LEAD ENGINEER: TRANSPORTATION CONTRACTS, CAPE TOWN

SUMMARY:
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POSITION INFO:

Reporting directly to the Executive Manager: Transportation-Western Cape

BACKGROUND

The successful candidate will form part of the Transportation team and lead the development and delivery of transportation construction projects, including roads and/or airport infrastructure, across South Africa and sub?Saharan Africa. The primary focus of the role is on construction-stage delivery, encompassing contractor procurement, preparation of tender and contract documentation, and the effective administration and management of contracts during construction.

While the role is principally focused on project delivery during construction, the successful candidate may also be involved in earlier project stages, such as feasibility studies and design development, to support constructability input, risk mitigation, and continuity of project delivery. In addition, the candidate may provide ad?hoc pavement design support as required to support project execution and resolve technical issues arising during construction.

The successful candidate must be a self?motivated professional capable of hitting the ground running with limited guidance, demonstrating strong commercial and technical judgment, the ability to take ownership of construction outcomes, and confidence in engaging with clients, contractors, and internal stakeholders.

SKILLS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

• BSc / BEng / BTech in Civil engineering with Professional registration as a Professional Engineer (Pr Eng) or Professional Engineering Technologist (Pr Tech Eng) with the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA).
• 8 – 10 years’ experience in the civil consulting engineering industry.
• At least 3 – 5 years’ relevant experience (after obtaining professional registration) as a Contracts Engineer on road / runway / taxiway rehabilitation and/or new surfaced roads projects.
• Clear knowledge and understanding of the function and pavement engineering principals (Rigid Pavement and Flexible Pavements), pavement failures, pavement investigations and pavement material test methods.
• Strong technical skills in civil engineering, with a focus on road/airport construction projects or similar, complex, infrastructure projects.
• Administrative and human resource management experience with excellent leadership skills.
• Extensive experience in the use of SAICE GCC and FIDIC forms of contract.
• Specific experience related to construction monitoring and contract administration of roads (gravel and surfaced) and/or airport projects or similar, complex, infrastructure projects.
• Strong technical knowledge of construction designs such as surfacing seal designs, asphalt designs, cement stabilization designs and concrete designs.
• Strong knowledge of materials behaviour related standard specifications.
• Strong knowledge of roads construction, maintenance and rehabilitation practices.
• Experience in tender processes, contract documentation, and claims handling.
• Negotiation and dispute resolution skills.
• Experience in South African construction law and contract regulations.
• Excellent report writing skills.
• Strong interpersonal, communication and presentation skills coupled with a sense of urgency and a participative management style to interact with contractors, clients, and team members.
• Computer literacy in MS Office, MS Projects, other Contract Management tools (C-COM, in-house tools, etc).
• Have a keen eye for detail, organised and work accurately under pressure.
• Ability to work on own initiative and as part of a team and meet deadlines.
• Confidence to work autonomously / independently with limited guidance.

ADVANTAGEOUS SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• 2-3 years’ experience in pavement design and pavement investigations.
• Capabilities in Pavement modelling software (Rubicon, Farr Field, etc.).
• Experience in NEC and JBCC.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to travel locally and in Africa for extended periods of time as and when required.
• Valid South African driver’s license (minimum Code B) without restrictions.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Regular liaison and reporting to the Executive Manager or other Responsible Person as per project requirements.
• Procure professional sub service providers and management thereof.
• Co-ordinate and supervise the production of site designs and reporting inputs by supporting staff.
• Work in a team to perform and assist with airfield and road pavement investigations, desktop studies and pavement analysis.
• Scheduling and coordinating laboratory and in-field investigations and testing.
• The production of ad-hoc pavement designs and design reports using relevant standards for multiple projects at any given time.
• Prepare tender documentation including detailed specifications, general conditions of contract and schedules of quantities.
• Contribute to technical innovation to improve engineering efficiency and / or design solutions.
• Attend client and technical meetings and compile minutes as and when required.
• Review of Subcontractor Tender and Quotation Documentation and tender evaluations.
• Review and finalise the Contractor’s monthly payment certificates and reporting.
• Confirm Contractor’s daily plant and equipment on site and daily production rates.
• Compilation of estimate final project costs and monthly updates.
• Project financial management and reporting.
• Contract administration during construction and close out phase of project.
• Compile and/or review close out reports.
• Review as-built data and drawings.
• Dealing with contractual claims and disputes.
• Client liaison, including meetings and reporting.
• Manage the technical outputs of direct reports.
• Management and supervision of direct reports.
• Mentor graduate engineers, technologists and technicians.
• Maintain regular and continued professional development through on the job training, in-house courses, seminars or outsourced specialist training.
• Participate in professional organizations for marketing, industry recognition and networking.
• Keep abreast with technology development and research in the field of construction materials, mix designs, seal designs and construction methodology.
• Compliance with and managing direct reports compliance with the company’s Quality Management System (ISO9001:2015) Business Management System (BMS) and the Project Management Online Guide (PMOG).