SENIOR ADVISOR: BUILT ENVIRONMENT AND PLANNING
Based in Western Cape Ref: 23/10/02
Cluster: Infrastructure Delivery, Spatial Transformation and Sustainability
Remuneration package: A competitive salary package with benefits

ROLE OVERVIEW
Reporting to the Provincial Director of Operations, the incumbent shall Implement tailored and best-fit advice, support and solutions to address municipal challenges in focus areas that include; the Built environment and planning function. Monitor and guide on legislative, policy and procedural compliance in municipalities to strengthen the institutional capacity and governance in municipalities relating to the respective focus areas

THE CANDIDATE PROFILE
■Ability to manage in a multidisciplinary environment
■Results driven individual
■A dynamic, motivated self-starter with high levels of emotional maturity
■ Ability to draft, analyse and interpret reports in a professional and quality manner for the Senior and executive team and
■ Well-developed interpersonal and analytic skills
■ Ability to communicate well with all levels of staff and stakeholders
■ High degree of technical project management knowledge, preferably in an economic development environment involving multiple projects
■ Basic knowledge of managing project finances and understanding of donor funding to ensure compliance with all financial reporting requirements

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
■Relevant Post-graduate qualification at Hons level (Development Planning, Town and Regional Planning or related discipline)
■Registered Professional Planner or eligible for registration as a Professional Planner with SACPLAN
■ At least 6 years’ experience in Development Planning dealing with Spatial Planning, Land Use Management Integrated Development Planning and Economic Development, of which three years must be at managerial level
■ Thorough understanding of Municipal Planning in relation to Land Use Management, Spatial Planning and IDPs.
■ Knowledge of the various tools and techniques used when implementing development planning initiatives and the linkages between Spatial Planning and Economic Development.
■Business processes re-engineering in relation to Municipal Planning and its linkages to Economic Development
■ Well-developed administrative and management capacity in a programme related environment
■Own car and driver’s license

KEY PERFORMANCE AREAS
■ Research and Benchmarking: Identify Best Practice in relation to Infrastructure development, Human Settlements, Roads and Transport, Climate Change, resilience and IDP processes. Under the guidance of sector specialists and management, provide ongoing analysis of the key challenges, needs and trends in area of specialisation, to ensure that local government strategies and programmes are appropriately implemented. Under the guidance of the Director of operations conduct and interpret research in area of specialisation and create a learning and sharing platform to improve municipal efficiency in area of specialisation. Be a key repository of knowledge and information on local government and matters relating to the area of specialisation and support the strengthening of municipal profiles in the central repository. Conduct analysis on municipalities and provide guidance in respect of possible improvements
■ Representation at IGR & Other For a (lobbying and Advocacy): Participate in Integrated Development Programme (IDP) structures at municipal level. Participate in Provincial Growth Development Strategy (PGDS) processes. Represent SALGA and municipalities at various IGR and other Fora to protect the interests of municipalities/ Sector; and to disrupt structural form, policy or legislative frameworks in a particular sector, where it hinders municipal performance. Understand the national and provincial governance structures of SALGA and the institutional structures of the Sector/ Professional discipline and key role players in the area of specialisation. Provide inputs to and develop content on a number of complex issues relevant to a SALGA position for mandating and provide policy inputs. Provide technical support and advice to the Chairs of working groups and facilitate tracking and implementation of resolutions.
■ Support Advice and Capacity Building: Ensure SALGA has capacity to assist municipalities in the creation of IDPs and monitoring;
assist municipalities to be sustainable and enable human settlements. Assist municipalities with issues of legislative compliance and interpretation. Guide, support and provide professional advice to municipalities in the areas of focus/ professional discipline – refer issues of strategic importance to the Provincial Director of Operations. Provide hands-on support to strengthen municipal capacity/ improve programme implementation. Facilitate training programmes/ peer learning sessions in the areas of focus/ professional discipline.
■ Monitoring and Evaluation: Support the development and Implement monitoring and evaluation process to track the progress on implementation of policies, legislative compliance and programmatic implementation in municipalities. Maintain records as per SALGA policy and ensure that all project records are uploaded into the company knowledge management system. Create a high performance culture on all projects and report on progress against milestones. Prepare audit files for each project prior to audit
■ Programme / Project Management: Implement appropriate project management methodologies and disciplines; and manage full project cycle on assigned projects including M&E. Plan and integrate programme roll-out to municipalities. Develop terms of reference for identified programmes. Ensure that projects are implemented against contract specification and payments are based on agreed milestone. Identify spin-off projects and opportunities from the programme
■ Stakeholder Management: Within the scope of area of accountability build and maintain relevant stakeholder relationships/ partnerships in the area of responsibility. Ensure appropriate and timely communications with all stakeholders. Build partnerships with relevant stakeholders to ensure programme success and to increase SALGA’s capacity to make an impact. Create reports to communicate about the programme and provide updates for website. Identify key role players to create a link to sustainability and handover of programmes; and implementation
■ Sponsorship and fund Raising for Projects: Identify potential funders/ points for leverage during the programme conceptualization phase. With the support of the sponsorship team, develop and present detailed project proposals and plans to funders for consideration (in alignment of the SALGA sponsorship Policy). Ensure that all contracts for funding are in place and that the contracts include payment terms.
■ Financial and Expense Monitoring: Assist with the preparation of annual budgets and monitoring of the monthly expenditure in area of accountability. Assist in the identification of potential revenue sources in area of responsibility (where applicable) . Participate in procurement committees as required and adhere to procurement requirements and deadlines for identified programmes. Monitor sponsorship payments according to the contract and track programme implementation against the budget. Actively save costs in the area of responsibility
■ Governance, Compliance and Risk Management: Uphold sound corporate governance principles in the day-to-day operation of the area of responsibility/ professional discipline. Ensure compliance with organisational policies and procedures. Support the identification and mitigation of organisational and operational risks identified in the area of responsibility/ professional discipline. Develop and maintain programme risk register and ensure that mitigation steps are applied. Assign values to risks in order to understand financial implications of risk
■ Teamwork: Work as a multi-disciplinary and integrated team to find possible solutions to complex challenges in municipalities. Support organisational priorities and the implementation of resource mobilisation systems and processes. In line with the SALGA organisational culture, role model and educate peers and Advisors on the importance of alignment of personal and organisational values for improved performance. Support the Executive and Senior Management Team in building a high-performance culture in SALGA. Actively participate in the performance management and development processes in SALGA to drive high performance on an ongoing basis

Suitably qualified and experienced candidates must apply on https://www.cvspaces.co.za/

Closing Date: 27 October 2022

(Please quote the relevant reference number in the subject line)

NOTE: Communication will be limited to short-listed candidates only. SALGA reserves the right not to proceed with the appointment for any of the vacant position. All appointments will be made in line with the SALGA’S Employment Equity Plan