Lead: Transport Infrastructure (PSP Programme) Fixed Term Contract until 13 May 2030 at Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA)

Job Description    

• The Lead: Transport Infrastructure is responsible for providing strategic and technical leadership on rail and intermodal transport planning in support of the PSP Programme. The role drives the integration of transport planning, infrastructure strategy, and policy alignment to support sustainable and bankable Public Sector Participation (PSP) initiatives. The role further contributes to the development of innovative transport planning methodologies, analytical tools, and policy frameworks, while incorporating emerging transport technologies and global best practices to strengthen evidence-based decision-making and integrated transport systems planning.

Key Responsibilities    

Strategic Advisory on Rail and Intermodal Transport Planning

• Provide strategic and technical advisory services on rail, freight, passenger, and intermodal transport planning in support of PSP initiatives.
• Lead the integration of intermodal transport considerations into PSP Programme strategies, project design, and infrastructure investment planning.
• Oversee the alignment of PSP projects with long-term national, regional, and sectoral transport strategies and infrastructure master plans.
• Advise on transport network optimisation, corridor development, logistics integration, and multimodal connectivity opportunities.
• Provide transport planning expertise to project feasibility studies, infrastructure assessments, and strategic investment initiatives.

Alignment with Transport Policies and Regulatory Frameworks

• Assess and ensure that PSP Programme initiatives are aligned with national transport policy objectives, regulatory frameworks, and sector legislation.
• Interpret and apply transport policies, planning frameworks, and regulatory requirements within the context of evolving transport systems and PSP models.
• Provide strategic input into transport policy development and regulatory reform processes relevant to PSP initiatives.
• Support compliance with governance, environmental, and planning requirements applicable to transport infrastructure projects.

Integration of Emerging Transport Trends and Innovation

• Monitor, analyse, and assess technological advancements and global trends in rail, freight, logistics, and intermodal transport systems.
• Provide strategic guidance on the application of emerging technologies and innovative transport solutions within PSP Programme projects.
• Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency, sustainability, resilience, and integration across transport modes.
• Support the incorporation of smart mobility, digital infrastructure, data analytics, and sustainability principles into transport planning initiatives.
• Promote innovative approaches to transport infrastructure planning and service delivery.

Project Development and Strategic Planning Support

• Provide technical planning input into the development, assessment, and implementation of transport PSP projects and programmes.
• Support the preparation and review of feasibility studies, transport demand analyses, infrastructure assessments, and strategic planning reports.
• Contribute practical insights and lessons learned from PSP initiatives into broader transport policy and planning processes.
• Collaborate with government institutions, transport authorities, and policy-making entities to strengthen integrated transport planning frameworks.
• Support the identification and prioritisation of transport investment opportunities and infrastructure development pipelines.

Standardisation and Decision-Support Tools

• Lead the refinement and enhancement of methodologies, planning frameworks, and analytical tools used in evaluating transport PSP opportunities.
• Support the development and implementation of data-driven planning and decision-support tools to improve transport investment analysis and project prioritisation.
• Promote standardisation, consistency, and innovation in transport planning and evaluation methodologies.
• Contribute to the development of transport modelling approaches, scenario analyses, and performance assessment frameworks.
• Apply evidence-based planning principles and best practices across PSP Programme initiatives.

Stakeholder Engagement and Partnership Management

• Develop and maintain strategic relationships with government departments, transport authorities, regulators, development finance institutions, private sector participants, and industry stakeholders.
• Represent the PSP Programme in stakeholder engagements, technical forums, industry working groups, and strategic planning discussions.
• Facilitate collaboration between transport sector stakeholders to support integrated infrastructure planning and PSP implementation.
• Support stakeholder consultations and engagement processes associated with transport planning initiatives and PSP projects.

Knowledge Sharing and Capacity Building

• Promote knowledge sharing on transport planning methodologies, policy developments, emerging trends, and PSP best practices.
• Mentor and provide technical guidance to internal stakeholders, project teams, and specialists on transport planning and PSP-related matters.
• Contribute to institutional learning by documenting and disseminating insights, lessons learned, and best practices from transport PSP projects.
• Support capability development initiatives aimed at strengthening transport planning and PSP expertise within the organisation.

People Management

• Manage internal and external teams, ensuring effective task allocation, supervision, and quality assurance.
• Lead mentor, and develop a high-performing team, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous learning to maximise individual and collective potential.
• Provide leadership and guidance to the Infrastructure Finance team and multidisciplinary project teams.
• Drive talent development initiatives, including coaching, performance management, and career pathing, to build and retain a skilled and motivated team.
• Identify training needs and support professional development initiatives to ensure staff are equipped to meet evolving demands.
• Drive a culture of innovation and continuous improvement across the agency to support strategic agility.

Key Measurements of Outputs

• Quality and strategic relevance of transport planning advisory reports and recommendations delivered for PSP projects.
• Percentage of PSP Programme projects incorporating intermodal transport integration principles.
• Percentage of transport PSP initiatives aligned with applicable transport policies and regulatory frameworks.
• Timely delivery of technical transport planning input into project development and decision-making processes.
• Number of innovative transport solutions or emerging technology recommendations incorporated into PSP projects.
• Quality and effectiveness of transport planning methodologies, frameworks, and decision-support tools developed or refined.
• Contribution to the identification and advancement of viable transport infrastructure investment opportunities.
• Stakeholder satisfaction with transport planning and technical advisory support provided.
• Effectiveness of multidisciplinary coordination across rail, marine, GIS, structural, traffic, and rail safety functions.
• Number and quality of knowledge-sharing, mentorship, and capacity-building initiatives delivered.

Expertise & Technical Competencies    
Minimum Qualifications

• A postgraduate qualification in Engineering (Civil or Transport), Transport Economics, Commerce or related field.

Minimum Requirements

• A minimum of 10 years demonstrable experience in the transport and rail sector, with a minimum of 3 years’ experience in supervising a team.
• Knowledge of South African policies, legislation and regulatory environment related to the transport sector in general and the rail sector in specific, and public-private partnerships
• Strong analytical and research skills and ability to influence at a senior level with a range of stakeholders, including the private sector and government bodies
• Extensive experience working with projects in Public Private Partnerships (PPPs)
• Experience working on large-scale infrastructure or capital-intensive projects
• Proven ability to provide value to transactions for the benefit of and/or the client through knowledge of the subject, innovation and lateral thinking.
• Sound experience in private and public sector investments.
• Demonstrated knowledge of legislation, regulations, policies, processes and procedures governing the infrastructure planning and development in South Africa (e.g. PFMA).

Desirable Requirements

• Experience in an advisory role in infrastructure, transport or rail.
• Experience in African infrastructure markets or emerging market contexts.

Deadline:6th September,2026