Senior Advisor: Built Environment

Implement tailored and best-fit advice, support and solutions to address municipal challenges in the area Public Works, Infrastructure, Roads and Transport.

Monitor and guide on legislative, policy and procedural compliance in municipalities to strengthen the institutional capacity and governance in municipalities.

Research and Knowledge Management

• Collect, categorise and package relevant information for specified tasks and projects.
• Perform benchmarking exercises under guidance from Specialists / Senior Managers within the Built Environment Portfolio.
• Under leadership and guidance of Senior Manager / Specialist, perform research on municipal issues relating to within Public Works, Infrastructure, Roads and Transport
• Gather and channel information to build and update municipal profiles relating to public works, infrastructure, roads and transport
• Co-ordinate knowledge sharing & peer learning activities. This includes but is not limited to developing presentations, packaging of content and information for knowledge sharing and peer learning events.
• Provide updates for  knowledge portals and website

Representation at IGR & Other lobbying and Advocacy fora

• Represent municipalities at relevant IGR forums as well as any other lobbying and advocacy platforms
• Develop content on relevant issues to inform lobby and advocacy positions.
• Support the tracing of implementation of decisions and development of reports to the working groups
• Understand the network of national and provincial institutional structures and key role players in the delivery of public works, infrastructure, roads and transport.

Support Advice and capacity building

• Guide, support and advise municipalities on matters relating to the delivery / development of public works, infrastructure, roads and transport.
• Implement the capacity building strategy and associated programmes relevant to the delivery of public works, infrastructure, roads and transport
• Monitor and support the overseeing of performance of service providers under guidance from Specialists / Senior Managers

Programme Monitoring and Evaluation and Reporting

• Implement project management methodologies and disciplines; and support the management of the full project cycle on assigned projects including M&E
• Ensure that projects are conducted against contract specification and payments are based on agreed milestone
• Maintain records as per policy and ensure that all project records are up loaded into the knowledge management system
• Report on progress against milestones as and when required to do so
• Produce periodic reports for governance structures under guidance/ from Specialists / Senior Managers
• Support the preparation of audit files for each project prior to audit

Stakeholder Management

• Build/maintain relevant stakeholder relationships/partnerships in public works, infrastructure, roads and transport to ensure effective program delivery and increase  impact
• Ensure appropriate and timely communications with all stakeholders
• Develop reports to profile the Local Government public works, infrastructure, roads and transport programmes

Governance, Compliance and Risk Management

• Uphold sound corporate governance principles in the day-to-day operation of the public works, infrastructure, roads and transport portfolio
• Ensure compliance with organisational policies and procedures
• Support the identification and mitigation of organisational and operational risks

Teamwork

• Work in integrated multi-disciplinary teams to explore and deliver solutions to complex municipal and human settlement challenges
• Support organisational priorities and the implementation of resource mobilisation systems and processes.
• In line with the organisational culture, align personal and organisational values for improved performance.
• Support the Executive and Senior Management Team in building a high-performance culture.
• Implement the performance management and development processes to drive high performance on an ongoing basis.

Internal and external stakeholders

The Senior Advisor is expected to interact with and engage internal and external stakeholders in the delivery of his/her function

• Employees (national & provincial),
• Management Team.
• External Service Providers
• Communities of Practice/ Partners
• Sector Departments in Provincial and National Government
• IGR partners

Minimum qualifications and experience

Qualification

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Infrastructure Planning or equivalent Built Environment qualification
• A post graduate degree, in either engineering, policy or management would be an added advantage
• Valid Driver’s Licence

Experience:

• At least 5 years’ relevant experience of which at least 1 years have been at an equivalent level within a medium to large sized organisation;
• Demonstrates a sound understanding of Public Works, Infrastructure, Roads and Transport Sectors
• Demonstrates a sound understanding of Local Government and the public sector in general
• Demonstrates a sound understanding of policy, regulatory, fiscal and financial environment necessary to effectively deliver infrastructure in South African municipalities

Knowledge

Core knowledge:

• Sound understanding of policy and legislative frameworks in area of responsibility
• Knowledge of the business and sustainability requirements
• Understanding of project management principles
• Understanding of expense management principles and regulations

Specialised knowledge:

• Thorough Knowledge and an understanding of the policy, legislative and regulatory frameworks governing the Public Works, Infrastructure, Roads and Transport Sectors
• Staying abreast of new developments in the public works, infrastructure, roads and transport environment
• Working Knowledge of Mandate, value chain, business model; and core business objectives

Required skills & competencies

Skills:
Core skills:

• Organisational Awareness
• Planning, Project Management, M&E
• Ability to draft, analyse and interpret reports in a professional and quality manner
• Stakeholder Management and Influencing skills

Required skills:

• Strong analytical ability
• Analytical and problem-solving skills
• Decision making and sound judgement
• Business Communication and writing skills (opinions, positions, feedback & presentation)
• Computer literacy (MS Office: Word Excel PowerPoint Outlook, MS Project Management)

Personal Attributes (Critical for Success) / Essential Attributes

Behaviours:

Core behaviours aligned to Organisational values:

• Responsive
• Innovative
• Dynamic
• Excellence

Required behaviours:

• High degree of self-management, pro-activeness and creativity
• Resilient and Tenacious
• A dynamic, motivated self-starter with high levels of emotional maturity
• Consultative and informed
• Customer service orientation
• High integrity and ethics
• Team Player
• Represent and project a positive and professional image of.