Job Description

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.

Key Responsibilities

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

Expertise & Technical Competencies

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.

Required Personal Attributes

Leadership/Behavioural Competencies:

Customer Service Orientation


Tries to understand the underlying needs of customers and matches these needs to available or customised
products and services.
Adapts processes and procedures to meet ongoing customer needs. Utilises the feedback received by customers to develop new and/or improve existing services/ products that
relate to their ongoing needs.
Thinks of new ways to align offerings with future customer needs.

Self-Awareness and Self-Control


Withholds the effects of strong emotions in difficult situations. Keeps functioning or responds constructively despite stress. May apply special techniques or a plan of time to manage 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 to others, 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 to ensure that challenging goals are achieved, while also taking action
to mitigate risk.


Teamwork and Cooperation


Acts to promote a friendly climate and good morale and resolves conflicts. Creates opportunities for cross-functional working. * Encourages others to network outside of their team/department and learn from their experience.