Assistant Manager: Pharmaceutical Services – Free State Department of Health
- Department: Free State Department of Health
- Location: Corporate Office (Medical Depot), Free State
- Post Number: 32/172
- Reference Number: H/A/34/2026
- Salary: R1,137,354 – R1,278,972 per annum
- Employment Type: Public Service
Job Overview
The Free State Department of Health is inviting suitably qualified and experienced pharmacists to apply for the position of Assistant Manager: Pharmaceutical Services at the Corporate Office (Medical Depot).
The successful candidate will provide pharmaceutical management and technical support across the province, with a strong focus on pharmacovigilance, antimicrobial stewardship, medicine supply management, cold chain management and the implementation of pharmaceutical service strategies.
Minimum Requirements
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Matric / Grade 12 certificate.
- Appropriate Bachelor of Pharmacy Degree (NQF Level 7) recognised by SAQA.
- Qualification must allow registration with the South African Pharmacy Council (SAPC) as a Pharmacist.
- Current registration with the SAPC for 2026/2027.
- Must be designated as an active and practising pharmacist on the SAPC register.
- Minimum 5 years’ experience as a pharmacist after completion of community service.
- At least 3 years’ supervisory experience, preferably within the public health sector.
- Valid driver’s licence.
- Computer literacy.
Added Advantages
Experience in the following areas will be an added advantage:
- Pharmacovigilance.
- Antimicrobial stewardship.
- Medicine supply management.
- Pharmaceutical services within the public health sector.
Key Skills and Competencies
The ideal candidate should possess:
- Strong management and supervisory skills.
- Knowledge of legislation relating to the provision of pharmaceutical services.
- Knowledge of relevant legislation, policies and National Department of Health strategies.
- Project management skills.
- Good communication skills.
- Strong interpersonal skills.
- Negotiation skills.
- Ability to provide technical support and guidance.
- Ability to monitor compliance with pharmaceutical policies and standards.
Key Responsibilities
Pharmacovigilance
- Enhance pharmacovigilance activities across the province.
- Support initiatives aimed at improving patient safety.
- Provide technical support to healthcare facilities regarding medicine safety and monitoring.
Antimicrobial Stewardship
- Implement Antimicrobial Stewardship Programmes (AMS).
- Ensure antimicrobial stewardship initiatives are aligned with National Department of Health strategies.
- Support healthcare facilities in implementing appropriate antimicrobial-use practices.
Cold Chain and Vaccine Management
- Ensure effective cold chain management for medicines and vaccines.
- Support the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) across all levels of healthcare.
- Promote compliance with relevant standards and procedures for medicine and vaccine storage.
Pharmaceutical Services and Access
- Improve access to and availability of pharmaceutical services across districts.
- Support the implementation of differentiated models of care.
- Facilitate implementation of the down-referral policy.
- Provide technical support to districts and health facilities.
Policy Development and Implementation
- Support the development and implementation of pharmaceutical policies.
- Ensure policies are aligned with national and provincial frameworks.
- Assist with translating national strategies into effective provincial pharmaceutical services.
Reporting, Audits and Compliance
- Compile relevant pharmaceutical services reports.
- Support audits and compliance monitoring activities.
- Participate in relevant pharmaceutical and healthcare forums.
- Provide technical support to health facilities.
- Monitor implementation of applicable legislation, policies and strategies.
Salary
R1,137,354 – R1,278,972 per annum
Enquiries
Ms Moatlhodi
Tel: 083 654 2852