About the Organization
Vital Strategies is a globally recognized international public health organization dedicated to strengthening public health systems across 73 countries. The organization’s primary mission is to address the world’s leading causes of illness, injury, and death through data-driven decision-making and evidence-based policy advocacy. By mounting strategic communication campaigns and building local capacity, Vital Strategies focuses on high-impact areas such as non-communicable disease prevention, environmental health, and tobacco control. Their work is especially concentrated in low- and middle-income countries, where the potential to save lives is greatest.
The Lead Poisoning Prevention Program is a key expansion of Vital Strategies’ environmental health portfolio. Lead exposure is a significant yet preventable public health crisis that affects millions of children globally. By collaborating directly with governmental agencies in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, Vital Strategies aims to enact cost-effective policies and strengthen health systems to mitigate lead exposure. This program represents a vital step toward protecting the cognitive development and long-term health of future generations in high-burden regions.
Working for Vital Strategies offers a unique opportunity to engage in transformative public health work on a global scale. The organization prides itself on a culture of inclusivity, integrity, and professional excellence. Employees are part of a diverse international team that values life experience and cultural understanding as essential components of effective public health intervention. The environment is fast-paced, mission-driven, and supportive, providing professionals with the resources needed to drive real-world change.
Vital Strategies is deeply committed to professional growth and long-term career development. Staff members are exposed to cutting-edge public health methodologies and international stakeholder networks, providing them with unparalleled experience in global health management. The organization’s focus on data and evidence ensures that team members are constantly learning and adapting to new challenges, making it an ideal workplace for dedicated public health professionals.
In alignment with our core values, Vital Strategies is committed to building a diverse and equitable workforce. We strongly encourage women, individuals from underrepresented backgrounds, and people of all identities to apply for our open positions. We believe that a diverse team is a stronger team, better equipped to understand and solve complex social and cultural public health issues. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for the interview process.
Job Description and Strategic Impact
Vital Strategies is expanding its impact in South Africa with three critical roles: Program Manager, Lead Poisoning Surveillance Coordinator, and Program Associate. These positions are the foundation of a new initiative designed to strengthen the South African health system’s ability to detect, monitor, and prevent childhood lead poisoning. Each role is strategically linked to ensure that high-level data is transformed into life-saving government policy.
The Program Manager provides the technical leadership and managerial oversight necessary to build this program from the ground up. This role is responsible for navigating bureaucratic processes and fostering high-level government partnerships. By supervising a specialized team and overseeing field research, the Manager ensures that the program remains on track to meet its ambitious public health goals.
The Lead Poisoning Surveillance Coordinator serves as the technical expert tasked with designing the surveillance frameworks. This role bridges the gap between Vital Strategies and the Ministry of Health, ensuring that blood lead level data is collected accurately and analyzed with epidemiological rigor. This technical foundation is what allows the government to make informed, evidence-based decisions for community health.
The Program Associate provides the essential operational and logistical support that keeps the program running smoothly. By managing procurement, vendor relationships, and complex travel logistics, the Associate enables the technical team to focus on their core mission. This role is vital for ensuring that field teams have the supplies they need and that financial processes are handled with the utmost transparency.
Joining this team means being at the forefront of a major new environmental health initiative in South Africa. Professionals in these roles will gain unique experience in program start-ups and government embedding, setting a strong foundation for a career in international development or public sector health management. This is an opportunity to contribute to a program that has a clear, measurable impact on the health of children and families.
Job Positions and Requirements
Program Manager
Educational Qualification: Master’s degree in Public Health, Epidemiology, Environmental Science, Biostatistics, or Public Administration.
Work Experience: Minimum of 6 to 7 years in epidemiology, environmental health, or global health program implementation, including experience supervising a team.
Job Location: Johannesburg or Pretoria, South Africa (Remote options available).
Salary: ZAR 833,000 – ZAR 1,070,000 (Per Scale)
No. Required: 1 (One)
Lead Poisoning Surveillance Coordinator
Educational Qualification: Master’s degree in Public Health, Environmental Health Science, Epidemiology, or Health Policy.
Work Experience: 6 to 7 years of relevant experience in technical support or stakeholder engagement, with at least 2 years in data management and analysis.
Job Location: Pretoria or Johannesburg, South Africa (Seconded to MoH).
Salary: ZAR 833,000 – ZAR 1,070,000 (Per Scale)
No. Required: 1 (One)
Program Associate
Educational Qualification: Bachelor’s degree in Public Health, Public Policy, International Development, or a related field.
Work Experience: Minimum 3 years of work experience in public health, non-profit, or government sectors with experience in procurement and invoice tracking.
Job Location: Johannesburg or Pretoria, South Africa (Remote based).
Salary: ZAR 577,500 – ZAR 705,000 (Per Scale)
No. Required: 1 (One)
Employment Type and Compensation
All listed positions are offered as full-time contract roles through Vital Strategies’ Employer of Record in South Africa. These positions offer a high degree of professional stability within a mission-driven international organization. The Lead Poisoning Surveillance Coordinator position is particularly unique, as it is expected to eventually be seconded (embedded) within the South African Ministry of Health.
The compensation packages are highly competitive and structured to attract top-tier public health talent. Salaries are based on the organizational scale and range from ZAR 577,500 for the Associate level to ZAR 1,070,000 for the Manager and Coordinator levels. In addition to financial compensation, Vital Strategies offers a growth-oriented environment with opportunities for professional mentorship and international collaboration.
We provide a workplace that values flexibility and results. While the roles require being based in Johannesburg or Pretoria to attend essential in-person meetings and field visits, we utilize modern project management platforms to support efficient remote and cross-time-zone collaboration.
How to Apply
Vital Strategies maintains a rigorous and fair application process. Interested and qualified applicants should submit their updated Curriculum Vitae (CV) via email. Your application should be tailored to show how your specific skills and experience meet the requirements of the role you are applying for.
Please be informed that scanned certificates or physical attachments of academic credentials are NOT required during the initial application phase. We request that you focus on a high-quality CV and cover letter. Original documents and proof of work/residence permits for South Africa will only be requested for candidates who progress to the physical verification and interview stage.
Our recruitment team will conduct a thorough review of all submissions. Due to the high volume of interest, please be advised that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further assessments, which may include written exams and interviews. Ensure your contact information is accurate and up to date.
Candidates must use the specific email address and subject line associated with each role as provided below. Incorrect subject lines may result in your application not being processed.
For Program Manager: Email: deborah.eshetu@ethiojobs.net Subject Line: Program Manager, South Africa – Vital Strategies
For Coordinator & Associate: Email: nahom.solomon@ethiojobs.net Subject Line (Coordinator): Lead Poisoning Surveillance Coordinator, South Africa – Vital Strategies Subject Line (Associate): Program Associate, South Africa – Vital Strategies
Application Deadline
June 8, 2026