Phase 01
Listen and Understand
We begin by building a clear, shared picture of where the organisation is, what it needs, and what is getting in the way. We use structured analysis and good questions — not assumptions.
About Development@Work
Since 2000, we have worked alongside public institutions and organisations whose work matters — helping them think clearly, plan well, and build the capacity to deliver on what they set out to do.
We partner with government departments, economic regulators, universities, and development agencies across South Africa and Africa to build institutional capacity, navigate complex change, and deliver measurable impact. This work sits at the intersection of policy, institutional design, and practical implementation.
Our work combines strategic foresight, institutional insight, and practical implementation to support organisations create meaningful public value.
Our work is oriented toward creating public value through sound strategy, strengthened institutional capabilities, and effective implementation. We believe that when these foundations are consistently in place, they become the conditions from which public good is generated.
Development@Work is led by Mark Burke, whose experience spans more than 25 years of strategic advisory and development work across South Africa and the wider continent. He leads each engagement in close collaboration with a trusted network of specialist associates and partners, assembling the right people and expertise for each organisation's specific situation.
2000
Established
25+
Years Active
60+
Assignments
12+
Countries
Our Principles
01
Purpose before prescription — we orientate every engagement around the public value an organisation exists to create.
02
Insight from within — the most durable solutions are built on a deep understanding of how an organisation actually works.
03
Capability, not dependency — our measure of success is not the quality of our advice, but the degree to which an organisation leaves an engagement more capable of delivering on its mandate than when we arrived.
04
Implementation as the test of strategy — ideas and frameworks only generate public good when they are translated into practice.
A transformed South African society where citizens and communities have equitable access to development opportunities.
To enable a public sector capable of leading the transformation of South African society through effective institutions, innovative organisations, relevant programmes, and quality services.
We work alongside the organisations we support as genuine partners. Every engagement follows three connected steps.
More than 25 years of working inside public institutions means we understand how they think, what they value, and what it actually takes to make change happen in these environments.
Our experience spans digital transformation, regulation, higher education, and economic development. We are well placed to help organisations whose work cuts across more than one of these areas — which is often where the hardest challenges live.
We do not just produce plans and leave. We help organisations build the structures, capabilities, and habits needed to follow through — so that strategy moves from paper into practice.
Mark Burke leads every engagement, supported by a trusted network of specialists and partners. We bring the right people for each situation — no unnecessary layers, no generic teams.
Our Principles
Value is created by doing what matters — not what generates the most revenue.
The best solutions come from inside the organisation, not from outside it.
Our role is to help — not to tell. We facilitate, advise, and support; we do not prescribe.
Strategy only works when it is deeply rooted in how an organisation actually operates — not imposed from the outside.
Whether you have a clear brief or are still working out what kind of support would help most — we are happy to have that conversation.