A renewable energy project developer is seeking an experienced Contracts Manager to oversee the commercial and contractual management of a major utility-scale Solar PV and Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project in Botswana.
The project is progressing from pre-construction into construction, and the successful candidate will take responsibility for the effective administration and execution of the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contract and associated project agreements.
Working on behalf of the project company, the Contracts Manager will protect its contractual and commercial interests throughout construction, commissioning and project completion. The role requires extensive EPC contract execution experience, strong claims and dispute-management capabilities, and an understanding of how EPC obligations interact with Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), grid requirements and Commercial Operation Date (COD) commitments.
Key Responsibilities
EPC Contract Management
Manage the day-to-day commercial and contractual administration of the EPC contract throughout project execution.
Ensure the EPC contractor complies with contractual obligations, deliverables, milestones and completion requirements.
Interpret contractual provisions and provide practical contractual guidance to the Project Director and project teams.
Prepare, review and manage contractual notices, formal correspondence and contractual records.
Monitor contractor compliance with notice requirements and contractual procedures.
Manage contractual matters through construction, commissioning, completion and final contract close-out.
Claims, Variations & Delay Management
Review, assess and manage EPC contractor claims, including Extensions of Time (EOT), delay and disruption claims.
Evaluate contractual entitlement, supporting evidence and the commercial implications of contractor claims.
Manage variations, change orders and changes to the contracted scope.
Assess contractual and financial exposure arising from proposed changes and delays.
Work with planning and project controls teams to evaluate programme impacts and contractual completion dates.
Manage contractual matters relating to Delay Liquidated Damages (LDs), contractual remedies and recovery measures.
Support negotiations and settlement of claims while protecting the project company's contractual position.
Commercial & Contractual Risk Management
Identify, assess and mitigate contractual and commercial risks throughout project execution.
Maintain contractual risk, claims, variations and change-control registers.
Advise project leadership on contractual exposure, available remedies and mitigation strategies.
Coordinate with cost control and project controls teams to evaluate financial and schedule implications.
Lead or support commercial negotiations with EPC contractors and other contractual counterparties.
PPA & Project Agreement Management
Ensure EPC contract execution aligns with relevant PPA obligations, grid requirements and project milestones.
Monitor contractual risks affecting Scheduled COD, completion dates and other project commitments.
Identify gaps and interface risks between the EPC contract and associated project agreements.
Coordinate with legal advisers and project leadership on delays, contractual relief events and other matters affecting the project company's obligations.
Dispute Avoidance & Resolution
Identify and address contractual issues before they escalate into formal disputes.
Lead or support commercial negotiations aimed at resolving claims and contractual disagreements.
Prepare and coordinate contractual documentation for adjudication, mediation, arbitration or other dispute-resolution processes.
Work with legal counsel, technical specialists and delay experts where required.
Maintain accurate contemporaneous records and supporting evidence to protect the project company's contractual position.
Qualifications & Experience
Relevant degree or professional qualification in Engineering, Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, Commercial Management, Law or a related discipline.
Significant contracts and commercial management experience within major infrastructure, power, energy or construction projects.
Strong practical experience administering EPC and/or turnkey contracts during project execution and construction.
Demonstrated expertise in EPC claims, Extensions of Time, variations, contractual notices, delay and disruption, Liquidated Damages and commercial negotiations.
Strong knowledge of FIDIC or comparable international EPC contracting frameworks.
Experience managing large, commercially complex contracts involving multidisciplinary project teams.
Understanding of EPC contract obligations and their relationship with PPAs, project milestones and Commercial Operation Date requirements.
Proven ability to evaluate contractor claims, contractual entitlement and project-company commercial exposure.
Advantageous
Direct experience with utility-scale Solar PV, BESS, wind, IPP or other renewable energy projects.
Experience with substations, grid connection infrastructure or high-voltage transmission works.
FIDIC Silver Book and/or Yellow Book experience.
Previous experience working for an IPP, renewable energy developer, project company or asset owner.
Experience managing EPC contracts through commissioning and project completion.
Direct PPA administration or negotiation experience.
Skills & Competencies
Strong EPC contract administration and commercial management capabilities.
Excellent claims assessment, EOT analysis and contractual risk-management skills.
Strong commercial negotiation and dispute-resolution abilities.
Ability to interpret complex contractual provisions and provide practical recommendations.
Sound understanding of construction programmes, project controls and financial exposure.
Strong analytical, problem-solving and decision-making skills.
Excellent contractual correspondence, documentation and recordkeeping.
Ability to coordinate effectively with EPC contractors, project managers, engineers, planners, cost controllers and legal advisers.
Important Note
Applicants must demonstrate significant hands-on EPC contract management experience on major infrastructure, power or energy projects, specifically during the construction and execution phases.
Proven expertise in claims, Extensions of Time, variations, contractual notices, delay management, Liquidated Damages and commercial negotiations is essential. Candidates must also demonstrate a sound understanding of EPC contract risks from the project company's perspective.
Renewable energy experience is strongly preferred; however, candidates with directly transferable experience managing major EPC contracts on other large-scale power or infrastructure projects may also be considered.
