Senior Project Leader - Infrastructure & Procurement

SMEC (an SJ Group company); Samoa (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

SMEC, part of the SJ Group, seeks a Team Leader to serve as the overall implementation lead within the Project Management Consultant team, coordinating and delivering all project components, institutional strengthening, safeguards, and procurement. The role demands deep technical knowledge, high‑level leadership, and strong communication skills in diverse settings.

It requires extensive experience with IFI-funded projects, outstanding governance and integrity, and the ability to mentor teams

Qualifications

• Master's degree or higher in civil engineering, water resources, hydropower, infrastructure project management, or a related discipline.
• Professional engineer registration with an internationally recognized body; IPES registration is mandatory by Samoan law.
• At least 20 years of progressively responsible experience in infrastructure project development and implementation.
• Minimum 12 years in senior roles overseeing procurement, contract administration, and construction supervision for complex infrastructure projects (dam, road, energy).
• Experience delivering high-value infrastructure projects (USD 0-100 million and above) in developing or remote island contexts.
• Experience supervising multidisciplinary consultant teams and managing international contractors under FIDIC-based contracts (Yellow Book/Design-Build).
• Has worked on at least 2 large dam projects in the last 20 years.
• Good leadership, governance, integrity, and sensitivity to local language, culture and context.
• Extensive Pacific-region experience; ability to work with governments and donors; mentoring capability.
• Extensive experience with IFI-funded projects (ADB, World Bank) including procurement, safeguards, financial management and reporting.

Responsibilities

• Lead coordination, oversight, and delivery of all components of the project, institutional strengthening, safeguards implementation, and procurement.

Skills

Leadership

Procurement management

Contract administration

Construction supervision

International contractor management

FIDIC contracts

Donor compliance

Stakeholder engagement

Mentoring

Leadership in Pacific regions

Education

Master's degree or higher in civil engineering or related field

Chartered or Professional Engineer registration

IPES registration in Samoa (mandatory)

Job description

SMEC, part of the SJ Group, seeks a Team Leader to serve as the overall implementation lead within the Project Management Consultant team, coordinating and delivering all project components, institutional strengthening, safeguards, and procurement. The role demands deep technical knowledge, high‑level leadership, and strong communication skills in diverse settings.

It requires extensive experience with IFI-funded projects, outstanding governance and integrity, and the ability to mentor teams