Contracts Specialist - Tendering and Contract Administration

ADNOC Abu Dhabi UAE; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 441,000 - 698,000; Full time

Job summary

ADNOC Group is seeking an experienced Contracts Specialist to manage high‑value tenders and contracts in Abu Dhabi. The role focuses on developing contracting strategies, preparing tender documentation, and coordinating bid evaluations across Finance, Legal and end users.

The successful candidate will guide commercial negotiations, ensure compliance with company procedures, and support contract administration from award through closeout in an on‑site, full‑time capacity.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering (any discipline).
• Minimum 8 years in contract development and administration in oil & gas.
• Experience with tender evaluation, contract award and administration processes.
• FRICS membership preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop contracting strategies and tender planning.
• Prepare complete tender packages and evaluation criteria.
• Conduct technical and commercial evaluations of tenders.
• Prepare Letters of Award and oversee contract administration.
• Monitor contract variations, extensions and closeout.

Skills

Contract development

Contract administration

Tender planning

Commercial evaluation

Contract negotiation

Stakeholder coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree (Engineering)

Tools

SAP

Job description

Job Snapshot

Role: Contracts Specialist - Tendering and Contract Administration - Location: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - Industry: Oil and Energy - Function: Contracts Administration - Experience: Minimum 8 years in contract development and administration within the oil and gas industry - Job Type: Full Time - Work Arrangement: On-site

Position Overview

ADNOC Group is seeking an experienced Contracts Specialist to manage complex, high-value contracts and support centralized contracting activities for works and services in Abu Dhabi. The position is responsible for developing contracting strategies, preparing tender documentation, coordinating bid evaluations, supporting commercial negotiations and ensuring the accurate preparation and execution of contractual agreements. Working closely with end users, Finance, Legal and relevant management stakeholders, the successful candidate will provide contractual and commercial guidance throughout the procurement and contracting lifecycle. The role also involves reviewing contract variations and claims, monitoring contractual commitments and supporting contract administration through completion and closeout. The position requires strong technical knowledge of tendering procedures, contract documentation, commercial evaluation, regulatory compliance and dispute resolution within the oil and gas sector.

Job Details

• Country: United Arab Emirates
• City: Abu Dhabi
• Industry: Oil and Energy
• Function: Contracts Administration
• Salary: Not disclosed
• Gender: No Preference
• Candidate Nationality: Not specified
• Job Type: Full Time
• Work Arrangement: On-site

Key Accountabilities

Contracting Strategy and Tender Planning

• Develop contracting activity plans for individual tenders in accordance with ADNOC 's operational and commercial requirements.
• Review proposed contracting strategies, tendering procedures and methods of reimbursement.
• Prepare initial bidder shortlists based on relevant contracting requirements.
• Recommend appropriate contractor qualification and bid evaluation criteria.
• Develop tendering approaches that support cost-effective, timely and efficient contract award processes.
• Coordinate with end users to establish clear technical, commercial and contractual requirements.
• Ensure contracting strategies and tender documentation comply with approved company procedures.

Tender Documentation and Preparation

• Coordinate the preparation of complete and accurate tender packages covering technical, contractual, commercial, financial and legal requirements.
• Verify that relevant qualification and evaluation criteria have been approved and included in invitations to tender.
• Review tender documents to ensure consistency with approved scopes of work and contractual requirements.
• Consult Finance and Legal personnel on the development and application of standard contract forms.
• Coordinate approval of proposed deviations from standard contractual terms and conditions.
• Prepare the required documentation for opening priced and unpriced bids in accordance with company procedures.
• Participate in bid opening activities within the applicable Delegation of Authority.
• Maintain fairness, transparency and strict confidentiality throughout the bidding process.

Bid Evaluation and Commercial Negotiations

• Conduct and review technical and commercial evaluations of tender submissions.
• Assess contractor proposals against approved evaluation criteria and contractual requirements.
• Prepare recommended contractor shortlists with supporting commercial and technical justifications.
• Submit evaluation recommendations and supporting documentation for management approval.
• Prepare negotiation documentation and participate in commercial discussions with bidders when required.
• Coordinate with end users and relevant stakeholders to resolve technical and contractual clarifications.
• Ensure tender evaluations and negotiations follow established company procedures and approval requirements.

Contract Award and Letter of Award Administration

• Prepare Letters of Award (LOAs) using approved correspondence templates.
• Register approved contracts in SAP to obtain the relevant contract number.
• Following receipt of award approval, coordinate submission of LOAs for signature by the authorized ADNOC signatory.
• Arrange for contractors to collect issued LOAs and confirm receipt.
• Review the contractor 's returned signed LOA to verify correct execution.
• Prepare and endorse standard correspondence for distribution of the executed LOA to the end user and Finance.
• Submit relevant correspondence to the Contracts Division Manager (CDM) for review and issuance.
• Ensure contract award activities comply with the applicable Delegation of Authority.

Final Contract Documentation and Execution

• Prepare final contract documents in coordination with end users where necessary.
• Consolidate tender bulletins, bidders ' technical submissions and responses to tender clarifications into the original Request for Tender (RFT) documentation.
• Apply Contracts Division checklist requirements when compiling contract documents.
• Submit completed contract documentation to the CDM for review and checking.
• Review and endorse correspondence forwarding final contract documents to the End User Unit Manager for concurrence.
• Evaluate comments received from the End User Unit Manager and incorporate changes where technically correct or contractually acceptable.
• Arrange preparation of two original contract documents following the required review process.
• Perform page checks and initial each page of both original contracts.
• Review and endorse correspondence issuing contract documents to the contractor for signature.
• Coordinate issuance through the CDM where the award has already been confirmed by an LOA.
• Where no prior LOA has confirmed the award, ensure the contract issuance letter is signed by the appropriate ADNOC delegated signatory.

Contract Signature and Distribution

• Review the two original contract documents returned by the contractor against the Contracts Division checklist.
• Verify that the contractor has correctly executed the contractual documents.
• Arrange internal circulation of the documents for ADNOC signature in accordance with the Delegation of Authority.
• Prepare and endorse correspondence issuing one fully signed original contract to the contractor.
• Coordinate CDM review and issuance of the relevant correspondence.
• Obtain confirmation that the contractor has received the executed contract.
• Prepare and endorse regret letters notifying unsuccessful bidders of the conclusion of the tender process.
• Maintain appropriate records of contract execution and related correspondence.

Contract Handover and Administration Support

• Prepare the Contracts Division checklist of matters requiring attention before the contract kick‑off meeting.
• Coordinate with the end user 's Contracts Administrator to identify outstanding contractual and administrative requirements.
• Document matters that the Contracts Administrator must address with the appointed contractor during the kick‑off meeting.
• Keep the Contracts Division Manager and Contracts Division Vice President (CDVP) informed of scheduled kick‑off meetings where their attendance may be required.
• Provide contractual guidance to end users during contract administration.
• Advise on contract interpretation, applicable procedures, contractual obligations and closeout requirements.
• Support effective coordination between contracting functions and contract administration teams.

Contract Variations and Claims Management

• Review contract variation requests and contractor claims in accordance with relevant contractual provisions.
• Evaluate claims against applicable contract clauses, obligations and supporting documentation.
• Prepare commercial assessments and recommendations for claim settlement.
• Receive end-user contract requests allocated by the CDM for evaluation of ADNOC-initiated variations or contractor-submitted claims.
• Obtain end-user concurrence on the technical elements of proposed variations.
• Verify that an approved budget is available for relevant contractual changes.
• Secure the required management approvals before formalizing variations.
• Coordinate with contractors and relevant internal stakeholders to complete approved contractual amendments.
• Maintain follow-up on variations and claims until the relevant matters are resolved.

Contract Monitoring, Extensions and Closeout

• Monitor contract duration, key milestones and contractual expiry dates.
• Notify the end user 's Contracts Administrator of upcoming deadlines and requirements for exercising optional contract years.
• Coordinate reminders concerning proposed contract extensions and associated approval requirements.
• Monitor contract completion requirements and support the timely issuance of completion certificates.
• Review contract completion arrangements, including confirmation of applicable liquidated damages provisions.
• Support the resolution of outstanding contractual and administrative matters before closeout.
• Maintain accurate contract documentation and follow-up records until completion of the contract file.
• Provide end users with contract management and closeout advisory support as required.

Contractual Compliance and Risk Management

• Ensure assigned contracting activities comply with ADNOC policies, procedures and Delegation of Authority requirements.
• Apply relevant contractual, commercial and legal guidelines during tendering and contract administration.
• Identify contractual risks and potential disputes requiring further review.
• Coordinate with Legal and Finance personnel when contractual deviations or commercial issues require specialist input.
• Promote consistent application of approved contract terms and conditions.
• Support conflict avoidance through clear documentation, appropriate contract interpretation and timely stakeholder coordination.
• Maintain confidentiality of commercial information and tender documentation.

Qualifications and Experience

Minimum Education

• Bachelor 's degree in any Engineering discipline.

Professional Experience

• Minimum 8 years of varied experience in contract development and administration functions within the oil and gas industry.
• Practical experience developing, reviewing and finalizing contracts and tender documentation.
• Experience with tender evaluation, contract award and contract administration processes.
• Knowledge of contractual requirements, commercial negotiations and contract closeout activities.

Technical Knowledge and Skills

Contract Development and Tendering

• Strong technical understanding of contract preparation, review and finalization.
• Knowledge of tender planning, contracting strategies and procurement procedures.
• Ability to prepare and review technical, commercial and contractual tender documentation.
• Understanding of contractor qualification and bid evaluation requirements.
• Ability to assess technical and commercial proposals and prepare recommendations for management approval.
• Familiarity with contract award procedures and Delegation of Authority requirements.

Contract Administration and Documentation

• Knowledge of contract execution procedures and supporting documentation requirements.
• Ability to prepare Letters of Award, contractual correspondence and final agreement documents.
• Understanding of contract amendments, extensions, completion requirements and closeout processes.
• Ability to maintain accurate contractual records and follow established documentation checklists.
• Familiarity with SAP contract registration and administration activities.

Commercial and Legal Knowledge

• Good understanding of relevant regulations, contractual controls and legal guidelines.
• Knowledge of standard contract terms and conditions.
• Ability to evaluate contractual deviations and identify matters requiring Legal or Finance review.
• Understanding of commercial risk, contractual obligations and approval requirements.
• Good knowledge of conflict avoidance and contract dispute resolution.
• Ability to assess contractor claims and proposed variations against contractual provisions.

Professional Competencies

• Strong analytical and commercial evaluation skills.
• Effective contract negotiation and stakeholder coordination.
• Attention to accuracy and completeness in contractual documentation.
• Ability to manage complex and high-value contracting activities.
• Sound judgment when interpreting contractual requirements and evaluating commercial issues.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to meet contracting deadlines.
• Effective written communication and preparation of professional contractual correspondence.
• Ability to work with multidisciplinary technical, financial and legal stakeholders.
• Commitment to confidentiality, fairness and procedural compliance.

Professional Certifications

• Full Membership of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (FRICS) is preferred.

Additional Position Information

• Budget Responsibility: As per approved financial budget
• Direct Reports: As per organization chart
• Indirect Reports: As per organization chart

The Contracts Specialist supports ADNOC Group 's contracting requirements through structured tender planning, thorough commercial evaluation and effective contract administration. The position requires extensive experience in oil and gas contracting, sound contractual judgment and the ability to coordinate complex agreements from initial tender development through award, execution, administration and final closeout.