Head: Rail and Logistics Private Sector Participation (PSP) at Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA)

• The Head is responsible for providing strategic leadership and oversight for the PSP Unit, driving the planning, structuring, compilation, and monitoring of PSP initiatives. The role is responsible for the development and implementation of strategies, policies and frameworks that enable meaningful private sector involvement in service delivery and infrastructure development. This includes managing the end-to-end transaction advisory process, coordinating stakeholder engagement, and ensuring alignment with national development objectives and legal/regulatory requirements. The job role plays a critical function in building a bankable project pipeline, attracting private investment and driving innovation through sustainable partnerships. 

Key Responsibilities    
KEY PERFORMANCE AREAS 

Strategic Operations and Leadership

• Develop and implement a 3–5-year strategic plan and sustainable operating model for the PSP Unit, ensuring alignment with national and institutional priorities and achieving financial self-sufficiency and operational viability (including revenue generation, cost recovery, and approved governance structures).
• Cascade the implementation of the PSP strategy into a programme implementation guide, business plans and budgets.
• Develop innovative strategies and business plans aligned to the medium-term development plan (MTDP) of the Department of Transport (DOT) in respect of PSP.
• Establish and update PSP policies and guidelines annually to ensure alignment with evolving legislation, regulations, and market practices.
• Provide strategic advisory input on PSP-related policy positions and reforms.
• Develop and facilitate the approval of the PSP Unit’s Corporate Plan(s) by the Oversight Committee (OC), and formulate associated bid procurement windows execution plans, policies, and procedures to drive effective implementation across the organisation.
• Assess the resource requirement for the programme for people, process and technology and facilitate the acquisition.
• Oversee the organisation’s financial strategies and management, ensuring fiscal responsibility, transparency and long-term financial health.

Project Identification and Preparation

• Develop and assess a pipeline of viable PSP projects (freight and passenger rail) aligned to the transport strategic priorities.
• Oversee the execution of prioritised projects in alignment with regulations, approved agreements and timelines.
• Conduct bankable feasibility studies for financing and implementing PSP projects.
• Ensure statutory compliance of the PSP projects.
• Develop standard operating procedures with Transnet and PRASA to drive execution of PSP projects.
• Monitor and report on the project pipeline on readiness levels, approvals, and implementation timelines.
• Secure funding and investments necessary for project execution, expansion and long-term growth.
• Oversee the development of funding and procurement strategies and models that will enable efficient and competitive bidding processes and access to funding.
• Collaborate with various stakeholders to develop funding mechanisms and financial models/ incentives aligned to transport sector requirements.

Financial Management

• Maintain cost-effective use of resources and compliance with all financial and procurement regulations.
• Initiate and co-ordinate the formulation of business plans and annual budgets and monitor progress towards their achievement.
• Oversee, duly supported by the DBSA, the preparation and submission of the annual and interim financial reports and statements.
• Prepare and provide reports as well as recommendations to the respective governance and stakeholder groups for prudent decision-making.
• Monitor that effective internal controls are in place and ensure compliance with all applicable Acts, policies, as well as all related protocols of good practice in all PSP Unit operations.

Stakeholder Management

• Develop a stakeholder engagement strategy that maps out key players and decision-makers and forms strategic partnerships with key energy and infrastructure sector players.
• Serve as primary spokesperson and liaison for PSP matters with external stakeholders, advocating for policies and practices that advance the transport sector.
• Develop and maintain a stakeholder database and track engagement outcomes, updated quarterly.
• Resolve stakeholder issues or concerns promptly and ensure alignment of expectations throughout the PSP lifecycle.
• Build internal and external relationships, initiate strategic dialogue, and manage complex stakeholder relations with the National Treasury, transport sector state-owned entities, Ministers and the oversight committee.
• Develop partnerships with key transaction advisory firms, regulatory bodies and relevant government organisations to build sustainable long-term transmission infrastructure solutions.

Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting

• Define key performance targets for each PSP initiative and monitor performance against milestones.
• Submit quarterly and annual PSP Unit reports to the executive, oversight committee and governance bodies.
• Conduct post-implementation reviews for all PSP projects within one year of completion or contract start.
• Lead reporting and governance requirements for all key oversight bodies, investors, funders and all other stakeholders.

Risk Management and Governance

• Maintain a comprehensive risk register quarterly to ensure all project risks are identified, assessed, and monitored effectively.
• Drive the implementation of risk mitigation actions by coordinating stakeholders and monitoring progress to reduce potential programme risks.
• Oversee adherence to governance processes for all PSP-related programmes, projects and initiatives.

Operations Management

• Develop and maintain operational plans, task tracking systems, and SOPs for the PSP Unit.
• Oversee the appointment and management of transaction advisors and expert panels to evaluate various factors in execution, such as legal, finance and environmental, social and governance (ESG) for sustainability.
• Oversee efficient contract management, documentation, and compliance with institutional operational policies.
• Conduct and develop quarterly reviews of the Unit’s performance against the operational plan.

People Management

• Provide direction and management to the direct reports to enable the execution of the strategy and manage their portfolios effectively.
• Manage and evaluate the performance of the direct reports against targets set, KPI’s and metrics.
• Define, cascade and monitor business and people performance objectives of direct reports.
• Attract, retain, and develop high-calibre talent. Develop and maintain sufficient depth in all critical functions, minimising "key-man" risk.
• Optimise skills usage within the unit.
• Accountable for performance management of all direct reports, managing their performance in relation to quality standards and agreed benchmarks and objectives, focusing on all aspects of sound people management.
• Develop the skills and abilities of all team members, with the result that they perform to their highest potential and optimise their current and future job performance.
• Proactively support the bank's diversity strategies and initiatives.
• Contribute to building synergies and cooperation across functions internally and externally. 

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

Minimum Qualification

• A postgraduate degree in Engineering, Finance, MBA or other related fields. 

Minimum Requirements 

• A minimum of 12 years’ experience, 5 years of which must be in management, in a large enterprise in the transport sector, infrastructure development or a related field. 
• A strong career track record of achievement in the medium/large enterprise, with evidence of achievement in transport projects in SA. 
• Deep understanding of the transport sector, including rail and port systems and networks, regulatory frameworks, and market dynamics. 
• Proven experience in establishing and managing sustainable operations, including achieving financial self-sufficiency through revenue generation, cost recovery, and efficient operating models.
• Demonstrated leadership competencies and the required emotional intelligence, ethics to lead within and outside of the PSP Unit. 
• Evidence of and demonstrated ability of having managed a large cross-functional team of managers. 
• Well-developed financial and quantitative competencies. 
• Proven track record of successful large-scale project management and strategic decision-making. 
• Demonstrable experience in navigating complex regulatory environments and engaging with high-level stakeholders, e.g., Ministers, CEO’s and policymakers. 
• Demonstrated evidence of change management, business transformation and associated activities. 
• A commitment to as well as an evidenced track record in good corporate governance, including but not limited to the King IV, the Companies Act, PFMA, etc. 
• Familiarity with the latest trends, technologies, and best practices in the transport sector. 
• Strategic commercial acumen in programme management, financial planning, and technology integration. 
• Experience in managing multi-billion-rand programmes and budgets. 
• Good knowledge and experience of infrastructure procurement in South Africa. 

Desirable Requirements 

• A postgraduate qualification in transport.
• Experience in transport network design, operation and maintenance.