Regional Contracts Manager - Africa in England

The successful candidate will be responsible for delivering major water supply schemes within budget and ensuring the projects' timely completion to the satisfaction of both the Client and Biwater. These projects will be located in West and East Africa, requiring frequent travel within the region. The projects involve the construction of water and wastewater treatment plants, pumping stations, pipelines, and reservoirs. Each project is valued at over $100 million and is fully financed, supported by sovereign guarantees. The candidate will be based at Biwater’s head office in Dorking, Surrey, UK, and must be able to travel internationally and work closely with overseas colleagues, providing project and engineering expertise. The role also involves overseeing project controls critical to safeguarding the company’s interests.

Qualifications and experience

• Qualification in Civil Engineering or Quantity Surveying.
• Preferably 10+ years of construction experience in a similar role within the Water Industry, including expertise in international contract management, cost control, and profit maximisation.
• An understanding of Water and Wastewater design and associated infrastructure to coordinate design activities undertaken by others.
• Thorough understanding of FIDIC, Yellow Book, and ‘Design & Construct’ contracts, with a specific focus on water and wastewater treatment plants, pumping stations, pipelines, and reservoirs.
• Proven experience in delivering major infrastructure projects in the Africa region.
• A competent fluency level in French.

Duties and responsibilities

• Coordinate and oversee all activities related to assigned projects, providing comprehensive, accurate, and timely project reports to the Board of Directors and Management.
• Work collaboratively with local construction management to ensure on-site activities progress in a timely and cost-effective manner in accordance with specifications.
• Address all health, safety, environmental, and quality assurance issues in compliance with company policy and country statutes.
• Liaise with Country Management to ensure necessary support functions are available as agreed with the project construction management team.
• Provide clear and thoughtful leadership to ensure maximum contribution from all project stakeholders, fostering a collaborative working environment.
• Ensure compliance with Biwater policies and the laws of the country of operation, particularly regarding environmental, social health and safety, and quality assurance.
• Oversee design engineering, procurement, and shipping to ensure activities progress in a timely and cost-effective manner.
• Establish a clear understanding of the work scope and client requests, building sound working relationships with the client’s senior personnel.
• Manage and oversee reporting staff.
• Coordinate and control project requirements from all Biwater departments, including design, procurement, material movement, accounts, and outside consultants.
• Issue cost forecasts and control expenditure to maximise project profit and cash flow.
• Ensure timely issuance of invoices and receipt of all project payments.
• Establish, review, and update the Primavera P6 project programme with the planner.
• Identify changes to the project scope, raising and agreeing on profitable change orders before ensuring satisfactory execution.
• Ensure timely issue of management reports on progress and costing.
• Review and accept the project budget and prepare and issue regular costs into the Biwater Causeway accounting system.
• Manage and conduct all negotiations with the Client’s inspection agencies to maximise financial returns.
• Approve all project cost expenditures and ensure necessary approvals are obtained.
• Resolve all project problems in the most effective manner.
• Ensure completion of all project requirements, including documentation, manuals, and O&M support.
• After handover, manage the defects liability period, ensuring timely issuance of the performance certificate and bond release.
• Maintain and update project procedures, ensuring adequate training of subordinate staff.
• Provide relevant actual information for estimating and proposals for future project development.
• Ensure compliance with the reporting requirements outlined in the Environmental, Social, and Impact Assessment Construction Management Plans.
• Manage project labour/workforce in collaboration with the HR Manager.
• Ensure completion of hazard and risk assessments.
• Ensure that all supply chains, including subcontractors, are informed of and adhere to relevant policies.
• Approve works instructions, methods, and procedures.
• Develop and maintain an Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan.
• Produce and sign off on monthly Project Reports for submission to the Client, UKEF, and Project Lenders and Banks.

Person specification

• Relevant experience in the engineering or construction industries, particularly in water-related disciplines, with a focus on overseas projects.
• Experience working on large international water and/or wastewater projects.
• Commercially aware and proven experience as a Contracts Manager.
• Advanced understanding of the challenges and risks associated with project execution in developing countries.
• Strong commercial skills and knowledge of contracting methods, contract administration, and contract forms.
• Previous experience with FIDIC contract documents is essential.
• Experience with Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) project control.
• Ability to determine the 'cause and effect' of delays and assess their impact on contractor performance.
• Ability to communicate complex technical and commercial issues clearly with clients and contractors.
• Minimum of 10 years’ experience in a similar position.
• Proven negotiating skills.
• Able to foster and work in a collaborative environment.

Skills

• Excellent leadership skills, with the ability to motivate and evaluate team members effectively.
• A strong team player with a positive, service-oriented attitude.
• Tenacious, inquisitive, and unafraid to challenge the status quo.
• Enthusiastic self-starter and high achiever, committed to team success.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Exceptional problem-solving abilities.
• Effective communicator at all levels.
• Proven ability to build and maintain relationships.
• Good understanding of budgeting and reporting.
• Computer literate with skills in MS Office, Primavera, and enterprise content management software.

Internal business processes

• Strive for continuous improvement in the accuracy of information.
• Adhere to company procedures.
• Assist in updating company procedures and processes as necessary.
• Adhere to the company’s anti-bribery and corruption policies and procedures.

Health safety and environment

• Monitor and enforce the latest health and safety procedures, regulations, and legislation.
• Ensure the project is proactive in addressing all environmental concerns.
• Actively minimise waste from all department activities and maintain a safe working environment for all staff.

Working condition

• The role is based at Biwater’s head office in Dorking, Surrey, with travel as necessary in the UK and overseas.

Benefits

• A competitive salary with a comprehensive benefits package.