Water Infrastructure Specialist

Synopsis

The role of the Water Specialist involves identifying and unlocking impediments for strategic integrated projects (SIPs) to reach financial close and commence construction. The specialist will also be responsible for the development and preparation of Water projects registered in the preparation pipeline. This includes contributing to early-stage activities such as feasibility studies, project structuring, risk identification, stakeholder coordination, and enhancing project readiness and bankability. The specialist will collaborate with stakeholders across the private and public sectors to facilitate alignment and ensure effective project progression, while managing, monitoring, and reporting on cost, risks, timelines, and delivery milestones. The role also includes supporting the preparation of reports and documentation required by Senior Management, ensuring clear communication of project progress and outcomes.

Job Description

• Conduct site visits to registered projects and prepare detailed due diligence reports on project status, including technical readiness, implementation progress, and key risks.
• Identify, assess, and proactively address impediments affecting both strategic integrated Water projects and projects within the preparation pipeline, enabling progress toward financial close and construction.
• Development and preparation of Water projects by contributing to feasibility studies, project structuring, risk identification, and packaging to enhance project bankability and investment readiness.
• Support the development and preparation of projects in other sectors, as may be required from time to time.
• Identify permitting and regulatory risks early in the project lifecycle, implement mitigation measures, and escalate critical issues to relevant authorities where required.
• Oversee and coordinate the full permitting and licensing lifecycle for Water projects, from initial application through to approval, engaging with environmental authorities, regulators, municipalities, and utility entities.
• Facilitate collaboration and alignment across private and public sector stakeholders, including national, provincial, and local government, state-owned entities, and private developers, to ensure effective project progression.
• Lead and participate in stakeholder engagements, meetings, and sector forums to gather project information, address challenges, and provide actionable recommendations to improve project delivery and permitting efficiency.
• Develop, maintain, and continuously enhance risk registers, project tracking tools, and unlocking dashboards to support effective monitoring, reporting, and decision-making.
• Monitor, track, and report on project risks, timelines, milestones, and delivery performance across both strategic projects and those under preparation.
• Develop and implement best-practice processes and methodologies to systematically address bottlenecks and delays in project implementation.
• Design and execute communication and follow-up strategies to expedite permitting decisions and maintain momentum in project advancement.
• Keep abreast of legislative, regulatory, and policy developments affecting the Water sector and provide advisory input to improve permitting processes and project execution.
• Ensure accurate and timely integration of project and permitting status into the Infrastructure South Africa (ISA) Pipeline Management system.
• Prepare high-quality reports, briefs, and submissions for Senior Management, clearly articulating project progress, risks, interventions, and outcomes.

Qualification and Experience

QUALIFICATIONS

• NQF Level 7 qualification (Degree) in Civil Engineering or equivalent (related to the Water sector)
• Must be registered as a Professional Engineer with the ECSA.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

• 5–8 years of industry/sector-specific experience in Water infrastructure, including project permitting, licensing, development, and preparation, with a demonstrated track record of advancing projects through early-stage development to financial close and/or implementation.
• Proven experience in identifying, assessing, and resolving project impediments, including regulatory, technical, financial, and stakeholder related constraints affecting project delivery.
• Strong understanding of national, provincial, and local regulatory frameworks applicable to Water projects, including zoning, environmental authorisations, and sector specific permitting and licensing requirements.
• Practical experience supporting project preparation activities, including feasibility assessments, project structuring, risk analysis, and enhancing project bankability and investment readiness.
• Experience working collaboratively with engineers, project developers, financiers, and other professionals involved in Water project development and implementation.
• Experience in monitoring and evaluating infrastructure projects across the project lifecycle, including both projects in preparation and those under implementation.
• Experience overseeing or supporting major infrastructure or Water projects during implementation, including tracking performance, identifying delays, and recommending corrective actions.
• Proven ability to engage effectively with public and private sector stakeholders, including government departments, regulators, municipalities, state-owned entities, and private developers.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and reporting skills, with the ability to develop risk registers, dashboards, and structured reports to inform decision-making.
• Familiarity with applicable legislation, including but not limited to the Infrastructure Development Act, Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA), Intergovernmental Relations Framework Act, and Water-related permitting and regulatory frameworks.
• Knowledge of infrastructure pipeline management processes (e.g., ISA or similar environments) and experience integrating project data into structured reporting and governance systems is advantageous.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Strong understanding of the Integrated Resource Plan of DMRE and the legal and regulatory frameworks governing the priority Water projects for the country.
• Proficient in maintaining detailed records, unlocking permit applications (EIAs, WULAs, SALAs, SPLUMAs, etc.), and generating reports for internal and regulatory purposes.
• Strong understanding of infrastructure issues and the interrelated linkages.
• Technical problem identification and resolution.
• Process analysis and improvement
• Risk analysis and mitigation.
• Project Planning.

Roles and Responsibilities (cont.)

• Ability to build and manage relationships
• Good written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent scheduling and time management skills
• Good analytical skills
• Good interpersonal skills
• Ability to liaise and engage with both internal and external stakeholders
• Good technical understanding of project preparation and packaging concepts
• Ability to multitask and thrive under work pressure
• Ability to delegate responsibly
• Solutions oriented
• Good presentation skills
• Proficiency in MS Office: Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, MS Teams

IDC is committed to equality, employment equity and diversity. In accordance

with the employment equity plan of the IDC and its employment equity goals

and targets, preference may be given, but not limited to candidates from underrepresented designated groups.

Job Reference: IDC00837