South Africa: Program Management Consultant

Location: South Africa

Duration: August – October 2026 (approximately 3 months)

Starting Date: August 15, 2026

About Pure Earth

Pure Earth is a leading global environmental health nonprofit organization dedicated to saving and improving lives by reducing toxic pollution in low- and middle-income countries. Established in 1999, Pure Earth has completed more than 120 projects in 27 countries. Its initiatives chiefly target the protection of children’s and pregnant women’s health from harmful pollutants, particularly lead and mercury.

Partnering with governments, communities, and industry stakeholders, Pure Earth seeks to elevate pollution issues globally, foster sustainable change, and promote a healthier future. Pure Earth aims to become a leader in driving awareness, interest and action on the health and environmental impact of toxic pollutants, specifically lead, in South Africa and across the region.

Project Background

Pure Earth is exploring opportunities to work in South Africa to reduce lead poisoning and pollution and improve health outcomes in populations at risk of lead exposure. In partnership with the national government, local authorities, and communities, potential efforts in South Africa would focus on conducting assessments to identify sources of lead, leading and supporting risk mitigation efforts, remediating high-risk contaminated sites, raising people’s awareness with regards to lead exposure and its detrimental effects, as well as building government capacity for lead surveillance, testing, and risk mitigation long-term.

Objectives

The primary objective of this consultancy is to support information gathering, stakeholder relationship building, and operational and project scoping for a potential Pure Earth lead poisoning prevention and mitigation project in South Africa.

Scope of Work:

The consultant will be responsible for:

• Identifying key stakeholders in government, civil society, academia, and the private sector working on programs or research related to public and environmental health, specifically lead poisoning.

• Cultivating and building strong relationships with key stakeholders, including government agencies, and local/national/regional organizations working in environmental health, as well as facilitating introductions between key stakeholders and Pure Earth.

• Conduct a preliminary desk review describing the “lead landscape” in South Africa, including the knowledge and gaps of lead’s public health burden and sources of exposure; the country’s institutional capacity to process and test human and environmental samples to detect lead poisoning and contamination; and the existence of relevant strategies, policies, and other normative guidance.

• Researching and reporting on requirements for Pure Earth to operate and hire staff in South Africa, identifying options for legal support in-country, assisting with initial staff recruitments, and scoping potential working / co-working spaces for Pure Earth staff.

• Working closely with the East Africa Director, Pure Earth Technical team, and partners to begin to prepare and develop a high-quality project work plan appropriate for the local context, aligned to government and donor priorities, and in line with Pure Earth’s overall vision and mission.

Deliverables

The consultant will be responsible for preparing and submitting the following deliverables:

No. Deliverable Description Estimated Due Date

1 Stakeholder mapping report

Stakeholder mapping report listing key stakeholders in government, civil society, academia, and the private sector working on projects, programs, or research related to environmental health, especially lead pollution and poisoning

8 weeks after consultancy start

2 Operational report Report outlining legal requirements for Pure Earth to operate in South Africa, either directly or through local partners 12 weeks after consultancy start

3 Preliminary desk review Desk review report listing relevant literature and studies on lead’s public health burden and sources of exposure in the country, overview of country’s institutional capacity to process and test human and environmental samples, and list of relevant strategies, policies, regulations, and other guidance. 16 weeks after consultancy start

4 Monthly progress reports

Monthly report outlining progress against the consultancy workplan, key meetings and meeting notes, and any roadblocks or challenges One week after each month’s end

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, public health, or related field; master’s degree preferred.
• At least 5-7 years of experience in managing environmental and/or public health programs, particularly in lead (Pb) or other heavy metal poisoning prevention and mitigation.
• Strong understanding of South Africa-specific regulatory issues related to environmental health and toxic pollutants management.
• Track record of leading and managing mid-to-large operational and/or research projects; experience working in field sites and with communities preferred.
• Capable of developing evidence-based solutions to complex environmental health challenges.
• Prior employment in an international NGO or large-scale, multi-state program environment.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with experience in team building, management, and capacity building.
• Professional fluency in English.
• Ability and willingness to travel nationally, as needed.
• Authorization to work in South Africa.

Reporting:

The consultant will report to Pure Earth’s Regional Program Director, Africa.

Contingent on local project approval and available funding, the Program Management Consultant may have opportunities for long term employment as a Program Manager with Pure Earth in South Africa.

How to Apply:

Interested candidates should submit the following documents by email to jobs@pureearth.org with the subject line “Program Management Consultant — South Africa”:

• Cover letter outlining qualifications and experience.
• Detailed CV.
• Proposed work plan and timeline.