SENIOR PROJECT OFFICER: STRATEGIC LAND ACQUISITION

The Senior Project Officer for Strategic Land Acquisition operates within the ZF Mgcawu and Pixley Ka Seme District Office of the Northern Cape provincial department, playing a central role in the state’s land reform agenda. This position is responsible for implementing the acquisition of strategically located land that aligns with national imperatives, ensuring that land reform processes are executed in a legally compliant and administratively sound manner. The officer works at the district level, liaising with stakeholders, managing project registers, and supporting the entire land acquisition and allocation cycle from identification through to beneficiary handover. The role requires a thorough understanding of the legislative framework governing land reform, including the Provision of Land and Assistance Act, the Labour Tenants Act, the Restitution of Land Rights Act, and the Extension of Security of Tenure Act, as well as familiarity with state land lease and disposal policies, beneficiary selection and land allocation policies, and post-settlement support programmes. The officer must also be conversant with agrarian transformation priorities, comprehensive rural development programmes, and other relevant departmental prescripts.

To be considered, applicants must hold a Grade 12 certificate and a National Diploma in Agricultural Studies, Agricultural Economics, Development Studies, Town and Regional Planning, Public Administration, Social Sciences, Public Management, Real Estate, Property Management, or a related equivalent qualification. A valid driver’s licence is mandatory, along with a minimum of two years of relevant experience. The role demands a robust skill set including strong verbal and written communication, negotiation and conflict resolution, computer literacy, stakeholder relations, facilitation, coordination, presentation, financial and project management, and interpersonal skills. A willingness to travel is essential, as the officer will need to engage with various stakeholders across the district.

The core duties involve identifying strategically located land suitable for acquisition in consultation with relevant stakeholders, creating and maintaining a project register, facilitating mapping and overlaying of identified land with key commodities and national imperatives, and coordinating the assessment and valuation of properties. The officer must update projects in line with the Enterprise Project Management Office requirements, support the selection of suitable candidates, and compile a database of all land allocation applications received. The role also includes preparing documents for selection committee consideration, linking selected beneficiaries to relevant training units, facilitating the handover of allocated land, and ensuring compliance with the Beneficiary Selection Policy throughout the process. The officer is responsible for implementing the land acquisition and allocation project cycle, liaising with role-players regarding support requirements, developing and maintaining a land application system or database, capturing applications, and compiling project information reports for approval structures and departmental management.

This is a level 08 position within the public service, and the department has set specific employment equity targets for this post, including African, Coloured, Indian and White males, as well as Coloured, Indian and White females, and persons with disabilities. The successful candidate will be expected to work within the framework of the department’s policies and government priorities, contributing to the broader objective of rural development and land reform in the Northern Cape. Given the nature of the work, the officer must be prepared to work in a dynamic environment where stakeholder engagement and project coordination are key to successful outcomes. The position offers an opportunity to make a tangible impact on land redistribution and agrarian transformation in the region.