Director: Forensic Mental Health

Chief Directorate: Non-Communicable Diseases, (12 Months Contract Post)

Requirements:
Grade 12 certificate and an appropriate NQF 7 in 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. Postgraduate qualification in Psychiatry or another relevant mental health specification will be an advantage. At least five (5) years’ experience in middle/senior managerial level in the field involved with forensic mental health. Demonstrable experience in forensic psychiatry/mental health including care, treatment and rehabilitation of State patients and mentally ill prisoners as outlined in the Mental Health Act No 17 of 2002. Evaluation/assessments relating to section 77, 78 and 79 Criminal Procedure Act No 51 of 1977 (as amended), section 11 of the child Justice Act No 75 of 2008. Implementation of Sexual Offences Act. Knowledge in health legislation and health policies, health systems as well as of Clinical Mental Health/psychiatry/psychology, forensic mental health and research. Good communication (verbal and written), facilitation and people management, financial management, leadership, planning and organization, problem solving, human resource management and computer skills (MS Office package). A valid driver’s license. SMS pre-entry Certificate is required for appointment finalization.

Duties:
Process, monitor and ensure compliance of the department with the legislative mandates emanating from the Mental Health Care Act, Criminal Procedure Act, Child Justice Act, and Sexual Offences Act. Develop legislation, policies, guidelines and programmes on forensic mental health services. Develop training programme for psychiatrics and clinical psychologists on the implementation of the legal mandates emanating from the Criminal Procedure and Child Justice Act. Ensure adequate appropriate infrastructure for forensic mental health services. Develop and seek approval for the proposal on a project for increasing beds for mental observations in psychiatric hospitals. Consult provinces on the number of beds required for mental observations in designated psychiatric hospital. Maintain and update information management systems on forensic mental health. Keep and update information management systems for State patients on movements to and from designated psychiatric hospitals. Facilitate intersectoral, interdepartmental and intradepartmental collaboration on issues pertaining to forensic mental health. Serve in the Director-General’s Child Justice Committee and the Development Committee (DevComm) of the Criminal Justice system led by the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development. Participate in the Human Rights Commission on issues pertaining to the human rights of involuntarily detained persons.

Enquiries: Ms CM Mongale Tel No: (012) 395 8044

Reference number: NDOH 82/2026