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