Vacant Post – Contracts Specialist

SARAO; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Job summary

SARAO in Cape Town seeks an experienced Contracts Manager to draft, review, and negotiate procurement and service agreements, ensuring compliance with NRF policies and legal requirements. You will lead the full contract lifecycle and coordinate with legal, SCM, and finance teams.

The role requires a BTech in built environment/engineering or construction law and relevant contract certifications, with travel within South Africa and internationally.

Qualifications

• 6+ years in contract documentation and administration for large infrastructure, engineering, or construction projects.
• Knowledge of design, built, engineering and construction contract suites (FIDIC/NEC/GCC).
• Excellent technical writing and fluent English communication.

Responsibilities

• Draft, review, and negotiate procurement and service agreements.
• Collaborate with legal, procurement, and finance to align contracts with policies and objectives.
• Facilitate negotiations to clarify obligations and rights for all parties.

Skills

Contract negotiation

Change management

Risk management

Stakeholder management

Legal/regulatory knowledge

Education

BTech degree in built environment/engineering and/or construction law

FIDIC/NEC/GCC certification (advantageous)

Tools

MS Office Suite

Google Workspace

Confluence

JIRA

Job description

Contract type: Permanent
Job Level: Management
Work Location: Cape Town, Western Cape
Closing Date: 04 November 2026

The National Research Foundation (NRF) supports and promotes research and human capital development through funding, the provision of National Research Facilities and science outreach platforms and programmes to the broader community in all fields of science and technology, including natural sciences, engineering, social sciences and humanities.

The South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO) spearheads South Africa’s activities in the Square Kilometre Array Radio Telescope, commonly known as the SKA, in engineering, science and construction. SARAO is a National Facility managed by the National Research Foundation and incorporates radio astronomy instruments and programmes such as the MeerKAT telescope in the Karoo, the Hartebeesthoek Radio Astronomy Observatory (HartRAO) in Gauteng, the African Very Long Baseline Interferometry (AVN) programme in nine African countries as well as the associated human capital development and commercialisation endeavours.

The main purpose of this role is to ensure that contract strategies, tenders, contracts, and specific contract change management procedures fully comply with the organization’s legal requirements, policies, and procedures. This includes implementing risk mitigation measures and securing the best possible terms for the organization. The incumbent is responsible for drafting, negotiating, and managing contracts with vendors, contractors, clients, and partners. This includes the contractual management and administration of the principal contract in accordance with organizational policies, procedures, and specific contract requirements. The incumbent will support the project manager and work closely with other support departments such as SCM, legal, and finance.

Key Responsibilities

• Draft, review, and negotiate a variety of contracts, including procurement and service agreements.
• Collaborate with legal, procurement, and finance teams to develop and revise contracts, ensuring they align with organizational policies and objectives.
• Facilitate negotiations, ensuring all parties understand their obligations and rights.
• Ensure all contracts comply with legal regulations and organizational policies.
• Monitor contract timelines and deliverables, identify and mitigate potential risks, and maintain up-to-date knowledge of relevant laws and regulations.
• Manage the entire contract lifecycle, from strategy planning to execution and closeout.
• Maintain accurate records of contracts, evaluate claims, and lead dispute resolution processes.
• Notify stakeholders of claims or potential disputes and assist in compiling necessary information to defend the organization’s position.
• Collaborate with project managers to respond to queries from contractors and suppliers.
• Handle internal reporting of all commercial and contractual issues, oversee construction contract documentation, and track contract performance and compliance.
• Provide guidance and training on best practices for contract drafting, negotiation, and management.
• Develop and implement training programs to enhance contract law, compliance, and risk management skills.
• Advise senior management on contractual strategies and potential risks.

Key Requirements

Qualification

• BTech degree in the built environment/engineering and/or construction law
• Certification in design, built, engineering, and construction contract suites such as FIDIC, NEC, and GCC (advantageous)

Experience

• 6+ years’ experience in contract and agreement documentation preparation, management and administration in large infrastructure, engineering, research & development and/or construction projects
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in all aspects of contract administration and management within a large-scale and multidisciplinary project
• Experience in determining specific contract change management processes, handling claims, and resolving disputes
• Extensive knowledge of design, built, engineering and construction contract suites such as FIDIC, NEC, and GCC
• Excellent PC skills (MS Office Suite, Google Workspace, Confluence, JIRA)

Knowledge

• Experience in negotiating commercial terms with suppliers
• A Project Management Office environment, EPC or EPCM
• Knowledge and experience of project management principles/standards
• Ability to understand and analyse details of non-contractual matters such as engineering, cost control, planning, and construction to provide relevant contractual support
• Project Management theory, principles, standards and best practice
• Public Finance Management Act
• Maintaining up-to-date knowledge of statutory procedures and technical standards.
• Cost/Schedule Integration
• Risk assessment

Additional Notes: Skills/Ability/Competencies

• Excellent communication – both verbal and written, in English
• Good analytical and planning skills
• Efficiency in a high-pressure environment
• Proactive
• Excellent technical writing skills, with good communication and time management skills
• Problem-solving
• Ability to integrate and cooperate with engineering and non-engineering disciplines.
• Willingness to work outside normal hours
• No constraints on ability to travel within South Africa and Internationally

Information

The website www.nrf.ac.za provides more details on the NRF initiatives and activities.

Closing Date

04 November 2026

The NRF offers a challenging career and competitive remuneration package which is commensurate with qualifications and experience.

The NRF is committed to employment equity and redress and the appointment to the position will be made in line with the NRF Employment Equity Plan.

The NRF reserves the right not to make an appointment.

Correspondence will be sent to short-listed candidates only