Programme Manager (PSP Programme) Fixed Term Contract until 13 May 2030 at Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA)

Job Description    

• The Programme Manager is responsible for leading, coordinating, and managing the successful planning, implementation, monitoring, and delivery of Public Sector Participation (PSP) programmes. The role ensures that PSP initiatives are delivered within approved scope, timelines, budgets, governance requirements, and strategic objectives. The Programme Manager provides oversight across the full project lifecycle, including project identification, planning, procurement coordination, contract management, stakeholder engagement, risk management, financial oversight, and reporting.

Key Responsibilities    
Programme Identification and Planning

• Contribute to the identification, assessment, and confirmation of viable PSP projects and programme opportunities.
• Facilitate the development, review, agreement, and approval of programme and project charters and implementation plans.
• Oversee the accurate registration and maintenance of approved projects within the PSP Programme project management system and databases.
• Coordinate project planning activities to ensure alignment with programme objectives, governance requirements, and stakeholder expectations.
• Support the development of project schedules, delivery frameworks, milestones, and implementation roadmaps.

Programme Design and Implementation

• Develop and manage comprehensive PSP projects/programmes implementation plans, support frameworks, and delivery schedules.
• Coordinate projects/programmes initiation, mobilisation, handover, execution, and closure activities across the programme lifecycle.
• Oversee that projects/programmes implementation is aligned with the approved scope, strategic objectives, budgets, and timelines.
• Monitor project delivery performance and facilitate corrective actions where required.
• Support the integration of multidisciplinary technical, financial, legal, and stakeholder inputs into project execution processes.

Contract and Performance Management

• Coordinate the appointment and contracting of professional service providers, consultants, technical experts, and project personnel in collaboration with procurement and relevant support functions.
• Monitor the performance of project managers, consultants, contractors, and service providers against contractual obligations and deliverables.
• Manage contract compliance, performance issues, and escalation processes where required.
• Adhere to service delivery standards, contractual milestones, and reporting obligations are achieved.
• Support procurement planning and contract administration activities across PSP projects.

Programme Monitoring, Reporting, and Risk Management

• Monitor projects/programmes progress, implementation schedules, budgets, risks, and overall programme performance.
• Prepare and submit accurate and timely project progress reports, expenditure reports, governance submissions, and risk reports.
• Maintain project risk registers and ensure appropriate mitigation strategies are implemented for identified risks and issues.
• Track project performance indicators and ensure effective project/programme governance and reporting practices are maintained.
• Escalate critical project risks, delays, or budget deviations to management where necessary.

Stakeholder Engagement and Coordination

• Coordinate stakeholder engagements, project/programme meetings, workshops, presentations, and decision-making forums.
• Facilitate collaboration and communication between internal business units, government institutions, project teams, consultants, and external stakeholders.
• Support stakeholder management and communication activities in collaboration with the Stakeholder Engagement and Communications function.
• Manage stakeholder expectations, resolve concerns and project/programme dependencies are effectively managed throughout the project lifecycle.
• Prepare stakeholder engagement materials, presentations, meeting records, and progress updates.

Financial Management

• Develop and manage project/programme budgets in alignment with approved scope, delivery plans, and implementation schedules.
• Monitor and control project/programme expenditure to ensure all remain within approved budget parameters.
• Prepare financial forecasts, expenditure tracking reports, and budget variance analyses.
• Support financial governance, compliance, and audit requirements associated with PSP projects and programmes.
• Ensure accurate financial reporting throughout the project lifecycle.

Resource Management

• Coordinate administrative, operational, and logistical support for project/programme teams, consultants, and contract personnel.
• Develop and manage project/programme resources and staffing plans to support successful programme delivery.
• Oversee the allocation, utilisation, and performance management of project/programme resources.
• Support onboarding, coordination, and performance monitoring of project/programme personnel and service providers.
• Ensure adequate resourcing to meet programme delivery requirements and project timelines.

Information and Knowledge Management

• Maintain accurate, complete, and up-to-date project/programme documentation, records, and programme information systems.
• Manage the centralised repository and document library for all PSP Programme project records, reports, contracts, and governance documentation.
• Ensure compliance with audit, governance, reporting, and record-keeping requirements.
• Support knowledge management initiatives through the documentation of lessons learned, case studies, and best practices.
• Facilitate information sharing and institutional learning across PSP Programme initiatives.

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.

Expertise & Technical Competencies    
Minimum Qualifications

• A post-graduate qualification in Project Management, Engineering (Civil or Transport), Business Administration, Commerce or related field.
• Professional project management certification: PMP, PRINCE2, SACPCMP,PMBOK or equivalent project/programme management certification

Minimum Requirements

• A minimum of 10 years demonstrable experience in programme management in the capital projects environment and managing multiple projects in the transport and rail sector, with a minimum of 3 years’ experience in supervising or managing teams.
• In-depth experience in programme and project management software, methodologies and tools, and project budget management and resource management.
• Experience working on large-scale and complex infrastructure or capital-intensive projects to successful completion.
• Strong understanding of governance, procurement, and infrastructure project delivery processes.
• 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.
• Demonstrated knowledge of legislation, regulations, policies, processes and procedures governing the infrastructure planning and development in South Africa (e.g. PFMA).
• Extensive experience in programme reporting and to various stakeholders including multidisciplinary teams and senior stakeholders.

Desirable Requirements

• Experience in the public sector engaging senior-level stakeholders.
• Experience in African infrastructure markets or emerging market contexts.
• Extensive experience working with projects in Public Private Partnerships (PPPs).

Deadline:6th September,2026