Contracts Engineer at The West African Power Pool (WAPP)

Project Background

• The West African Power Pool (WAPP) is a specialized institution of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). It brings together 14 countries of the regional economic community.
• WAPP is made up of public and private companies involved in the production, transmission and distribution of electrical energy in West Africa.
• The 330 kV North Core project consists of the construction of a 330 kV transmission line over a length of approximately 875 km between Birnin-Kebbi in Nigeria and Ouagadougou in Burkina Faso, passing through the Niamey region in Niger.
• The project also links Benin, in the Malanville region, through Niger. The project is co-financed by the World Bank, the African Development Bank, the Agence Française de Développement, the European Union and the Government of Nigeria.
• Given the regional dimension of the project, and in order to improve its coordination, the Energy Ministers of the North Core countries have agreed to set up an institutional framework that provides for the creation of a Project Management Unit (PMU) to assist, among other things, in the development and physical implementation of the project.
• The PMU consists of a central unit based in Abuja, Nigeria and will also have local offices in each of the countries involved in the Project.
• The Project PMU (Central Unit and Country Offices) is supported by a Consultant Engineer recruited mainly to ensure the supervision of construction works undertaken by the Contractors.

Job Description

• Reporting to the Country Coordinator, the Contracts Engineer will be responsible for monitoring the implementation of contractual obligations by the Companies awarded construction contracts in the country of his/her jurisdiction.
• He/she will also have a functional relationship with the Senior Technical Coordinator of the central PMU.

Duties and Responsibilities
Key responsibilities of the Contracts Engineer include the following:

• Put in place and ensure the effective management of quality and progress monitoring systems with respect to the contractual aspects of the project being undertaken in the country and provide periodic or comprehensive reports on deviations and trends identified;
• Ensure that all personnel deployed to construction sites in the country are familiar with the terms of the contracts being executed on behalf of the Project;
• Ensure that companies awarded with contracts adhere to both the technical and legal terms of their contracts;
• identify risks that could affect the normal progress of work or impact contracts and propose mitigation measures during implementation of contracts awarded as part of Project activities in the country;
• Participate in the examination of claims, modification requests, evaluation of pending works and preparation of a list of reservations and defects during acceptance operations (completion, operational acceptance, final acceptance);
• Monitor legislative and regulatory changes in the country and inform the Procurement Department of any possible adjustments to contracts;
• Ensure that all deadlines and conditions stipulated in contracts are met (e.g. payments and shipments);
• Participate in periodic site coordination meetings between the Contractors and the Consulting Engineer;
• Countersign attachments with representatives of Contractors and the Consulting Engineer;
• Ensure compliance with the project implementation schedule and costs in the country;
• Maintain an organized physical and digital filing system for monitoring of construction sites;
• Submit periodic progress reports to the local PMU Management including challenges encountered and outstanding issues;
• Ensure administrative coordination of the entire North Core Project Country Office team (missions, leaves, staff evaluation in collaboration with sector units of the central PMU, fleet management, etc.);
• Coordinate with other agencies and government departments, the required hygiene, safety and health measures for all project activities;
• Provide technical management and coordination of the interfaces between national projects and the North Core Project.

Profile

• Hold a minimum of a University Degree (BAC+5 minimum) in the field of Electrical, Mechanical, Civil Engineering or related fields;
• Have a minimum of five (05) years of post-qualification professional experience in the management of a contract for major works;
• Must have managed a minimum of two high voltage transmission line projects or two HV transformer substation projects;
• Demonstrate sound knowledge of the relevant regulations and procedures of international donors (World Bank, ADB, AFD, European Union and others), particularly in the area of procurement. Demonstrate, in this regard, good mastery of the standard contracts of these donors;
• Must be currently working with the countrys National Electricity Company.
• Have a good command of the use of basic computer software (MS Word, MS Excel, MS Outlook, PowerPoint...) and the use of the Internet.
• Demonstrate experience in administrative and people management

Skills and Competencies:

• Excellent organizational skills with ability to work in a team environment and under pressure;
• Demonstrate integrity and excellent work ethic;
• Have the ability to provide effective supervision.

Language:

• A major requirement for this position is proficiency in English.

Duration:

• The duration of the assignment will be 24 months with a probationary period of six (06) months. The successful candidate will be placed on standby during the project implementation phase and will work with the National Electricity Company for a period of at least two (2) years to ensure a smooth transfer of the infrastructure after commissioning.

Reporting Obligations:

• The Contracts Engineer will be required to prepare an activity report at the end of each month for submission to the Country Coordinator of the Project Management Unit.
• He/she will also contribute to the preparation of quarterly and annual reports of Project activities as well as prepare detailed reports to address specific problems that arise during contract execution as and when necessary.

Constraint related to the position:

• Work under pressure.