Energy Infrastructure Specialist (40 Months) at IDC

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 energy projects and projects within the preparation pipeline, enabling progress toward financial close and construction.
• Development and preparation of energy 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 energy 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 energy 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.

Qualifications

• NQF Level 8 qualification in Electrical, Mechanical, Chemical Engineering degree, or equivalent (related to the Energy sector)

Work Experience 

• 5–8 years of industry/sector-specific experience in energy 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 energy 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 energy 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 energy 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 energy-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.