Project Manager: Health Promotion & Wellness (HIV/AIDS)

The University of the Western Cape (UWC) is seeking a highly motivated and qualified Project Manager to join its Health Promotion & Wellness (HIV/AIDS) unit. This is a permanent, full-time position for a leader who can manage and implement critical strategic and operational projects aimed at enhancing health and wellness across the university community.

In this role, you will be crucial in ensuring projects are completed on schedule and within budget, providing consistent updates to the Director, and fostering strong relationships with various stakeholders. You will also be responsible for proactively identifying and managing project risks, contributing significantly to the unit’s vision and programmes.

Role & Responsibilities

As the Project Manager, your duties will include:

• Conceptualising, implementing, and evaluating diverse health and wellness programmes under the Director’s guidance. These initiatives will promote healthy social behaviours and provide health education in areas such as sexual health, substance abuse, mental health, and preventative healthcare.
• Supporting the recruitment, training, and mentorship of peer educators; overseeing peer-led activities, campus-wide programmes, and community outreach initiatives.
• Managing monitoring and evaluation processes, coordinating confidential record-keeping, and ensuring all grant stipulations (e.g., statistics, reports) are met.
• Assisting the Director in developing and delivering health promotion, prevention, advocacy, and human rights programmes, including curriculum enrichment and educational materials.
• Building and maintaining robust relationships with various stakeholders, including executive management, operational staff, and third-party contractors, to ensure project objectives are achieved.
• Effectively managing project constraints related to scope, time, budget, quality, risk, and resources.
• Performing administrative tasks, coordination, and applying conflict resolution skills to ensure timely task completion and adherence to UWC’s Project Governance framework.
• Creating project resource plans, facilitating resource allocation (both financial and human), and clearly defining roles and responsibilities for project stakeholders and volunteers.
• Overseeing multiple project budgets, including forecasting, variance reporting, and financial allocations.
• Identifying project risks and facilitating prudent, timely risk assessment and mitigation plans with stakeholders.
• Providing the Director with regular project updates and comprehensive reports.
• Developing and managing essential project documents, grant stipulations, and Unit requirements, including supporting the creation and implementation of protocols and monitoring and evaluation instruments.
• Assisting the Director with funding and resource proposals to advance the Unit’s vision.
• Coordinating and implementing the Unit’s media and communication strategy under the Director’s guidance.
• Assisting in the development and implementation of a comprehensive evaluation and scholarly programme aligned with the Unit’s vision.

Minimum Requirements

Candidates must meet the following essential criteria:

• A Master’s degree (NQF level 9) in Clinical, Counselling, or Educational Psychology.
• Registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) in one of the relevant categories.
• A minimum of five (5) years of relevant work experience.

Added Advantages

Preference will be given to candidates who possess:

• Exposure to or a strong interest in critical health approaches.
• Experience or knowledge in community engagement and community development.
• Demonstrable experience and/or knowledge of systemic behavioural health interventions.
• Evidence of continuous scholarly and/or research engagement.

Required Competencies

The ideal candidate will demonstrate the following skills and attributes:

• Ability to work effectively both independently and collaboratively within a team to meet agreed deadlines.
• Strong ability to build and maintain positive relationships with all internal and external stakeholders.
• Excellent planning, organizing, and time management skills.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent facilitation and consensus-building abilities.
• Demonstrated emotional intelligence and adaptability.
• Strong training skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Proven experience in analysing complex issues and facilitating appropriate solutions.
• Ability to deliver engaging, informative, and well-organized presentations.
• Skill in producing high-quality, well-constructed, professional documentation and reports.
• A strong commitment to maintaining confidentiality.

How to Apply

If you meet the requirements and are passionate about making a difference in health promotion and wellness, we encourage you to apply!

To apply for this position, please click on the “Apply for this Job” link on the UWC Careers portal (or visit the direct application link: UWC Careers). Your application must include:

• A compelling cover letter motivating your suitability for the role.
• A detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV) that includes contact details for three (3) professional referees.
• Copies of your highest qualification certificate(s).

Please highlight any exceptional strengths or achievements in your application that you believe will make you an outstanding candidate.

For any recruitment-related queries, you may contact the Human Resources Department at +27 21 959 4063/9763/9708/3551/3756 or email: e-recruitment@uwc.ac.za.

Disclaimer: By submitting your application, you consent to UWC sharing your application, including your CV, with university stakeholders to process your application. In line with UWC’s commitment to diversifying its workforce, preference will be given to suitably qualified applicants who align with our Employment Equity Targets. The University reserves the right not to make an appointment, make an appointment at a different level, seek additional candidates, and may conduct competency assessments. The official retirement age at UWC is 65 years.