Contracts Manager

AMEA Power; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

AMEA Power is seeking a Contracts Manager to lead drafting, negotiation and administration of project contracts through Development, Delivery, and Operations stages in Johannesburg, South Africa. The role requires coordinating with Development, Procurement, Legal and Delivery teams to ensure back-to-back commercial obligations across EPC, LTSA and O&M arrangements.

You will review and negotiate complex agreements, manage change control, notices and claims, and provide input to progress reports,

Qualifications

• Experience in drafting, negotiating and administering project contracts.
• Knowledge of EPC, LTSA, O&M contracts and related procurement processes.
• Familiarity with international financing and PPA/CTA considerations.

Responsibilities

• Review, draft and negotiate project agreements including EPC, LTSA, O&M and related contracts.
• Manage the full contract lifecycle from procurement to close-out and archiving.
• Handle contractual change control, notices, claims and risk mitigation.
• Support cross-functional teams in RFIs, RFQs and tender clarifications.
• Review financing documents and ensure back-to-back consistency across EPC, LTSA and O&M.
• Maintain contract templates and ensure policy compliance.
• Advise on rights, obligations and procedural requirements under project agreements.
• Coordinate with regional teams to align contractual positions.

Skills

Contract management

Project management

Risk analysis

MS Office

Contract law

Negotiation

Communication

English proficiency

Education

BCom, LLB, Quantity Surveyor, BSc, B.Eng, BEng Tech, B.Tech or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Word

Outlook

Job description

Contracts Manager – Johannesburg, South Africa

Position Contracts Manager

Reporting to Associate Director – Construction, Delivery & Execution Location Johannesburg, South Africa

Position Purpose

The Contracts Manager (CM) will be responsible for drafting, negotiating, structuring, interpreting, executing, and/or administering project contractual documents from inception during Development stage through completion in Delivery, including the defects liability period and the Operation and Maintenance stage.

Responsibilities

• Review, draft and negotiate project agreements, including onshore/offshore EPC Contracts, Umbrella Agreements, LTSAs, O&M agreements, supply, Owner’s Engineer, Independent Engineer and consultancy agreements, together with amendments, direct agreements, confidentiality agreements and settlements.
• Manage the complete contract lifecycle, including procurement and tendering, negotiation, internal approvals, execution, post-award administration, project close-out and contractual handover.
• Manage contractual change control and project correspondence, including the preparation, review and timely issuance of contractual notices, instructions, claims responses and reservations of rights
• Support the Development and Procurement teams in preparing, evaluating and negotiating RFIs, RFQs, RFPs, tender clarifications, Employer’s Requirements, contract schedules and commercial qualifications, in accordance with applicable procurement procedures.
• Support the Development and Legal teams in reviewing PPAs, implementation and grid-connection agreements and financing documents (including CTAs), and ensure relevant obligations are appropriately reflected on a back-to-back basis in EPC, LTSA and O&M arrangements.
• Maintain and apply approved contract templates, contractual risk allocation, order-of-precedence provisions, internal contracting policies and agreed negotiation positions; identify deviations and escalated material legal and contractual risks.
• Prepare and coordinate contract documents and schedules for management approval, lender review, signature, controlled issue and archiving; maintain accurate redlines, execution versions and contract data rooms, and support compliance with applicable policies and laws.
• Interpret the rights, obligations, remedies, notices and procedural requirements under project agreements and advise Project Managers and delivery teams.
• Translates complex commercial/legal scenarios into simple language and action plans.
• Identify emerging delivery, technical interface and contractual risks; propose and track mitigation measures with the Project Manager, construction and engineering teams.
• Provide contractual input to project progress reports, management dashboards, lender updates, risk registers and internal governance meetings.
• Guide Project Managers, Site Managers and engineering, commercial and HSSE teams on contract administration, notice requirements, evidence preservation and the contractual implications of project decisions.
• Assess proposed additional works, variations and contractor claims, including entitlement, pricing, programme impacts, approvals and settlement options; ensure changes are documented and duly authorised before implementation.
• Participate in project close-out and lessons-learned reviews, including contractor performance, outstanding claims, warranties, final accounts and the completion of contractual deliverables.
• Coordinate routinely with the South African Construction Delivery team and the Group Contracts function in Dubai to ensure consistent contractual positions, reporting, approvals and timely escalation.

Person Specification

Experience Requirements

• Minimum 5 years’ experience as a contracts coordinator/ manager within the construction industry especially (with renewable energy Independent Power Producers (IPP) an advantage).
• Strong understanding of contract law and the full contracting process, including bespoke EPC arrangements, FIDIC and/or NEC forms, claims procedures, contractual notices and dispute-resolution mechanisms.
• Experience with internationally financed projects, including development finance institutions (such as IFC), lender requirements, direct agreements and financing-related contractual obligations, would be advantageous.
• Good understanding and technical knowledge of the construction industry, including the ability to interpret drawings and understand the construction process.
• Ability to review construction programmes, progress updates, critical-path analysis and EOT substantiation and to challenge assumptions with planning and engineering teams.
• Demonstrable track record of administering variations, contractor claims, EOTs, liquidated damages, contractual notices, securities and negotiated settlements.
• A good knowledge and understanding of the latest Health & Safety legislation and construction regulations.
• Good math’s and IT skills are essential and a good working knowledge of Microsoft Excel, Word and Outlook.
• Familiarity with the South African renewable-energy IPP environment and relevant procurement, localisation and grid-interface requirements would be advantageous

Education Requirements

• BCom, LLB, Quantity Surveyor, BSc, B.Eng, BEng Tech, B.Tech or equivalent in Civil, Electrical, Mechanical experience.

Required Role Related/Technical Skills

• Quantitative and Qualitative analysis
• Contract management
• Project Management
• Risk Analysis
• MS Office Suite

Interpersonal Skills

• Willingness to learn the whole project life cycle of renewable energy projects.
• Resilience under pressure.
• Stakeholder management.
• Good attitude.
• Work as a team member and have initiative and enthusiasm.