Director: Forensic Mental Health

In brief

**Overview** This document outlines the role of Director: Forensic Mental Health (Reference NDOH 82/2026) within the Department of Health, specifically under the Chief Directorate: Non-Communicable Diseases. This is a 12-month contract post based in Pretoria. The position offers an all-inclusive remuneration package of R1,317,384 per annum, which comprises a basic salary (70% of the total package), the State’s contribution to the Government Employees Pension Fund (13% of basic salary), and a flexible portion that can be structured according to Senior Management Service guidelines. **What you will do** The successful candidate will be responsible for a range of duties focused on forensic mental health services, including: * Processing, monitoring, and ensuring the department's compliance with legislative mandates stemming from the Mental Health Care Act, Criminal Procedure Act, Child Justice Act, and Sexual Offences Act. * Developing legislation, policies, guidelines, and programmes specifically for forensic mental health services. * Creating training programmes for psychiatrists and clinical psychologists on the implementation of legal mandates derived from the Criminal Procedure and Child Justice Acts. * Ensuring the availability of adequate and appropriate infrastructure for forensic mental health services. * Developing and seeking approval for a proposal on a project aimed at increasing beds for mental observations in psychiatric hospitals. * Consulting with provinces to ascertain the required number of beds for mental observations in designated psychiatric hospitals. * Maintaining and updating information management systems related to forensic mental health. * Keeping and updating information management systems that track the movements of State patients to and from designated psychiatric hospitals. * Facilitating intersectoral, interdepartmental, and intradepartmental collaboration on issues pertaining to forensic mental health. * Serving on the Director-General’s Child Justice Committee and the Development Committee (DevComm) of the Criminal Justice system, which is led by the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development. * Participating in the Human Rights Commission on matters concerning the human rights of involuntarily detained persons. **Requirements (from the original advert)** * A Grade 12 certificate. * An appropriate NQF Level 7 qualification in a Mental Health Related Profession (Medicine, Psychiatric Nursing, Psychology, Occupational Therapy, or Social Work) as recognised by SAQA. * Registration with a relevant statutory council as a Mental Health Practitioner. * A postgraduate qualification in Psychiatry or another relevant mental health specification (will be an advantage). * At least five (5) years’ experience at a middle or senior managerial level in the field involved with forensic mental health. * Demonstrable experience in forensic psychiatry/mental health, including the care, treatment, and rehabilitation of State patients and mentally ill prisoners as outlined in the Mental Health Act No 17 of 2002. * Experience in evaluations/assessments relating to section 77, 78, and 79 of the Criminal Procedure Act No 51 of 1977 (as amended), and section 11 of the Child Justice Act No 75 of 2008. * Experience in the implementation of the Sexual Offences Act. * Knowledge of health legislation and health policies, health systems, as well as Clinical Mental Health/psychiatry/psychology, forensic mental health, and research. * Possession of good communication (verbal and written), facilitation, people management, financial management, leadership, planning and organization, problem-solving, human resource management, and computer skills (MS Office package). * A valid driver’s license. * An SMS pre-entry Certificate is required for appointment finalization. **Who should apply** This position is suitable for an experienced mental health professional with significant managerial experience in forensic mental health. The ideal candidate will hold an NQF Level 7 qualification in a relevant mental health discipline, be registered with a statutory council, and have at least five years of middle or senior managerial experience in the field. Essential for this role is practical experience with forensic psychiatry, including the care of State patients and mentally ill prisoners, and proficiency with relevant legislation such as the Mental Health Act, Criminal Procedure Act, Child Justice Act, and Sexual Offences Act. The candidate must also demonstrate strong knowledge of health legislation and policies, along with proven leadership, financial management, human resource management, and communication skills. A valid driver's license and an SMS pre-entry certificate are mandatory. **Deadline** Not specified **Reference** Original posting: https://www.govpage.co.za/vacancies/department-of-health-vacancies-of-dpsa-circular-38-of-2026#spani-ref-ndoh-82-2026 Source: govpage

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