Senior Manager Infrastructure Development

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE:

The Senior Manager: Infrastructure Development is a strategic and technical leadership role responsible for directing infrastructure research planning standards development and investment oversight functions. The incumbent will lead CETAs contribution to national interventions with a specific focus on the sectors skills infrastructure requirements. The role directly supports the sectors transformation strategy and its mandate to ensure that education and training infrastructure enables quality skills delivery andFourthIndustrialRevolution(4IR)readiness.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

• LeadthedevelopmentandimplementationofCETAsInfrastructureDevelopmentStrategyin alignment with NDP 2030 the SETA landscape and DHET priorities.
• Develop and maintain binding national standards and minimum norms for PSET infrastructure with a specific focus on built environment including construction workshops technical laboratories ICT integration and learning spaces. infrastructurewithaspecificfocusonbuiltenvironmentincludingconstructionworkshops technical laboratories ICT integration and learning spaces.
• RepresentCETAin various forums ensuring sector training and development infrastructure requirements are embedded in national frameworks.
• Coordinateandquality-assureinfrastructureresearchauditsandassessmentsin partnership with universities TVET colleges and other institutions.
• Developinfrastructuretypologyclassificationcriteriarelevanttothe education and training sector encompassing research intensity geographical context digital capacity disciplinary focus and historical disadvantage status.
• OverseeCETAsinfrastructure-relatedprojectsandcapitalinvestmentdecisions to ensure alignment with sector education and training priorities and typology standards.
• Developandenforcelifecyclecostaccountingframeworksforalleducation and traininginfrastructure incorporating maintenance planning energy efficiency sustainability benchmarks and renewal cycle parameters.
• Monitorandevaluateinfrastructureprojectimplementationagainstapprovedplansbudgets and quality standards escalating risks and recommending corrective interventions.
• EnsureallinfrastructureinvestmentscomplywithPFMATreasuryRegulationsand applicable built environment legislation.
• Developproposalsfortargetedcapitalinvestmenttohistoricallydisadvantagededucation and training institutions.
• Provide authoritative built environment technical guidance on the design construction refurbishment and maintenance of education and training facilities.
• Develop and implement quality assurance frameworks and inspection protocols for training infrastructure ensuring compliance with OHSA and other applicable sector accreditation requirements.
• Advise on the integration of 4IR technologies into the physical infrastructure of education and training providers.
• Ensure climate-responsive and sustainability design principles are embedded in infrastructure standards accounting for South Africas diverse regional climates.
• Support diligence processes and audits relating to infrastructure assets and capital projects.
• BuildandmaintainstrategicrelationshipswithDHETNSFCHEDTICNationalTreasury the Built Environment Professional Councils and industry bodies.
• Engagelevy-payingemployerstrainingprovidersandconstructionindustrystakeholderson infrastructure investment priorities and built environment standards.
• RepresentCETAinintergovernmentalforumssectorconsultationsandtechnicalworking groups related to PSET infrastructure.
• Facilitate research partnerships ensuringinfrastructureresearchinformspolicyand investment decisions.
• Prepareandpresentinfrastructurestrategypaperstechnicalreportsandbriefingsforas and when required.
• Develop the annual infrastructure operational plan budget and procurement plan in alignment with the CETA Strategic Plan and APP.
• Produce quarterly and annual performance reports on infrastructure activities investments and standards development contributing to CETAs audit outcomes.
• Maintain a comprehensive infrastructure asset register and condition assessment database.
• Manage service providers consultants and contractors involved in infrastructure projects in accordance with PFMA and National Treasury guidelines.
• Identify pursue and coordinate access to development finance for infrastructure projects including engagement with relevant institutions.
• Develop and maintain a strategy incorporating blended finance models.
• Structure and present bankable infrastructure business cases and investment proposals ensuring proposals are underpinned by robust needs assessments feasibility studies and cost-benefit analyses aligned to sector skills priorities.
• Ensure that all development finance arrangements comply with PFMA Treasury Regulations and applicable grant management prescripts.
• Monitor and report on the utilisation performance and impact of development finance-funded infrastructure investments producing evidence-based reports that demonstrate return on investment and contribution to national skills development and spatial equity objectives.

DESIRED SKILLS EXPERIENCE AND COMPETENCIES:

• Masters degree (NQF Level 9) in a Built Environment discipline i.e. Civil Engineering/Quantity Surveying/Architecture/Construction Management/Urban & Regional Planning or equivalent.
• Compulsory registration with a recognised Built Environment Professional Council. Registration must be current and in good standing
• Minimum 10 years management experience post-qualification working experience in the built environment/infrastructure development/or infrastructure planning.
• At least 5 years at Senior Manager level with direct responsibility for strategy development infrastructure investment decisions or policy formulation.
• Demonstrated experience working within or alongside the public sector ideally within education skills development government infrastructure programmes or a statutory body.
• Proven track record in commissioning or conducting infrastructure research developing technical standards norms or policy frameworks.

COMPETENCES AND ATTRIBUTES:

1. Technical competences

• Advanced knowledge of built environment disciplines: civil/structural engineering construction management architecture quantity surveying or spatial planning
• Deep understanding of infrastructure challenges in South Africa
• Knowledge of national infrastructure standards the National Building Regulations (NBR) OHSA SANS standards and relevant sector accreditation requirements.
• Understanding of 4IR technologies in the construction sectore. BIM/smart manufacturing digital fabrication/green building technologies/alternative sanitation/sustainable design.
• Proficiency in infrastructure lifecycle management asset management frameworks and total cost-of-ownership methodology.
• Ability to develop assess and quality-assure built environment infrastructure standards typologies and norms.
• Knowledge of public sector financial management: PFMA Treasury Regulations SCM prescripts and grant management.

2. Leadership and Manegement Competencies

• Strategic thinking and the ability to translate complex infrastructure challenges into actionable plans and policy positions
• Strong stakeholder management ability to engage and influence diverse stakeholders across government academia industry and civil society
• Demonstrated ability to lead multidisciplinary teams in a complex public sector
• Ability to produce executive-level technical reports briefings and presentations for Boards EXCO DHET and external partners.
• Ability to commission oversee and synthesise infrastructure research and translate findings into standards and investment decisions.
• Sound judgement and integrity with an understanding of governance requirements in public sector entities under the oversight of an accounting authority.

3. Personal attributes

• High ethical standards and commitment to public sector accountability
• Self-directed solution-orientated and able to work under pressure in a transformation environment
• Self-directed solution-orientated and able to work under pressure in a transformation
• Committed to spatial justice transformation and the redress of historical inequalities in built environment infrastructure.
• Collaborative building effective working relationships within CETAs matrix management structure.
• Willing to travel nationally as required by the role

Remuneration and Benefits

Remuneration for this role is a market related package per annum in line with the CETA remuneration Policy and the applicable salary scales.

The appointment will be on a fixed term contract for a minimum of 12 months subject to satisfactory performance as per Performance Policy of the CETA.

PLEASE NOTE

Shortlisted candidates will be subjected to vetting and assessment process by the CETA; with the successful candidates subjected to security vetting.

Interested applicants should be send an application letter together with a detailed Curriculum Vitae names of contactable referees and copies of academic qualifications through CETA recruitment/ vacancy portal

Please note the following contact details are for enquiries about JOB CONTENT ONLY and NOT for application purposes.

Enquiries: /

The CETA reserves the right to cancel this advert and / or not to appoint.

CETA will only correspond with shortlisted candidates. If you do not receive correspondence from CETA within 4 weeks of the closing date please consider your application unsuccessful.

All international qualifications must be submitted with a valid SAQA accreditation failure to do so will lead to automatic disqualification.

Closing Date: 21 April 2026 at 23h59

CETA is an equal opportunity the filling of vacant posts the objectives of section 195 (1) (i) of the Constitution of South Africa 1996 (Act No: 108 of 1996) the Employment Equity imperatives as defined by the Employment Equity Act 1998 (Act No: 55 of 1998) and relevant Human Resources policies of CETA will be taken into consideration. Coloured White Indians and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply and preference will be given to the EE Targets.