Contracts Manager (Hydropower Project)

Job Summary

The Contracts Manager is responsible for the end-to-end administration of contracts throughout the project lifecycle. This includes procurement strategy, tendering, contract negotiation, monitoring compliance, managing claims, and ensuring that all parties fulfill their commercial and legal obligations. The goal is to mitigate risks and ensure the project is delivered within budget and legal frameworks.

Key Responsibilities

1. Contract Administration & Management

Administer various contract types (e.g., FIDIC Silver/Yellow/Red Books/JKR) for civil works, dam construction, and electro-mechanical equipment.

Manage the change control process, ensuring all variations are documented, evaluated, and approved in accordance with contract terms.

Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and milestones to ensure contractor compliance.

2. Claims & Dispute Resolution

Link "Interim Payment Certificates" (IPCs) to actual physical progress (Earned Value) rather than just time elapsed.

Identify, evaluate, and manage potential claims (Extension of Time, Cost Overruns, etc.).

Manage the progressive "close-out" of project packages to reduce the administrative burden during the commissioning and defects notification period.

Lead the defense against contractor claims or the preparation of owner claims.

Facilitate dispute resolution through Dispute Adjudication Boards (DAB), mediation, or arbitration as required.

3. Procurement & Tendering

Assist in developing the procurement strategies for large-scale hydropower components (e.g., turbines, generators, transmission lines).

Oversee the preparation of tender documents, evaluation of bids, and commercial negotiations.

Ensure transparent and competitive bidding processes in line with international or organizational standards.

4. Risk Management

Assist to Identify and Maintain a Risk Register and implement mitigation strategies of the protect.

5. Project Management

Assist in project management

Ensure all contractual milestones and "Key Dates" are directly mapped to the Project’s Baseline Schedule (Primavera P6/MS Project).

Proactively identify "Early Warning" signals of project slippage and coordinate with the Planning Engineer to assess the contractual impact of the Critical Path.

Manage the contractual "Interface Points" between different packages (e.g., ensuring the Civil contractor provides the powerhouse foundation on time for the Turbine/Generator supplier).

Evaluate the "Triple Constraint" (Scope, Time, and Cost) for every proposed technical change before formal authorisation.

Required Qualifications & Experience

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering. A degree or in Construction Law is highly desirable.

Experience: * Minimum of 3 years of experience in contract management.

Proven track record in large-scale infrastructure, specifically hydropower projects.

Ability to interpret complex engineering drawings and technical specifications.

Excellent drafting skills for formal correspondence and legal notices.

Expertise in FIDIC suite of contracts, which is the industry standard for international hydropower projects is preferable.

Work Environment

This role often involves relocation to remote project sites or frequent travel to the project location.

Must be comfortable working in a multicultural environment with international consultants and contractors.