Community Health Manager Career in South Africa
Explore the official OFO occupation, common tasks, specialisations and approved South African qualification pathways.
Occupation overview
Manages specific community health programs from planning and design through implementation and evaluation.
What does a Community Health Manager do?
A Community Health Manager oversees community health programmes across their full cycle: identifying needs, helping design the programme, coordinating implementation and assessing whether it achieved its intended results. The role combines health-focused community work with planning, programme oversight and evaluation.
How to become a Community Health Manager in South Africa
- Build a foundation in community health or community development through a relevant programme such as the Further Education and Training Certificate: Community Health Work (SAQA ID 64697, NQF Level 4, 156 credits).
- Consider the Further Education and Training Certificate: Community Development: Community Development Management (SAQA ID 76990, NQF Level 4, 125 credits) for preparation in community development management.
- Other relevant pathways include the National Certificate: Community Health Work (SAQA ID 64749, NQF Level 2, 140 credits), National Certificate: Community Water, Health and Sanitation Monitoring (SAQA ID 64589, NQF Level 3, 130 credits), and National Certificate: Community Water, Health and Sanitation Promotion (SAQA ID 61689, NQF Level 2, 127 credits).
- Develop experience in community health programme work and take on increasing responsibility for planning, implementation and evaluation. As a management career, progression commonly involves workplace responsibility as well as relevant education.
- Before enrolling, confirm the current qualification, provider availability and assessment arrangements with SAQA or an accredited provider.
Edupstairs Preparation Guidance
The listed qualifications offer relevant preparation for community health and community development work, but a management role commonly also develops through workplace progression and increasing responsibility. Compare pathways according to whether you want stronger emphasis on community health work, community development management, or water, health and sanitation monitoring and promotion.
Useful school subjects
- Life Sciences
- Business Studies
- English
- Mathematics
Skills that may help
- Community engagement
- Programme planning
- Programme implementation
- Evaluation and monitoring
- Communication
- Coordination
- Leadership
- Organising and prioritising work