WE ARE HIRING:
UNIT MANAGER (IN-PATIENT UNIT)
Highway Hospice In-Patient Unit — Durban, KwaZulu-Natal
About Highway Hospice
Highway Hospice is a registered non-profit organisation that has served Durban for over thirty years, providing free palliative and end-of-life care to patients with life-limiting illness and their families. In 2026 we are re-opening our In-Patient Unit (IPU) to offer short-stay symptom control, respite and end-of-life care alongside our long-established Homecare service.
The Role
Lead the nursing care at Highway Hospice’s newly re-opened In-Patient Unit in Durban. We are looking for an experienced Registered Nurse leader with a heart for palliative care to build and run a compassionate, high-quality Unit team.
This is a rare chance to shape a brand-new IPU from day one — setting the clinical culture, coaching a team of Professional Nurses, Auxiliary Nurses and Caregivers, and partnering with our Clinical Manager, Medical Doctors and Social Workers to deliver holistic end-of-life care.
What we are looking for
- Qualification: Diploma or Degree in General Nursing.
- Preferred: Post-basic qualification in Palliative Care, Oncology, Critical Care or Nursing Administration; a management or leadership qualification (e.g. Diploma in Nursing Administration / Health Services Management).
- Registration: Current registration with the South African Nursing Council (SANC) as a Registered Professional Nurse. Valid driver’s licence.
- Experience: Minimum five (5) years’ post-registration clinical experience, including at least two (2) years in a supervisory or management role in an in-patient, hospice, palliative, oncology or related setting. Prior experience of COHSASA or regulatory accreditation preferred.
- A genuine heart for palliative care, patient dignity and family support.
- A team player who thrives in a close-knit, interdisciplinary setting.
- Fluency in English; isiZulu would be a strong advantage.
Conditions
- Fixed-term contract: [Dates], subject to donor funding (renewal possible).
- Hours: Mainly office-hour based (07h30–16h00 Monday to Friday) with evening, weekend and public-holiday cover on a managerial on-call rotation, and the flexibility to support the Unit in-person during critical incidents or staffing gaps.
- Three-month probation.
- Remuneration market-related, commensurate with qualifications and experience.
- Location: Highway Hospice, Sherwood, Durban.
How to apply
Send a CV, a short cover letter, a certified copy of your ID, and proof of your qualification and SANC registration (where applicable) to:
Put “IPU — Unit Manager” in the subject line.
Closing date: 15 May 2026
Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interview. If you have not heard from us within four (4) weeks of the closing date, please consider your application unsuccessful.
Highway Hospice is an Equal Opportunity employer committed to the Employment Equity Act. Preference may be given to candidates from designated groups. People with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
Highway Hospice will process your personal information in line with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA). By applying, you consent to our collecting and processing your personal information for recruitment purposes.
