weebly statistics
Published on

 

GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES MEDICAL SCHEME (GEMS)

 


 

INNOVATION SPECIALIST

  • Pretoria
  • Permanent
  • Full Time
  • Disabled, EE/AA, Non EE/AA

 

Introduction

The position of Innovation Specialist is vacant. The Innovation Specialist will report directly to the Senior Manager: Strategy and forms part of the Office of the Principal Officer Division. The position is based at Head Office in Pretoria.

The total remuneration package for this position will be between R 954,930 and R1,193,734 per annum, based on qualifications and experience.

The closing date for applications will be Tuesday, 28 July 2026. 

 

Overview:

The Innovation Specialist will support the implementation of the GEMS Innovation Strategy by driving innovation initiatives, coordinating projects, and promoting a culture of continuous improvement across the organisation. The role requires strong analytical, project coordination, and stakeholder engagement skills to translate ideas and trends into practical innovation opportunities. A relevant degree and at least five years’ experience in innovation, strategy, or business improvement are essential.

 

Duties & Responsibilities

The Innovation Specialist will be required to provide support to the Senior Manager: Strategy in the Office of the Principal Officer on the implementation and operationalization of the GEMS Innovation Strategy and Innovation Management Framework, including the embedding of an innovation culture and continuous improvement practices across the Scheme, through the following:

  • Support implementation and operationalization of the GEMS Innovation Strategy and Innovation Management Framework.
  • Coordinate innovation management processes, governance activities and Innovation Committee processes.
  • Coordinate the intake, evaluation, prioritisation and tracking of innovation ideas, unsolicited proposals, initiatives and projects across Business-as-Usual (BAU), Tactical and Strategic innovation categories.
  • Conduct innovation research, environmental scanning and benchmarking on healthcare, digital, operational and regulatory trends.
  • Analyse operational, member and stakeholder insights to identify innovation and continuous improvement opportunities.
  • Support development of innovation business cases, concept papers, proposals and governance submissions.
  • Coordinate innovation initiatives, pilot projects and implementation activities across the Scheme.
  • Facilitate collaboration and stakeholder engagement with internal divisions, service providers, strategic partners and external stakeholders.
  • Coordinate innovation workshops, ideation sessions, communication and stakeholder engagement activities.
  • Support organisational change management, innovation adoption and the embedding of an innovation culture across the Scheme.
  • Support implementation of Design Thinking, Agile and continuous improvement practices.
  • Prepare innovation reports, dashboards, presentations and progress updates.
  • Monitor innovation KPIs, implementation progress and benefits realisation.
  • Maintain innovation registers, reporting records and governance documentation.
  • Support identification and mitigation of risks and issues related to innovation initiatives.

 

Desired Experience & Qualification

Qualification and experience requirements are:

  • Minimum 3-year Degree in Innovation Management, Strategy Management, Business Management, Healthcare Management, Engineering, Information Systems or equivalent qualification.
  • A postgraduate qualification in Innovation Management, Strategy, Business Management or related fields will be advantageous.
  • Minimum 5 years’ relevant experience in innovation management, strategy execution, project coordination, business improvement, transformation management or related strategic and operational support roles.
  • Experience in facilitating cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder engagements.
  • Experience in innovation reporting, dashboard development or innovation performance monitoring will be advantageous.
  • Experience in change management and organisational adoption initiatives.
  • Exposure to innovation management, digital transformation and continuous improvement initiatives will be advantageous.
  • Understanding of innovation management, innovation governance and innovation operating models will be advantageous.
  • Understanding of the healthcare funding and medical schemes environment will be advantageous.

 

Skills and Competencies:

  • Strong analytical, critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
  • Strong project coordination and stakeholder management capability.
  • Research and environmental scanning capability.
  • Excellent written, verbal communication, interpersonal and presentation skills.
  • Ability to facilitate workshops and stakeholder engagements.
  • Ability to coordinate multiple initiatives and competing priorities simultaneously.
  • Strong organisational, planning and coordination capability.
  • Strategic and conceptual thinking capability.
  • Innovation and continuous improvement orientation.
  • Ability to translate emerging trends and insights into practical innovation opportunities.
  • Demonstrated ability to work effectively as part of a team.
  • High levels of professionalism, reliability and attention to detail.
  • Self-motivated, proactive and able to work effectively under pressure.
  • Advanced MS Office skills, including PowerPoint, Excel and Word.
  • Must be in possession of a valid driver’s license and own vehicle and be willing to travel at short notice.

 

Behavioural Competencies:

  • High level of attention to detail and problem-solving ability.
  • Demonstrable capability, professionalism and accountability.
  • Ability to translate emerging trends and insights into practical innovation opportunities.
  • Commitment to continuous improvement, innovation and organisational excellence.
  • Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively in cross-functional teams.
  • Displays original thinking and innovation in supporting organisational transformation and continuous improvement initiatives.
  • Ability to build collaborative relationships and engage effectively with diverse stakeholders.
  • Self-motivated, proactive and adaptable in a dynamic working environment.
  • Commitment to working in the not-for-profit sector.

 

Desirable:

  • Knowledge of innovation management frameworks, innovation governance processes, organisational innovation implementation and continuous improvement practices.
  • Exposure to healthcare, consulting, strategy or transformation environments will be advantageous.

 

Interested?

GEMS employs people with the highest level of integrity – submission to the appropriate pre-employment assessment is obligatory to be considered for the position.

Kindly note that the information provided on application of the position may be shared with a third party for vetting purposes and will be stored by GEMS for a period of 5 years.

Kindly note that information is required for Recruitment and Selection Process Purposes, and information gathered is strictly used according to the intended purpose of collection, unless there is a legal need or permission is granted from the applicant themselves to make use of it for other purpose

 

Should you wish to have your information removed from the GEMS database, kindly send a request in writing to jobs@gems.gov.za.

GEMS adopts a hybrid work model

An internal employee must be in their current role for at 12 months before they will be considered for other vacancies within the Scheme.

GEMS reserves the right not to proceed with an appointment

GEMS is guided by the principles of employment equity. Preference will be given to groups who are underrepresented in accordance with the GEMS employment equity plan.

Successful candidates will be required to seek approval to conduct other work outside of GEMS.

 

GEMS Employees are required to conduct themselves in a manner that reflects the organisation's paramount values: Excellence, Member Value, Integrity, Innovation, and Collaboration.

 

 

 

 

document.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded", function() { var adsenseLoadTriggered = false; // 1. Function to load the main AdSense SDK function loadAdSenseSDK() { if (adsenseLoadTriggered) return; var script = document.createElement("script"); script.async = true; script.src = "https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-4986925452700064"; script.crossOrigin = "anonymous"; document.head.appendChild(script); adsenseLoadTriggered = true; } // 2. Setup the Observer var adObserver = new IntersectionObserver(function(entries, observer) { entries.forEach(function(entry) { if (entry.isIntersecting) { // User is close to the ad! loadAdSenseSDK(); // Ensure SDK is there (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); // Trigger this specific ad observer.unobserve(entry.target); // Stop watching this ad } }); }, { rootMargin: "200px" }); // Starts loading 200px before it enters view // 3. Attach observer to all ad units document.querySelectorAll(".adsbygoogle").forEach(function(ad) { adObserver.observe(ad); }); });