The South African National Aids Council (SANAC) leads South Africa’s response to the national HIV and AIDS, TB & STIs epidemics. SANAC is building a dynamic team that can facilitate its effective leadership of the national response.
Position: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Duration: Permanent
Reporting to: Chair of the Board of Trustees
Location: SANAC Head Office, Centurion
Advert Date: 07 October 2026
JOB SUMMARY: The South African National AIDS Council invites applications from suitably qualified and highly experienced strategic leaders for the position of Chief Executive Officer. The CEO provides overall leadership, strategic direction and financial oversight to SANAC Trust and plays a pivotal role in advancing South Africa’s multisectoral response to HIV, TB and STIs. The position requires an accomplished and credible executive who can lead in a complex, highly visible and multi-stakeholder environment and effectively engage government, civil society, the private sector, development partners, donors and other strategic stakeholders.
KEY PERFORMANCE AREAS AND RESPONSIBILITIES (Not Limited to):
The CEO will provide strategic and executive leadership across the organisation and will, amongst others:
- Provide visionary and strategic leadership to SANAC in achieving its mandate and long-term objectives.
- Lead and support the development and implementation of the National Strategic Plan on HIV, TB and STIs.
- Advise the SANAC Board and relevant national structures on strategic priorities, policy matters and resource mobilisation.
- Ensure sound governance, accountability and compliance with the SANAC Trust Deed and applicable governance principles.
- Anticipate changes in the national and international health, development and funding environment and position SANAC to respond to emerging opportunities and risks.
- Strengthen strategic partnerships across government, civil society, the private sector, donors and development partners.
- Promote effective coordination and integration across sectors and spheres of government and support the functionality of SANAC’s multisectoral structures.
- Represent SANAC and advocate on HIV, TB and STI matters at national and international level.
Organisational Leadership and Performance
The CEO will provide leadership to the Executive Management team and ensure effective implementation of SANAC’s Strategy, Annual Performance Plans and operational priorities.
The incumbent will be expected to:
- Build and lead a high-performing Executive team and promote a culture of performance, ethics and accountability.
- Strengthen human capital management, organisational effectiveness, leadership development, performance management and organisational culture.
- Ensure effective organisational performance monitoring and reporting against approved strategic objectives and targets.
- Provide oversight of risk management, internal controls, policies and organisational systems.
- Ensure that SANAC has effective systems supporting financial management, human capital, information technology and communications.
- Maintain a strong and constructive relationship with the Board and its Committees and support effective governance and accountability.
Financial Sustainability and Resource Mobilisation
- A key priority of the CEO will be to strengthen SANAC’s long-term financial sustainability and resource base.
- The CEO will provide strategic financial oversight, lead resource mobilisation and donor engagement, oversee the development of funding proposals and cultivate high-level relationships with government, local and international donors and other funding institutions.
- The incumbent will also be responsible for ensuring the sustainable and effective use of SANAC resources and maintaining appropriate financial management and control.
Thought Leadership, Partnerships and Innovation
- The CEO will champion evidence-based policy formulation, research, innovation and knowledge-sharing in support of the national HIV, TB and STI response.
- The incumbent will cultivate strategic relationships with the Department of Health, donors, development partners and the private sector, identify opportunities for new partnerships and promote innovative approaches that strengthen SANAC’s contribution to the national response.
- Global Fund CCM Leadership
- The CEO also carries significant responsibilities relating to the Global Fund Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM), including providing strategic and ethical leadership, overseeing alignment of Global Fund-supported programmes with national priorities and the NSP, supporting effective governance and representing the CCM in relevant stakeholder and Global Fund engagements.
- Ensure SANAC mandate, vision, and values are reflected in all job outcomes
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:
- A Master’s degree in Public Health, Health Science, Health Management, Development Studies, Social Sciences or related qualification.
- A relevant postgraduate qualification in Public Health System Strengthening, and/or Health System management is mandatory.
- A Doctoral degree will be advantageous.
- A minimum of 10 years’ experience in senior executive or leadership roles.
- At least 10 years of experience in the field of Health with particular focus on communicable diseases including but not limited to HIV, TB and STI’s
- Proven experience managing complex multisectoral stakeholder structures within the public sector, civil society and/or donor sectors.
- Extensive understanding of South Africa’s health and development landscape, including HIV, TB and STIs.
- Demonstrated success in strategic planning, resource mobilisation and high-level policy engagement.
SKILLS AND ATTRIBUTES
Ethical, visionary and resilient leader with strong strategic and systems-thinking capability. The successful candidate should demonstrate sound judgement, integrity and the ability to build trust and influence at the highest levels.
The role requires strong capability in governance, financial oversight, resource mobilisation, performance management, stakeholder engagement, negotiation, executive leadership, crisis management and adaptive leadership, together with excellent communication, analytical, presentation and public-engagement skills.
Should you be interested in this vacancy, applications with a covering letter, comprehensive CV, and copies of qualifications must be submitted via-mail to hr@sanac.org.za. Kindly indicate the name of the position on the subject line of the email. Applicants who do not comply with the above-mentioned requirements, as well as applications received late or hand delivered will not be considered. Closing date: 21st October 2026 Close of Business
Note that correspondence will only be conducted with the short-listed candidates. If you have not been contacted within two (2) months of the closing date of the advertisement, please consider your application as unsuccessful. SANAC gives preference to South African candidates who meet the job requirement and who will add to the culture and gender diversity of the organization. Suitable candidates will be subjected to appropriate executive selection process, which may include structured interviews, executive competency and leadership assessments, qualification verification, reference checks, background screening and other appropriate due-diligence processes. Appointment will be subject to the applicable SANAC governance approval processes.
SANAC reserves the right at any time to withdraw or alter this advertised position.