A renewable energy project developer is seeking an experienced Planning Manager to oversee planning, scheduling and programme control for 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 will be delivered under a full-wrap Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contract.
Representing the project company, the successful candidate will independently review and challenge the EPC contractor's programme, maintain an integrated owner-side master schedule and provide accurate progress forecasts, delay assessments and recovery recommendations through to Commercial Operation Date (COD).
This is an owner-side planning role requiring advanced Primavera P6 expertise, extensive EPC project experience and the ability to independently assess contractor schedules, progress claims and contractual milestone risks.
Key Responsibilities
Project Planning & Schedule Management
Develop and maintain an independent, integrated owner-side master schedule covering EPC milestones, permitting, engineering, procurement, construction, grid interfaces, commissioning and COD.
Review and validate the EPC contractor's Primavera P6 baseline programme against contractual milestones, execution methodology and completion obligations.
Assess schedule logic, durations, resources, constraints, float and critical-path integrity.
Review programme updates using Critical Path Method (CPM) analysis, identifying milestone variances, float erosion and potential completion delays.
Challenge unsupported contractor progress, unrealistic forecasts and schedule assumptions.
Maintain controlled schedule baselines, revisions and auditable programme records.
Construction Progress & Project Interfaces
Monitor project readiness, including permitting, approvals, mobilisation, design releases and grid requirements.
Track engineering deliverables, procurement activities and long-lead equipment milestones, including manufacturing, Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT), shipping and site delivery.
Validate construction progress through site inspections, measurable quantities and supporting records.
Monitor progress across civil, mechanical, electrical, BESS, substation and transmission work packages.
Review short- and medium-term lookahead programmes and identify constraints affecting project delivery.
Assess contractor recovery plans, resource allocation and proposed mitigation measures.
Coordinate grid connection, energisation, testing, commissioning and COD milestones.
Delay Analysis & Contractual Support
Assess schedule impacts arising from delays, variations and changes to the project programme.
Review contractor Time Impact Analyses (TIA), Extension of Time (EOT) requests and recovery submissions.
Provide independent planning evidence and delay assessments to support contractual and commercial decision-making.
Maintain contemporaneous schedule records, progress evidence and supporting documentation for potential claims.
Work closely with the Contracts Manager and project controls teams to assess time-related contractual exposure.
Reporting & Stakeholder Coordination
Prepare weekly and monthly planning reports covering project progress, critical paths, milestone performance, forecast completion dates and schedule risks.
Maintain planning dashboards, milestone trackers and progress reporting.
Provide early warnings of delays and practical recommendations for schedule recovery.
Coordinate planning activities with the Execution Project Director, Senior Site Manager, Contracts Manager, engineering teams, cost control teams, EPC contractor and Owner's Engineer.
Provide verified progress and schedule information to support milestone payment assessments and project reporting.
Lead owner-side programme reviews and ensure timely escalation of material scheduling risks.
Qualifications & Experience
Relevant degree or professional qualification in Engineering, Construction Management, Project Management or a related discipline.
Minimum of 10 years' experience in planning, scheduling and project controls.
At least 5 years' experience working on major EPC power-generation projects.
Advanced hands-on Primavera P6 proficiency, including baseline development or review, programme updates, schedule comparisons and independent analysis of native P6 files.
Demonstrated expertise in Critical Path Method (CPM), schedule quality assessment, critical and near-critical path analysis, float monitoring and completion forecasting.
Proven experience integrating engineering, procurement, construction, testing and commissioning activities within complex EPC programmes.
Ability to independently validate physical construction progress and challenge contractor schedules, reported progress and completion forecasts.
Practical experience in delay analysis, Time Impact Analysis, Extension of Time assessments, variations and recovery programme evaluation.
Strong understanding of EPC contractual milestones, schedule obligations and owner-side project controls.
Experience preparing accurate, evidence-based planning reports and maintaining auditable schedule records.
Willingness to be based in Maun, Botswana, with regular site engagement throughout project execution.
Advantageous
Utility-scale Solar PV project planning experience is strongly preferred.
Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) planning experience.
Previous experience representing an IPP, renewable energy developer, project company, Owner's Engineer or asset owner.
Experience planning HV substations, transmission infrastructure, grid connections, energisation and project delivery through COD.
Experience working with Chinese EPC contractors.
Project delivery experience within Africa or comparable emerging markets.
Skills & Competencies
Advanced Primavera P6 scheduling and programme analysis capability.
Strong analytical skills and ability to independently challenge EPC contractor assumptions.
Excellent understanding of construction sequencing, critical-path analysis and schedule risk.
Strong delay analysis, recovery planning and project controls expertise.
Ability to translate complex programme information into clear recommendations for project leadership.
Strong stakeholder coordination and multidisciplinary communication skills.
High attention to detail and disciplined schedule documentation.
Ability to identify emerging risks and recommend practical mitigation measures.
Important Note
Applicants must have at least 10 years' planning and project controls experience, including a minimum of 5 years on major EPC power-generation projects.
Advanced, hands-on Primavera P6 expertise is essential, together with demonstrated experience independently reviewing contractor programmes, validating construction progress, conducting critical-path and delay analyses, and assessing EOT claims and recovery schedules.
Candidates must be willing to be based in Maun, Botswana. Utility-scale Solar PV experience is strongly preferred, although candidates with directly transferable major power-generation EPC experience may also be considered.
