Project Development Specialist

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.
- Conduct market research and needs analysis to ascertain the gaps and requirements.
- Understand legislation impacting infrastructure development, e.g., the Division of Revenue Act, conditional
infrastructure grant guidelines, sector governance frameworks, etc.
- Identify the gaps for infrastructure development for South Africa, SADC and select African countries.
- 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:

- National, Provincial and Local landscape sector-specific challenges.
- Environmental and regulatory assessments.
- 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.
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 s