Project Manager
Position Title: Project Manager, South Africa
Contract Type: Remote
Anticipated start of work: Immediately
Duration: 12 months for 13 man days/month
Reports to: Africa Programs Lead
Closely collaborates with: GBPN Africa Team Members
BACKGROUND
The Global Buildings Performance Network (GBPN) is implementing the project “Building the Evidence: Unlocking Carbon Data for Decarbonization Policy in South Africa” in collaboration with the South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI) and key national partners.
The project aims to establish South Africa’s first nationally representative baseline of building energy use and greenhouse gas emissions, providing the evidence needed to inform building decarbonization policies, unlock climate finance, and support the country’s transition towards net-zero buildings.
The project combines primary data collection, stakeholder engagement, emissions modelling, and policy development through a bottom-up, people-led methodology that incorporates Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) principles.
THE OPPORTUNITY
GBPN is seeking an experienced Project Manager based in South Africa to serve as the organisation’s in-country lead for this flagship initiative. The Project Manager will oversee day-to-day implementation of the project, coordinate national partners, manage field survey activities across multiple municipalities, monitor budgets and deliverables, and ensure successful delivery of project outputs within scope and schedule.
The successful candidate will act as the primary operational liaison between GBPN and South African stakeholders while supporting high-quality technical delivery and stakeholder engagement throughout the project lifecycle.
QUALIFICATIONS
We are seeking a professional with strong project management and coordination experience in sustainable construction and built environment initiatives.
All consultant/expert /partner organization must fulfill the following criteria:
- A Master’s degree in Architecture, Engineering, Construction Management, Environmental Science, Energy, Urban Planning, Project Management, or a related field.
- Minimum 10 years of experience managing complex multi-stakeholder projects in climate, energy, buildings, infrastructure, or sustainable development.
- Experience working with government agencies, research institutions, development partners, or international organisations.
- Experience with financial instruments or MRV frameworks would be an asset.
- Strong understanding of sustainable buildings, energy efficiency, climate policy, or building decarbonization.
- Demonstrated experience coordinating field-based research or data collection programmes.
- Experience managing consultants, budgets, procurement, and project schedules.
- Excellent stakeholder engagement and partnership management skills.
- Strong report writing and presentation skills.
- Excellent command of English (written and spoken).
- Proficiency in one or more South African languages, particularly isiXhosa or Afrikaans, is highly desirable.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office and project management tools.
SCOPE OF WORK, DELIVERABLES & REPORTING
| Task | Description | Deliverable |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Project Management & Coordination | Lead day-to-day implementation of the project, ensuring activities are delivered on time, within budget, and according to agreed work plans. | Project implementation plan, monthly work plans, and progress reports. |
| 2. Partner Coordination | Coordinate activities among South African partners and GBPN teams. | Stakeholder coordination meetings, action trackers, and communication updates. |
| 3. Field Survey Oversight | Oversee planning and implementation of field surveys and site audits across selected municipalities, ensuring quality and adherence to methodology and JEDI principles. | Survey implementation reports and quality assurance documentation. |
| 4. Budget & Contract Management | Monitor project expenditure, consultant performance, procurement processes, and contractual obligations. | Budget tracking reports and contract management updates. |
| 5. Stakeholder Engagement | Support engagement with government agencies, industry stakeholders, academic institutions, and civil society organisations to facilitate project implementation and validation of findings. | Stakeholder engagement records and workshop coordination reports. |
| 6. Reporting & Knowledge Management | Coordinate preparation of technical reports, donor updates, presentations, and documentation of lessons learned. | Monthly progress reports, technical inputs, final project reporting, and knowledge products. |
| 7. National Workshop Coordination | Lead planning and delivery of the national stakeholder validation workshop and support dissemination of project findings. | Workshop report, participant documentation, and recommendations for policy action. |
Tools, Guidance and training
The Project Manager will receive:
- Orientation and oversight from GBPN Africa team
- Access to project methodologies, templates, data collection tools, and reporting systems
- Guidance from the Africa Programs Lead for reporting and logistics
HOW TO APPLY
Please send your application by 5th of July 2026 to: careers@gbpn.org with the subject line:
- Project Manager – South Africa
Your application must include:
- CV and cover letter outlining your qualifications, relevant experience, and links/descriptions of similar assignments.
- A proposal detailing your approach to the scope of work, including:
- Availability and number of days per week
- Proposed daily rate and total fee for services in USD, including all applicable taxes/charges
- Preferred start date
