Local Government Consultant

PDG is a niche public sector consulting firm with teams in Cape Town and Johannesburg. We have a values-based team culture and 35-year reputation for excellence and integrity. Our collaborative environment offers each team member rich opportunities for learning and development.

We are looking for a mid-level Local Government Consultant with a post-graduate qualification in Engineering, Finance, Economics, or other relevant field and an interest in public policy. The work will involve research, quantitative analysis, modelling, stakeholder engagement, facilitation, public policy and advisory work. The work will be mainly related to local government across PDGs practice areas: Municipal Services, Public Finance, Urban Economies, Monitoring and Evaluation, Institutional Development, and Climate and Environment.

This is a full-time position, based in Cape Town or Johannesburg (NOTE: LinkedIn required us to select a province, but you may choose between our Cape Town or Johannesburg offices). The position will require travel, including international travel (elsewhere in Africa).

Our ideal candidate has strong quantitative skills, is self-motivated, pragmatic, detail-oriented, resourceful and driven to grow professionally.

WHAT ARE THE CORE REQUIREMENTS?

• Postgraduate degree in Engineering, Finance, Economics, Actuarial Science, Accounting, Engineering or a related field
• Minimum of 3 years relevant professional experience in a consulting, project-based or freelance capacity
• Strong quantitative analytical skills
• Professional fluency in English, with excellent communication skills (e.g. writing, presentations, interpersonal)
• If not South African, a valid work or residency permit.

Candidates will not be shortlisted if they do not meet these requirements.

WHAT WILL GIVE ME THE EDGE?

• Masters degree in a relevant field
• Familiarity with public policy and implementation
• Experience with infrastructure and project finance
• Experience in managing projects and/or teams
• Experience across the project cycle, including proposal writing, analysis, reporting and presentation
• Proficiency with programming and scripting for quantitative analysis and statistics using Python, R, MATLAB or similar
• South African citizenship and drivers license
• Experience working in other African countries
• Fluency in another South African language, French or Arabic
• Profile that supports PDGs long-term objectives related to diversity, equity and inclusion

The Consultant will contribute to the successful delivery of consulting projects, mainly (but not exclusively) for public sector clients. The Consultant will be responsible for tasks such as identifying opportunities and writing proposals, designing project methodology, planning and conducting the analysis of largely quantitative data, developing or applying tools and models in Excel or other packages, writing reports, and preparing and delivering presentations. There is scope for increasing levels of responsibility subject to performance. Performance will be judged against PDGs value-based appraisal framework, which is weighted towards delivering successful projects, and includes promoting PDGs reputation, building the organisation and developing the careers of others. Increasing weight is given to winning and successfully managing projects as consultants progress.

The position is hybrid with a minimum of 40% of time spent in the office (Cape Town or Johannesburg).

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

• Self-motivated, with demonstrated ability to take initiative and to get work done, both independently and in a team
• Strong problem-solving skills
• Analytical rigour, accuracy and attention to detail
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Fit with PDGs values and purpose
• Track record of academic and professional excellence
• Pursues personal growth and development

WHY JOIN PDG?

This is an ideal opportunity for a freelancer who is ready to find a professional home - with the collegial support and stimulation that it offers, and stability of income. There is opportunity to pursue an area of specialisation within our broad range of practice areas, and eventually lead it.

For people who are already in a consulting position, consider joining PDG for our value-based culture - including authentic commitment to public benefit - and generous provision for personal growth, learning and development. We are relatively small, which means constant opportunity to stretch into new roles and subject areas, and to have a real influence in the strategic direction of the company that you work for. We also have policies to enable flexibility in your working arrangements, which help PDGers to do their best work through changing life stages.

Interested applicants should send a motivation letter and detailed CV, together with names and contact details of at least three referees to info@pdg.co.za. Please note that your motivation letter should state why you are specifically interested in working for PDG and motivate why PDG should employ you. Failure to cover this in your letter will be a significant disadvantage. Short-listed applicants will need to demonstrate the required skills by technical assessment during the recruitment process.

CLOSING DATE: 19 May 2025