Director: Spatial Planning (EADP 02/2025) at Western Cape Government

Job Purpose    

• To lead and manage, effectively and efficiently, the provincial spatial planning function. This includes ensuring the effective strategic coordination of provincial & strategic spatial planning policy formulation, review and implementation and related matters, and the provision of municipal spatial planning oversight, support and advisory services to all spheres and entities of government operating within the Western Cape, especially the local government sphere - in support of spatial transformation towards spatial justice, sustainability and resilience in the Province.

Minimum Requirements    

• A qualification at NQF level 7 as recognised by SAQA;
• A minimum of 5 years’ experience at a middle/senior managerial level within the spatial planning or town and regional planning or development planning sector;
• Registration as a Professional Planner with SACPLAN.

Recommendation    

• A Post-graduate degree (NQF 8 or higher) in Urban / Town / City and Regional Planning, or equivalent will be an added advantage.

Key Performance Areas    

Line Management:

• Ensure the effective provision of provincial spatial planning and development services
• Lead and manage the provision of spatial planning oversight, support and advisory services to municipal spatial planning in the province, and provincial and regional spatial planning and implementation
• Lead the Provincial participation in and support to National Spatial Planning

Strategic Management:

• To define and review on a continual basis the purpose, objectives, priorities and activities of the Directorate.
• Participation in the Chief Directorate, and Directorate’s strategic planning process.
• Active involvement in the development and management of the strategic and business plans for the Directorate.
• To evaluate the performance of the Directorate on a continuing basis against pre-determined key measurable objectives and standards.
• To report to the Chief Director: Development Planning on a regular basis on the activities of the Directorate and on matters of substantial importance.
• To monitor and ensure compliance with relevant legislation and prescripts in respect of adequate and appropriate record keeping of the activities of the Directorate, and of the resources employed by it.

Financial Management:

• Manage participation in the budgeting process at Directorate level.
• Ensure the preparation of the annual and adjustment budgets for the Directorate.
• Assume direct accountability for the efficient, economic and effective control and management of the Directorate’s budget and expenditure.

Human Resource Management

• Participate in the recruitment of employees in the numbers and grades appropriate to ensure the achievement of the Directorate’s strategic and business plans.
• Motivate, train and guide employees within the Directorate, to achieve and maintain excellence in service delivery.
• Actively manage the performance, evaluation and rewarding of employees within the Directorate.

Competencies    
Knowledge of the following:

• Specialist knowledge of the current international, national, provincial and municipal spatial planning & land use management governance frameworks (statutory and strategic) OR Development Planning governance frameworks, legislation, policies, strategies.
• Specialist knowledge of the theory and practice of regional, spatial / strategic spatial planning policy OR development planning and facilitation.
• Advanced knowledge of strategy development, strategy implementation and management and strategy monitoring and review processes, preferably in development planning.
• Advanced knowledge of monitoring, evaluation and reporting, preferably in the field of spatial planning performance management.
• Advanced knowledge of methodology and research trends regarding spatial / development planning.
• Knowledge of human resource management.
• Knowledge of modern systems of Public Sector financial management, governance and administration.
• Basic knowledge of the latest advances in management theory and practice.
• Knowledge of the South African policies of the government of the day and the policy formulation, implementation and monitoring processes utilized.
• Knowledge of global, regional, and local political, economic, and social affairs impacting on South Africa and the Western Cape.
• Knowledge of Constitutional, legal, intergovernmental relations and institutional arrangements governing the South Africa Public Sector.

Skills in the following:

• Strategic Capability and Leadership: Systems thinking | Conceptual |Analytical/Critical thinking | Research
• Programme and Project Management: Project management | Planning and organising | Numeracy
• Change Management & Values Based Development
• Financial Management: basic budgeting and accounting
• People management and empowerment: Team building | Ability to work independently and as part of a team | Inter-personal relations | People management
• Communication, Report writing & Language skills (written and verbal)
• Basic legislative interpretation
• Computer literacy: Geospatial Information Systems, Data Analytics and Management Systems, MS Office Package (Word, Excel, PowerPoint etc.)