CHIEF ENGINEER GRADE A is a South African government vacancy at Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS). This job is part of Circular 20 of 2026 from the DPSA. centre: Pretoria Head Office | closing date: 30 June 2026. Use this page to review the requirements, duties, application instructions and official source links before applying.
Job details
Applications
Where to send your application.
All applications to be submitted online on the following link: https://erecruitment.dws.gov.za/
Branch
Infrastructure Management: Head Office CD: Infrastructure Development Dir: Capital Projects
Salary
R1 317 108 – R1 504 797 per annum, (OSD), (all-inclusive OSD salary package). This appointment will be made on the minimum notch of the salary range, however, a higher notch within the salary range of Grade A/B will be considered based on experience and qualification in line with the provisions of the Public Service Regulations 2016, i.e. provision of the candidate’s current salary advice.
Centre
Pretoria Head Office
Requirements
- An Engineering Degree (B Eng / BSc Eng) in Civil or relevant qualification.
- Six (6) years post qualification experience.
- Compulsory registration with Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) as a Professional Engineer.
- The disclosure of a valid unexpired driver’s licence.
- Registration with the South African Council for Project and Construction Management Professions (SACPCMP) as a Professional Construction Project Manager (Pr.
- CPM) or a Project Management Professional Certification (PMP) with the Project Management Institute (PMI) will serve as an added advantage.
- Minimum of ten (10) years’ experience in the planning, design, and construction of water resources infrastructure projects will serve as an added advantage.
- Understanding of the complete project life cycle from initial planning stages through to completion.
- Extensive experience in project management especially in the project management of large infrastructure projects will be beneficial.
- Extensive contract management experience.
- A detailed understanding of construction procurement processes.
- Sound knowledge of construction law contracts such as GCC, FIDIC and NEC.
- Detailed knowledge of Treasury Regulations, Public Finance Management Act (PFMA).
- Experience in financial planning and financial management.
- Knowledge of project risk analysis and risk management.
- The ability to relate with associated professional field in a multi-disciplinary team.
- Additional studies in Water Resources Engineering are recommended.
- High-level communication skills both (verbal and written).
- Conflict management, contract dispute resolution, and negotiation skills.
- Problem solving and analysis skills.
- Computer proficiency (such as MS Office, MS Projects, etc).
- Ability to work independently, and be self-motivated, responsible, and reliable.
Duties
- Manage and oversee all aspects of project implementation.
- Coordinate the implementation of a portfolio of mega-projects.
- The Chief Engineer’s responsibilities span a broad spectrum, covering all areas of project management including planning, cost and time management, quality management, contract administration and management, risk management, social aspects, stakeholder management (internal and external), environmental and safety management.
- The Chief Engineer will be required to ensure that the project is technically sound, that all activities associated with managing the project workflow and performance are met and to provide the necessary management and leadership skills to ensure the project team deliver including the provision of leadership and performance management of subordinates.
- Coordinate water users, institutions, and stakeholders’ input for decision-making on infrastructure projects.
- Promote the Department’s interests in projects implemented by external bodies.
- Ensure compliance with legal requirements, timeframes and approved budgets during the project implementation.
- Manage the commissioning and takeover of the infrastructure.
- Ensure good work ethic Promote transformation.
- Promote a culture of innovation and performance.
Enquiries
Ms P Moodley Tel No: (012) 336 6929
Department Notes
Other related documentation such as copies of qualifications, identity document, driver’s license etc need not to accompany the application when applying for a post as such documentation must only be produced by shortlisted candidates during the interview date in line with DPSA circular 19 of 2022. With reference to applicants bearing professional or occupational registration, fields provided in Part B on the online Z83 must be completed as these fields are regarded as compulsory. Failure to complete or disclose all required information will automatically disqualify the applicant. No late applications will be accepted. Shortlisted candidates will be subjected to suitability checks (SAQA verification, reference checks criminal and credit checks). SAQA evaluation certificate must accompany foreign qualifications (only when shortlisted). Applications that do not comply with the abovementioned requirements will not be considered. All shortlisted candidates pertaining to Senior Management Services (SMS) posts will be subjected to a technical and competency assessment and a pre-entry certificate obtained from the National School of government is required prior to the appointment. All shortlisted candidates, including the SMS, shall undertake two pre-entry assessments. One will be a practical exercise to determine a candidate’s suitability based on the post’s technical and generic requirements and the other must be an integrity (ethical conduct) assessment. Candidates will be required to complete a financial disclosure form and undergo security clearance. Foreigners or dual citizenship holders must provide a police clearance certificate from country of origin (only when shortlisted). The Department of Water Sanitation is an equal opportunity employer. In the filling of vacant posts, the objectives of section 195 (1) (i) of the Constitution of South Africa, 1996 (Act No: 108 of 1996) the Employment Equity imperatives as defined by the Employment Equity Act, 1998 (Act No: 55 of 1998) and relevant Human Resources policies of the Department will be taken into consideration. Correspondence will be limited to short-listed candidates only. If you do not hear from us within three (3) months of this advertisement, please accept that your application has been unsuccessful. Faxed applications will not be considered. The department reserves the right not to fill these positions. Women and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply and preference will be given to the EE Targets.
Original Text
CD: Infrastructure Development
Dir: Capital Projects
SALARY : R1 317 108 – R1 504 797 per annum, (OSD), (all-inclusive OSD salary package). This appointment will be made on the minimum notch of the salary
range, however, a higher notch within the salary range of Grade A/B will be considered based on experience and qualification in line with the provisions of
the Public Service Regulations 2016, i.e. provision of the candidate’s current
salary advice.
CENTRE : Pretoria Head Office
REQUIREMENTS : An Engineering Degree (B Eng / BSc Eng) in Civil or relevant qualification. Six (6) years post qualification experience. Compulsory registration with
Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) as a Professional Engineer. The disclosure of a valid unexpired driver’s licence. Registration with the South
African Council for Project and Construction Management Professions
(SACPCMP) as a Professional Construction Project Manager (Pr. CPM) or a
Project Management Professional Certification (PMP) with the Project
Management Institute (PMI) will serve as an added advantage. Minimum of ten
(10) years’ experience in the planning, design, and construction of water resources infrastructure projects will serve as an added advantage.
Understanding of the complete project life cycle from initial planning stages through to completion. Extensive experience in project management especially
in the project management of large infrastructure projects will be beneficial.
Extensive contract management experience. A detailed understanding of construction procurement processes. Sound knowledge of construction law
contracts such as GCC, FIDIC and NEC. Detailed knowledge of Treasury
Regulations, Public Finance Management Act (PFMA). Experience in financial planning and financial management. Knowledge of project risk analysis and
risk management. The ability to relate with associated professional field in a multi-disciplinary team. Additional studies in Water Resources Engineering are
recommended. High-level communication skills both (verbal and written).
Conflict management, contract dispute resolution, and negotiation skills.
Problem solving and analysis skills. Computer proficiency (such as MS Office,
MS Projects, etc). Ability to work independently, and be self-motivated, responsible, and reliable.
DUTIES : Manage and oversee all aspects of project implementation. Coordinate the implementation of a portfolio of mega-projects. The Chief Engineer’s
responsibilities span a broad spectrum, covering all areas of project management including planning, cost and time management, quality
management, contract administration and management, risk management, social aspects, stakeholder management (internal and external),
environmental and safety management. The Chief Engineer will be required to ensure that the project is technically sound, that all activities associated with
managing the project workflow and performance are met and to provide the necessary management and leadership skills to ensure the project team deliver
including the provision of leadership and performance management of subordinates. Coordinate water users, institutions, and stakeholders’ input for
decision-making on infrastructure projects. Promote the Department’s interests in projects implemented by external bodies. Ensure compliance with legal
requirements, timeframes and approved budgets during the project
implementation. Manage the commissioning and takeover of the infrastructure.
Ensure good work ethic Promote transformation. Promote a culture of innovation and performance.
ENQUIRIES : Ms P Moodley Tel No: (012) 336 6929
Official source
This vacancy was imported from DPSA Circular 20 of 2026 for reference.
Disclaimer: This vacancy was imported from the official DPSA circular PDF. Please confirm the reference number, closing date, and application instructions in the original circular before applying. View the official DPSA vacancy circulars.