CJ Abrahams

Experience

• 

  National Treasury of South Africa

  Apr 1998 - Jul 2004

  Played a pivotal role in formulating robust anti-money laundering policies, contributing to the enhancement of regulatory frameworks and compliance standards.Assisted in facilitating South Africa's attainment of Financial Action Task Force (FATF) membership, showcasing adept navigation of regulatory requirements and international standards.Demonstrated strong communication skills by effectively liaising and coordinating with diverse external stakeholders on anti-money laundering policies, ensuring alignment with regulatory expectations and industry best practices.Served as a representative on the Exchange Control Technical Committee, providing expert insights and contributing to strategic decision-making processes regarding exchange control policies.Offered technical advice on exchange control policies, leveraging deep knowledge and understanding to evaluate submissions and provide strategic recommendations in line with regulatory objectives. Show less

  • Deputy Director Financial Sector Policy

    Jul 2002 - Jul 2004

  • Senior Economist

    Apr 1998 - Jul 2002
• 

  Department of Public Works and Infrastructure

  Jul 2004 - now

  As the Head of the Branch, I spearhead the enhancement of skills and transformation within the built environment sector for the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure. This entails supporting 1200 beneficiaries across the built environment skills pipeline and overseeing attraction programs aimed at increasing the throughput rate of individuals in this sector.Driving interventions to bolster the number of scholars pursuing mathematics and science, along with initiatives like hosting career exhibitions, implementing winter camps, and providing financial support to students through bursary programs, internships, and candidacy programs.As the executive, I support transformation efforts in various built environment disciplines, including Construction Project Management, Land Surveying, Quantity Surveying, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Architectural Services, and Regional & Town Planning, with the aim of increasing the number of qualified professionals.Artisan development programs also fall under my purview, with the goal of increasing the number of skilled artisans. Additionally, I support over 650 tertiary students with work integrated learning opportunities in alignment with prescribed qualification requirements.Active involvement in forging partnership agreements with the private sector and institutions of higher learning is another aspect of my role.Leading the development of strategies and policies to address the professionalisation of the state, overseeing the development of guidelines and standard operating procedures to promote efficiency and effectiveness.Collaborating across the Public Works sector is crucial, and I work with Provincial Departments to ensure harmonisation and collaboration in efforts to address skills shortages.Managing the budget for the Branch, leading on compliance & regulatory matters, and overseeing staff management. Show less Head of the EPWP Programme with a proven track record of leading large-scale initiatives within the public sector. Led the development of EPWP Phase 5 (2024/25 – 2028/29), ensuring alignment with national objectives of poverty alleviation.Oversaw the implementation of comprehensive programmes covering infrastructure construction & maintenance, environment and culture, non-governmental initiatives, and social programmes. Provided detailed reports to the Parliament of South Africa, showcasing the progress and impact of EPWP projects. Managed a team of 230 officials, fostering effective coordination and execution of programme objectives. Successfully navigated regulatory processes up to the public comment phase for the EPWP Policy. Achieved sound financial management, overseeing a R3 billion budget (USD 162 million) with 99% expenditure in the 2022/23 financial year. Collaborated closely with the National Treasury for funding allocations, ensuring financial sustainability and alignment with government priorities.Fostered productive partnerships with international organizations like the International Labour Organisation (ILO) to strengthen EPWP initiatives. Ensured quarterly reporting from over 350 organizations, fostering a robust reporting culture. Worked collaboratively with government, business, labour, and community constituencies on the progress of the EPWP on a quarterly basis at the National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC). Collaborated with more than 300 NGOs to deliver over 100,000 work opportunities in the most remote parts of South Africa.Supported skills development, artisan training, and learnership programmes through partnerships with educational institutions. Upheld a strong corporate identity for EPWP, achieving 65% recognition among South Africans surveyed annually. Concluded agreements with the Financial Sector Conduct Authority, providing consumer education to over 18,000 EPWP participants. Show less Spearheaded the development of governance structures and processes across municipalities and provinces for the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP), facilitating coordination on a national scale.Established inter-governmental agreements among over 250 organizations to create work opportunities, negotiating EPWP Protocol Agreements at Executive Authority and Executive Mayor levels, garnering crucial support for employment initiatives benefiting impoverished, unskilled, and unemployed South Africans.Played a pivotal role in generating between 850,000 to 1 million work opportunities annually in South Africa by orchestrating programs aimed at job creation, income support, training, and asset/service development.Introduced the innovative concept of EPWP Summits since 2010, driving discussions on employment creation across various sectors including infrastructure, social services and environment.Led recovery plans for public bodies falling short of targets, ensuring strategic adjustments to meet program objectives effectively.Introduced EPWP Municipal policies endorsed through Municipal Councils to enhance stakeholder buy-in.Drove issues related to employment working conditions for workers. Aligned EPWP initiatives with the decent work agenda, promoting equitable employment practices and social responsibility.Pioneered small business development interventions and implemented the Start and Improve Your Business intervention of the International Labour Organization within the EPWP framework, fostering entrepreneurship and economic empowerment.Successfully negotiated agreements with financial institutions to enhance access to finance for enterprises.Facilitated communication and collaboration with key stakeholders including Business, Labour, and Community, ensuring broad-based support and cooperation.Oversaw and managed EPWP Directorates across eleven Regional Offices, ensuring operational efficiency and effective management of a team of 67 employees. Show less Provided comprehensive support for small business development initiatives, fostering growth and sustainability.Developed innovative models for the establishment of viable enterprises, emphasising long-term viabilityCrafted guidelines and policies to streamline small business development processes, ensuring efficiency and effectiveness.Successfully lobbied and secured funding and support through strategic channels including the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) process, the Department of Trade and Industry, donor agencies, Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs), and the National Skills Fund (NSF).Ensured the availability, accreditation, and relevance of training materials, optimising learning experiences for diverse stakeholders.Negotiated with financial institutions to secure favourable terms for small businesses supported by the Expanded Public Works Program (EPWP), culminating in mutually beneficial Memoranda of Agreement (MOAs) and increased funding for contractor entities.Directed a team of 10 Deputy Directors, providing leadership and guidance to achieve organizational goals.Offered oversight throughout the implementation process of small business initiatives, conducting comprehensive monitoring and evaluation to assess their impact and effectiveness.Contributed valuable insights to policy debates, the mid-term review of the EPWP, and the formulation of the overall EPWP business plan, shaping strategic direction and fostering continuous improvement.Cultivated and managed EPWP relationships with the business community, fostering collaborative partnerships and mutual support for program objectives, within rural and urban areas. 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  • Acting DDG: Corporate Services

    Aug 2024 - now

  • Deputy Director-General: Professional Services

    Nov 2023 - now

  • Deputy Director General Expanded Public Works Programme

    Nov 2021 - Nov 2023

  • Acting Deputy Director-General: EPWP

    Jul 2020 - Nov 2021

  • Chief Director: EPWP Partnership Support

    Jul 2010 - Nov 2021

  • Director: EPWP Enterprise Development

    Jul 2004 - Jul 2010