Job Description\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0<\/p>\n
\tLead and manage the origination and development of investment opportunities in the Water & Sanitation sector. The Head: Water & Sanitation is responsible for formulating sector strategies, identifying and evaluating viable projects, and ensuring alignment with the bank\u2019s development mandate and investment objectives. The role also drives client engagement, fosters strategic partnerships, and leads the development of market-responsive financial products.<\/p>\n
Key Responsibilities\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0
\nStrategic Leadership<\/p>\n
\tDevelop and lead the water and sanitation origination strategy, aligned with national and regional development priorities, including universal access, climate resilience, water security, and sustainable sanitation.
\n\tOriginate bankable and early-stage projects across public and private infrastructure sectors, in line with the Bank\u2019s development finance mandate and long-term strategic objectives.
\n\tAlign the project pipeline with strategic investment themes such as water resource management, sanitation infrastructure, circular economy, and measurable development outcomes.<\/p>\n
Deal Origination<\/p>\n
\tLead the early-stage identification, conceptualisation, and screening of water and sanitation projects and investment proposals to assess technical, commercial, developmental, and strategic viability, laying a solid foundation for project origination.
\n\tDevelop and manage a high-quality, diversified origination pipeline, progressing projects from concept to preparation phase in line with the Bank\u2019s mandate.
\n\tCollaborate with internal teams to maintain pipeline quality, momentum, and alignment with institutional investment and development priorities.
\n\tDrive targeted outreach and client engagement strategies, focusing on municipalities, water utilities, private sector entities, and cross-border stakeholders in the water and sanitation space.
\n\tLead data-driven market analysis and segmentation to identify high-impact opportunities and expand the Bank\u2019s client and partner base.
\n\tRepresent the Bank in sector forums, conferences, and stakeholder engagements, positioning DBSA as a key player in water and sanitation infrastructure development.<\/p>\n
Sector Intelligence and Policy Influence<\/p>\n
\tOversee the development of sector-specific insights, opportunity maps, and investment briefs to guide project origination and inform institutional strategy in the water and sanitation sector.
\n\tProvide technical input into national and regional water and sanitation policy processes, regulatory consultations, and sector reform initiatives to support enabling environments for investment.
\n\tPosition the Bank as a thought leader in sustainable water and sanitation solutions, including climate resilience, circular water economy, and inclusive service delivery.
\n\tMonitor industry trends, regulatory developments, and macroeconomic factors impacting the water and sanitation landscape across South Africa and the broader region.<\/p>\n
Client & Stakeholder Relationship Management<\/p>\n
\tBuild and maintain long-term, trust-based relationships with key clients, sponsors, and stakeholders across public and private sectors.
\n\tEngage early with project sponsors to shape bankable concepts and accelerate deal progression.
\n\tNavigate complex stakeholder landscapes across government, development partners, private sector, and communities to align interests, influence outcomes, and drive successful infrastructure development.
\n\tPosition DBSA as the preferred partner for water and sanitation investment opportunities in the region.<\/p>\n
Governance, Reporting & Compliance<\/p>\n
\tLead and oversee the preparation and presentation of high-quality submissions and reports for Executive Committees, Board, and governance forums, ensuring strategic and regulatory alignment.
\n\tCoordinate cross-functional inputs to support informed decision-making and maintain compliance with governance protocols and institutional standards.
\n\tOversee robust reporting frameworks to ensure transparency, accountability, and timely reporting on performance, risks, and strategic progress.
\n\tManage follow-ups, actions, and resolutions from governance processes, while ensuring adherence to regulatory requirements, risk policies, and audit recommendations.<\/p>\n
Digital Transformation<\/p>\n
\tChampion digital transformation within the Water & Sanitation function, leveraging technology to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
\n\tDrive a culture of innovation and continuous improvement across teams.<\/p>\n
People Management<\/p>\n
\tLead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous learning to maximise individual and collective potential.
\n\tDrive talent development initiatives, including coaching, performance management, and career pathing, to build and retain a skilled and motivated team.
\n\tProvide direction and management to the business unit, to enable the execution of the strategy.
\n\tAttract, retain, and develop talent and ensure succession planning and sufficient capacity and capability in all critical functions, supporting diversity strategies and initiatives as well.
\n\tPromote DBSA values and a culture of high performance through implementing performance management in line with the planned strategic objectives, goals, quality standards and agreed key performance measures using sound performance management principles.<\/p>\n
Key measurement of output:<\/p>\n
\tAchievement of sector-specific origination targets, including value and volume of project approvals, commitments, and disbursements.
\n\tPerformance of the industry portfolio, measured through key indicators such as Non-Performing Loan (NPL) ratio and overall asset quality.
\n\tDelivery on sector-specific development targets, including the value of infrastructure catalysed and alignment with national development goals.
\n\tNumber and value of projects prepared for DBSA approval and funds secured under management.
\n\tClient service ratings, development of annual client plans for key clients, and establishment of partnerships to enhance DBSA\u2019s market positioning and generate deal flow.
\n\tEffective team management, including talent development, performance management, and succession planning aligned to strategic objectives.<\/p>\n
Expertise & Technical Competencies\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0
\nQualifications<\/p>\n
\tA postgraduate qualification (honours, master\u2019s, or equivalent) in Finance or Development Finance or Civil Engineering or relevant qualification<\/p>\n
Experience<\/p>\n
\tMinimum 12 years\u2019 experience in finance, investment banking, or development finance, with at least 5 years in a senior management role, preferably in water and sanitation or related sectors.
\n\tProven track record in originating, structuring, and closing large-scale investment projects in the water and sanitation sector or broader infrastructure environment.
\n\tDeep understanding of financial instruments and structures, including corporate loans, project finance, and earlystage\/venture capital investing.
\n\tStrategic planning and leadership expertise, with a strong grasp of business strategy execution and investment alignment.
\n\tSolid knowledge of infrastructure markets, financial markets, and macroeconomic dynamics across South Africa and broader African regions.
\n\tStrong stakeholder and relationship management skills, with a well-established network of partners, clients, and investors across public and private sectors.
\n\tExperience in client engagement and solution design, with a demonstrated ability to address complex challenges through innovative investment solutions.
\n\tExceptional negotiation and communication skills, with experience influencing and closing deals at executive and board levels.
\n\tProven ability to operate in politically sensitive environments, engaging senior stakeholders across diverse African contexts.
\n\tProven track record of leading and preparing good quality reports, documents and presentations for Executive Management, Board and high-level stakeholders.
\n\tDemonstrated ability to manage teams with proven track record of mentoring developing direct reports.
\n\tSound knowledge and good grasp of the infrastructure landscape, financial markets political economics, macroeconomics as well as socio-economic, development issues, challenges and opportunities in South African and the rest of Africa.<\/p>\n
Professional Certifications (Preferred\/Advantageous):<\/p>\n
\tChartered Financial Analyst
\n\tChartered Accountant
\n\tLeadership Programme such as a General or Advanced Management Programme
\n\tProject Management Professional
\n\tECSA registration (for engineers)<\/p>\n
Apply via company website ( http:\/\/www.dbsa.org ) or<\/p>\n
dbsa.erecruit.co<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"template":"","meta":{"_promoted":"","_job_location":"","_application":"http:\/\/dbsa.erecruit.co","_company_name":"Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA)","_company_website":"http:\/\/www.dbsa.org","_company_tagline":"The Development Bank of Southern Africa (\"DBSA\u201d) is a development finance institution wholly owned by the South African Government. Its purpose is to accelerate sustainable socio-economic development to improve the quality of life of the people in South Africa, SADC and Rest of Africa by providing... read more financial and non-financial investments in the social and economic infrastructure sectors. The DBSA support South Africa\u2019s regional integration agenda through providing development finance for infrastructure projects in four priority sectors; energy (including renewable energy and energy efficiency), transportation (road, rail and ports), bulk water and ICT, across Africa. Development Bank of Southern Africa Headway Hill 1258 Lever Road Midrand South Africa","_company_twitter":"","_company_video":"","_filled":0,"_featured":0,"_remote_position":0,"_job_salary":"","_job_salary_currency":"","_job_salary_unit":""},"job_listing_region":[11],"job-types":[12],"class_list":["post-32928","job_listing","type-job_listing","status-expired","hentry","job_listing_region-gauteng","job-type-full-time"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/jobs.dataaxisnode.com\/southafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/job-listings\/32928","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/jobs.dataaxisnode.com\/southafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/job-listings"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/jobs.dataaxisnode.com\/southafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/job_listing"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jobs.dataaxisnode.com\/southafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/jobs.dataaxisnode.com\/southafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=32928"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"job_listing_region","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jobs.dataaxisnode.com\/southafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/job_listing_region?post=32928"},{"taxonomy":"job_listing_type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jobs.dataaxisnode.com\/southafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/job-types?post=32928"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}