SOUTH AFRICAN HEALTH PRODUCTS REGULATORY AUTHORITY (SAHPRA)

The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) is the National Medicines Regulatory Authority established in terms of the Medicines and Related Substances Act, 101 of 1965, as amended, to monitor, evaluate, regulate, investigate, inspect, register and control medicines, schedule substances, clinical trials and medical devices, including IVDs, and related matters in the public interest. 

MANAGER: VETERINARY MEDICINES 

SALARY: R 1, 010 600.00 – R 1, 237 700.00 PER ANNUM (TOTAL COST TO COMPANY) 

Ref No.: SAHPRA 26 of 2026/27 

CENTRE: PRETORIA 

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION 

The successful candidate will provide strategic and operational leadership to the Veterinary Medicines Unit by managing the evaluation and registration of veterinary medicines, amendments to registered veterinary medicines, authorisation of Section 21 applications, Veterinary Clinical trials including management of pharmacovigilance reports and ensuring compliance with the Medicines and Related Substances Act and applicable regulatory requirements. The incumbent will lead scientific and regulatory activities locally, regionally and internationally and that support timely access to quality, safe and effective veterinary medicines while promoting continuous improvement and regulatory excellence. 

REQUIREMENTS: A Matric or Grade 12 certificate and a postgraduate qualification (NQF Level 9) in Veterinary Science, Veterinary Pharmacology, Animal Health or a related Health Sciences field * Registration with the South African Veterinary Council or any other relevant Professional Body will be an added advantage * A minimum of eight years' experience in medicines regulation, veterinary medicines evaluation or a related scientific regulatory environment of which at least five years must have been at a management or supervisory role* Demonstrated experience in veterinary medicine registration, scientific evaluation and regulatory decision-making * Experience in the development of regulatory policies, guidelines and quality systems * A valid driver’s licence. 

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS: 

·       Extensive knowledge of the Medicines and Related Substances Act and applicable veterinary medicines legislation and regulations. 

·       Knowledge of regulatory standards and best practices. 

·       Strong understanding of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), quality assurance and risk management. 

·       Excellent scientific evaluation and analytical skills. 

·       Strategic thinking and sound decision-making ability. 

·       Excellent report writing and communication skills. 

·       Strong stakeholder engagement and negotiation skills. 

·       Proven leadership, coaching and people management capability. 

·       Sound project management and financial management skills. 

·       Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications. 

COMPETENCIES:

·       Strategic Leadership 

·       Regulatory and Scientific Expertise 

·       Governance, Risk and Compliance Management 

·       Financial Management 

·       People Management and Empowerment 

·       Change Management 

·       Stakeholder Management 

·       Problem Solving and Analytical Thinking 

·       Customer Focus 

·       Planning and Organising 

DUTIES: Provide strategic leadership and operational management of the Veterinary Medicines Unit * Manage the evaluation and registration of new veterinary medicines, generic medicines and variations * Oversee the scientific review and quality assurance of veterinary medicine applications * Lead the development, implementation and review of veterinary medicine regulations, policies, guidelines and Standard Operating Procedures * Manage regulatory risk, governance and quality management systems within the Veterinary Medicines Unit * Foster and maintain strategic stakeholder relationships with industry, government departments and institutions, academia and international regulatory authorities * Lead, develop, and manage a multidisciplinary team through effective people management and performance management * Manage the Veterinary Medicines Unit's operational plans, budgets, reporting and resource allocation * Represent SAHPRA on relevant technical committees, forums and regulatory initiatives. 

HOW TO APPLY (INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLICANTS): 

·       Interested candidates who meet the above requirements should submit their applications, clearly indicating the title of the position and the reference number. Applications must include a signed cover letter, a detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV) with the names and email addresses of three (3) referees, and certified copies of the required qualifications (including matric). Only shortlisted candidates will be required to submit certified copies of qualifications and other relevant documents on or before the interview date, as communicated by Human Resources. 

·       Should you have a foreign qualification, your application must be accompanied by an evaluation certificate (report) from the SAQA. 

·       Incomplete applications or applications without the aforementioned documents or information will not be considered. 

·       No late applications will be accepted. Any submissions received after the closing date and time will not be considered. 

·       Due to the anticipated high volume of applications, communication will be limited to short-listed candidates only. Candidates who have not been contacted within three (3) months after the closing date, should consider their application unsuccessful. 

·       Shortlisted candidates will be expected to attend selection interviews on a specific date, time, and location as communicated by SAHPRA. 

·       Applicants should note that pre-suitability checks will be conducted after they have been shortlisted. Their appointment is subject to positive outcomes from these checks, which include security clearance, verification of qualifications, criminal records, credit checks, citizenship status, and work experience. 

·       SAHPRA is committed to being an equal opportunity employer. When filling vacant positions, the entity will consider the principles outlined in Section 195(1)(i) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, Act 108 of 1996, and the Employment Equity Act, 55 of 1998. 

·       SAHPRA promotes equity (race, gender, and disability) in line with the numeric targets in our Employment Equity plan. We are committed to this when recruiting internally and externally, with a policy to promote from within wherever possible. Preference will be given to suitably qualified individuals from previously disadvantaged groups. 

·       People with disabilities (should indicate their disability status), males (all races) and females (Coloured and White) will be given preference. 

·       SAHPRA reserves the right not to appoint any candidate to the advertised post. 

·       SAHPRA adheres to the provisions of the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) No. 4 of 2013. CVs will not be returned, as the personal information you provide will be used solely for recruitment purposes, specifically for the position or vacancy you have applied for. If your application is unsuccessful, your personal information will be retained for internal audit purposes. 

·       Applications should be submitted through the SAHPRA Website Online Portal: http://www.sahpra.org.za/vacancies

For enquiries: Please contact Mr T Khunou, HR Business Partner, via email at Tshepo.Khunou@sahpra.org.za.

NOTE: APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED TO THIS EMAIL ADDRESS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED AS PART OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS. 

The closing date is 07 August 2026 at 16:00.