Job Title: Program Associate, South Africa

Job Grade: 2

Effective Date: June 1, 2026

Exempt or Non-Exempt: N/A

Core or Embedded: Core

Office Affiliation: EoR Choose an item.

Location: Johannesburg or Pretoria, South Africa

Supervisor 1:   Program Manager, South Africa 

Division: EH_Environmental Health 

Department: ENV_Environmental Health

Supervisor 2: 

Division: EH_Environmental Health 

About Vital Strategies:
Vital Strategies is an international public health organization. Our programs strengthen public health systems and address the world’s leading causes of illness, injury and death. We currently work in 73 countries, supporting data-driven decision making in government, advancing evidence-based public health policies, and mounting strategic communication campaigns. Vital Strategies’ priorities are driven by the greatest potential to improve and save lives. They include non-communicable disease prevention, tobacco control, road safety, obesity prevention, overdose prevention, environmental health, and vital statistics systems building. Our programs are primarily concentrated in low- and middle-income countries in Africa, Latin America, Asia and the Pacific. Please visit our website at www.vitalstrategies.org to find out more about our work.

About Lead Poisoning Prevention Program:
Vital Strategies is expanding our program that addresses the issue of lead poisoning in low- and middle-income countries. We plan to build upon existing efforts and interest by collaborating with governmental agencies in countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America to strengthen health systems and build local expertise in childhood lead exposure to enact sound, cost-effective policies to address exposures.

Job Purpose:
The position of Program Associate for the Lead Poisoning Prevention Program, South Africa, is a new position for Vital Strategies. The Program Associate will offer administrative, operational, and logistical support to the Program Manager, including assisting with procuring and contracting goods and services, scheduling meetings and maintaining calendars, coordinating travel and logistics, and planning events, among other duties. This role involves coordinating with the program team, government officials (as needed for operations), and field surveillance teams.

Duties and Responsibilities:
Program Operations:
•    Assist the program team in operations and procurement, including venue selection, logistical arrangements for meetings and events, and ensuring all necessary arrangements are in place;
•    Assist in coordinating participant invitations, managing attendance lists, and preparing meeting materials to ensure smooth execution;
•    Facilitate communication with stakeholders, the printing of materials, and coordinate travel and logistics (hotel booking, transport, and reimbursements) for in-person meetings, trainings, workshops.

Administrative Support:
•    Provide administrative support to the program team, including processing correspondence and filing procurement requisitions as per organizational protocols;
•    Assist with coordinating procurement and the distribution of field supplies, equipment, and training materials;
•    Draft correspondence independently or based on instructions and redirect as appropriate, bringing urgent matters to the attention of the supervisor.

Financial Coordination:
•    Coordinate the processing of invoices for program team members and vendors, working closely with the finance and operations teams;
•    Track invoice submissions, liaise with finance and accounting, and address any questions or issues related to payments;
•    Compile support documentation for financial payments and process purchase orders;
•    Provide administrative support to project team members for timely reimbursements and payments.  

Stakeholder Coordination:
•    Manage travel arrangements for the team, including handling cancellations or changes in travel plans;
•    Assist in follow-up with vendors, government agencies, and field teams to ensure smooth operations.

Documentation: 
·    Maintain detailed program records and documentation, ensuring all records are accurate and up to date;
·    Support the team by suggesting some administrative improvements in line with program norms;
·    Conduct data entry as and when needed to support the program activities, reporting, monitoring, and evaluation;
·    Assist with additional tasks as assigned by the supervisor to support overall program effectiveness.

Job Requirements

Qualifications:
Education:
·    Bachelor’s degree in a related field required.

Experience:
Required
·    Minimum three years of work experience; working in public health, public policy, international development, and/or non-profit;
·    Experience in invoice tracking, processing, and managing, including invoice processing, tracking payments, and managing purchase orders. 
·    Ability to assist with budget planning and procurement coordination for program activities.

Preferred
·    At least 1 year of work experience with the government;
·    Experience working collaboratively and remotely with internal and external team members to provide administrative support on time;
·    Experience using platforms such as DocuSign, CLM, NetSuite, Monday, Airtable, and Slack is a plus;
·    Ability to draft official correspondence independently is a plus.

Skills & Abilities
·    Strong organizational and time management skills to manage program activities, logistics, and documentation;
·    Excellent written and verbal communication skills to interact professionally with government officials, program partners, and vendors. Professional oral and written proficiency in the native language. Competence in English is preferred. Ability to draft official correspondence independently is a plus;
·    Exceptional attention to detail to ensure accuracy in documentation, financial processing, and logistical arrangements;
·    Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and other relevant administrative tools.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements:
•    This is a full-time position that can be based remotely in either Johannesburg or Pretoria, South Africa. 
•    This vacancy is open to South African nationals and candidates holding a valid work or residence permit for South Africa.
•    The selected candidate must be based in either Johannesburg or Pretoria to attend in-person meetings as required.
•    Relocation support is not offered for this position; candidates are expected to be based in or able to independently relocate to the role’s location.
•    The successful candidate will be employed through Vital’s Employer of Record (EOR).
•    The salary range for this position is ZAR 577,500 to ZAR 705,000.
•    The role requires a willingness to travel within South Africa for in-person meetings and field visits, as needed, as well as occasional international travel.

Vital Strategies is committed to building a diverse, equitable, and inclusive (DEI) organization. We believe our programs are strengthened when they are developed and supported by individuals with diverse life experiences, whose understanding of social and cultural issues can help make our work and workforce more inclusive. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds.

How To Apply

Interested and qualified applicants can send their updated cv through email:"nahom.solomon@ethiojobs.net" using the subject line Program Associate, South Africa -  Vital Strategies

Job Requirements The role requires a Bachelor’s degree in a related field, along with a minimum of three years of work experience in public health, public policy, international development, or the non-profit sector, as well as experience in invoice tracking and processing, including managing invoices, tracking payments, and handling purchase-related processes. work place Location: Johannesburg or Pretoria, South Africa How to Apply Submit your non-returnable application and CV along with supporting documents in Via email nahom.solomon@ethiojobs.net