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

Our cleint is seeking an experienced and dynamic Project Leader to spearhead the implementation of their High Speed Rail Project in South Africa. As the Project Leader, you will play a pivotal role in establishing and overseeing the Project Management Office (PMO), ensuring the successful delivery of this ambitious and high-impact initiative. You will drive the execution of the High Speed Rail Framework, conduct feasibility studies, and facilitate crucial stakeholder engagements. If you have a proven track record in project management and a commitment to advancing rail transport, we invite you to lead this transformative project with them.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Management

• Approach National Treasury for approvals
• Coordinate engagement between various stakeholders relevant to the project
• Ensure the alignment of project to the broader government object
• Contribute to the overall implementation and development of HSR network in South Africa
• Develop a project plan to operationalise the units strategic performance targets
• Align Programme plans and strategies with key stakeholder strategic performance target
• Manage the process for undertaking 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

Programme Planning

• 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.

Requirements

• Degree in Transport Economics/Project Management/ Business Administration
• Registered with relevant professional body
• At least 12 years' experience in project management of large scale built environment projects, and/or infrastructure development projects is required.
• At least 5 years' experience in a development management and development contract management is required.
• At least 5 years' experience in the rail or transport sector will be an added advantage.
• Proficiency in MS Project is mandatory
• Must have knowledge of Contract Management (NEC/ GCC/ FIDIC/ JBCC)
• Insight into the Inter-Governmental Relations environment and government planning framework and Infrastructure deliveries will be an added advantage
• Communication, Leadership, negotiation and conflict management skills