Programme & Operational Lead (12 Month Contract)

Company Description

At Deloitte, our Purpose is to make an impact that matters for our clients, our people, and society. This is the lens for which our global strategy is set. It unites Deloitte professionals across geographies, businesses, and skills. It makes us better at what we do and how we do it. It enables us to deliver on our promises to stakeholders, while creating the lasting impact we seek.

Harnessing the talent of 450,000+ people located across more than 150 countries and territories, our size and scale puts us in a unique position to help change the world for the better—by bringing together the services we provide, the societal investments we make, and the collaborations we advance through our ecosystems.

Deloitte offers career opportunities across Internal Clients Services (ICS), Audit & Assurance (A&A), Tax & Legal (T&L) and our Consulting services business, which is made up of Strategy, Risk & Transactions Advisory (SR&T) and Technology & Transformation (T&T). 

Are you ready to apply your knowledge and background to exciting new challenges? From learning to leadership, this is your chance to take your career to the next level. 

Job Description

This is a pivotal leadership opportunity to drive the strategic vision and operational excellence of a transformative healthcare initiative. As the Programme & Operational Lead, you will translate ambitious strategic objectives into a compelling, executable implementation programme whilst maintaining accountability for day-to-day planning, coordination, and delivery. Working closely with the Steering Committee, you will shape the future of clinical data infrastructure and research capability across the region.

Your Core Responsibilities

You will lead the end-to-end delivery of this strategic programme, with particular focus on:

• Translating strategic vision into a detailed, executable implementation roadmap with clear milestones and measurable outcomes
• Driving centre recruitment and participation, developing compelling engagement materials and managing the onboarding process
• Establishing and leading the development of a robust national clinical data platform that meets international standards
• Navigating ethics and regulatory processes, ensuring full compliance with POPIA and institutional requirements
• Designing and implementing quality monitoring and reporting systems that drive continuous improvement
• Building a strong academic and research outputs framework to maximise the programme's impact
• Identifying and securing strategic partnerships and additional funding to sustain and expand the initiative
• Providing regular, transparent progress reporting to the Steering Committee and stakeholders

Building Data and Implementation Infrastructure

You will establish the foundational systems and processes required for success, including:

• Developing robust governance frameworks and managing contracting arrangements
• Securing ethics approvals and establishing comprehensive data governance protocols aligned with POPIA requirements
• Managing site recruitment and onboarding to ensure smooth integration into the programme
• Designing and implementing clinical data systems that capture quality indicators and support evidence-based decision-making
• Creating a research framework that enables collaboration and drives academic excellence
• Fostering strategic collaborations that enhance programme reach and capability

Driving Standardisation, Accreditation and Regional Expansion

You will position the programme for sustainable growth and regional leadership by:

• Developing a comprehensive quality and accreditation programme, including standards, implementation pathways, and clinical guidelines
• Creating and executing an expansion strategy to bring additional centres and neighbouring countries into the programme
• Building a research and clinical trials platform with associated training models and local expertise development initiatives

Operational Planning and Delivery

• Delivering a detailed 12-month implementation plan with clear timelines, defined responsibilities, and realistic milestones
• Identifying immediate priorities and securing the resources required to achieve them
• Developing comprehensive budgets for each phase and expansion activity

Centre Recruitment and Engagement

• Finalising the priority centre list based on strategic criteria and programme objectives
• Creating compelling centre engagement and onboarding materials that communicate the value proposition

Governance and Contracting

• Clarifying role descriptions and reporting structures to ensure clarity and accountability
• Participating actively in contracting and governance discussions with key partners
• Confirming working arrangements and establishing an effective South African presence

Ethics and Data Governance

• Reviewing and finalising ethics submissions (including Wits HREC) for the central database
• Establishing comprehensive data governance protocols, POPIA compliance processes, and patient information frameworks

Data Platform Development

• Defining the minimum dataset and quality indicators with appropriate numerators and denominators
• Specifying technical requirements for OncoDB and REDCap integration into the central repository
• Identifying data management needs and associated budget requirements

Academic Framework and Research Excellence

• Developing a strategic publication and academic work plan that maximises the programme's research impact

Funding Strategy and Sustainability

• Identifying and prioritising international and local funding opportunities aligned with programme objectives
• Preparing a comprehensive funding strategy with a prioritised target list to ensure long-term sustainability

You will work autonomously whilst maintaining close collaboration with the Steering Committee, demonstrating exceptional project management, stakeholder engagement, and strategic thinking throughout the 12-month contract period.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Master's degree in one of the following:
  • Public Health
  • Health Sciences
  • Medicine
  • Epidemiology
  • Health Informatics
  • Clinical Research
  • Healthcare Management
  • Business Administration (MBA)

Preferred Qualification

• PhD or equivalent advanced degree in a healthcare or research-related field.
• Formal Project Management qualification (PMP, PRINCE2, MSP, etc.).

Experience Requirements

Senior Programme Leadership

• 10+ years of progressive experience in healthcare, clinical research, public health, or health systems strengthening.
• 5+ years leading large-scale, multi-stakeholder programmes or national initiatives.
• Experience translating strategic objectives into operational implementation plans.

Healthcare and Clinical Research Experience

• Extensive experience working within:

  • Clinical healthcare environments
  • Academic medical centres
  • Research institutions
  • National healthcare programmes

• Strong understanding of:

  • Clinical registries
  • Research governance
  • Ethics approval processes
  • Data management systems

Additional Information

Note: The list of tasks / duties and responsibilities contained in this document is not necessarily exhaustive.  Deloitte may ask the employee to carry out additional duties or responsibilities, which may fall reasonably within the ambit of the role profile, depending on operational requirements.

Be careful of Recruitment Scams: Fraudsters or employment scammers often pose as legitimate recruiters, employers, recruitment consultants or job placement firms, advertising false job opportunities through email, text messages and WhatsApp messages. They aim to cheat jobseekers out of money or to steal personal information.

To help you look out for potential recruitment scams, here are some Red Flags:

• Upfront Payment Requests: Deloitte will never ask for any upfront payment for background checks, job training, or supplies.
• Requests for Personal Information: Be wary if you are asked for sensitive personal information, especially early in the recruitment process and without a clear need for it. Fraudulent links or contractual documents may require the provision of sensitive personal data or copy documents (e.g., government issued numbers or identity documents, passports or passport numbers, bank account statements or numbers, parent’s data) that may be used for identity fraud. Do not provide or send any of these documents or data. Please note we will never ask for photographs at any stage of the recruitment process.
• Unprofessional Communication: Scammers may communicate in an unprofessional manner. Their messages may be filled with poor grammar and spelling errors. The look and feel may not be consistent with the Deloitte corporate brand.

If you're unsure, make direct contact with Deloitte using our official contact details. Be careful not to use any contact details provided in the suspicious job advertisement or email.

At Deloitte, we want everyone to feel they can be themselves and to thrive at work—in every country, in everything we do, every day. We aim to create a workplace where everyone is treated fairly and with respect, including reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities.

We are committed to employment equity and building a diverse and inclusive workplace across the African continent. Our recruitment processes are aligned with our Employment Equity Plan and the principles of the Employment Equity Act. Preference may be given to candidates from designated groups.

We actively support the inclusion of people with disabilities and embrace neurodiversity in the workplace. We recognise and value the unique strengths that neurodivergent individuals bring, and we are committed to creating an environment where everyone can thrive.

If you require reasonable accommodations in relation to your disability and neurodiverse needs during the recruitment process, please let us know. We are happy to make adjustments to suit your individual needs.

View all current vacancies at Deloitte →

1. Read the full job description and requirements on this page carefully before applying — tailor your application to what the employer actually asks for.
2. Update your CV and save it as a PDF. Make sure your contact details, most recent experience and qualifications are easy to find.
3. Click the apply button on this page to complete your application on Deloitte's own careers site. The employer manages the shortlisting process directly.
4. Have certified copies of your ID and qualifications ready. Many South African employers request them once you are shortlisted.
5. Applications close on 6 September 2026. Submit well before the deadline — late applications are normally not considered.
6. Keep a record of what you submitted and when. If you have not heard back within a few weeks of the closing date, it is acceptable to follow up politely.

If Deloitte shortlists you for the Programme & Operational Lead (12 Month Contract) position, preparation makes the difference. Work through these steps:

• Research Deloitte before the interview — look for their official website, social profiles and any recent news. Interviewers expect you to know why you want to work there specifically.
• Go through the job description above and prepare a specific example from your own experience for each of the main duties. Most interview questions will be drawn from what the advert emphasises.
• Structure your answers with the STAR method — Situation, Task, Action, Result. Concrete stories with measurable outcomes are far stronger than general claims about your abilities.
• Prepare two or three thoughtful questions to ask the panel — about the team, how success is measured in the role, or growth opportunities. It signals genuine interest.
• Plan your logistics early. Confirm whether the interview is in person in Midrand or online, and arrive or log in at least ten minutes early.