Khanyisa Baloyi

• As a Standards Writer, I oversee and monitor my program of work, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives and project timelines
• I am responsible for reviewing and validating my projects and submissions to ensure accuracy, completeness, and compliance with standards before submission for approval
• My role includes providing guidance to technical committee members on meeting project deliverables, maintaining quality assurance, and addressing any discrepancies in project documentation
• Additionally, I am responsible for the standardization of innovative construction materials that currently lack national standards, ensuring their compliance with performance, safety, and sustainability requirements
• I facilitate collaboration across teams, support the achievement of project milestones, and uphold adherence to regulatory and procedural requirements
• This position highlights my leadership in managing standards development processes, driving the adoption of innovative & sustainable materials, and ensuring the successful delivery of high-quality outputs
• Provide civil and structural engineering inputs and guidance on innovative and complex applications to support the development of new National Building Standards
• Research, develop, and maintain technical and functional norms and standards for stakeholders, including NHBRC, government departments, and civil engineering institutions
• Manage the program of work for standards development teams, ensuring timely and accurate submission of project deliverables, reports, and gate reviews
• Collaborate with stakeholders on project planning and implementation to ensure alignment with industry requirements and regulatory compliance
• Establish and represent South Africa's mandate on international standards development activities within the built environment
• Participate as a technical expert in ISO/TC 163 (Thermal Performance and Energy Use in the Built Environment) and ISO/TC 205 (Building Environment Design), contributing to the development of global standards
• Serve as a committee technical secretary at national, regional, and international levels, ensuring adherence to established procedures and building standards
• Lead efforts to align technical standards with innovative building practices, promoting sustainability and energy efficiency
• Oversee and monitor team activities to maintain high-quality outputs, providing support and guidance to ensure standards meet performance and compliance benchmarks
• Drive the standardization of innovative construction materials that currently lack national standards, ensuring their compliance with performance and safety requirements, and advancing their adoption within the industry

• Conducted research and technical assessments for innovative and green building systems, including sanitation systems to ensure compliance with Agrément South Africa's guidelines and National Building Regulations
• Developed and implemented frameworks for the assessment of innovative building technologies (IBTs), focusing on thermal, acoustic, fire, and durability performance
• Conducted final inspections and audits for innovative materials and contributed to forensic investigations to improve system reliability
• Performed quality assurance tasks per Agrément South Africa's guidelines and National Building Regulations
• Reviewed process documentation for compliance with Quality Management Systems and standards
• Developed and communicated departmental processes and procedures
• Conducted site investigations, troubleshot issues, and reported findings within deadlines
• Performed final inspections on buildings using innovative materials
• Conducted quality assurance audits, including 3-year validity reviews and installer scheme audits
• Prepared comprehensive technical reports for system applications and certification continuations, addressing performance aspects like durability, safety, and operational efficiency
• Collaborated with stakeholders to align sanitation system certifications with government policies and standards
• Served as ISO 9001:2015 administrator, supporting certification processes
• Participated in procurement and tender adjudication as a project owner
• Identified and assessed organizational risks at departmental and strategic levels

Reason for leaving:

I wanted to contribute more directly to the construction industry in South Africa by ensuring that innovative construction materials are standardised. At SABS, I play a key role in developing national standards that promote quality, safety, and sustainability, ultimately benefiting end users and the built environment as a whole.

• As an Auditor at SABS, I ensured strict compliance with SABS policies, ISO standards, and regulatory requirements for building and civil projects
• My responsibilities included conducting certification audits, such as 3-year validity reviews, and verifying that certificate holders adhered to the conditions of their certification
• I assessed material performance through a thorough review of product test reports, site visits, and technical documentation, ensuring that standards for quality, safety, and industry compliance were consistently met
• I identified non-compliance issues, provided actionable recommendations for corrective actions, and supported clients in enhancing their operational performance
• Additionally, I evaluated manufacturing processes, supply chain practices, and quality control systems to mitigate risks and confirm the reliability of certified products and systems
• Led audits on construction projects, and building materials, including sanitation-related technologies and civil engineering practices to ensure compliance with SABS and ISO certification standards
• Marketed and promoted SABS certification services to potential clients, showcasing benefits in quality and marketability
• Ensured compliance with local and international building regulations to minimize risks and enhance public safety
• Reviewed and validated technical submissions to ensure consistency and compliance with performance benchmarks

Reason for leaving:

I left this role to be more involved in on-site assessments and the technical evaluation of innovative building systems. At Agrément South Africa, I had the opportunity to conduct in-depth site inspections, perform hands-on quality assurance, and contribute directly to the certification of construction technologies, ensuring compliance with national building regulations. Additionally, I wanted to further develop and enhance my structural engineering skills.

• Provided civil and structural engineering expertise, including innovative applications, to support the development of new National Building Standards
• Led efforts in the development and maintenance of structural design codes and standards, serving as the ISO Technical Secretary for the development of ISO 30500: Non-Sewered Sanitation Systems
• Co-managed the SANS 10400 development projects for six months, ensuring alignment with industry requirements and best practices
• Additionally, contributed to the development of energy efficiency standards, driving sustainability and compliance in the built environment
• Provided Civil/structural engineering inputs and guidance which included all aspects of innovative and compelling engineering applications for the development of new National Building Standards and Sanitation Standards
• Researched, developed, and maintained technical and functional norms and standards from an engineering perspective for stakeholders (NHBRC, Government departments, Civil Engineering institutes, etc.)
• Interacted with stakeholders through project assistance and project planning
• Established the South African mandate on International Standards development activities within the Built Environment
• Served as a committee technical secretary at National, Regional, and international level to guide the committees to adhere to the national building standards and the sanitation standards

Reason for leaving:

I moved from being a Standards Writer in 2018 to a Product and Systems Auditor after being recommended within the SABS by my manager. This transition allowed me to apply the standards I had been developing in a more practical, hands-on role, providing valuable experience in assessing products and systems for compliance.

• Worked closely with engineers, land surveyors, and other key stakeholders on different infrastructure projects.
• Inspected project sites to monitor progress and adherence to design specifications, safety protocols and state sanitation standards.
• Facilitated smooth communication with stakeholders by preparing clear reports detailing project progress, issues encountered, and proposed solutions.
• Optimized construction processes by conducting regular site visits to monitor progress and ensure compliance with design specifications.

Reason for leaving:

I left WRP, a water-related consulting engineering firm, to join SABS because I was specializing in structural engineering for my degree, and the role at SABS provided an opportunity to start acquiring practical structural engineering skills, which aligned with my career growth and development.

• Contributed to timely project completion by coordinating permit applications, approvals, and related documentation processes.
• Expedited decision-making processes through comprehensive research on local ordinances, zoning regulations, building codes, and other applicable laws affecting project outcomes.
• Enhanced team productivity by collaborating with engineers on various civil projects, including site design, stormwater management, and roadway improvements.
• Aided in reducing environmental impact of projects by incorporating sustainable design principles into engineering plans.

Reason for leaving:

I left Ithembalethu for the WRP Engineers job because Ithembalethu was on a contract basis for a specific project, and once the project ended, I sought new opportunities for growth and development, which led me to WRP.