Technical Operations Manager – Planning and Development Authority (PDA)
Job Description
Position Title: Technical Operations Manager – Technical Division (Development Control and Monitoring & Compliance)
Organisation: Planning and Development Authority (PDA), Grenada
Reports To: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Employment Type: Contract for one year, with the option for renewal
Location: St. George’s, Grenada (with duties across all parishes including Carriacou and Petite Martinique)
1 Background & Legislative Context
The Planning and Development Authority (PDA) is the statutory body established under the Physical Planning and Development Control Act to regulate physical development, enforce planning standards and guide sustainable land use across Grenada. The Authority oversees development planning, land use control, building regulation, and conservation of natural and cultural resources.
The Technical Operations Manager provides senior leadership and oversight of the Development Control Department and the Monitoring & Compliance Department, ensuring that all development activities adhere to national laws, building codes, environmental safeguards, and strategic development goals. The role supports the Authority’s mandate to promote orderly, lawful, and sustainable land development consistent with national policy and best practice planning principles.
2 Objectives of the Position
1 Background & Legislative Context
The Planning and Development Authority (PDA) is the statutory body established under the Physical Planning and Development Control Act to regulate physical development, enforce planning standards and guide sustainable land use across Grenada. The Authority oversees development planning, land use control, building regulation, and conservation of natural and cultural resources.
The Technical Operations Manager provides senior leadership and oversight of the Development Control Department and the Monitoring & Compliance Department, ensuring that all development activities adhere to national laws, building codes, environmental safeguards, and strategic development goals. The role supports the Authority’s mandate to promote orderly, lawful, and sustainable land development consistent with national policy and best practice planning principles.
2 Objectives of the Position
• To lead, coordinate, and manage the overall technical operations of the Development Control and Monitoring & Compliance Departments.
• To ensure the timely, efficient, and lawful processing of planning applications, site monitoring, compliance assessment, and enforcement actions.
• To provide high-level technical review and decision support aligned with planning legislation, national development strategies, disaster risk reduction priorities, and climate-resilience objectives.
• Supervise, mentor, and develop the multidisciplinary technical team to maintain high performance standards, foster continuous improvement, and ensure alignment with organizational goals and professional development.
3 Key Responsibilities
3.1 A. Development Control Oversight
• Manage and oversee all planning and building application processes, including intake, technical review, decision-making workflows, and post-approval monitoring.
• Oversee the review of architectural, engineering, and development proposals for technical soundness and compliance with the Act, development orders, and environmental and heritage requirements.
• Ensure the consistent application of planning standards and the transparent administration of the Authority’s regulatory functions.
3.2 Technical Leadership & Team Management
• Lead and supervise all technical staff within Development Control and Monitoring & Compliance Departments, including planners, monitoring officers, engineers, GIS technicians, and administrative staff.
• Develop staff work plans, conduct performance appraisals, manage task allocation, and facilitate ongoing training and professional development initiatives.
• Establish quality-assurance mechanisms, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and internal review systems to strengthen service delivery and regulatory compliance.
3.3 Stakeholder & Agency Coordination
• Coordinate inter-agency review with other statutory bodies, public utilities, fire services, environmental authorities, coastal regulators, and disaster management agencies.
• Provide pre-application guidance and technical advice to developers, consultants, and property owners.
• Represent the PDA at public consultations, technical meetings, and stakeholder engagement activities.
3.4 Enforcement & Compliance Management
• Coordinate and direct site monitoring and compliance checks to ensure developments adhere to approved plans, permit conditions, zoning requirements, environmental regulations, and national building codes.
• Oversee investigations of breaches and manage the full enforcement process, including documentation, issuance of enforcement notices, stop orders, and coordination of corrective or legal action.
• Ensure unlawful developments are identified and managed promptly per legislation.
• Provide technical direction for compliance assessments, enforcement reports, and Board submissions.
3.5 Data Management, Reporting & Analytics
• Oversee and manage the collection, verification, analysis, and dissemination of development data, including information on development activity, land-use trends, compliance outcomes, and key planning metrics.
• Prepare and submit monthly, quarterly, and annual reports for the CEO, Board, and other bodies.
• Provide technical recommendations to improve policy, enforcement approaches, and operational efficiency.
3.6 Policy, Planning & Strategic Alignment
• Ensure all technical decisions align with the National Physical Development Plan (NPDP), local area plans, and sectoral policies (e.g., housing, tourism, environment, climate resilience).
• Support national strategies related to sustainable development, disaster risk reduction, and climate adaptation.
• Contribute to legislative reviews, regulatory updates, and development of technical guidelines.
3.7 Digital Transformation & Innovation
• Promote the use of GIS, e-permitting tools, digital monitoring systems, and related technologies.
• Support digitization of workflows, digital records management, and compliance databases.
3.8 Budget, Resource & Administrative Management
• Prepare and manage the annual budget for the Technical Division.
• Support procurement processes for technical equipment, software, and operational tools.
• Contribute to organizational development and strategic planning.
3.9 Other Duties
• Perform any additional duties consistent with the scope and leadership level of the position, as assigned by the CEO and or the BoD.
4 Qualifications & Requirements
4.1 Educational Qualifications
• Mandatory: Bachelor’s degree in architecture, Urban/Physical Planning, Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Recommended: A postgraduate degree (master’s or equivalent) in Physical Planning, Urban Design, Architecture, Construction Management, Civil/Structural Engineering, or a closely related field.
4.2 Professional Experience
• Minimum five (5) years of progressive professional experience in development control, engineering, regulatory compliance, physical planning, or a related technical environment.
• Proven experience supervising a technical team.
4.3 Knowledge Requirements
• Strong knowledge of Grenada’s planning legislation and regulatory frameworks.
• Understanding of international and regional planning/engineering standards.
• Ability to interpret architectural and technical drawings.
4.4 Professional Registration (Desirable)
• Membership with a recognized planning, architectural, engineering, or related professional institute.
5 Required Skills & Competencies
• Strong leadership and team management abilities.
• Ability to work independently, use initiative, and manage multiple priorities.
• Excellent communication skills – both oral and written.
• Strong interpersonal skills with capacity to engage a wide variety of stakeholders.
• Strong analytical and decision-making skills.
• Proficiency in interpreting architectural drawings and plans.
• Familiarity with planning technologies including GIS and permitting software.
• High standards of ethics, confidentiality, and professionalism.
6 Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
• Application processing ≥ 85% of applications processed within statutory timeframes.
• Site Inspections: ≥ 90% of approved developments must receive a minimum of three monitoring visits, with larger projects requiring additional inspections.
• Enforcement & Compliance 100% of confirmed unlawful developments receive enforcement action.
• Team Management Quarterly staff reviews completed; ≥ 90% staff retention.
• Stakeholder engagement ≥ 80% stakeholder satisfaction rating.
• Data and Reporting – All technical reports submitted on time.
• Budget Oversight Expenditure within 95–100% of approved budget.
• Digital Integration – At least one new or improved digital tool is adopted annually.
7 Site Visits & Work Schedule Flexibility
• Site monitoring may be required outside regular hours, including weekends.
• Travel is required across all parishes and sister islands.
• Must comply with confidentiality, ethics, and conflict-of-interest rules.
8 Review Clause
This ToR is subject to annual review, or earlier if necessitated by legal, structural, or strategic changes within the Authority or Government of Grenada.
9 Application Instructions
9.1 Submission Format:
• All application materials must be compiled into ONE PDF document. This document must include:
o Cover letter
o Résumé/CV
o Academic certificates
o Professional certificates
o Salary requirements
o At least two (2) professional referees with full contact details
Incomplete or incorrectly formatted applications will not be processed.
9.2 Processing of Applications:
• Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
9.3 Vacancy Closure:
• The advertisement may be withdrawn at any time if a suitable candidate is identified before the stated closing date.
9.4 Acknowledgement of Applications:
• Only candidates who are shortlisted for an interview will be contacted.
9.5 Submission deadline:
• All applications must be submitted on or before February 6th, 2026.
