Zutari: Co-creating an engineered impact.

Zutari is a well-established, management-owned engineering firm with almost 90 years' experience. As human-centred engineering consultants and advisors, we are trusted by our clients, business partners, communities and other stakeholders across Africa.

We co-create engineering solutions that have a positive impact and improve people's lives. Zutari values inclusion and recognises the importance of a diverse, talented workforce, believing that people need other people to succeed.

What kind of talent do we pursue?

We employ people with the right attitude and a positive mindset, who are motivated by doing the right thing, getting things done and share a sense of urgency. People who have an impact in our teams and broader community. People who think differently and connect with those around them to co-create new opportunities and leave a meaningful legacy.

Infrastructure Advisory at Zutari

Zutari’s Infrastructure Advisory team is a growing practice working across South Africa, Africa, and the Middle East. We support public and private sector clients to make informed, strategic decisions about infrastructure investments—helping them navigate complex trade-offs, unlock funding, and deliver on their mandates around sustainability, service delivery, and resilience.

Our team works across infrastructure sectors—roads, energy, water, solid waste, resources, and urban development—and plays a key role in shaping how infrastructure is planned, financed, procured, and managed. We combine systems thinking with data-driven analysis and a strong understanding of infrastructure economics to guide decision-making where it matters most.

We are now looking for a mature, experienced individual to join our team—someone who can bring maturity, technical acumen, and a willingness to contribute to building the future of our advisory practice.

Role Description

This role will focus on leading and growing Zutari’s offering in infrastructure project packaging—working with public sector clients to define, structure, and prepare infrastructure projects for investment and procurement.

The ideal candidate will have:

• A deep understanding of public infrastructure finance, particularly in the South African context.
• Direct experience with packaging public sector projects for funding and implementation, including transaction advisory support.
• Familiarity with the relevant legal, regulatory, and institutional frameworks—including National Treasury guidelines, PPP regulations, MFMA/PFMA requirements, and municipal council approval processes.
• Exposure to development finance institutions (DFIs) and their funding frameworks will be a significant advantage.
• The ability to engage clients strategically and lead the development of high-quality deliverables such as feasibility studies, procurement strategies, investment cases, and financial structuring support.

The successful candidate will build and manage a small team, contribute to business development, and collaborate closely with both the Development Consulting and LTA/Due Diligence leads to shape a coherent and impactful advisory offering.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead Zutari’s Infrastructure Project Packaging workstream, shaping strategy, delivery standards, and team development.
• Design and manage the execution of project packaging assignments—typically feasibility studies, procurement support, financial and commercial structuring, and investor readiness assessments.
• Engage with public sector clients to understand their investment challenges and identify solutions aligned with funding mechanisms and regulatory requirements.
• Prepare and review critical project documentation (e.g. project preparation frameworks, value-for-money assessments, procurement plans, project structuring reports).
• Provide strategic guidance on compliance with PPP frameworks, National Treasury regulations, and municipal procurement processes.
• Interface with DFIs, commercial lenders, and funding institutions to align project packaging with financing requirements.
• Contribute to thought leadership, client relationship development, and growth of the Infrastructure Advisory business.

Experience and Qualifications

The candidate is expected to bring:

• A Master’s degree in a relevant field such as economics, finance, public policy, engineering, or planning; exceptional candidates with a bachelor’s degree and significant related work experience will also be considered.
• Preferably 10-12 years of professional experience in infrastructure finance, public sector advisory, or related fields.
• Professional registration with, or active affiliation to, a relevant professional body (e.g. ECSA,CFA, , SACPLAN, CESA, or similar) would be a strong advantage.
• Proven experience leading the preparation and packaging of infrastructure projects for investment, ideally for public sector clients in South Africa or the region would be a strong advantage.
• Demonstrated understanding of South African public sector finance and procurement, including compliance with the PFMA, MFMA, PPP Manual, and municipal governance procedures.
• Experience working with DFIs, multilateral funders, or international development banks is a distinct advantage.

Additional Skills and Attributes

• Strong leadership and project management capabilities, with the ability to build and guide a delivery team.
• Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to integrate technical, commercial, and regulatory dimensions.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, with strong client engagement and stakeholder management skills.
• Strategic thinking and a proactive, solutions-oriented mindset.
• Management consulting experience.
• Entrepreneurial energy and a willingness to contribute to the growth and direction of the broader practice.

Contract Terms and Development Opportunity

This position is offered as a 6-month fixed-term contract (full-time employment could be considered for exceptional candidates). Toward the end of the contract, a review will be conducted to assess performance and alignment with future project needs, with the possibility of contract extension or permanent engagement based on mutual interest.

The candidate will be joining a collaborative, multidisciplinary team and will be provided with mentoring and support to build capability in infrastructure advisory and data-driven decision-making.

Why join us?

Be part of a growing, purpose-driven team influencing infrastructure decisions across the continent.

Work on meaningful projects that shape the future of cities, regions, and systems.

Collaborate with experts in engineering, planning, sustainability, and economics.

Contribute to a team that values curiosity, empathy, rigour, and imagination.

We believe that a diverse workforce is key to our business success. We seek the best people for our jobs based on their skills, qualifications and experience. We embrace the principle of equal opportunity in employment, and we work towards eliminating all forms of unlawful discrimination in our employment practices. In support of diversity and the equal opportunity principle, preference will be given to individuals from designated groups within South Africa