SAFELTP: Call for applicants 2015 intake – deadline extended 31st July

The South African Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Programme (SAFELTP) is requesting applications for the incoming 2015 class from qualified health professionals with an interest in public health and commitment to public service.

SAFELTP is jointly sponsored by the National Department of Health (NDOH), the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) of the National Health Laboratory Services (NHLS), the University of Pretoria (UP) and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  The programme is a combination of didactic and practical training in which the resident is grounded in the academic basics of public health and is assigned to field sites where s/he learns by doing while being mentored by supervisors in projects that address key public health priorities.

This residency programme is a 2 year, full time commitment, from which residents graduate with a Masters in Public Health (MPH) from the University of Pretoria. The 2015 cohort will begin in January 2015 and end December 2016.

The growing field of public health and epidemiology in South Africa and globally brings exciting opportunities for graduates and professionals from health related fields to become competent in applied epidemiology of diseases and conditions relevant to South Africa. It also develops their leadership and management skills relevant to public health system strengthening and management. The training focuses on investigations of public health outbreaks (an acute health event or other epidemiological activity) and using epidemiology and biostatistics to conduct descriptive and analytical studies.

Bursaries/stipends may be available for South African applicants fulfilling predefined criteria. South African applicants working currently within the South African government at various levels, who plan to take study leave to participate in the programme and afterwards return to their workplace, must have written approval from their departments for the entire two years. Please note that NDOH staff that have been funded and granted study leave will be required to continue working for the NDOH for at least two (2) years after completing the MPH programme.

Work experience requirements

• Professional experience in a health field or other fields relevant to health
• Experience of working in the public health system is desirable

Minimal Educational requirements (all degrees should be in a health, laboratory or public health related field from an accredited university):

• A medical, veterinary or dentistry degree ; OR
• A doctorate degree in a medical/health related field; OR
• A master’s degree in a medical or health related field; OR
• An honours degree with at least 2 years’ applicable work experience ; OR
• A 4-year bachelor’s degree with at least 3 years’ applicable work experience ; OR
• A 3-year bachelor’s degree plus at least 5 years’ applicable work experience

Please note that a B Tec degree does not fulfill the minimum educational requirements of the University of Pretoria and the SAFELTP.

Key requirements:

Applicants must:

• Be registered with their respective professional bodies
• Be fluent in spoken and written English
• Be computer literate and proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point and Outlook for use in communication, word processing, analysis, presentation and report generation.
• Have a valid driver’s license and willingness to drive a hired car.
• Provide proof of current physical residential address for future purposes of Domicilium citandi et executandi

How to apply

1. If you meet all the requirements,  download and complete the application and two reference forms that are available on our website: 
2. Additional forms required are:
   1. Certified copies of qualification certificates
   2. Statement of Purpose:  In 700 words or less describe your career goals and your interest in applying for this programme.
   3. Two page or less Curriculum Vitae (CV)
   4. Results of the National Bench Mark Test –please visit the website of National Bench Mark Test:  and Tel: +27 (0)21 650 3523 for more information on dates and venues of the test.
   5. Non South African/non SADC citizens who are accepted must do the Test of English as Foreign Language (TOEFL) and have their original degrees accredited by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA)

These completed forms should be submitted to: SAFELTP via: Athalia Mathatho, e-mail safeltp@nicd.ac.za or athaliam@nicd.ac.za

You may also hand deliver the above application forms  to Athalia Mathatho, SAFELTP Administration Office, Room L6, PRF Reception Building, NICD, No 1 Modderfontein Road, Sandringham, Johannesburg.

3. In addition, visit the University of Pretoria website and follow the process for applying online (this does not imply that you have been accepted by the University of Pretoria).

For enquiries or more information please contact:

Athalia Mathatho, e-mail safeltp@nicd.ac.za or athaliam@nicd.ac.za

Closing date: 31st July 2014

It is your responsibility to ensure that your application has been received by SAFELTP. Non-certified copies of qualifications will not be considered, neither will those received after the closing date. Reference checks will be conducted. All applications that meet the above requirements and received before the closing date will be acknowledged and given a reference number.

Correspondence will be made with short listed candidates only. If you have not heard from SAFELTP within 4 weeks of the closing date, please consider your application to be unsuccessful. For further information please visit the website.