Project Leader - High Speed Rail Network Implementation (3 years)

Centurion, South Africa Posted on 09/16/2024

• Salary R1 maximum R per annum
• City Centurion
• State/Province Gauteng
• Country South Africa

Thusa Batho Labour Solutions Pty Ltd is a leading recruitment and HR consulting agency in South Africa, offering customized talent acquisition solutions to businesses across various industries. Established in 2022, we have two branches located in Gauteng and Limpopo, with a nationwide reach covering:

• Free State
• Eastern Cape
• Western Cape
• Northern Cape
• Northwest

With a team of experienced recruitment specialists, we assist companies in securing top talent while ensuring compliance with South African labour laws and industry best practices.

Our client is seekingan experienced and dynamic Project Leader to spearhead the implementation of theirHigh Speed Rail Project in South Africa. As the Project Leader, you will play apivotal role in establishing and overseeing the Project Management Office(PMO), ensuring the successful delivery of this ambitious and high-impactinitiative. You will drive the execution of the High Speed Rail Framework,conduct feasibility studies, and facilitate crucial stakeholder engagements. Ifyou have a proven track record in project management and a commitment toadvancing rail transport, we invite you to lead this transformative projectwith them.

Key Responsibilities:

StrategicManagement

• Approach National Treasuryfor approvals
• Coordinate engagement betweenvarious stakeholders relevant to the project
• Ensure the alignment ofproject to the broader government object
• Contribute to the overall implementationand development of HSR network in South Africa
• Develop a project plan tooperationalise the unit's strategic performance targets
• Align Programme plans andstrategies with key stakeholder strategic performance target
• Manage the process forundertaking feasibility studies
• Monitoring the implementation of projects

Establish and manage the governance structures

• Establishment of support structures to ensure the streamlined delivery of the Project
• Produce an implementation roadmap, with prioritised initiatives, activities and deliverables for implementation.
• Consulting with the relevant public sector bodies to identify areas of mandate alignment (to inform the structuring of operational programmes and plans)
• Establish processes to ensure full, end-to-end coordination between all involved parties

Project Management

• Establishing and enhancing systems to implement and manage a range of activities within the Programme and project managers simultaneously
• Establishing a coordinated communication system for all active projects
• Developing and implementing a project risk management framework
• Recognizing key project constraints facing the projects and coordinating the successful resolution of the challenges
• Developing and managing the implementation of project plans
• Overseeing project teams including internal and external stakeholders and participants
• Driving and managing project technical meetings
• Managing and monitoring the implementation of a project communication plan
• Managing the project budgets and monitoring variances
• Drafting and managing project reporting
• Managing the programme/project budgeting and cash flows
• Managing the liaison with programme/project related stakeholders
• Managing the development of programme/project roles and resourcing plans
• Manage the allocation of resources (both internal and external) and required outputs
• Managing the development of programme/project plans

Project Funding Management

• Develop project/programme budgets in line with agreed feasibilities available funding and project/operational planning
• Monitor project expenditure against budgets and project deliverables Address any project budget variances
• Monitoring the project funding progress
• Identifying and addressing project funding challenges

Project Related Procurement

• Managing the development of appropriate TORs for project related procurement
• Evaluating proposals and appointing relevant service providers to facilitate project related delivery

People Management

• Select, assign, lead and manage people
• Set clear objectives for self and others and measure achievements against these objectives through implementation of the performance management system
• Build and manage relationships with staff members
• Manage and support staff development
• Develop and manage the implementation of succession plans for key individuals and critical positions
• Stakeholder Relations and Management
• Participate in various meetings (internal and external forums, objectors, et.) and provide comments/opinions on matters affecting or concerning the functionality and successful implementation of the HSR implementation.
• Collaborate with external departments/professionals' issues related to land use planning, NEMA requirements, bult environment requirements and industry best practices
• Attend meetings with project managers, developers, service providers and/or contractors, attorneys and other key stakeholders
• Identify key community stake holders including but not limited to non-government organizations, business forums, residents' associations, etc. through literature reviews, networking, community canvassing and client liaison
• Identify effective communication channels and establish contact with leaders in the community regarding the objectives of the project.

• Degree in Transport Economics/Project Management/ Business Administration
• Registered with relevant professional body
• Atleast 12 years' experience in project management of large scale builtenvironment projects, and/or infrastructure development projects isrequired.
• Atleast 5 years' experience in a development management and developmentcontract management is required.
• Atleast 5 years' experience in the rail or transport sector will be anadded advantage.
• Proficiencyin MS Project is mandatory
• Musthave knowledge of Contract Management (NEC/ GCC/ FIDIC/ JBCC)
• Insight into the Inter-Governmental Relations environment andgovernment planning framework and Infrastructure deliveries will be anadded advantage
• Communication, Leadership, negotiation and conflict management skills