Water jobs in South Africa

Department: Energy

Location: South Africa

Allied Talent Partners (ATP), a Three Cairns Group initiative, is a mission‑driven, not‑for‑profit talent marketplace focused on solving the human capital bottlenecks slowing down sustainable development efforts in emerging economies, with an initial focus on Africa. ATP connects vetted, experienced, context‑relevant professionals to high‑impact opportunities in energy access and sustainable development – strengthening local capacity and fuelling economic vitality. We specialise in fixed‑term, deliverable‑driven engagements – from interim leadership and generalist projects to niche technical expertise – handling project scoping, talent vetting and matching, contracting, payroll, and compliance so that our clients can focus on impact.

Client: Client is an Africa‑focused renewable energy developer and independent power producer delivering clean, reliable, and cost‑effective energy solutions for industrial and public‑sector clients. The organisation develops, finances, and operates grid‑tied and off‑grid solar and storage systems across Southern Africa, with a strong focus on water, agriculture, and mining value chains.

The client is seeking a Project Director to lead the delivery of a 45 MW (total) off‑grid solar and battery energy storage project across three units in Limpopo. The Project Director holds overall responsibility for the successful delivery of the project – with full accountability for the project’s cost, schedule, quality, and safety performance, while ensuring alignment with the client’s strategic, contractual, and governance frameworks. The Project Director also chairs the Project Steering Committee, provides executive leadership across all delivery functions, and serves as the principal interface between the End‑User, Client Exco and Board, and key stakeholders. The role demands strategic vision, technical and commercial mastery, and decisive leadership to ensure safe, profitable, and sustainable project delivery.

Role: Project Director – Off‑Grid Solar PV and BESS
Direct Report: Chief Operating Officer and Board
Candidates Required: 1

1. Strategic Leadership & Governance
   • Define and implement the project execution strategy, governance structure, and reporting cadence within the first 30 days.
   • Chair the Project Steering Committee and ensure transparent decision‑making across the client, end‑user, delivery partners, and funders.
   • Approve and maintain the integrated baseline schedule, budget, and resourcing; keep variance within ±5% of approved targets.
   • Provide monthly performance reports to Exco and Board on progress, KPI delivery, ESG metrics, and financial forecast accuracy ≥ 95%, contributing insights to portfolio‑level decision‑making.
   • Enforce governance, audit, and compliance standards to ensure integrity and accountability across all project activities.
2. Project Preparation (contingent on start date)
   • Lead outstanding project‑preparation activities to meet all technical, commercial, and regulatory preconditions for construction start.
   • Align delivery partners, contractors, and the end‑user on final EPC, O&M, and financing arrangements.
   • Oversee geotechnical, topographical, and hydrological assessments, integrating findings into final design and risk plans.
   • Verify permitting close‑out, land access, and environmental compliance, and finalise site‑readiness and logistics plans to ensure smooth mobilisation prior to Notice to Proceed.
3. Commercial & Contract Management
   • Hold full P&L accountability for project delivery, including cost, margin, and cash flow.
   • Lead NEC contract administration, ensuring effective change control, early warnings, and claims avoidance.
   • Oversee commercial forecasting, cost management, and audit compliance across all workstreams.
   • Represent the client in high‑level negotiations, dispute resolution, and performance reviews with contractors and partners.
   • Drive value creation through cost optimisation, scope efficiency, and risk‑informed decision‑making.
4. Technical & System Integration
   • Provide executive oversight across all technical disciplines – civil, electrical, mechanical, control, and communications.
   • Ensure rigorous design governance, interface management, and change control throughout the project lifecycle.
   • Approve major engineering decisions in consultation with the Engineering Manager and senior leadership.
   • Oversee BESS integration, grid compliance, SCADA/EMS interfacing, and successful commissioning acceptance at each site.
   • Promote continuous improvement and innovation in design, technology, and delivery methodologies.
5. Leadership & Organisational Performance
   • Build and lead a high‑performing, multidisciplinary project team with clear accountability and collaboration.
   • Mentor Project Managers, engineers, and commercial leads to develop delivery capability and succession depth.
   • Define clear workstreams, responsibilities, and escalation paths for project decision‑making.
   • Foster a culture of integrity, safety, and performance excellence throughout the project team and partners.
   • Capture lessons learned and embed knowledge transfer to strengthen organisational capability.
6. Client, Stakeholder & External Engagement
   • Serve as the primary executive liaison with the end‑user, funders, utilities, and regulatory authorities.
   • Maintain consistent communication and alignment across all external interfaces, resolving escalated issues promptly.
   • Oversee community, media, and institutional engagement to safeguard reputation and maintain social licence to operate.
   • Ensure compliance with statutory, environmental, and social obligations.
   • Identify opportunities to strengthen partnerships and position the organisation for future collaboration.
7. Execution Excellence & Risk Control
   • Drive an integrated risk‑management and performance‑monitoring framework across technical, commercial, and operational domains.
   • Embed safety, quality, and environmental excellence as non‑negotiable delivery standards.
   • Use data‑driven dashboards and KPIs to monitor cost, schedule, and delivery performance.
   • Enforce disciplined variation and change management with timely mitigation and escalation.
   • Lead post‑project review and lessons‑learned exercises to inform continuous improvement and future project strategy.

Experience Required:

• Minimum 10 years’ experience managing large, multidisciplinary EPC projects (≥ 20 MW Solar PV or hybrid systems).
• Proven success in leading the delivery of major renewable or infrastructure projects (budget > R500 million).
• Demonstrated track record in NEC contract management, claims prevention, and stakeholder governance.
• Experience leading multi‑disciplinary teams and interfacing with public, private, and regulatory stakeholders.
• Prior leadership of complex, multi‑site solar PV and BESS integration projects preferred.

Technical Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Electrical, Mechanical, Civil, or Industrial); post‑graduate qualification in Project Management or Business Administration preferred.
• Working knowledge of renewable technologies, BESS integration, grid interconnection, and water infrastructure systems.
• Familiarity with South African permitting, environmental, and grid‑interconnection frameworks.
• Proficiency in NEC and FIDIC contract frameworks and project‑management tools (MS Project, Primavera).
• Strong command of project financials, including cost control, forecasting, and commercial risk management.
• Strong understanding of risk management frameworks, governance systems, and safety/quality standards.
• PMP, PrEng, or MBA qualification advantageous.

Other Skills:

• Visionary Leader – inspires confidence, sets direction, and aligns diverse teams to a common goal.
• Strategic and Decisive – balances commercial pragmatism with long‑term sustainability.
• Accountable and Principled – acts with integrity and ownership of all outcomes.
• Collaborative Influencer – unites technical, legal, and commercial teams to achieve shared success.
• Resilient and Composed – maintains perspective under pressure and leads through uncertainty.
• Articulate Communicator – conveys complex issues clearly to executive, client, and public audiences.

Location: Pretoria
Travel: Frequent travel to project sites in Limpopo and to the off‑taker offices as needed.

Start Date: Immediate
Contracting Period: 24 months (project‑based), with potential transition into a permanent or follow‑on role