Joalinda Paunde
Lisbon,Lisbon
Summary
Dynamic Lead Engineering & Project Manager with strengths in strategic project recovery and stakeholder engagement. Delivers large-scale trials by coordinating logistics and mobilising resources across multiple countries. Drives performance improvement by establishing governance frameworks and clarifying project scopes. Driven Project Manager with strong leadership and problem-solving skills. Proven track record in successfully delivering complex projects on time and within budget. Skilled in stakeholder management, risk assessment, and resource allocation, ensuring seamless project execution and client satisfaction. Brings creativity and strategic thinking to optimise project outcomes and drive organisational growth.
Overview
3
3
Languages
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Lead Engineering & Project Manager
Orica
01.2025 - Current
- Led the recovery of a customer trials project that had been delayed for at least 12 months.
- Established governance framework, clarified project scope and accountabilities, and coordinated stakeholders to restore momentum and transition project into delivery within six months.
- Coordinated mobilisation of underground equipment from South Africa, Spain and UAE into Saudi Arabia, ensuring timely delivery for project needs.
- Managed logistics for transporting explosive products from Spain and Portugal to Saudi Arabia, facilitating compliance and safety standards.
- Executed delivery of customer trials in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- Arranged the deployment of the operations team to commence customer-site trials by early December 2025.
- Project: Customer trials for Barrick Saudi Arabia underground operations – Total Load Service
- Customer: Barrick Mining Corporation – Jabal Sayid Operations
- Location: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Lead in Operational Training & Maintenance Systems
Orica
01.2023 - 01.2025
- Oversaw 17 direct reports in operational training and maintenance, ensuring effective team management.
- Conducted regional review, identifying gaps in systems, workforce capability, reporting processes, and maintenance resources.
- Developed and presented five-year improvement plan to senior management and president-level stakeholders.
- Promoted to enhance asset management capability, operational skills, and support sustainable growth across EMEA.
Africa Capital Management Lead & Project Specialist
Orica
01.2016 - 01.2023
- Developed capital estimates for tender pricing, prepared project plans for asset and workforce mobilisation, and facilitated end-to-end transition from bid stage to contract execution.
- Supported Africa business growth, contributing to its recognition as the organisation’s highest-growth region.
- Managed two direct reports, guiding their performance and professional development.
Co-Founder and Director
Infracon Group
01.2013 - 01.2016
- Secured new business, retained existing clients, built strategic partnerships, and engaged with regulatory bodies to foster sustainable growth.
- Grew company to 15 permanent and seven contract employees, reflecting successful scaling efforts.
- Co-founded and served as Director of a successful project management firm in South Africa.
- Https://infracongroup.africa/
Vice President and Board Member
SAIBPP
Cape Town, South Africa
01.2013 - 01.2016
- Established Cape Town chapter of SAIBPP to advance transformation and equality in South Africa’s property and construction sectors. Created framework identifying structural barriers for small businesses and BEE-owned enterprises in accessing tendering and procurement opportunities in property development and construction. Advocated with government bodies and municipalities for financial support, skills-development programmes, and inclusion of emerging businesses. Also collaborated with universities and industry stakeholders to support skills development and strengthen the talent pipeline for historically underrepresented professionals and businesses in the sector.
Project Controls Lead
AECOM
Cape Town, South Africa
01.2011 - 01.2013
- Integrated project controls across planning, scheduling, cost management, risk management, and reporting to streamline processes.
- Delivered projects on time and within budget while adhering to defined scope and quality standards.
- Managed construction of tippler in Saldanha, encompassing roadworks, port expansion, bridges, and railway.
Education
MSc - Project Management in Construction
University of the Witwatersrand
Johannesburg01-2022
BSc - Quantity Surveying Engineering
University of the Witwatersrand
01-2007
Skills
- Project management
- Team leadership
- Stakeholder communication
- Operational training
- Asset management
- People Management
- Project cost estimation
- Meeting facilitation
- Deal closing
- Regulatory compliance
Accomplishments
- Lead Engineering & Project Manager, EMECA, 7
- Lead in Operational Training & Maintenance Systems EMEA, 17
- Africa Capital Management Lead & Project Specialist, 2
- Cofounder of Infracongroup
- Vice President & Board Member of SAIBPP
Custom
- Lead Project Management & Engineering Office, 2022-01-01, Current, Responsible for overall strategy and execution of all projects., Lead the project management team to ensure successful delivery.
- Lead - Operations Support EMEA, 2019-01-01, 2022-01-01, Supported operations at 52 sites by providing operational training., Managed a team of 17 individuals.
- Project Specialist & Capital Lead Africa, 2017-01-01, 2019-01-01, Oversaw the construction of manufacturing plants., Managed the strategic deployment of assets.
- Capital Lead - EMEA, 2017-01-01, 2022-01-01, Responsible for overseeing and managing capital projects., Ensured capital expenditures align with strategic objectives.
- Project Controls Lead, 2013-01-01, 2016-01-01, Oversaw and integrated all aspects of project controls., Ensured projects were delivered on time and within budget.
Languages
English
Proficient
C2
Afrikaans
Intermediate
B1
portuguese
Proficient
C2
Key Contracts and Projects secured
Contract: Kansanshi Mine
Customer: First Quantum Mines, Open Cast, TLS
Location: Solwezi, Zambia
Contract: Mauritania Mobilisation
Customer: Tasiast Mauritanie Limited, SA
Location: Tasiast Mine, Mauritania
Contract: Ahafo North Mine
Customer: Newmont Corporation
Location: Ahafo North, Ghana
Contract: Kamoto Mine,
Customer: Kamoto Copper Company – Glencore
Location: Kolwezi, DRC
Contract: Namibia Emulsion Plant
Customer: Various customers, Spot sales
Location: Walvis Bay, Namibia
Contract: Vale Site
Customer: Rio Tinto
Location: Tete, Mozambique
Timeline
Lead Engineering & Project Manager
Orica
01.2025 - Current
Lead in Operational Training & Maintenance Systems
Orica
01.2023 - 01.2025
Africa Capital Management Lead & Project Specialist
Orica
01.2016 - 01.2023
Co-Founder and Director
Infracon Group
01.2013 - 01.2016
Vice President and Board Member
SAIBPP
01.2013 - 01.2016
Project Controls Lead
AECOM
01.2011 - 01.2013
MSc - Project Management in Construction
University of the Witwatersrand
BSc - Quantity Surveying Engineering
University of the Witwatersrand