By Willemien Jansen (HST Copy and Content Editor)
How long have you been with HST and which position/s have you occupied?
I have occupied a number of positions since starting with HST in September 2015. I started as a Research Intern for one year and thereafter I was a Junior Researcher as an independent contractor until April 2017.
In April 2017, I filled the position of Fleet Intern for approximately four months, and thereafter I was appointed as Fleet Controller and Team lead up until June 2019.
In June 2019, I relocated from Kwa-Zulu Natal to Gauteng to occupy the Administrator position based at the Pretoria Office. I managed and maintained the office upkeep up until the effects of Covid-19 led to the office closure in September 2021. I was primarily responsible for ensuring all office equipment was carefully packaged, labelled and couriered to our head office in Durban.
In October 2021, I occupied a dual position of Administrator for the Community Health Worker Think Tank (CHW TT) Secretariat led by the National Department of Health, as well as Office Administrator based at the Midrand Office.
In September 2023, I was in a hybrid role filling a third position of Acting Business Development Assistant.
In June 2024, I was appointed Business Development Officer and still currently occupy the position.
Please share some information about what your current role entails.
In my role as Business Development Officer, I engage in regular professional communication with donors, partners, and internal teams, ensuring timely and effective interactions on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis as needed. I support Business Development Unit (BDU) meetings, maintaining up-to-date donor and partner profiles within the CRM database. My professional interaction extends to collaborating with other units within HST, contributing to the development of proposals. I support the proposal budgeting process, including drafting budgets, sourcing quotes, managing budget templates, and updating them as necessary. Additionally, I assist in financial due diligence, ensuring the collection of required documents such as annual financial statements, proof of banking, tax clearance, BEE certificates, and references for completed projects.
I play a key role in identifying live and forecast funding opportunities that align with HST's areas of expertise and interests. To ensure timely access to relevant opportunities, I maintain an up-to-date resource list for opportunity research, as well as subscriptions to various platforms that support opportunity identification. My role includes submitting due diligence requirements for each proposal and providing administrative support for business development activities, such as meeting co-ordination, minutes, and travel arrangements. Lastly, I actively seek out relevant training opportunities to enhance the performance of the unit.
Administrator for the CHW Expert Working Group (EWG) Secretariat:
Under the guidance of the National Department of Health (NDoH) and the EWG Technical Work Stream (TWS) chairpersons, I provided essential support for the EWG's work plan. This included facilitating communication among team members, co-ordinating meetings, and preparing necessary documents such as agendas, attendance registers, minutes, and reports. These tasks were carried out in alignment with the objectives and timelines set forth in the EWG work plan, ensuring smooth and effective operation of the work stream.
What influenced your decision to be in the development/NGO sector?
NGOs, particularly in the health space, create a feeling of togetherness. People come together with a common goal and work efficiently to reach their goals. This strengthens your ties to the community and provides a sense of fulfilment in seeing a tangible effect on the livelihoods of people. Joining an NGO exposes you to different types of people and helps you develop social skills whilst retaining your authentic personality; its culturally uplifting.
How do you spend your time away from work?
For the greater part of my life I had spent a lot of my time playing sports and keeping active. During my time in Durban I facilitated an indoor soccer game every Wednesday for the HST colleagues based at the Head office, to encourage team building, trust and strengthen relationships. Since June 2022, my wife and I welcomed our baby daughter into the world and I spend most of my time doing family activities. In the evenings, I enjoy online gaming.
What gives you motivation?
My greatest motivation is my family. Particularly my parents and my daughter.
What is the best advice you've ever received in your life? (personal or professional)
Wasted of all days is one without laughter.
Any future aspirations?
My short term aspiration is to do my Masters in Public Health. Long term I would like to contribute to cancer research.
What are you reading at the moment?
Mostly health-related publications and the latest news on current affairs.