, including provincial variability, working closely with local partners and stakeholders to co-design effective breast cancer interventions, and driving implementation, while collaborating with the local Country Organization and Global Health.

Job Description Major Accountabilities:

1. Program Design and Management: Drive end-to-end process for local program scoping, design, and implementation – in close alignment with the Country Organization and Global Health teams. This includes identifying key oncology priorities (with a specific focus on metastatic breast cancer and pathways to improve outcomes in early BC), supporting intervention design, identifying partners, establishing M&E frameworks, and managing project workplans and timelines. Once launched, work with partners to drive operational excellence, set expectations, problem-solve, and monitor progress and impact.
2. Access Solution Development: In close partnership with the Country Organization and local partners, co-develop product access strategies for improved access to innovation and standard of care treatments. Support business case development, including sales, patient reach, and investment assessments. Manage local GH and/or 3rd party resources as needed for execution.
3. Stakeholder Engagement and Partnership Development: Collaborate with a broad network of stakeholders to co-design initiatives, support policy changes, and advise on NHI reforms for oncology practice. Build local capacity for long-term impact. Work effectively with internal cross-functional teams (e.g., Public Sector, Oncology TA/Commercial, V&A, Finance, Medical, P&O, Public Affairs, Legal/ERC).
4. Impact Evaluation and Communication: Support the design of monitoring and evaluation frameworks to track impact and effectiveness. Own local monitoring of program KPIs. Use data and evidence to inform policy decisions, identify improvement areas, and document success stories, considering local data collection requirements.

Key Performance Indicators:

• Successful implementation of the Community Health Model within planned timelines.
• Strong partnerships with local stakeholders and positioning of the model as a trusted approach.
• Identification of sustainability pathways for impactful interventions.
• Positive feedback from partners on communication and program success.

Minimum Requirements:

• Advanced Degree in business, economics, public health, engineering, medicine, or relevant experience in global health innovation or entrepreneurship.
• Languages: Fluent in English (oral and written).
• 5+ years experience in the pharmaceutical industry or global health, with strong knowledge of the local healthcare landscape.
• Excellent project management, presentation, and data-driven skills.
• Preference for experience in health system strengthening, access, commercial, or policy efforts (e.g., innovative access models, advocacy, patient support).
• Experience in oncology or NCD/chronic diseases preferred.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, ability to build trusted relationships, and work across diverse backgrounds.
• Flexible, learning mindset, capable of working in multiple therapeutic areas.

Skills Desired:

Business Networking, Communication, Corporate Communication, Curiosity, Marketing, Media Campaigns, Media Relations, Microsoft Access, Press Releases, Prioritization, Public Affairs, Social Media