Deputy Director: Institutional and Stakeholder Engagement

About the role

The Department of Water and Sanitation is hiring 2 Deputy Director: Institutional and Stakeholder Engagement posts in Limpopo-Olifants Catchment Management Agency Division: Institutional and Stakeholder Engagement, based in Polokwane; Hartbeespoort. This is a permanent post, paying R1,101,468 a year. How to apply: All applications to be submitted online on the following link: https://erecruitment.dws.gov.za/ Reference numbers to quote: LOCMA 27, LOCMA 28 Closing date: 20 November 2026 Use the new Z83 form and attach a detailed CV. Note: The Limpopo-Olifants Catchment Management Agency is a Public Water Resource Management Agency, established in line with the provisions of the National Water Act, 1998 (Act no 36 of 1998) (NWA) and National Water Policy for South Africa. It is an entity of the National Department of Water and Sanitation. Employees appointed in the CMA have similar employment terms and conditions to those of employees appointed in terms of the Public Service Act, though not employed in terms of the Public Service Act.

Responsibilities

• The incumbent will be responsible for ensuring that Water Management Institutions are established, that stakeholders are empowered, and that stakeholder relationships and credibility are fostered within the Water Management Area.
• Lead and build the implementation of integrated stakeholder engagement programmes and initiatives, including developing and ensuring the implementation of the Stakeholder Engagement Plan.
• Plan and coordinate quarterly Catchment Management Forums, the annual Forum of Forums and ad hoc stakeholder engagement requests.
• Identify key projects, ensure that budget requests are made and Terms of Reference are developed, and oversee project implementation and overall project management.
• Coordinate consultation on the Catchment Management Strategy and link the CMA with water users.
• Establish and maintain stakeholder consultation forums and mechanisms.
• Coordinate stakeholder engagement processes for all projects and initiatives requiring stakeholder participation, including tariff consultations, Catchment Management Strategy (CMS) development and policy consultations by the National Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS), among others.
• Facilitate and support the transformation of irrigation boards into Water User Associations (WUAs).
• Identify, develop and implement capacity building and empowerment programmes for water management institutions and stakeholders, including traditional authorities, Historically Disadvantaged Individuals (HDIs), emerging farmers and irrigation boards.
• Promote knowledge generation and dissemination, and identify, develop and ensure the implementation of education and awareness programmes and campaigns for the benefit of water resources, stakeholders, the CMA, the water sector and communities.
• Manage cooperative governance and strategic partnership relations, including developing policies, procedures and service level agreements in line with mandates.
• Identify and lead initiatives to secure funding and strategic partnerships that support the CMA’s mission and sustainability objectives.
• Mobilise and engage stakeholders who will benefit from project interventions, identify key stakeholders to be consulted during the design phase, and define partnership requirements for support and co-funding at various levels.
• Facilitate and support government negotiations and consultations on project-related issues, and link key personnel with relevant CMA personnel within the water sector, government departments, stakeholder organisations and communities.
• Collaborate and coordinate Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) for socio-economic and environmental development, and lead LOCMA’s participation in engagements with Water Management Institutions.
• Define the roles and responsibilities of implementing partners and reporting arrangements and develop gender- and socialvulnerability-sensitive work plans with detailed roles, responsibilities and timelines.
• Develop and conduct stakeholder satisfaction surveys and manage the integrated stakeholder database and stakeholder matrix for the CMA.
• Define a strategic results framework and monitoring and evaluation system with quantifiable and verifiable impact indicators and elaborate a sustainability strategy to ensure that project benefits are replicated beyond project life.
• Manage the resources of the sub-directorate, including work allocation, discipline and performance management of employees, and the recommendation and allocation of equipment.
• Provide support on policies and directives.

Requirements

• A relevant NQF level 6 qualification (National Diploma) in Social Sciences, Development Studies, Public Administration or a related field.
• 5 years’ management experience in stakeholder engagement or stakeholder development.
• Relevant experience in public participation and stakeholder management.
• The disclosure of a valid unexpired driver’s license.
• Understanding of the legislative and policy frameworks governing the water sector, including the National Water Act, 1998 (Act No. 36 of 1998).
• Understanding of the legislative and policy frameworks governing the public sector.
• Knowledge of policy development and implementation.
• Knowledge of financial management.
• Knowledge of programme and project management.
• Knowledge of conflict management tools and methodologies.
• Good communication, presentation, report writing and networking skills.
• Accountability and ethical conduct.