Position Reports to:
CEO

Location:
Gauteng
(Some travel within South Africa required)

Purpose of the Position:

Each solar farm and wind farm we develop requires a roster of permission paper work from the relevant authorities. This roster of paperwork forms the basis of the financial close with the equity and debt funders, per solar and wind farm.

Each of the permission paperwork requires studies and inputs and assessment reports, across grid, statutory bodies, authorising bodies and landowners.

You are responsible for project managing each report writer and for the ultimate compilation of the planning submissions, as well as the liaison with the relevant authorities.

You will oversee the planning timelines of these projects, ensuring all project elements are strategically organised and executed within budget and on time, while collaborating with the various stakeholders to guide the project from conception to completion.

Key Responsibilities

Making sure all planning permits are obtained, including all grid and third party permits; as well as ensuring the development manager is getting all required land permissions.

In addition:

• Project Scope Definition: Collaborate with stakeholders to clearly define project objectives, deliverables, and boundaries to prevent scope creep.
• Detailed Project Planning: Develop comprehensive project plans including timelines, task breakdowns, resource allocation, milestones, and dependencies.
• Resource Management: Identify and assign appropriate team members, manage workload distribution, and ensure efficient utilization of resources.
• Risk Assessment and Mitigation: Proactively identify potential risks, develop contingency plans, and implement strategies to minimize negative impacts on the project.
• Budget Management: Create and monitor project budgets, tracking expenditures against planned costs.
• Schedule Development: Establish realistic project timelines, including task dependencies and critical paths, to ensure timely completion.
• Communication and Stakeholder Management: Regularly update stakeholders on project progress, address concerns, and maintain clear communication channels.
• Quality Assurance: Make sure reports are up to scratch.
• Project Monitoring and Reporting: Track project progress against the plan, identify deviations, and provide regular status updates to relevant parties.

Required Skills & Knowledge

• Project Management Expertise: Deep understanding of project management methodologies (like Agile, Waterfall) and best practices.
• Analytical Skills: Ability to gather data, analyse information, and make informed decisions.
• Communication Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication to effectively convey project information to stakeholders.
• Leadership Skills: Ability to motivate and guide project teams to achieve goals.
• Organizational Skills: Strong ability to manage complex projects simultaneously, all with multiple moving parts.
• Technical Skills: Proficiency in project management software (like Microsoft Project, Asana, Jira). Intermediate to advanced proficiency in MS Excel, MS Word, MS PowerPoint, and MS Outlook.

Qualifications & Experience

• Work Experience: Minimum 3+ years of experience in a similar role. Planning project management experience in solar, renewables, civil engineering, construction, utilities, telco, or commercial property is advantageous.
• Performance Monitoring & Reporting: Proficient in tracking, analysing, and reporting on key project performance indicators (KPIs) to ensure efficiency and accountability.
• Minimum Education: Completed tertiary qualification is preferred, especially in project management or related subject; while completed Matric is essential.

Required Characteristics & Competencies

• Planning: Systematically self-organising, including: activities, setting timeframes, and prioritising tasks to ensure efficient project execution. Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Analysis: Excellent analytical and problem solving skills.
• Result-Oriented: Maintaining disciplined focus on delivering KPIs (including to milestones, budget, and quality standards).
• Self-directing: Able to follow and execute on a brief.
• Flexibility: Adaptable to change in project conditions, challenges, and adjusting priorities.
• Confidence & EQ: Personable when interacting with stakeholders. Strong communication and interpersonal skills to collaborate with cross-functional teams.
• Articulacy & Writing: Must be articulate in speech and writing.
• Professionally Driven: Wants to get projects completed and motivated by sense of accomplishment when it’s delivered (to standard, time, and budget). Also, a personal commitment to continual professional personal growth and self-betterment in such a way as to enhance professional expertise, credibility, KPI delivery, and transition to the next career-level.