About Mpumalanga Green Cluster Agency (MGCA)
The Mpumalanga Green Cluster Agency employs the triple helix cluster model with representation from Government, Industry, and Academia as part of its design setup. The cluster works at the interface between business, government, and academia in order to identify and remove barriers to economically viable green economy activity and to enable the region and its citizens to prosper.
MGCA is a non-profit organisation that works to advance a sustainable and inclusive green economy and create shared value in the Mpumalanga province. We work both at the micro and macro level – supporting green-tech SMEs to build their businesses, enabling bigger businesses to improve their environmental footprint, and assisting the provincial government to create the right environment for a more resilient green economy. Ultimately, we help facilitate investment, ecosystem building and job creation in Mpumalanga’s green economy.
The Water Programme
Water security is a strategic development issue for Mpumalanga. The province faces a complex set of water challenges and opportunities linked to mining, municipal service delivery, agricultural productivity, industrial growth, ecological health, and climate resilience. These include acid mine drainage and mine-impacted water, water shortages and infrastructure constraints, declining water quality in parts of key catchments, the need for stronger municipal planning and implementation support, and emerging opportunities to rehabilitate mining landscapes and unlock productive water reuse for agriculture, industry and local economic development.
MGCA would like to appoint a Senior Water Lead to support the development of a high-impact water portfolio in Mpumalanga. The successful candidate will contribute to market intelligence, project preparation, stakeholder coordination, technical analysis and investment facilitation across priority themes such as mine water management and reuse, mine rehabilitated land, municipal support, water resilience, and circular water opportunities.
Purpose of the Job
The Senior Senior Water Lead will provide technical, analytical and project-development support to MGCA’s water programme. The role is intended for a candidate who can combine strong sector analysis with practical stakeholder engagement and delivery support. The successful candidate will help identify, assess and advance opportunities that improve water security and quality in Mpumalanga while supporting inclusive economic development, investment mobilisation, the Just Transition, and Climate Change.
- Mine-related water challenges, including acid mine drainage, mine water treatment, water reuse, and rehabilitation-linked opportunities.
- Assessment of water-sector opportunities linked to agriculture, municipal service delivery, industrial users, and community resilience.
- Technical and economic analysis to support bankable projects, partnerships, policy inputs and investment facilitation.
- Stakeholder engagement across government, industry, municipalities, water users, academia, communities and development partners.
Job Details
| Job Title | Senior Water Lead |
| Location | Middelburg, Mpumalanga (with travel across the province and elsewhere as required) |
| Contract Type | 12-month contract, with a three-month probation period |
| Reports To | Programme Manager |
| Remuneration | Market-related |
Qualifications and Experience
- Postgraduate degree in Water Resource Management, Civil or Chemical Engineering, Hydrology, Hydrogeology, Environmental Science, Geology, Economics, or a related field.
- Minimum of 15 years’ relevant experience in the water sector, water-related project development, infrastructure planning, environmental management, mining-water interface, or a closely related field.
- Knowledge of South Africa’s water policy and regulatory environment, including water use, water services, water quality and environmental governance.
- Experience or demonstrated understanding of mine water, acid mine drainage, mine rehabilitation, catchment management, municipal water support, or agricultural water-use opportunities.
- Experience in research, data analysis, report writing and stakeholder engagement.
- Project management experience will be advantageous.
- An existing network of stakeholders in the water sector will be advantageous.
Competencies and Skills
- Strong understanding of water-sector dynamics in South Africa, with the ability to interpret technical, regulatory and market issues.
- Proven experience in the water industry
- Excellent analytical, research and problem-solving skills, including the ability to assess the viability and development potential of water-sector opportunities.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, including confidence in formal and informal public speaking engagements.
- Strong facilitation skills with senior stakeholders
- Ability to work with data from multiple sources and translate technical findings into clear recommendations, briefs and reports.
- Strong stakeholder engagement skills and the ability to build trusted working relationships across government, industry, municipalities, communities and academia.
- Excellent attention to detail; ability to self-manage, multi-task and prioritise in a fast-paced environment.
- Innovative, proactive and solutions-oriented.
- Valid South African driver’s licence.
Core Tasks and Responsibilities
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Support the realization of the MGCA corporate strategy
- Align activities to the MGCA corporate strategy
- Align operational plan to MGCA implementation plan
- Align programmes and projects to MGCA objectives and annual plans
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Market intelligence, research and analysis
- Collect, manage and analyse sector data on water availability, water quality, infrastructure constraints, investment opportunities and policy developments.
- Develop market intelligence, concept notes, briefs, case studies and sector updates to inform MGCA programmes and external stakeholders.
- Track and assess opportunities in areas such as mine water treatment and reuse, mine rehabilitation, municipal support, agricultural water use, wastewater reuse and water resilience.
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Project development and delivery support
- Support the identification, screening and development of priority water projects and partnerships.
- Develop project concepts to support the MSMEs and Communities
- Develop project pipeline gathering initiatives from MSMEs, Communities, Municipalities, other key stakeholders
- Assist with feasibility support, project preparation, business case development and investor-facing information packs where required.
- Coordinate internal and external project resources to meet deliverables, timelines and reporting requirements.
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Stakeholder engagement and coordination
- Build and maintain productive relationships across the water value chain, including municipalities, water boards, mines, agricultural stakeholders, government departments, regulators, researchers, funders and private-sector partners.
- Facilitate meetings, workshops and consultations to identify barriers, align stakeholders and unlock implementation pathways.
- Represent MGCA at relevant forums, engagements and sector events.
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Technical support and policy inputs
- Act as a first point of contact for water-sector queries relevant to MGCA’s programme areas.
- Provide technical input into provincial and local initiatives related to water security, mine rehabilitation, just transition planning and green economy development.
- Contribute evidence-based comments and recommendations on relevant strategies, policies, plans and legislation.
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Reporting and organisational support
- Prepare high-quality progress reports, technical memos, presentations and management updates.
- Contribute to annual market intelligence reports and cross-cutting organisational priorities.
- Support wider MGCA programme needs where required.
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A successful candidate for the position will have the following attributes
- A strong commitment to inclusive, sustainable development and the green economy in South Africa.
- A willingness to travel and work across diverse stakeholder environments.
- The ability to listen, synthesise complex information and convert insights into practical opportunities and action.
- A collaborative approach and the maturity to work both independently and in teams.
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Human Resources
- Manage junior resources
- Perform skills transfer to junior resources
- Execute performance management for junior resources
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The following will be an advantage
- Fluency in English and at least one relevant South African language used in Mpumalanga.
- Experience working with municipalities, mining companies, agricultural stakeholders, water utilities or development finance institutions.
- Exposure to GIS, modelling, financial analysis or infrastructure planning tools relevant to the water sector.
Contract length and remuneration
This is a contract position. Contract renewal will depend on performance and the organisation’s requirements at the time. There will be a three-month probation period for this position. Remuneration will be market-related, with recognition that MGCA is a not-for-profit organisation. Offers made will take qualifications, experience and level of responsibility into account.
Application Process:
Interested candidates should complete the application form and upload all relevant documents (CV, and proof of qualifications) here: https://forms.gle/EqczMhioPR87XXGy8 by 20 August 2026.
MGCA is committed to diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunity employment. Women and individuals from historically disadvantaged backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
