Director of Children’s Nursing Development Unit

About the role

The Harry Crossley Children’s Nursing Development Unit seeks a senior academic leader to direct its three‑year strategic agenda. Reporting to the Faculty of Health Sciences, the Director will shape nursing excellence across Africa through research, teaching, partnership and fundraising.

Key responsibilities

• Provide intellectual, strategic and organisational leadership for the unit.
• Integrate academic excellence with programme delivery, partnership development and fundraising activities.
• Oversee research and postgraduate teaching in paediatric nursing.
• Build and sustain strategic collaborations with academic, health‑system, governmental and NGO partners.
• Manage budgets, staff and performance metrics to ensure impact and sustainability.

Required profile

• Professional Nurse with at least 5 years clinical paediatric nursing experience.
• PhD in nursing, health professions, public health, sociology, anthropology or related field.
• Strong research record with peer‑reviewed publications at Senior Lecturer/Associate Professor/Professor level.
• Minimum 5 years leadership and management experience in university, health system or comparable setting.
• Proven ability to secure and manage multi‑year external funding.
• Experience developing strategic partnerships across sectors.
• Knowledge of African health‑system debates and workforce development.

Required skills

What we offer

• Opportunity to lead a high‑impact, donor‑funded unit.
• Access to a vibrant academic community at UCT.
• Support for research, teaching and partnership initiatives.