Chief Engineer Grade A x1
Job Details
Job Title: Chief Engineer Grade A
Reference Number: VOCMA09
Salary: R1 266 450 – R1 446 921 per annum (all-inclusive OSD package)
Location: Bloemfontein
Division: Water Resource Planning and Management
Organisation: Vaal-Orange Catchment Management Agency
Contract Type: Permanent
Sector: Water Resource Management / Engineering
Overview
The Chief Engineer Grade A will lead water resource planning and management within the Vaal-Orange Water Management Area.
The role focuses on strategic water resource planning, stakeholder engagement, regulatory compliance, and technical leadership across hydrology, infrastructure, water quality, climate adaptation, and governance.
Job Description
Key responsibilities include:
Leading the preparation, review, and implementation of the Catchment Management Strategy (CMS) aligned with NWRS, provincial development strategies, and municipal IDPs
Coordinating water allocations, licensing, reconciliation strategies, and water balance assessments
Guiding resource protection, water classification, and ecological reserve planning
Overseeing hydrological modelling, groundwater assessments, and system analysis
Integrating climate change scenarios into water planning and developing drought/flood risk management plans
Planning and augmenting water infrastructure
Supporting water quality objectives, pollution load management, and enforcement technical advice
Providing expert advice to the CMA Board, CEO, DWS, and other stakeholders
Leading technical engagement, cooperative governance, monitoring, and knowledge management
Driving leadership, management, and transformation initiatives within the agency
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Planning & Management
Develop and implement CMS aligned with national and provincial strategies
Ensure adaptive, measurable, and reviewed water resource plans
Integrate water allocations with equity, socio-economic development, and sustainability principles
Technical Oversight
Oversee hydrology, groundwater, and system analyses
Ensure compliance with National Water Act, Water Services Act, PFMA, and environmental legislation
Manage water quality, load management, and resource protection
Stakeholder Engagement
Lead cooperative governance and engagement with institutions and stakeholders
Provide defensible technical advice to regulatory, compliance, and enforcement units
Leadership & Development
Train and develop young engineers
Promote leadership, management, and transformation across teams
Ensure cross-disciplinary coordination for all water resource projects
Minimum Requirements
Engineering Degree (BEng / BSc Eng) in Civil, Water, or related field
Postgraduate qualification (MEng / MSc / PhD) in Water Resources, Hydrology, or related field (advantageous)
Minimum 6 years post-qualification engineering experience
Compulsory registration with ECSA as a Professional Engineer
Valid driver’s license
Willingness to travel extensively
Knowledge & Skills
Water Resources Planning and Management, hydrology, climate adaptation
Project and contract management, institutional coordination
National Water Act, Water Services Act, PFMA, environmental and land legislation
Modelling, engineering economics, water quality assessments
Strong written, verbal, and presentation skills
Computer proficiency
Key Competencies
Strategic thinking and planning
Leadership and people development
Analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills
Stakeholder management and communication
Project and risk management
High levels of integrity and professional accountability
Enquiries
Contact: Mr N Smouse
Phone: 051 405 9000