Main purpose of job:

This is a fantastic opportunity to play a pivotal role in the UK–South Africa Bilateral Health Partnership. 

The Health Attaché at the British High Commission in Pretoria serves as the UK’s technical adviser on health systems strengthening within the UK–South Africa Bilateral Health Partnership. The role combines technical expertise with diplomacy, providing strategic advice on policy and programmatic interventions that advance universal health coverage and improve health outcomes. 

Based at the British High Commission in Pretoria, you’ll be at the heart of efforts to strengthen health systems, expand access to quality care, and deepen collaboration between the UK and South Africa. As Health Attaché, you’ll provide expert advice on policy and programmatic interventions—helping design and deliver initiatives that make a measurable impact. You’ll oversee programme delivery, monitor progress, and ensure every activity offers real value for money.

Your work will bring you into close partnership with South African government counterparts, delivery partners, civil society, and NGOs. From shaping strategic, high-level engagement to unlocking opportunities for knowledge exchange, you’ll ensure interventions are evidence-based, responsive to local needs, and positioned to advance shared goals on Universal Health Coverage and Health Systems Strengthening. You’ll also collaborate with the Head of Profession for Health, UK advisers, policy leads, and programme teams to align objectives with broader UK priorities and the ambitions of the bilateral health partnership including through leveraging centrally managed programmes, research partnerships and relationships.

If you’re passionate about global health, systems strengthening, and building partnerships that deliver lasting change—this role offers a unique chance to make a difference.

Roles and responsibilities:

This will be an ideal job for a flexible, motivated self-starter who has strong technical, programme management and stakeholder engagement skills. A successful applicant would need to demonstrate a strong health technical knowledge, with an ability to use self-directed study to learn further about these areas as the programme develops. Applicants will also need to show project management experience and strong communication skills to work in a team and influence others.  Current health affiliates or those who wish to accredit in future to the FCDO’s health advisory cadre are encouraged to apply.

1. Technical Expertise, Reporting and Programme Delivery (30%)
   You will act as the sector lead for key components of the UK–South Africa Health Systems Strengthening Partnership. This includes providing technical advice on strategic health direction, programmatic interventions, monitoring progress, and reporting developments back to UK Government policymakers and colleagues across the British High Commission network.  This could include managing budgets, timelines, and deliverables, providing strategic guidance to ensure activities remain on track and deliver measurable outcomes, while maintaining compliance with UK Aid objectives and value-for-money principles. 
2. Strategic Relationship Management (30%)
   Working with the Deputy Development Counsellor, maintain a regular rhythm of engagement with government stakeholders. Developing and delivering against clear priority areas for cooperation You will build and maintain strong relationships with senior stakeholders in South Africa’s health sector, including government officials, provincial leadership, civil society, and delivery partners. You will support senior-level engagement, facilitate technical exchanges, and ensure strategic alignment between UK and South African priorities. Your role will include maintaining engagement tools and responding promptly to queries to keep relationships productive and collaborative.
3. Policy Advice on Health (20%)
   You will advise on policy and programme activities that strengthen health systems and improve equity. Acting as first landing contact for health in UKinSA, you will maintain a handle on key policy positions, contribute to Human Development policy discussions, Country Board progress reports, and work with others to show how Global Health priorities interact with sustainable development and inclusive economic growth. Follow up and drive emerging opportunities for health partnerships, research and funding, including by identifying internal and external communication opportunities on health priorities. You will work closely with the Deputy Development Counsellor to leverage the UK’s large central investments in health through multilateral partners to further the UKinSA’s health goals.
4. Visits and High-Level Engagements (15%)
   You will play a key role in planning and delivering visits and engagements between UK Ministers, senior officials, and South African counterparts. You will lead on coordinating in-country events and workshops. This includes shaping agendas, coordinating site visits, and supporting announcements that showcase the impact of the bilateral health partnership.
5. Communications (5%)
   You will work closely with communications teams to highlight programme successes and share lessons learned. This includes preparing briefings, drafting content for internal and external audiences, and ensuring messaging reflects UK policy objectives and the partnership’s achievements.

Resources managed (staff and expenditure): 

• Staff: No direct line management is envisaged at this time. However team management and/or leadership experience is preferred given the job holder will be responsible for leading a policy area, providing strategic advice to the programme team and negotiating with others.
• Resources: The job holder will work with wider team to manage the GBP5million Health Systems Strengthening Partnership Programme and work with Headquarter to leverage centrally-managed funding as well as wider multilateral contributions.

• Graduate with a university degree relevant to the job and at least 5 years of experience in a relevant field.
• Demonstrate expertise in key health competencies such as health system strengthening, knowledge of the global health architecture and the wider determinants of health.
• Experience of delivering complex programmes
• Experience of managing wide range of national and international stakeholders and delivery partners
• Understanding of ODA/International development
• At least 3 years’ experience in programme management ideally in a health context. 
• A flexible and creative problem-solver, able to come up with innovative solutions to complex challenges.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills including in giving presentations to external audiences, including senior stakeholders. 
• Team player driven by values.