DBSA Vacancies

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Programme Manager: Water Reuse (Water Partnerships Office)

Closing Date
2025/09/01
Reference Number
DBS250821-1
Job Title Programme Manager: Water Reuse (Water Partnerships Office)
Job Grade 17
Job Type Classification Contract
Location – Town / City Midrand
Location – Province Gauteng
Location – Country South Africa
Job Profile (Downloadable) WPO Programme Manager – Water Reuse_Job Profile Aug 2025.docx.pdf (301.24 kb) – 8/21/2025 12:36:01 PM
Job Description
The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) is mandated by the National Water Act, 1998 and Water Services Act
1997 to be responsible for national water resource infrastructure and supporting municipalities with the provision of water
services. To support the implementation of the National Water & Sanitation Masterplan, DWS has designed and
implemented the National Water Partnerships Programme (NWPP) comprising of several sub-programmes within the
water sector that will address specific challenges facing the sector.
The DWS has signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the South African Local Government (SALGA) and the
Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) to jointly implement the programme. To give effect to the NWPP, the
parties have established the Water Partnerships Office (WPO) which includes the following:

• The development of a standardised programme for the preparation, funding and implementation of projects within the water sector.
• Providing support to municipalities and water boards to prepare, fund and implement projects according to a standardised approach.
• The development of innovative and blended finance funding solutions, that will unlock and enable private sector investment in the water sector.
• Facilitating partnerships with the private sector and other key stakeholders

The role of the Programme Manager: Water Reuse (WR) is to manage the development of a pipeline of municipal WR projects to be prepared, financed and implemented.

Key Responsibilities
Programme Development and Establishment

•Develop strategies and plans for the execution of the programme and to optimise the support provided to
municipalities and water boards.

• Develop and establish the WR Programme as a standardised programme within the WPO, to support
  municipalities in addressing water reuse challenges.
• Develop a “toolbox” of standardised documentation, best practice approaches, methodologies, models and
  mechanisms to support the preparation, funding and implementation of projects.
• Engage with municipalities and water boards to introduce the programme and the Unit/Team as the “centre of
  excellence” for municipal WR interventions in the country.
• Conduct a needs analysis to identify project opportunities and develop a pipeline of projects to be prepared,
  financed and implemented.
• Identify sources of project preparation funding for WR projects and work with the Head: WPO to secure the
  funding.
• Solve for the bankability of projects to enable the successful delivery of projects, creating an environment to
  attract investment and finance from both public and private sector, including but not limited to preparation, design,
  development and structuring of projects.
• Design and review the implementation of projects/programmes, including:
  o the preparation of estimates and detailed programme plans for all phases of the programme
  o implementation plans with outputs, activities, responsibilities and time frames
  o programme budget and report against budget
  o resource plan and allocate responsibilities
• Manage, coordinate and monitor a portfolio of WR infrastructure projects and programmes involving multiple
  stakeholders from cradle to completion in line with the overarching policies, frameworks and master plans in the
  Local Government structures and the Department of Water and Sanitation’s strategy.
• Facilitate project costing and cost control methodologies and procedures to ensure that projects are completed
  within budget.
• Map key programme dependencies and the interfaces between projects and facilitate cohesive project interfaces
  and collaboration.
• Manage challenges, risks and programme change requests and implement risk mitigating measures to prevent
  adverse impact on the project deliverables.
• Provide status reporting regarding programme milestones, deliverables, dependencies, risks and issues,
  communicating across leadership and identified stakeholders.
• Develop and support the implementation, including improvement of project management methodologies, tools
  and standards.
• Provide inputs to contracts, agreements, MOA’s and other legal documents with partners/ service providers and
  manage the enforcement of agreements.
• Ensure implementation of safety, health and environmental standards by contractors in compliance with the
  requirements and guidelines of the DBSA.
• Manage the WR programme in terms of the monitoring, reporting and meeting the requirements of the Green
  Climate Fund (GCF)
• Prepare monthly progress reports that are required by the WPO (for purposes of reporting to the Oversight
  Committee as well as to the DBSA and the GCF).

1. Procurement

• Establish and maintain service provider panels to ensure there are adequate resources to achieve programme objectives in planned timeframes.
• Procure, appoint and manage service providers for the preparation, funding and implementation of projects.
• Support the procurement of contractors and operators for the implementation and operation and maintenance of projects, potentially on a Performance Based Contracting model.

1. Stakeholder Management

• Establish parentships with private sector role players in the WR environment.
• Build and manage relationships at various levels with the project stakeholders, partners in accordance with the NWPP and WR development objectives and stakeholder relations and communication strategy.
• Establish and maintain strategic partnerships, networks and alliances aimed at enhancing the WPO’s mandate and role.
• Coordinate efforts and work with the WR teams within the DWS, City Support Programme, SALGA, Water Research Commission) WRC and others.
• Participate in structures created to support the WR such as a Water Reuse committee, Water Reuse Community of Practice, etc.

1. People Management

• Establish, lead and manage a team of specialist resources in the Water Reuse Unit/Team.
• Provide direction and guidance to the direct reports to enable the execution and management of their portfolios and responsibilities effectively.
• Facilitate team development while holding teams accountable for their commitment to ensure strong team delivery.
• Conduct performance management for all direct reports, managing their performance in relation to quality standards and agreed benchmarks and objectives, in line with sound performance management principles.
• Provide transferable skills, frameworks and toolkits to promote empowerment of the team.
• Promote DBSA values and a culture of High Performance within the areas of responsibility.
• Manage, coach and mentor project management resources.

Perform other strategic, operational and other duties as assigned.

Key Measurements of Outputs:

1. Successful establishment of the Water Reuse Programme and Unit/Team within the WPO.
2. Approved WR short-, medium- and long-term plan/s.
3. Number of water reuse projects identified, prepared/developed and implemented.
4. Value of funding sourced for the design, preparation and implementation of the WR from relevant and applicable local and international institutions.
5. Number of catalysed opportunities resulting in a robust pipeline of bankable projects.
6. Successful oversight, management and implementation of agreed water reuse projects: a. Percentage of performance targets met as per business plan. b. Quality of delivery of projects / programmes.
7. Investor satisfaction of invested water reuse projects / programmes.
8. Accuracy and quality of presentations and reports.
9. Effective performance management and strong culture of performance and delivery in WWT Unit/Team.
10. Good governance and ethical behaviour.
11. A clean audit.

Expertise & Technical Competencies
Minimum Requirements

1. A Bachelor’s Degree in Finance or Engineering (preferably civil engineering)
2. A minimum of 10 years demonstrated work experience in the fields of project finance, infrastructure finance and
   investment, public-private partnerships, infrastructure transaction advisory work, preparation and structuring of
   infrastructure projects, etc.
3. Experience in programme management as well as the skills and experience to manage teams of professionals
   and service providers
4. Experience and understanding of the project preparation cycle and requirements to prepare bankable projects
5. Knowledge and understanding of all legislation relevant to the business of DBSA/WPO, as well as the water sector
   (i.e., PFMA, MFMA, PPPFA, NWA, WSA, etc.)
6. Strong knowledge and experience in working with the local government planning cycle and processes.
7. A strong knowledge and experience in Public Private Partnerships (PPP)
8. Demonstrable track record of working with senior government stakeholders
9. Comprehensive knowledge of the complex regulatory environments of municipalities/metros, state-owned
   enterprises and other government entities in South Africa
10. Demonstrated ability to lead complex strategic initiatives and projects to successful completion
    Desirable Requirements
11. A qualification in Project/Programme Management
12. Experience in the related fields of full resource recovery (energy generation from biogas and sludge beneficiation)
    will be an added advantage.
13. Experience in the water sector, and preferably with water reuse.
14. TECHNICAL
    a) Business Acumen

• Reviews own actions against the organisation’s strategic plan; includes the big picture when considering possible opportunities or projects or thinks about long-term applications of current activities.
• Understands the projected direction of the industry and how changes might impact the organisation.
• Deep understanding of commercial drivers and can take decisions based on an assessment of alternatives concerning complex business situations.
• Deep understanding of DBSA/WPO economic priorities and how they can be implemented to meet DBSA’s/WPO’s strategic objectives.
• Deep understanding of DBSA’s/WPO’s core sector role in achieving DBSA’s/WPO’s strategic objectives.
• Deep understanding of the need to coordinate efforts with many government entities, private sector, community groups and individuals to ensure effective implementation of new policies and regulations.

b) Project Management

• Ability to plan, initiate, execute, control and close projects related to a relevant function as well as to track and manage resources, timelines, costs, deliverables and performance, and implement contingency plans, if
  necessary, to ensure projects are successfully.
• Defines, plans and manages large and/or strategic projects, including those with a high degree of technical complexity, with impacts across the organisation and/or with national implications.
• Assembles and leads diverse and multi-disciplinary teams, ensuring maximum effective resource utilisation.
• Successfully manages substantial project budgets and reports directly to senior managers on the progress and results of projects.
• Identifies complex issues that need escalation and proposes appropriate corrective action by maintaining a respected profile with relevant external organisations and the research community in general.

c) Solutions Focused

• Identifies complex problems based on a broad range of factors, many of which are ambiguous or difficult to define.
• While remaining guided by organisational values, identifies optimal solutions, thinking first in terms of possible approaches and flexibilities in the system vs. blind adherence to rules or procedures.
• Evaluates the effectiveness and efficiency of solutions after they have been implemented and identifies needed changes.

d) Planning and Organising

• Coaches’ others on advanced planning and organising skills.
• Plays a role in transferring advanced planning and organising skills and knowledge to others.
• Identifies and acts on opportunities to partner with other units in the department to achieve desired results.
• Develops partnership agreements that ensure win-win outcomes for all parties. Develops integrated plans for the work unit and others that interfaces with the function’s budget.
• Uses effective advance time management processes to deal with high workload and tight deadlines.
• Organises, prioritises and schedules tasks so they can be performed within budget and with the efficient use of time and resources.
• Achieves goals promptly, despite obstacles encountered, by organising, reprioritising and re-planning.

e) Detailed Oriented

• Quickly identifies relevant and irrelevant information to support accurate decision making.
• Maps out all the logistics and details of a situation to ensure smooth and flawless implementation.
• Consistently identifies all relevant details that are not obvious in complex situations.
• Requires the highest standards for accuracy and quality for their work.
• Establishes processes to ensure accuracy and quality of services delivered by the team.

f) Reporting & Communication

• Designs, reviews and improves reporting processes and provides guidance.
• Leads production of complex environment reports, takes an editorial role, determines content and level of detail, and ensures consistent messaging and branding.
• Is relied on by others to help them write complex technical and non-technical documents and briefs.
• Can determine which aspects of this knowledge area need to be transferred to others in order to achieve organisational goals.
• Coaches’ others and transfers communication skills and knowledge to others.
• Able to communicate complex problems or concepts, by making them simple and understandable for others.
• Adapts language to the level of the audience in order to ensure that the message has a positive impact and is interesting to the audience.
• Is articulate, demonstrates a wide range of vocabulary, and is confident when talking to large/high level audiences.

g) Presentation Skills

• Knows how to deliver arguments persuasively by employing a range of advanced presentation techniques (e.g., the appropriate use of body language, how to close a presentation so that the audience continues to think about
  the subject matter etc.).
• Has knowledge of various feedback mechanisms to check levels of audience understanding.

Required Personal Attributes

1. BEHAVIOURAL

a) Customer Service Orientation

• Tries to understand the underlying needs of customers and matches these needs to available or customized products and services.
• Adapts processes and procedures to meet on-going customer needs.
• Utilises the feedback received by customers, in order to develop new and/or improve existing services/ products that relate to their on-going needs.
• Thinks of new ways to align offerings with future customer needs.

b) Self-Awareness and Self Control

• Withholds effects of strong emotions in difficult situations.
• Keeps functioning or responds constructively despite stress.
• May apply special techniques or plan of time to manage emotions or stress.

c) Strategic and Innovative Thinking

• Experiments with new approaches, tests scenarios, questions assumptions and challenges conventional thinking.
• Creates new concepts that are not obvious to others, leveraging internal and external sources of information, to build incremental revenue and growth opportunities.

d) Driving Delivery of Results

• Sets challenging goals that will have a significant impact on the business or support the organisational strategy.
• Commits significant resources and/or time to ensure that challenging goals are achieved, while also taking action to mitigate risk.

e) Teamwork and Cooperation

• Acts to promote a friendly climate and good morale and resolves conflicts.
• Creates opportunities for cross-functional working.
• Encourages others to network outside of their own team/department and learn from their experience.

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Principal Investment Officer- Project Finance

Closing Date
2025/09/05
Reference Number
DBS240816-1
Job Title Principal Investment Officer- Project Finance
Job Grade 17
Job Type Classification Permanent
Location – Town / City Midrand
Location – Province Gauteng
Location – Country South Africa
Job Profile (Downloadable) Principal Investment Officer-Project Finance.docx.pdf (0.56 Mb) – 8/16/2024 12:22:29 PM
Job Description
The Principal Investment Officer is responsible for formulating and executing the strategic objectives of the business in collaboration with the Transacting Head whilst being accountable to move investment opportunities / projects (provided by the Coverage Team) from early review to bankability.

Key Responsibilities
Conduct Transaction Assessment and meets DBSA’s Mandate

Evaluate the feasibility of investment opportunities / project transactions with a view to ensuring that they are commercially sound prospects for financing and is aligned to the DBSA’s strategy and mandate.
Make transactions bankable by identifying and mitigating key risk issues by working closely with the Chief Investment Office and Financing Operations Team (Sector Specialists, Country Risk Specialists, Financial Analysts, etc.)
Provide value to transactions for the benefit of and/or the client through knowledge of the subject, innovation and lateral thinking.
Prepare early review proposals and documentation in the agreed format.
Execute Transactions & Drive the Credit Approval Process to ensure best class output

In liaison with the Head: Transactions, structure and negotiate the detailed terms of the deal / transaction with Treasury, Legal, and Loan Administration Teams to drive the approval of transactions.
Close deal / transactions by obtaining the relevant internal approvals for the transactions and leading or actively participating in the successful conclusion of negotiations.
Actively manage the transaction unit to drive the credit approval process in its entirety from early review to the relevant approval committees.
Ensure proposals submitted to these committees are well structured and documented for effective decision making.
Implement transactions by facilitating the preparation or managing the preparation of complex multiple jurisdiction documents and compliance with all required procedures, laws and regulations.
In liaison with the Head: Transactions resolve any potential constraints in the lending value chain.
Manage all risk aspects of the continent wide financing delivery function, in terms of ensuring appropriate structuring of investment risks and on-going mitigations of operations-related risks.
Ensure sound financial capital management through assuming responsibility for stewardship over the capital under management, as well as efficient utilisation of financial resources.
Ensure the capturing of learning opportunities post transaction conclusion for continuous improvement and ensuring successful delivery of deals.
Monitor Client Performance

Record and continuously monitor country/industry/client performance i.e. revenues
Principal Investment Officer Lead Function

Lead transaction teams to conduct transaction assessments, execute transactions and drive credit approval processes.
Serve as a sounding board for other Senior and Investment Officers in terms of concluding transactions to bankability.
Coach and mentor Senior and Investment Officers.
Key Measures

Revenue performance in terms of Interest Income and Fees generated.
Delivery on the agreed Operations Mandate; these include:
Growth rate in assets of loan book;
Annual disbursements, commitments and approvals;
Quality of loan book;
% of loan book in priority geographies and sectors;
Number of new clients;
Number of potential deals worked on
Management of Client Relationships and key Stakeholders.
Expertise & Technical Competencies
Minimum Requirements

An Honours degree in Finance, Business, Accounting, Engineering or Economics.
10-12 years’ experience in appraising, negotiating and closing Project Finance, Corporate Finance, or Structured Finance transactions in a financial institution.
Experience in securing infrastructure investment deals in relevant sectors/geographies in SA and/or Africa.
Experience in leading, initiating and developing new business strategies and opportunities to create a pipeline of development impact projects ensuring deal flow and bankability.
Experience in securing deals of appropriate size for sectors and geographies in question.
Strong networks and relations with clients, global and regional private investors and banks in order to identify and source viable projects/investments.
Successful track record in leading project teams with high level stakeholders and qualified professionals.
Experience in using Financial models.
Comprehensive knowledge of the complex financial and regulatory environments across Africa.
In depth knowledge and understanding of infrastructure market, financial markets and the macro landscape.
Demonstrable experience in identifying client challenges and playing an active part in finding innovative solutions.
Experienced communicator and negotiator (expertise at senior level).
Strong negotiation skills with the ability to close deals.
Proven experience in working with senior stakeholders in highly political environments in South Africa and the rest of Africa
Role requires flexibility to be deployed to other business units within Coverage division, if required
Ability to mentor junior members of the team
Desirable Requirements

A post-graduate qualification such as a CA, CFA or MBA
TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES

Risk Identification & Assessment skills

Advises on applicable aspects of risk identification and assessment.
Assesses and links short-term tasks in the context of long-term business strategies or perspectives.
Business Development

Takes overall lead for pro-active business development at national and international level.
Initiates, reviews and interprets competitor environment reviews and take actions accordingly.
Formulates and modify market approaches on the basis of competitor analyses.
Leads the formulation, development and implementation of the business development strategy to generate new business opportunities in public and private sector delivery of infrastructure.
Identifies and develop new markets, products and clients.
Leads the participation and presentation of an organisation at investment conferences and roundtable discussions.
Coordinates business activities to ensure that investment initiatives are in support of government BEE strategies, broader national and regional economic development strategies.
Promote compliance and alignment with the strategic imperatives of both individual clients and the organisation of investment and development interventions.
Builds capacity to coordinate, control and manage the activities and efforts required for the implementation of the plan.
Builds capacity to conduct project origination exercises.
Business Acumen

Deep understanding of commercial drivers and is able to take decisions based on an assessment of alternatives concerning complex business situations.
Deep understanding of economic priorities of South Africa and Africa and how they can be implemented to meet the organisations’ strategic objectives.
Deep understanding of the need to coordinate efforts with many government entities, private sector, community groups and individuals to ensure effective implementation of new policies and regulations.
Takes actions to fit business strategy.
Assesses and links short-term tasks in the context of long-term business strategies or perspectives.
Reviews own actions against the organisation’s strategic plan; includes the big picture when considering possible opportunities or projects or thinks about long-term applications of current activities.
Anticipates possible responses to different initiatives.
Understands the projected direction of the industry and how changes might impact the organisation.
Deal Origination

Utilises extensive networks with developers, sponsors and consultants in DBSA-mandated sectors to identify project preparation opportunities.
Conducts project identification, conceptualisation and preliminary structuring of projects structuring and value preposition for DBSA.
Applies analytical skills to understand the technical, environmental, institutional, financial and legal components of projects to present a structure to prepare the project.
Understands the regulatory and policy environments and offers advice in preparing/structuring of projects.
Conducts market research, business analysis and profiling to identify opportunities for infrastructure development in SA, SADC and selected African countries.
Provides and grows the opportunity for DBSA equity investments.
Independently structures and negotiates and concludes engagement letters, term sheets and facility agreements.
Project Management

Initiates project plans and secures resources for projects that span area or department boundaries.
Uses estimating techniques and develops project risk management approaches.
Has an in-depth and practical understanding of how to maximize the effectiveness of project teams.
Planning & Organizing

Is relied on to helps other plan and organise their workload.
Uses effectively advance time management processes to deal with high workload and tight deadlines.
Organises, prioritises and schedules tasks so they can be performed within budget and with the efficient use of time and resources.
Achieves goals in a timely manner, despite obstacles encountered, by organising, reprioritizing and re-planning
Financial Acumen

Makes sound financial decisions after having analysed their impacts on the organisation, partner agencies, and community.
Effectively prepares budgetary submissions and forecasts for own department.
Knows the internal and external factors that impact on resource and asset availability.
Is able to interpret management account reports in an operational/commercial context and take action as appropriate to maximize revenues and control costs.
Reporting & Communication

Designs / customizes reports to meet user needs.
Prepares complex or tailored reports, gathers information from a variety of sources, analyses and includes in a report.
Keeps standard reports under review and proposes improvements to meet user needs
Presentation Skills

Knows how to deliver arguments persuasively by employing a range of advanced presentation techniques (e.g. the appropriate use of body language, how to close a presentation so that the audience continues to think about the subject matter etc.).
Has knowledge of various feedback mechanisms to check levels of audience understanding.
Negotiation

Has an appreciation of cultural sensitivities and differences.
Effectively employs a variety of advanced behavioural/interpersonal competencies to control the negotiation situation.
Is able to take the lead in a variety of sensitive negotiation situations requiring high levels of tact and diplomacy.
Is able to place a discrete negotiation situation within the context of a broader long-term relationship and is not threatened by conceding ground to protect the longer-term interests of DBSA.
Required Personal Attributes
LEADERSHIP/BEHAVIOURAL

Leading & Empowering Others

Identifies long-term goals for the team and communicates them to team members, ensuring their buy in.
Sets a good example by personally exercising desired behaviour; acts on values and beliefs.
Communicates a vision for the team and future success that inspires team members.
After assessing others’ competence, one delegates full authority and responsibility to others to do a task in their own way.
Ensures that competent employees are given opportunities to further their careers.
Leading & Managing Change

Anticipates the need for change when not obvious and influences others to gain support. Builds sustainable business and organisational capacity to embrace and thrive on change.
Re-engineers and aligns structures, processes and practices to support and sustain the desired change.
Strategic & Innovative Thinking

Understands connections and trade-offs of strategic choices to evaluate which ideas are practical and possible by considering business and/or scientific implications.
Develops innovative business and/or customer solutions that shape industry practices.
Teamwork & Cooperation

Acts to promote a friendly climate and good morale, and resolves conflicts.
Creates opportunities for cross-functional working.
Encourages others to network outside of their own team/department and learn from their experience.
Developing Others

Gives specific positive or mixed feedback for developmental purposes.
Gives negative feedback in behavioural rather than personal terms.
Reassures and/or expresses positive expectations for future performance when giving corrective feedback.
Gives individualised suggestions to individuals for their improvement.
Driving delivery of results

Identifies and implements a business opportunity that will have a long-term impact on the business (which may include the organisation’s reputation or brand image). Monitors progress and adapts the plan if necessary to ensure optimal benefit to the business.
Makes decisions, sets priorities, or chooses goals on the basis of inputs and outputs: makes explicit considerations of potential profit, return on investment, or cost benefit analysis.
Based on the cost-benefit analysis, makes decisions of entrepreneurial risk nature.
Decisiveness (High Performance, Service Orientation)

Makes timely decisions about complex issues even when some information is missing.
Makes decisions and stands by them even when they are controversial or unpopular.
Grasps critical business opportunities when they arise by making timely decisions

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