Principal Specialist: Catchment Management & Water Quality

Minimum Requirements

• Matric / Grade 12 plus a Bachelor's Degree NQF Level 7 in Natural Sciences, Environmental Management, Environmental Sciences, Environmental Health, Environmental Engineering, Water Engineering, Water Resource Management, Hydrology, Hydrogeology, Chemistry or another relevant water and environmental management field;
• Minimum 8 years' relevant professional experience in leadership/ management, catchment management, water quality management, water resource management, environmental management or related fields, of which at least 4 years must have been at a supervisory, senior specialist or management level.
• Minimum Code 8 Driver's license

Primary Function

• Lead the City of Johannesburg's activities and responsibilities in the sustainable management of water catchments, the protection of water bodies, and the promotion of integrated urban water resources management, in order to fulfil the City's strategic objective of building a sustainable, resilient, equitable access to water and liveable city through improved water security, water quality, environmental protection, and climate change adaption.

Key Performance Areas

• Contribute to the development of the Directorate's strategic planning process;
• Lead the Section's operational planning process;
• Lead the Section's financial planning and budgeting process;
• Lead and facilitate the Section's Demand Planning process;
• Lead and facilitate the Section's Performance Management planning process;
• Lead and manage the development of the Section's Individual Learning Plans ILPs/PDPs;
• Ensure effective and efficient Section's functions, processes, procedures, systems and policies;
• Lead the Recruitment, Selection and Placement process for the sourcing of suitably qualified staff for the Section;
• Ensure effective and efficient Procurement Management in line with Supply Chain Management processes, legislative, regulatory and policy framework;
• Provide sound leadership for the achievement of the Water Quality Management and Catchment Rehabilitation objectives;
• Manage the implementation of Water Resource Management and Adaptation initiatives within the City, ensuring compliance with the applicable processes, policies and procedures National Water Act, Municipal By-laws, and Catchment Plans;
• Monitor, report and verify MRV of Water Quality and Catchment Status;
• Ensure effective Section's Financial Resource Control;
• Ensure effective Directrate Asset Management and Control;
• Implement good governance and effective risk management systems;
• Ensure compliance with international reporting standards;
• Build and maintain positive relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including government bodies, MOEs, and employees, to promote water quality management and water resource rehabilitation initiatives;
• Ensure effective management of specific administrative and reporting requirements associated with the Directorate and individual performance.

Leading Competencies

• Leadership and Management: Ability to lead and manage teams, and to make informed decisions
• Planning and Organising: Proficiency in operational planning, resource allocation, and performance management
• Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills for effective stakeholder engagement and team management
• Customer Service: Strong customer service skills to ensure high levels of customer satisfaction
• Financial Management: Budgeting processes and financial management skills
• Computer literacy MS Office Packages, including Word, Excel;
• Good written and oral communication skills in English, and must be able to communicate and coordinate effectively with other stakeholders;
• Attention to detail and high levels of accuracy, and excellent planning, organising, coordinating, and time management skills.

Core Competencies

• Knowledge of local government policies and environmental compliance;
• Knowledge of climate change impacts on water resources;
• Knowledge of the City's strategy IDP, prescribed Methodologies, Legislative, Policy and Regulatory Frameworks;
• In-depth knowledge of function principles, techniques and tools and how they can be practically applied;
• Knowledge of environmental issues and relevant legislation;
• Knowledge of principles and practices of municipal organisation, administration and personnel management;
• Collaborative/Teamwork, Values and Integrity, Attention to detail, and quality-focused;
• Customer and Service Delivery Management Batho Pele Ethics, Professionalism;
• Impact and Influence according to the City's protocols, legislation, and standards