Project Development Specialist (IDD)

The Project Development Specialist is responsible for conceptualising and packaging infrastructure projects from earlystage

ideation through feasibility and execution readiness. The role works closely with clients, internal teams, and

external partners to build a project pipeline through identifying innovative delivery and funding mechanisms and

supporting long-term infrastructure planning. The incumbent also drives product development and solution innovation to

strengthen the infrastructure pipeline and mandate delivery.

Qualifications and Experience:

Minimum Requirements

A Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Engineering, Construction Management, Finance, or equivalent qualification.

A postgraduate degree will be an added advantage.

A minimum of 8 years of experience in project management, project planning, preparation and packaging, project

finance, concept and proposal development, bid analysis and pricing, budgeting, writing scope of work, document

interpretation and negotiated projects.

In-depth experience in sourcing viable and bankable projects, structuring and closing investments in SA.

Demonstrated experience in product development and innovative strategies to support infrastructure investment.

Proficiency in planning, scheduling, and production.

Demonstrated excellence in the field of business origination and development.

Experience in engaging with high-level politicians, dignitaries and stakeholders in South Africa and the rest of Africa.

Desirable Requirements

A postgraduate qualification, preferably a CA or CFA or MBA.

Project finance experience.

Technical Competencies:

Business Acumen

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.

Understands the projected direction of the industry and how changes might impact the organisation.

Deep understanding of commercial drivers and can make decisions based on an assessment of alternatives

concerning complex business situations.

Deep understanding of DBSA economic priorities and how they can be implemented to meet DBSA's strategic

objectives.

Deep understanding of DBSA's core sector role in achieving DBSA's strategic objectives.

Deep understanding of the need to coordinate efforts with many government entities, the private sector,

community groups and individuals to ensure effective implementation of new policies and regulations.

Project Management

Ability to plan, initiate, execute, control and close projects related to a relevant function as well as to track and

manage resources, timelines, costs, deliverables and performance, and implement contingency plans, if

necessary, to ensure projects are completed.

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.

Assembles and leads diverse and multi-disciplinary teams, ensuring maximum effective resource utilisation.

Successfully manages substantial project budgets and reports directly to senior managers on the progress and

results of projects.

Identifies complex issues that need escalation and proposes appropriate corrective action by maintaining a

respected profile with relevant external organisations and the research community in general.

Solutions Focused

Identifies complex problems based on a broad range of factors, many of which are ambiguous or difficult to

define.

While remaining guided by organisational values, identifies optimal solutions, thinking first in terms of possible

approaches and flexibilities in the system vs. blind adherence to rules or procedures.

Evaluates the effectiveness and efficiency of solutions after they have been implemented and identifies needed

changes.

Planning and Organising

Coaches others on advanced planning and organising skills.

Plays a role in transferring advanced planning and organising skills and knowledge to others.

Identifies and acts on opportunities to partner with other units in the department to achieve desired results.

Develops partnership agreements that ensure win-win outcomes for all parties. Develops integrated plans for

the work unit and others that interface with the function’s budget.

Uses advanced time management processes to deal with a 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 promptly, despite obstacles encountered, by organising, reprioritising and re-planning

Detail-oriented

Quickly identifies relevant and irrelevant information to support accurate decision making.

Maps out all the logistics and details of a situation to ensure smooth and flawless implementation.

Consistently identifies all relevant details that are not obvious in complex situations.

Requires the highest standards for accuracy and quality for their work.

Establishes processes to ensure accuracy and quality of services delivered by the team.

Reporting & Communication

Designs, reviews and improves reporting processes and provides guidance.

Leads 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 to help them write complex technical and non-technical documents and briefs.

Can determine which aspects of this knowledge area need to be transferred to others to achieve organisational

goals.

Coaches others and transfers communication skills and knowledge to others.

Able to communicate complex problems or concepts by making them simple and understandable for others.

Adapts language to the level of the audience to ensure 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 to large/high-level

audiences.

Presentation Skills

Knows how to deliver arguments persuasively by employing a range of advanced presentation techniques (e.g.,

the appropriate use of body language, how to close a presentation so that the audience continues to think about

the subject matter, etc.).

Knows various feedback mechanisms to check levels of audience understanding.

Key Performance Areas:

Market Research and Planning

Participate in the development of project origination strategies to unlock infrastructure.

Develop project development strategies to promote the development of projects aligned with the development

priorities of the DBSA.

o Conduct market research and needs analysis to ascertain the gaps and requirements.

o Understand legislation impacting infrastructure development, e.g., the Division of Revenue Act, conditional

infrastructure grant guidelines, sector governance frameworks, etc.

o Identify the gaps for infrastructure development for South Africa, SADC and select African countries.

o Comprehensively map industry or sector opportunities to generate a list of potential programmes to be

developed.

Conduct in-depth macro-level feasibility assessments to provide insight into the programmes:

o National, Provincial and Local landscape sector-specific challenges.

o Environmental and regulatory assessments.

o Community structures and needs.

Project Development

Design and implement the IDD project development framework, guidelines, tools, and processes to ensure a

consistent approach across all projects.

Identify infrastructure project opportunities aligned to organisational and IDD strategy.

Engage clients and stakeholders to understand development needs and translate them into viable project

concepts.

Develop and package programme and project concepts during the project development phase.

Provide advice and input to create, refine, and evaluate project development ideas and concepts.

Ensure technical consistency and adherence to quality benchmarks for all development-stage projects.

Prepare new programme appraisals, feasibility assessments, and technical evaluation reports.

Collect, analyse, and communicate technical data for identified or potential IDD project opportunities.

Identify, define, coordinate, and manage external research required to enhance project development packages

and proposals.

Prepare cost and schedule estimates, incorporating relevant industry benchmarks to support project viability and

planning.

Support the preparation of funding applications, concept notes, and project pitches for internal and external

financiers.

Planning, Execution Readiness & Project Packaging

Develop project execution plans, statements of requirements, and project development reports that guide

implementation.

Coordinate multi-disciplinary inputs (technical, legal, financial, environmental) to prepare project packages.

Support transaction teams during due diligence, structuring, and preparation for implementation.

Promote technical innovations, new methodologies, and cost optimisation approaches to strengthen project

design.

Reporting, Monitoring & Quality Assurance

Prepare and deliver high-quality project development reports, appraisal documents, technical assessments, and

progress updates.

Monitor risks, timelines, and quality standards to ensure readiness for decision-making and next-stage

approvals.

Ensure alignment with institutional standards, regulatory requirements, and quality assurance processes.

Stakeholder Management

Build and maintain strong relationships with clients at global, regional, and local levels, including businesses,

banking and multilateral partners and government officials to further develop specific project preparation

opportunities.

Manage expectations from programme owners and ensure third-party programme mandates are understood by

the DBSA teams.

Liaise with Investment divisions' peers to develop a pipeline for the DBSA market at large.

Contribute to the development of the DBSA’s brand and reputation through positioning the bank as a partner of

choice for end-to-end infrastructure development and financing across Africa.

Key Measurements of Outputs:

Sector Strategies developed and maintained.

Number of opportunities identified and developed for execution

Number of opportunities developed through the project life cycles

Management of client relationships and key stakeholders