CHIEF DIRECTOR SPATIAL PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Oversee the formulation, implementation and monitoring of an integrated and coordinated national spatial planning policy, strategy and standards as guided by the Ministry’s strategic plan, various legal procedures and national development imperatives.
2. Superintend over the administration and review of the Regional, Town and Country Planning legislation.
3. Facilitate the acquisition of land for rural and urban development in line with the relevant Acts in order to facilitate access to land for economic development.
4. Superintend over the development, management and implementation of national Spatial Development Frameworks, Structure Plans and Local Plans (masterplans).
5. Oversee central and local government national land development initiatives as well as rural and urban land planning processes.
6. Guide Local Authorities in land use management and the processing of applications lodged in terms of the Regional Town and Country Planning Act.
7. Oversee the development, integration and implementation of national urban infrastructure and transport planning processes and strategies.
8. Spearhead the development of frameworks to conform national land development initiatives and strategies to environmental sustainability and maintenance of optimum spatial relationships of business, housing, leisure and other land uses.
9. Foster international best practices in regional, rural and urban land use planning and development in the country through liaison and consultation other relevant stakeholders.
10. Spearhead the development and implementation of a national stakeholder engagement platform on spatial development initiatives.
11. Provide technical input in the acquisition of equipment, materials and services for spatial planning and development programmes and projects.
12. Oversee the development of funding strategies and budgets for financing all the activities related to spatial planning and development at national level.
13. Superintend over the development and management of an integrated database on central and local government national land development initiatives as well as regional, rural and urban land planning processes.

Qualifications and Experience

-A Master’s degree in Rural and Urban Planning, Town Planning or equivalent
-A higher qualification is an added advantage
-A minimum of ten (10) years experience, of which two (2) years’ experience must be at Director or equivalent grade in a relevant field
-Registration/accreditation with a professional body is an added advantage
-Understanding of current National Economic Development Policies, Priorities and Programmes
-Proficiency in land use planning, zoning, and sustainable urban development strategies
-Ability to design, evaluate and manage large scale infrastructural and development projects
-Familiarity with zoning laws and local by-laws affecting urban and rural development
-Advanced skills in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), remote sensing and spatial analysis
-Proficiency in analyzing demographic, economic and environmental data to inform spatial strategies
-Skill in assessing existing spatial plans and proposing updates based on new policies, environmental changes or developmental priorities
-Competence in preparing technical reports and documentation related to urban design and planning
-Excellent negotiating and mediation skills
-Good oral and written communication with a broad spectrum of stakeholders
-Strong leadership and team building skills.