Licensing & Permitting Consultant (South Africa)
Contract / TempJob Overview
Allied Talent Partners (ATP), a Three Cairns Group initiative, is a mission-driven, not-for-profit talent marketplace focused on solving the human capital bottlenecks slowing down sustainable development efforts in emerging economies, with an initial focus on Africa. ATP connects vetted, experienced, context-relevant professionals to high-impact opportunities in energy access and sustainable development – strengthening local capacity and fuelling economic vitality. We specialize in fixed-term, deliverable-driven engagements – from interim leadership and generalist projects to niche technical expertise – handling project scoping, talent vetting and matching, contracting, payroll, and compliance so that our clients can focus on impact.
High-Level Overview
Client:
The client is an advisory firm that unlocks capital for sustainable growth in underserved markets, focusing on clean energy access and nature-based solutions. They provide transaction and strategy advisory services to investors, fund managers, companies, donors, and governments.
Project:
The client is seeking a Licensing & Permitting Consultant to lead the regulatory and stakeholder processes for a hybrid power project in Steenkampskraal, South Africa. The consultant will be responsible for identifying, securing, and managing all required permits and licenses, covering environmental, grid connection, and land-use compliance, and coordinating with regulators, municipalities, and landowners to ensure the project reaches construction readiness.
Role and Responsibilities
Role: Licensing & Permitting Consultant – South Africa
Candidates Required: 1
Key Deliverables:
Regulatory Mapping & Planning
Candidates Required: 1
Key Deliverables:
Regulatory Mapping & Planning
- Conduct a comprehensive review of all permits, authorisations, and environmental approvals required for the hybrid project.
- Develop a permitting roadmap outlining dependencies, timelines, and key decision points to ensure timely delivery.
- Identify potential regulatory risks and propose mitigation strategies to prevent approval delays.
- Stay informed on relevant policy, legal, and regulatory changes affecting the project.
Application Management
- Prepare, submit, and monitor all license and permitting applications with NERSA, relevant environmental agencies, and municipal authorities.
- Ensure that all submissions comply with applicable regulatory, environmental, and donor quality standards.
- Maintain standardized templates and documentation for consistent and audit-ready submissions.
- Track application progress and proactively resolve bottlenecks or information requests.
Stakeholder Engagement
- Coordinate engagement with regulators, utilities, and landowners to facilitate smooth permitting and expedite approvals.
- Build and maintain productive relationships with key stakeholders to ensure transparent communication and early issue resolution.
- Support inter-agency coordination between national, provincial, and local authorities as needed.
- Represent the project in consultations or technical meetings related to permitting matters.
Compliance Reporting
- Maintain a comprehensive permit tracker to monitor progress, risks, and outstanding conditions.
- Provide weekly status updates and reports to the project team, highlighting milestones and issues requiring attention.
- Ensure continuous compliance with regulatory conditions throughout the permitting phase.
- Support internal QA/QC reviews of documentation and maintain audit-ready records.
Final Readiness Package
- Prepare and deliver a complete permitting dossier summarizing all approvals obtained, outstanding risks, and key recommendations.
- Ensure all regulatory requirements are met prior to construction and financial close.
- Contribute to project close-out documentation and lessons learned to inform future permitting processes.
Requirements
Experience Required:
- Minimum 7 years’ experience in project permitting or regulatory affairs for energy projects in South Africa.
- Prior experience securing licenses for private off-take or hybrid systems.
- Track record engaging with regulators, municipalities, and landowners.
Technical Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Environmental Science, or related field.
- Familiarity with South African energy, environmental, and land-use regulations.
- Strong understanding of grid connection, land rights, and compliance documentation.
Other Skills:
- Excellent stakeholder engagement and negotiation skills.
- Strong attention to detail and organization.
- Confident communicator, able to manage complex approval processes independently.
Working Arrangement
Location: South Africa (Western Cape preferred), with regular field and authority visits.
Terms of agreement:
Start Date: November
Contracting Period: 6–9 months
Location: South Africa (Western Cape preferred), with regular field and authority visits.
Terms of agreement:
Start Date: November
Contracting Period: 6–9 months