Fresh Jobs at Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA)

• The ICT Project Manager (PM) will implement Information Technology (IT) initiatives that improve cost effectiveness, service quality, and business efficiency in a constantly changing environment. The Project Manager will take lead in the project management of information systems to support the organisation’s internal and external business operations and models.

Key Responsibilities    
ICT Project Initiation

• Contribute to strategic and tactical planning, development, evaluation and coordination of the information and technology systems for the DBSA.
• Determine appropriate revenue recognition, ensure timely and accurate invoicing, and monitors receivables for project.
• Contribute towards development of enterprise systems architecture.
• Communicate ICT implementation plans and policies to project sponsors.
• Implement appropriate ICT project progress reporting to the project sponsor and project team.
• Research and evaluate alternatives for the enhancement or re-engineering of Information Technology projects.
• Implement an appropriate Information Technology Governance Framework and ensure compliance to this framework.

Project Management

• Prepare procurement documents and project service level agreements in line with the overall Service Level Agreement of the bank.
• Identify and schedule project deliverables, milestones, and required activities and tasks.
• Establish a work plan and staffing for project activities, iterations or phases.
• Plan and manage day-to-day project operations in relation to utilisation of resources, ensuring delivery within approved scope, budget, and timelines.
• Direct and coordinate the activities of the project team to ensure that projects progress on schedule and within budget.
• Track and control project budgets, weekly expenses and benefits realisation.
• Prepare and present progress reports and motivations to the team and project sponsors.
• Perform risk assessments and implement mitigation plans.
• Manage business and ICT transition activities, including acceptance testing, training, change management, post-implementation support, and the handover of ICT services and solutions to operational support teams.
• Monitor and validate pricing model and billing procedures.
• Maintain compliance with internal standards, external accreditation requirements, and legal obligations.
• Implement the project communication plan by facilitating regular team and stakeholder engagements to ensure alignment with project sponsors and stakeholders.
• Conduct post-project evaluations to capture lessons learned and improve future project outcomes.

Key Measures/KPIs

• Accurate revenue recognition with timely invoicing and effective monitoring of receivables.
• Alignment of project outcomes with business objectives and project management lifecycle principles.
• On-time, within-scope, and within-budget delivery of projects.
• Quality and consistency of project information, ensuring accuracy, integrity, and standardisation across the bank.

Expertise & Technical Competencies    
Minimum Requirements:

• A Bachelors Degree in ICT, Commerce, Project / Programme Management or Engineering.
• Project Management qualification (PMBOK or Prince or Similar).
• A minimum of 7 years’ experience in the management of Information and Communication Technology and/or business projects.
• A minimum of 5 years in managing medium to large sized projects in an Information and Communication Technology environment.

TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES

Project Management

• Initiates project plans and secures resources for projects that span area or department boundaries.
• Uses estimating techniques and develops project risk management approaches.
• Has an in-depth and practical understanding of how to maximize the effectiveness of project teams.

Planning & Organizing

• Is relied on to helps other plan and organise their workload.
• Uses effectively advance time management processes to deal with high workload and tight deadlines.
• Organises, prioritises and schedules tasks so they can be performed within budget and with the efficient use of time and resources.
• Achieves goals in a timely manner, despite obstacles encountered, by organising, reprioritising and replanning

Negotiation Skills

• Understands and can apply basic negotiating skills and techniques, e.g., obtaining a full understanding of the other party's agenda and needs before disclosing own perspectives.
• Possesses an understanding of various unspoken communications from other parties and can decipher hidden agendas.
• Is able to successfully conclude negotiations which require the development of an emotional as well as factual argument.
• Is able to develop mutually beneficial potential solutions.

Written Communication

• Understands that different writing styles are required for different documents or audiences.
• Write effective correspondence, prepares questions and reports, statements of circumstance and briefing notes.
• Reviews others’ documents for clarity and impact.
• Has a solid mastery of writing principles such as grammar, sentence construction etc.

Required Personal Attributes    
BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES

Information Seeking and Analysis

• Breaks down problems into simple lists of tasks or activities
• Investigates the problem or situation beyond routine questioning.

Impact and Influence

• Includes careful preparation of data for presentation.
• Makes two or more different arguments or points in a presentation or a discussion.

Achievement Orientation

• Focuses on new or more effective ways of improving own work and meeting targets.
• Focuses on raising quality, customer satisfaction and revenues.
• Formulates own objectives and action plans in order to achieve a measurable improvement in the future.
• Makes specific changes to systems and processes in order to improve efficiency and quality.

Self-Awareness & Self Control

• Ignores angering actions and continues a conversation or task. May leave temporarily to withhold emotions, then return immediately to continue.
• Feels strong emotions in the course of a conversation or other task, such as anger, extreme frustration, or high stress; holds the emotions back, and continues to act calmly.

Decisiveness

• Acts promptly to address urgent needs, taking quickly those decisions which need to be taken.
• Thinks on their feet when necessary.
• Changes his/her perception, ideas or alters normal procedures to fit a specific situation to get a job done and/or meet company goals.
• Assesses available information to reach a clear view of key options and selects the best option at the time.

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Job Description    

• The Infrastructure Fund (IF) announced by the President in September 2018 addresses the need for a dedicated blended financing facility for infrastructure programme projects. The aim of the IF is ttransform public infrastructure financial provisioning using “blended” finance - combining capital from the public and private sectors and Development Finance Institutions (DFIs)/Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs). This will be dedicated tmeeting the financing requirements for hybrid projects.
• The mandate of the Infrastructure Fund has been captured in a Memorandum of Agreement (MObetween the National Treasury, Infrastructure South Africa (ISA), and the DBSA, entered inton 17 August 2020. The Programme Management Specialist is responsible for designing and implementing multiple programmes leading to funding opportunities for the IF. These programmes, amongst others, are large-scale infrastructure projects and programmes that involve Public Private Partnerships.

Key Responsibilities    
Key Performance Areas:

Strategic Support

• Develop, implement and monitor a portfoliof large-scale infrastructure projects and programmes involving
• multiple stakeholders from cradle tcompletion.
• Facilitate early and privileged access tthe pipeline of large infrastructure projects tposition the organisation for improved funding opportunities and strategic deal participation.
• Prepare investment proposals for management and the Board of Directors tconsider.

Deal Flow and Origination

Support the steady flow of deals in the IF through:
Project Preparation Support

• Partner with project owners, sponsors, and public institutions ttransform concepts intbankable opportunities.
• Provide technical input intprefeasibility and feasibility studies, designs, and cost estimates.
• Identify and address technical, environmental, social, and commercial gaps affecting bankability.
• Ensure alignment with sector standards, regulatory frameworks, and investment criteria.
• Support project structuring tattract blended finance and private sector participation.

Technical Due Diligence & Appraisal

• Conduct independent technical due diligence for projects under credit/investment review.
• Review design, technology choices, cost assumptions, and construction/operational plans.
• Assess alignment with international standards (FIDIC, IFC Performance Standards, ECSA, national building codes).
• Prepare technical reports and red-flag assessments for investment committees.

Risk Assessment & De-risking

• Identify and evaluate technical, commercial, regulatory, and implementation risks.
• Recommend risk mitigation measures (e.g., performance bonds, insurance, O&M structures).
• Assess the accuracy of risks factored intfinancial models and pricing tsupport bankability.
• De-risk the technical and commercial risk aspects of projects.
• Facilitate improved understanding, assessment and pricing of project risks.

Monitoring & Implementation Oversight

• Verify the fulfilment of technical conditions precedent tsupport disbursement.
• Monitor construction progress, completion testing, and commissioning milestones.
• Conduct site visits, review progress reports, and flag deviations (cost overruns, delays, technical failures).
• Recommend corrective actions tsafeguard project performance and repayment.

Portfolio-Level Support

• Provide sector technical insights tguide pipeline development and portfolistrategy.
• Develop benchmarks, cost libraries, and sector guidelines tsupport future projects.
• Capture lessons learned from completed projects tstrengthen institutional knowledge.

Programme Management

• Design, develop and implement project/programme plans, budgets, resources and deliverables according tthe clients' and funders' agreements.
• Identify and implement measures tprevent project/programme delays by actively engaging and managing multiple project/programme offices.
• Prepare/develop project costing methodologies, cost control procedures and financial monitoring systems to ensure that projects/programmes are completed within budget and on time.
• Prepare detailed programme documentation, including phased plans, implementation schedules, budgets and variance reports, resource allocations, and work plans aligned with IF objectives.
• Provide status reporting regarding programme milestones, deliverables, dependencies, risks and issues, communicating across leadership and identified stakeholders.
• Lead the procurement of adequate resources tachieve programme objectives within planned timeframes.
• Perform other strategic and other duties as assigned.

Key Measurements of Outputs:

• Value of bankable projects
• Quality of investment book
• Number of new clients and projects
• Number of potential projects worked on
• Management of client relationships and key stakeholders
• Investor satisfaction with invested projects/programmes
• Clean audit

Expertise & Technical Competencies    
Qualifications and Experience:

Minimum Requirements

• A Bachelor's Degree or BTech in Engineering.
• A minimum of 8 years experience in infrastructure projects/programmes implementation.
• A track record in sourcing viable and bankable projects, structuring and closing investments in SA will be an advantage.
• Proven ability tmanage large-scale infrastructure projects and programmes, PPPs and project finance.
• Demonstrated ability in working on new or innovative projects/programmes.
• A track record in participating in projects and programmes involving multiple stakeholders.
• Knowledge of legislation, regulations, policies, processes and procedures governing the infrastructure planning and development in South Africa (e.g. PFMA).
• Good understanding of the complex legal and regulatory environment for infrastructure and infrastructure procurement in SA.
• Proven ability tprepare good quality reports, documents and presentations for Executive Management, Board and high-level stakeholders.
• Good understanding of the infrastructure landscape, financial markets, political economics, macroeconomics, as well as socio-economic development issues, challenges and opportunities in South Africa and the rest of Africa.
• Proven ability tput yourself in the client’s / funders' shoes and understand the motivations that underlie behaviours of interest.
• Demonstrated ability tundertake complex strategic initiatives and successfully execute projects tsuccessful execution.

Desirable Requirements

• Postgraduate qualification in Engineering.
• Qualification in Project / Programme Management.
• Project / Programme Management experience in the public infrastructure sector

Technical Competencies:

Risk Identification & Assessment Skills

• Advises on applicable aspects of risk identification and assessment.
• Assesses and links short-term tasks in the context of long-term business strategies or perspectives.

Business Development

• Pro-actively pursues business development at the national and international level.
• Initiates, reviews, and interprets competitor environment reviews and takes actions accordingly.
• Formulates and modifies market approaches based on competitor analyses.
• Supports Lead Programme Management Specialist with the formulation, development and implementation of the business development strategy tgenerate new business opportunities in public and private sector delivery of infrastructure.
• Identifies and develops new markets, products and clients.
• Prepares presentations for an organisation and can participate in investment conferences and roundtable discussions.
• Coordinates business activities tensure that investment initiatives are in support of government BEE strategies, broader national and regional economic development strategies.
• Promotes compliance and alignment with the strategic imperatives of both individual clients and the organisation of investment and development interventions.
• Builds capacity tcoordinate, control and manage the activities and efforts required for the implementation of the plan.
• Builds capacity tconduct project origination exercises.

Business Acumen

• Good understanding of commercial drivers and can make decisions based on an assessment of alternatives concerning complex business situations.
• Good understanding of economic priorities of South Africa and Africa and how they can be implemented tmeet the organisation’s strategic objectives.
• Good understanding of the need tcoordinate efforts with many government entities, the private sector, community groups and individuals tensure effective implementation of new policies and regulations.
• Takes actions tfit business strategy.
• Assesses and links short-term tasks in the context of long-term business strategies or perspectives.
• Reviews own actions against the organisation's strategic plan; includes the big picture when considering possible opportunities or projects, or thinks about long-term applications of current activities.
• Anticipates possible responses tdifferent initiatives.
• Understands the projected direction of the industry and how changes might impact the organisation.

Deal Origination

• Identify, conceptualise and structure projects and opportunities and develop new and alternative financing mechanisms.
• Formulate and develop new and alternative financing mechanisms and concepts that can be replicated elsewhere within and outside SA.
• Conceptualise and develop innovative funding instruments (equity, venture capital, mezzanine, debt, securitisation of projects, etc.) tfinance infrastructure that would otherwise not be possible, relying on the market only tdevelop and propose these investment opportunities.
• Proactively develop impact concepts ttake tthe market.
• Formulate new products.

Negotiation Skills

• Has an appreciation of cultural sensitivities and differences.
• Effectively employs a variety of advanced behavioural/interpersonal competencies tcontrol the negotiationsituation.
• Can take the lead in a variety of sensitive negotiation situations requiring high levels of tact and diplomacy.

Project Management

• Defines, plans and manages large and/or strategic projects, including those with a high degree of technical complexity, with impacts across the organisation and/or with national implications.
• Identifies complex issues that need escalation and proposes appropriate corrective actions.

Planning & Organising

• Demonstrates advanced planning and organising skills.
• Identifies and acts on opportunities tpartner with other units in the department tachieve desired results.
• Develops integrated plans for the work unit and others that interface with the function’s budget.

Financial Acumen

• Makes sound financial decisions after having analysed their impacts on the organisation, partner agencies, and community.
• Effectively prepares budgetary submissions and forecasts for own department.
• Knows the internal and external factors that impact resource and asset availability.
• Can interpret management account reports in an operational/commercial context and take action as appropriate to maximise revenues and control costs.

Reporting & Communication

• Designs / customises reports tmeet user needs.
• Prepares complex or tailored reports, gathers information from a variety of sources, analyses and includes in a report.
• Keeps standard reports under review and proposes improvements tmeet user needs.
• Designs, reviews and improves reporting processes and provides guidance.
• Assists with the production of complex environment reports, takes an editorial role, determines content and level of detail, and ensures consistent messaging and branding.
• Is relied on by others thelp them write complex technical and non-technical documents and briefs.
• Able tcommunicate complex problems or concepts by making them simple and understandable for others.
• Adapts language tthe level of the audience tensure that the message has a positive impact and is interesting to the audience.
• Is articulate, demonstrates a wide range of vocabulary, and is confident when talking tlarge/high-level audiences.

Presentation Skills

• Knows how tdeliver arguments persuasively by employing a range of advanced presentation techniques (e.g. the appropriate use of body language, how tclose a presentation sthat the audience continues tthink about the subject matter, etc.).
• Knows various feedback mechanisms tcheck levels of audience understanding.

Required Personal Attributes    
Leadership/Behavioural Competencies:

Customer Service Orientation

• Tries to understand the underlying needs of customers and matches these needs tavailable or customised products and services.
• Adapts processes and procedures tmeet ongoing customer needs.
• Utilises the feedback received by customers tdevelop new and/or improve existing services/ products that relate ttheir ongoing needs.
• Thinks of new ways talign the IF’s offerings with future customer needs.

Self-awareness and Self Control

• Withholds effects of strong emotions in difficult situations.
• Keeps functioning or responds constructively despite stress.
• May apply special techniques or plan ahead of time tmanage emotions or stress.

Strategic and Innovative Thinking

• Experiments with new approaches, tests scenarios, questions assumptions and challenges conventional thinking.
• Creates new concepts that are not obvious tothers, leveraging internal and external sources of information, to build incremental revenue and growth opportunities.

Driving delivery of results

• Sets challenging goals that will have a significant impact on the business or support the organisational strategy.
• Commits significant resources and/or time tensure that challenging goals are achieved, while alstaking action to mitigate risk.

Teamwork & Cooperation

• Acts to promote a friendly climate and good morale and resolves conflicts.
• Creates opportunities for cross-functional working.