CHIEF ARCHITECT: ENGINEERING SERVICES [GRADE A-B] = 1 POST [RE-ADVERT]

This is a re-advertised vacancy for a Chief Architect: Engineering Services at the Provincial Office in Polokwane, offering a senior professional role within the province's public infrastructure delivery system. The successful candidate will be responsible for managing the delivery of infrastructure-built environment programmes and projects in line with the Provincial Infrastructure Delivery Management System (IDMS). The position calls for someone who can operate confidently within all applicable legislation, policies, frameworks and instruction notes, while providing strong architectural leadership. The post is graded at Chief Architect level, with remuneration packages determined according to years of experience after professional registration.

To be considered, applicants must have an appropriate degree in Architecture and registration with the SACAP as a Professional Architect. They must also have at least six years' post-qualification experience. Computer literacy is essential, including MS Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint, as well as familiarity with virtual meeting platforms. The role demands a willingness to travel extensively throughout the province and to work longer hours as required. A valid driver's licence is mandatory, with the exception of candidates with disabilities.

The core duties are wide-ranging and strategic. The Chief Architect will prepare the construction procurement strategy and the Infrastructure Programme Management Plan, manage approval of project briefs, and participate in the procurement of professional service providers and contractors. Oversight responsibilities include reviewing the Infrastructure Programme Implementation Plan, monitoring the implementation of programmes and projects, and ensuring that project documents are loaded and updated on the data management system. The role also involves managing the interface between end-users or community structures and implementing agents, and approving project briefs, stage reports and designs. In addition, the incumbent will mentor and support a Candidate Architect, undertake research, and manage human, physical and financial resources.

From a technical perspective, the ideal candidate must be able to provide architectural inputs and guidance into the development of infrastructure strategies, policies, systems and functional or technical norms and standards, including form and space designs aligned with the IDMS. A deep understanding of how to apply the IDMS is imperative, as is the ability to prepare budgets and interpret information from related information systems. The successful applicant must understand the health service delivery platform, indicators and service plans, and how these link to infrastructure. Other key competencies include risk analysis and mitigation strategy formulation, specifying low-maintenance building options, interpreting or customising functional and technical norms, identifying required information fields and documents for health use, and preparing reports, submissions and presentations. Management experience in the design and delivery of infrastructure programmes for Health is also required.

This is a demanding yet pivotal post for an experienced professional architect seeking to influence health infrastructure at a provincial level. Applicants should be prepared for a high level of responsibility and the need to collaborate across multiple stakeholders. The closing date for applications is provided separately, and candidates should note that this is a re-advert, meaning those who applied previously may need to reapply. The post is located at the Provincial Office in Polokwane, and the salary is an all-inclusive remuneration package determined at Grade A or B based on post-registration experience.