Job post: Chief Operating Officer

Role: Chief Operating Officer PAN South Africa

Location: Remote, based in South Africa

Hours: Part-time, 20 hours/week

Reports to: Nanine Wyma, Chair of the Board

Are you passionate about the potential of healthy and sustainable diets? Do you want to use your medical and clinical expertise to make a real difference for public health and the planet? Does the prospect of joining and contributing to a global non-profit organisation excite you? If so, then come join the team at Physicians Association for Nutrition (PAN) South Africa.

About the role

We are looking for a Chief Operating Officer (COO) at PAN South Africa. The ideal candidate is a South African medical or health professional who is looking to complement their clinical practice with real world impact and leadership at a non-profit organisation. This is a part-time role designed to work alongside clinical practice or other health roles.

The COO is responsible for leadership and executing the vision of the Physicians Association for Nutrition in the South African context. The COO oversees daily operations of the non-profit organisation, including management of local employees and reporting to international teams. A COO must uphold the values of promoting nutrition in medical education and demonstrate a passion for making a positive impact in the South African ecosystem.

Overview of responsibilities

● Leadership of the mission: Demonstrating strong commitment to the cause of promoting healthy diets that are good for people and the planet in the context of South Africa.

● Management of stakeholder relationships: Developing and maintaining relationships with individuals, organisations and partnerships in the South African ecosystem.

● Ability to work independently and use excellent communication skills: Working independently and managing own workload while maximising impact. Communication with the board of directors should be semi-regular, with a clear agenda of essential items only.

● Managing the team: Management of a small team of employees, guiding their strategy, workload and responding to personal professional requests.

● Reporting to international teams: Attend working group meetings and represent PAN South Africa in the International Council and reporting structures.

● Guiding implementation of regular projects: Overseeing ongoing projects such as the PANCO, CPD Journal Series, PAN University and research projects.

● Fundraising and financial management: Budgets should be managed in collaboration with the board of directors. Identifying, leading and collaborating on funding opportunities and grant applications.

● Upholding good governance: Hosting and drawing value from the PAN South Africa advisory board.

Competencies

Required

● Alignment with the goals and values of PAN South Africa

● Experience in clinical practice and engaging with patients

● Advanced understanding of South African health systems and health priorities

● Able to network effectively and represent PAN South Africa

● Excellent, professional language skills - written and spoken English

● Have a strong work ethic and work well independently

● Be a great team player

● Own transport and work equipment is required

● South African ID or valid work permit if not South African

Preferred

● Experience working in an NPO environment

● Experience working in a field relating to healthy diets, environment, animal

rights/welfare or food

● Fluent in additional official South African languages

● Based in Cape Town or the Western Cape

Our Offer

We are a very driven team aiming to raise awareness among health professionals, the general public and policy makers about the role of healthy and sustainable diets for personal and planetary health. As the South African national office of PAN International, we strive to:

● Make nutrition education a key part of medical school training

● Empower health professionals by providing educational opportunities

● Publish research exploring healthy and sustainable diets in South Africa

● Create effective nutrition programs and resources to support patients

● Build a global network of health professionals, scientists and students

Harmonious and effective teamwork and a pleasant work culture are important to us. We value candour, mindfulness, tolerance, as well as high commitment and willingness to learn.

Physicians Association for Nutrition South Africa is offering the unique opportunity for you to gain experience in non-profit communications while promoting public health and accelerating the transition to a sustainable society. The working schedule is part-time with flexible hours.

How to apply

Please send your CV and Cover Letter to info@pan-sa.org. The first phase of the application consists of a series of screening questions, followed by a second phase of interviews. Applications and screening questions will be reviewed in mid-February 2026. We are accepting applications on a rolling basis but those who apply before mid-February have a higher chance of acceptance.