DIRECTOR: PHYSICAL RESOURCE PLANNING & PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

This senior directorial post is located in the Physical Resources Management (Infrastructure) component at the Department’s Head Office in Polokwane. The Director: Physical Resource Planning and Property Management provides strategic leadership and overall management of the directorate responsible for physical resource planning and property management, supporting the Department’s infrastructure delivery mandate. The role sits at the intersection of education infrastructure planning, immovable asset management and public sector governance, ensuring that school infrastructure needs are identified, prioritised, planned and monitored in line with legislation and departmental policies.

To be considered, candidates need an NQF level 7 qualification recognised by SAQA and at least five years’ relevant experience at middle or senior managerial level. A pre-entry Nyukela certificate is required upon appointment, and a valid driver’s licence is required except for people living with disabilities. The post demands a broad set of core and process competencies, including strategic capability and leadership, people management and empowerment, programme and project management, financial management, change management, knowledge management, service delivery innovation, problem solving and analysis, client orientation and customer focus, communication, public service knowledge, negotiation, policy formulation, analytical thinking, planning and organising, monitoring and evaluation, stakeholder management, risk management and functional computer literacy.

Candidates must have sound knowledge of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, the Public Service Act, Public Service Regulations, the Public Finance Management Act, Treasury Regulations and applicable public sector governance prescripts. They also need knowledge of the Government Immovable Asset Management Act, the Infrastructure Delivery Management System, National Building Regulations, the Occupational Health and Safety Act, the South African Schools Act, environmental legislation and relevant provincial land administration prescripts. Familiarity with education infrastructure planning, norms and standards for school infrastructure, spatial planning, enrolment trends, demographic analysis, infrastructure backlog assessment and prioritisation methodologies is essential, as is knowledge of immovable asset management, land administration, acquisition and disposal processes, vesting, leases, accommodation management, municipal services and property records management. The role further requires knowledge of strategic planning, annual performance planning, User Asset Management Plans, infrastructure programme planning, monitoring and reporting systems such as NEIMS and EFMS, and related information systems. Strong skills in strategic leadership, analytical research, programme and contract management, financial management, policy development, stakeholder engagement, report writing, information management, computer literacy and people management are also required.

The main duties include managing the directorate and coordinating the development, review and implementation of infrastructure strategies, policies, systems, plans, procedures, norms and standards relating to physical resource planning and property management. The Director manages inputs into the Provincial Infrastructure Plan, Departmental Service Plan, Strategic Plan, Annual Performance Plan, User Asset Management Plan and related infrastructure planning instruments. The post oversees analysis of school infrastructure needs, including enrolment trends, population projections, facility utilisation, spatial planning, backlog identification and prioritisation of infrastructure interventions. It also manages the preparation, updating and quality assurance of project lists, accommodation schedules, project briefs, business cases and related planning documentation. The Director oversees immovable asset management, including land administration, land acquisition, disposal processes, vesting, verification, immovable asset register information and property records, as well as the administration of office and school accommodation, leases, Section 14 agreements, municipal accounts, utilities and other property-related arrangements. Ensuring alignment with applicable legislation is a key responsibility, along with managing post-project and post-occupancy evaluations, condition assessments and utilisation reviews. The role coordinates with internal and external stakeholders, including Infrastructure Delivery, districts, schools, implementing agents, municipalities, Provincial Treasury, Department of Public Works, National Treasury, DBE and other relevant structures, and oversees the maintenance of accurate infrastructure and property information on NEIMS, EFMS, the Immovable Asset Register and other departmental information systems.

This is a demanding senior management position that requires a combination of strategic vision, technical infrastructure knowledge, financial and project management discipline, and the ability to engage with multiple stakeholders across the education and public works environment. The advertisement lists contact officials for enquiries, and the full vacancy listing contains the closing date and application process.