Contract Administrator

SYSTRA is one of the world’s leading engineering and consultancy groups specialising in public transport and sustainable mobility. With over 10,300 employees, SYSTRA’s mission is to design safe and sustainable transport solutions to bring people together, develop social inclusion and facilitate access to employment, education and leisure throughout the world.

For 65 years, the Group has been working alongside cities and regions to contribute to their development by creating, improving and modernising their infrastructure and transport systems, throughout the life cycle of their projects. SYSTRA is involved from the earliest stages of design through to the testing, deployment and maintenance phases. The company provides all its services in over 80 countries worldwide and generates 74% of its turnover internationally. With its new services, SYSTRA supports its clients and partners in their digital, ecological and energy transition, in order to invent the mobility of tomorrow.

This major rail project requires a senior level professional with a successful track record of construction contract negotiations and claim management.  Under the direction of the Package Manager (and working alongside the other Contract Administrators), the main duties will include managing and overseeing; reviewing and recommending revisions to and approving all required contractual documentation; review contractual terms and conditions for compliance with prescribed procurement requirements; conducting fee negotiations and drafting and revising policies and operating guidelines as necessary.  The chosen candidate will have proven experience and achievement in the contractual aspects of large complex projects. You will also have evidence of successful negotiations of substantial claims and variations.

• Play a leading and pivotal role in supporting the project executives, leaders and project managers in monitoring and controlling the performance of contracted services to ensure services are effective, meet statutory requirements and deliver the desired outcomes.
• Coordinating on all matters concerning contract administration, claims, disputes, contract interpretation and cost analysis
• Developing, implementing and managing systems and procedures for the monitoring of external and internal contracts to ensure that contractual compliance issues are resolved timely & effectively.
• Recommending on construction contract procurement and types of underlying contracts and agreements.
• Driving continuous improvement of commercial processes through refining contract formulation activities, systems and procedures.
• Identifying potential claims, checking for compliance with applicable contractual terms and ensuring effective negotiation and settlement of claims
• Preparing claims to negotiate with contractors, including the calculation of losses incurred through defaults on contractual obligations. Formulating suggestions to remedy failure to meet contractual obligations.
• Financial budget supervision and ensuring the cost-effectiveness and value for money of contracts are other key tasks
• Taking responsibility for all financial contract management activities including the reviewing and the approving of payment certificates, invoicing from subcontractors and to the client
• Co-managing a team of experienced Contract Administration staff.

• Technical / engineering related university degree
• Minimum Ten (10) years’ experience in the required field of expertise in Conventional Railway Project
• Experience in managing quantity surveying team dealing with major contractual disputes
• Experience either with a contractor at a management level or with an engineering consultant or claims consultancy providing consultancy advice on contracts, procurement and disputes as well as expert witness work
• Demonstrable track record in all stages of the project life cycle from contractual frameworks to cost estimation to site management, cost management through to contract administration and disputes
• FIDIC contract knowledge (or equivalent)
• Experience of developing successful relationships at a senior level
• Strong written and verbal English communication and inter-personal skills
• Ability to critique and challenge objectively and with confidence and guide staff
• Excellent interpersonal skills and a working knowledge of PC software packages typically associated with contract administration
• GCC project experience

Systra is an equal opportunities company; this position is open to all applicants.