Closing Date 2024/11/25
Reference Number DBS241114-1
Job Grade 16
Job Type Classification Contract
Location - Town / City Midrand
Location - Province Gauteng
Location - Country South Africa
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:
a) The development of a standardised programme for the preparation, funding and implementation of projects within the water sector
b) Providing support to municipalities and water boards to prepare, fund and implement projects according to a standardised approach
c) The development of innovative and blended finance funding solutions, that will unlock and enable private sector investment in the water sector
d) Facilitating partnerships with the private sector and other key stakeholders
ROLE OVERVIEW
1. The Technical Specialist is responsible for the technical aspects of the development and establishment of the Non- Sewered Sanitation (NSS) Programme as a standardised initiative within the WPO.
2. Oversee the development of a comprehensive toolbox of standardised documentation, approaches, models, and mechanisms to support the preparation, funding, and implementation of NSS projects across municipalities in the country.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
KEY PERFORMANCE AREAS
Programme Development and Establishment
1. Lead the technical aspects for the establishment and management of NSS projects during project preparation and implementation stages.
2. Collaborate with the Programme Manager to develop strategies and plans for the execution of the programme and optimise support for relevant public and private sector stakeholders.
3. Provide technical expertise in developing and establishing the NSS Programme as a standardised initiative within the WPO to support municipalities address their sanitation service challenges.
4. Create a “toolbox” of standardised documentation, best practices, methodologies, models, and mechanisms to support the preparation, funding, and implementation of NSS projects.
5. Engage with municipalities, developers, sanitation service providers, relevant government and private sector institutions, and academia to position the programme and the Unit/Team as the “centre of excellence” for municipal NSS solutions in the country.
6. Conduct a needs analysis to identify project opportunities and develop a pipeline of NSS projects for preparation, financing, and implementation.
7. Support the NSS Unit/Team in establishing itself as the “centre of excellence” for non-sewered sanitation solutions and interventions in the country.
Technical Sanitation Programme Support
1. Provide technical guidance in developing a demand analysis model/tool that integrates Shit Flow Diagrams (SFDs), norms, standards, and industry benchmarking guides such as the Red Book.
2. Assist in creating a demand modelling tool for use by end-user organizations, including municipalities, WSPs, WSAs, DBE, DHS, and others.
3. Develop policy briefs and recommendations on NSSS and off-grid sanitation technologies.
4. Contribute to the development of innovative funding solutions and models for implementation, operation, and maintenance (O&M) as well as Independent Sanitation Provider (ISP) models.
5. Design standardised approaches for structuring and designing funding solutions for NSS projects.
6. Develop detailed specifications for NSSS and off-grid sanitation technologies.
7. Compile a supply-side assessment report.
8. Undertake a production value-chain efficiency assessment report for NSSS and off-grid sanitation.
9. Support the structuring of a NSSS/off-grid sanitation technology manufacturing fund.
10. Create awareness and educational materials for NSSS and off-grid sanitation technologies.
11. Lead mass media advocacy for the adoption and uptake of NSSS and off-grid sanitation technologies.
12. Ensure contractors implement safety, health, and environmental standards in compliance with DBSA requirements and guidelines.
13. Collaborate with other government departments and stakeholders to create an enabling environment and policies for successful NSS project implementation.
14. Provide support and capacity development to NSS technology and solution providers.
15. Develop an information and specification repository to support projects.
16. Provide specialist support on all technical matters related to NSS technologies such as capital cost estimates, operation and maintenance-related costs, etc.
17. Prove advice on financial matters related to NSS technologies, including capital cost estimates and operation and maintenance costs.
18. Support the preparation and implementation of NSS proposals.
19. Assist in designing and developing innovative funding mechanisms and solutions.
Project Management
1. Manage NSS projects during the preparation and implementation stages.
2. Manage, coordinate and monitor a portfolio of NSS infrastructure projects in line with the overarching policies, frameworks and master plans in the Local Government structures and the Department of Water and Sanitation’s strategy.
3. Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) for NSSS and off-grid sanitation projects.
4. Monitor the preparation, design, development, and structuring of projects according to client and funder agreements.
Procurement
1. Establish and maintain service provider panels to ensure sufficient resources for achieving program objectives within planned timeframes.
2. Procure, appoint, and manage service providers for the preparation, funding, and implementation of projects.
3. Support the procurement of contractors and operators for project implementation, operation, and maintenance, potentially within an Independent Sanitation Provider model.
4. Conduct supply-side assessments and evaluate local production capacity and efficiencies.
5. Compile a comprehensive sanitation backlog and assessment report for the country.
6. Conduct an in-depth non-sewered sanitation system (NSSS) and off-grid sanitation demand mapping for the country.
7. Support the commercialization of off-grid sanitation solutions at scale within the country.
8. Establish a panel of service providers (consultants, operators, technology providers, etc.) for NSS project preparation and implementation.
Stakeholder Management
1. Engage with local industry players and stakeholders within the off-grid sanitation value chain.
2. Establish partnerships with private sector role players in the NSS environment.
3. Build and manage relationships with project stakeholders and partners in line with the NWPP and NSS Program development objectives and stakeholder relations strategy.
4. Coordinate efforts with NSS teams within the DWS, DBE, City Support Programme, SALGA, Water Research Commission (WRC), Municipal Infrastructure Support Agent (MISA), Green Cape, and others.
5. Participate in structures supporting the NSS Program, such as the NSS Program Committee and NSS Community of Practice.
6. Provide stakeholders and partners with confidence that investments in agreed projects and programs will be completed successfully and on time.
7. Compile a comprehensive database of potential public and private sector buyers of off-grid sanitation systems.
8. Lead initiatives to increase awareness and adoption of NSS technologies, emphasizing their value proposition, and appropriate areas of use, and fostering a well-informed sanitation service user base ready to embrace NSS technologies.
9. Advocate for relevant end-user organisations such as municipalities, metros, DBE, DHS, WSA/P, and other public/private sector players.
10. Perform other strategic, operational and other duties as assigned.
Key Measurements of Outputs
1. Approved NSS Programme short-, medium- and long-term plan/s.
2. Number of (public and private sector) NSS projects identified, prepared/developed and implemented.
3. Value of funding sourced for the design, preparation and implementation of the NSS Programme from relevant and applicable local and international institutions.
4. Number of catalysed opportunities resulting in a robust pipeline of bankable projects.
5. Successful oversight, management and implementation of agreed NSS projects:
6. Percentage of performance targets met as per business plan.
7. Quality of delivery of projects/programmes
8. A comprehensive NSS demand mapping for the country that matches sanitation backlogs, infrastructure deficits and sanitation service delivery needs and plans.
9. Articulation of a national policy on the role NSS can play in achieving universal access to improve and dignified sanitation service delivery.
10. Key indicators/ metrics to identify end-user organisations that can be supported by the sub-programme.
11. The investments/projects of Investor satisfaction with invested NSS projects/programmes
12. Quality of presentations and reports.
13. Good governance and ethical behaviour.
14. A clean audit
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EXPERTISE & TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES
EXPERTISE
Minimum Requirements:
1. A Bachelor’s degree in a relevant engineering field.
2. Registered engineering professional with the Engineering Council of South Africa (PrEng, PrTechEng or PrTech).
3. A minimum of 8 years demonstrated technical work experience (planning, design, implementation) in the field of municipal water and sanitation services or similar.
4. A minimum of 5 years’ experience in Utilising sanitation technologies and solutions, including non-sewered sanitation technologies.
5. Demonstrated knowledge of all legislation relevant to the water & sanitation sector (i.e. PFMA, MFMA, PPPFA, NWA, WSA, etc.).
6. Comprehensive knowledge related to water and regulatory environments of municipalities/metros, state- owned enterprises and other government entities in South Africa.
7. Demonstrated ability to interact confidently with diverse stakeholders and clients.
8. Demonstrated ability to manage strategic water and sanitation initiatives and projects to successful completion.
Desirable Requirements
1. Experience overseeing the commercialisation of NSS technology solutions at scale.
2. Strong knowledge and experience in Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) and funding models would be advantageous.
TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES
Business Acumen
1. 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.
2. Understands the projected direction of the industry and how changes might impact the organisation.
3. Deep understanding of commercial drivers and can take decisions based on an assessment of alternatives concerning complex business situations.
4. 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.
Project Management
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Assembles and leads diverse and multi-disciplinary teams, ensuring maximum effective resource utilisation.
4. Successfully manages substantial project budgets and reports directly to senior managers on the progress and results of projects.
5. 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.
Solutions Focused
1. Identifies complex problems based on a broad range of factors, many of which are ambiguous or difficult to define.
2. While remaining guided by organizational values, identifies optimal solutions, thinking first in terms of possible approaches and flexibilities in the system vs. blind adherence to rules or procedures.
3. Evaluates the effectiveness and efficiency of solutions after they have been implemented and identifies needed changes.
Planning and Organising
1. Identifies and acts on opportunities to partner with other units in the department to achieve desired results.
2. Uses effectively advance time management processes to deal with high workload and tight deadlines.
3. Organises, prioritises and schedules tasks so they can be performed within budget and with the efficient use of time and resources.
4. Achieves goals in a timely manner, despite obstacles encountered, by organising, reprioritising and re-planning
Detailed Oriented
1. Quickly identifies relevant and irrelevant information to support accurate decision making.
2. Maps out all the logistics and details of a situation to ensure smooth and flawless implementation.
3. Consistently identifies all relevant details that are not obvious in complex situations.
4. Requires the highest standards for accuracy and quality for their work.
5. Able to provide in-depth technical support to team members, clients and funders of preferred technology solutions for implementation
Reporting & Communication
1. Is relied on by others to help them write complex technical documents and briefs.
2. Can determine which aspects of this knowledge area need to be transferred to others in order to achieve organisational goals.
3. Able to communicate complex problems or concepts, by making them simple and understandable for others.
4. 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.
5. Is articulate, demonstrates a wide range of vocabulary, and is confident when talking to large/high level audiences.
Presentation Skills
1. 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.).
REQUIRED PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES
BEHAVIOURAL
Customer Service Orientation
1. Tries to understand the underlying needs of customers and matches these needs to available or customized products and services.
2. Adapts processes and procedures to meet on-going customer needs.
3. Utilizes the feedback received by customers, in order to develop new and/or improve existing services/ products that relate to their on-going needs.
4. Thinks of new ways to align offerings with future customer needs.
Self-Awareness and Self Control
1. Withholds effects of strong emotions in difficult situations.
2. Keeps functioning or responds constructively despite stress.
3. May apply special techniques or plan of time to manage emotions or stress.
Strategic and Innovative Thinking
1. Experiments with new approaches, tests scenarios, questions assumptions and challenges conventional thinking.
2. Creates new concepts that are not obvious to others, leveraging internal and external sources of information, to build incremental revenue and growth opportunities.
Driving Delivery of Results
1. Sets challenging goals that will have a significant impact on the business or support the organisational strategy.
2. Commits significant resources and/or time to ensure that challenging goals are achieved, while also taking action to mitigate risk.
Teamwork and Cooperation
1. Acts to promote a friendly climate and good morale and resolves conflicts.
2. Creates opportunities for cross-functional working.
3. Encourages others to network outside of their own team/department and learn from their experience.
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