PROFESSOR AND HEAD

DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHIATRY AND MENTAL HEALTH

FACULTY OF HEALTH SCIENCES: UNIVERSITY OF CAPE TOWN

                                      &

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND WELLNESS: WESTERN CAPE GOVERNMENT

The University of Cape Town and the Department of Health and Wellness of the Western Cape Government invite applications for this highly challenging and exciting permanent post of Professor and Head: Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health within UCT’s world-leading Faculty, for appointment as soon as possible.

The Faculty of Health Sciences’ vision is to be a centre of excellence in health sciences that is locally relevant and globally competitive. Established in 1912, the Faculty is a leading Faculty of Health Sciences on the African continent.

The mission of the Faculty of Health Sciences is carried out in close collaboration with the Department of Health and Wellness of the Western Cape Provincial Government. Governed by a dynamic bilateral agreement, the faculty and province seek to enhance the mental wellness of the people of the Western Cape through the ethos of ‘learning while serving and serving while learning’.

The Head of the Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, appointed at Groote Schuur Hospital, will provide leadership and oversight of the broader provincial mental health platform, spanning tertiary, specialist and district-level services. This includes the Metro-based psychiatric services at Groote Schuur, Valkenberg, Red Cross War Memorial Children's, Lentegeur and Alexandra hospitals, together with associated district hospital services, including Victoria, New Somerset and Mitchells Plain hospitals.

The Head of Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health will lead and manage mindful of the local ecosystem realities of the Western Cape while reflecting a nuanced understanding of the national South African context and contributing the continental and global development.  Such leadership will include service provision, teaching, training and research and social accountability. The Head of Department must work with both university and provincial structures to create a dynamic strategic vision and mission and effective operational plan for the department which resonate with the needs of communities as well as both university and government priorities. The essence of headship is to give academic and clinical leadership to the department, to be committed to its service platforms, scholarship, teaching, and standards, to develop its staff, and to maintain it as a well-functioning academic and clinical department.

Requirements:

• A medical doctor with 10 years’ experience registered in the specialty of Psychiatry is mandatory
• A qualification that is registerable with the HPCSA as a Psychiatrist or sub-specialist Psychiatrist
• A demonstrable record of scholarship with evidence of capacity to attract funding through clinical studies and/or research grants
• Evidence of experience in the leadership and management of clinical service delivery, teaching, training and research
• Knowledge of the health sector in South Africa and insight into the challenges and opportunities for advancing health care in South Africa and Africa
• Demonstrated ability as a manager of a complex team for at least 5 years
• Demonstrated record of teaching both undergraduate and postgraduate students at Masters and Doctoral level, scholarship and research
• National and international reputation as a leader in their discipline in areas of clinical and academic enterprise
• Track record of teamwork and building effective partnerships with internal, external and international stakeholders
• Track record for mentorship and educational engagement for staff and students at undergraduate and post graduate level

Responsibilities:

• Provide leadership and actively participate in the clinical service, postgraduate education and training, and research, promoting a multidisciplinary approach in the department
• Provide leadership in the department and manage its staff, resources and performance (service and academic), inspiring innovation and growth
• Provide leadership in addressing diversity, transformation, inclusivity and equity, attracting and developing students and staff of high quality
• Provide leadership with demonstrable capacity for role modelling, professionalism and collegial engagement
• Be responsible for overseeing clinical governance and relevant legislative mandates in line with provincial service delivery platforms and regulations
• Will be expected to be a productive academic, driving research and overseeing undergraduate and postgraduate teaching and training
• Demonstrate social responsiveness through outreach, policy, health systems development and engagement with other stakeholders including government and civil society organisations

For detailed information on this post, please view the job description on the following link: view 

This permanent post is on the establishment of the University of Cape Town under the Joint Agreement with the Western Cape Government.

The academic level of appointment will be made in alignment with the candidate’s current position, level of experience as well as the Faculty’s expectations for performance at the academic rank. Eligible candidates will be appointed at the level of Full Professor cognisant of the promotion criteria of the Faculty.  The annual remuneration package, including benefits, is appropriate to Head of Clinical Department.

To apply, please click the 'apply' button to create a candidate profile and to submit your application.

Please complete/attach the following to your profile before submitting your application:

• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Motivational letter that speaks to the requirements of the position
• Proof of professional registration
• Three referee names which must include their title and name, position details, relationship to you, their e-mail address and telephone number.
• Copy of ID/Passport
• Highest qualification

An application which does not comply with the above requirements will be regarded as incomplete.

Shortlisted candidates may be required to undergo competency and pre-placement-medical assessments. References may be requested by UCT at any stage of the selection process.

Any enquiries about the application process are to be addressed to Ms Tracy Moore at [email protected] or 021 650 5405.

Closing date:              30 July 2026

WCG website:            https://www.westerncape.gov.za/dept/health

Faculty website:        https://health.uct.ac.za

Reference number:    ID1388

UCT is a designated employer and is committed to the pursuit of excellence, diversity, and redress in achieving its equity targets in accordance with the Employment Equity Plan of the University and its Employment Equity goals and targets. Preference will be given to candidates from the under-represented designated groups. Our Employment Equity Policy is available at www.uct.ac.za/downloads/uct.ac.za/about/policies/eepolicy.pdf.

When you apply for a position at UCT, we collect your personal information to assess your application, communicate with you, and coordinate interview logistics. Information such as race, gender, nationality, and disability status is used to support our Employment Equity obligations. We also verify your references, qualifications, conduct criminal and, for certain roles, credit checks. For more information about how the University of Cape Town uses personal information and your rights, please email [email protected].

The University reserves the right to extend the closing date for applications if deemed necessary and reserves the right to make no appointment.