Chief Contract Specialist

Job description

SYSTRA, an international consulting and engineering group specialising in public transport and mobility, is collecting applications in Dhaka for the position of Chief Contract Specialist. Currently, we are bidding for Bangladesh Railway Projects. The position of Additional Team Leader is the key position in these BIDs. The role is advertised as a key position in SYSTRA's bids for Bangladesh Railways projects and is offered on a contract basis. Duties include: Overseeing the entire contract process from initiation, bidding, negotiation, execution, performance monitoring, and eventual closure or renewal.; Developing and implementing contract strategies aligned with project goals, risk mitigation, and organizational objectives.; Maintaining detailed and organized records of all contracts, related documents, amendments, and correspondence for easy access and retrieval.; Contract Drafting: Leading the preparation and drafting of various types of contracts, including procurement contracts, service agreements, vendor contracts, and subcontracts, ensuring clarity, accuracy, and adherence to legal and organizational standards.; Analyzing complex contract requirements, special provisions, terms, and conditions to ensure compliance with relevant laws, regulations (e.g., FIDIC, local regulations), corporate policies, and business unit procedures.; Leading and participating in contract negotiations with contractors, suppliers, and other stakeholders, ensuring terms and conditions are favorable, align with project objectives, and mitigate risks. This often involves negotiating price, scope, timelines, and legal clauses..

Responsibilities

• Overseeing the entire contract process from initiation, bidding, negotiation, execution, performance monitoring, and eventual closure or renewal.
• Developing and implementing contract strategies aligned with project goals, risk mitigation, and organizational objectives.
• Maintaining detailed and organized records of all contracts, related documents, amendments, and correspondence for easy access and retrieval.
• Contract Drafting: Leading the preparation and drafting of various types of contracts, including procurement contracts, service agreements, vendor contracts, and subcontracts, ensuring clarity, accuracy, and adherence to legal and organizational standards.
• Analyzing complex contract requirements, special provisions, terms, and conditions to ensure compliance with relevant laws, regulations (e.g., FIDIC, local regulations), corporate policies, and business unit procedures.
• Leading and participating in contract negotiations with contractors, suppliers, and other stakeholders, ensuring terms and conditions are favorable, align with project objectives, and mitigate risks. This often involves negotiating price, scope, timelines, and legal clauses.
• Managing contract modifications, change orders, and amendments, ensuring all changes are properly documented, approved, and incorporated into the contract.
• Conducting thorough risk assessments related to contractual agreements, identifying potential risks (financial, legal, operational, etc.), and developing mitigation strategies.
• Ensuring strict compliance with all contractual obligations, legal standards, regulatory requirements, and company policies throughout the project lifecycle.
• Identifying, analyzing, and assisting in the resolution of contractual issues, claims, and disputes promptly and effectively, often in coordination with legal teams.
• Working closely with various internal departments such as legal, finance, procurement, engineering, project management, and operations to ensure effective communication, alignment, and seamless integration throughout the contract process.
• Preparing and presenting detailed reports on contract status, performance, compliance, and potential issues to project management and senior leadership.
• Monitoring contractor performance against contractual obligations, KPIs, schedules, and quality standards.
• Conducting regular audits and reviews of contract deliverables and performance metrics.
• Functioning as a domain expert on contractual matters, providing authoritative guidance and advice to internal teams and subordinates.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in engineering, construction, other related fields/Law or related fields such as dispute resolution, international arbitration, and contract management.
• Having professional qualification as a construction contract manager (such as FIDIC certified contract manager).
• Must have proficiency in English
• 15 years of professional experience in construction contract management.
• Having experience working on projects financed by any multilateral development partner/bank
• 10 years of experience as lead or senior contract and claims manager/administrator on international construction/ infrastructure contracts (preferably FIDIC Red and Yellow Book).
• Having work experience in a relevant field, including one large-scale (>USD 1 billion) metro/railway systems/ infrastructure project.
• 2 years of work experience in outside Expert’s country
• Legal Knowledge: Strong understanding of contract law, commercial law, and industry-specific regulations (e.g., FIDIC contracts).
• Negotiation Skills: Excellent negotiation, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Analytical Skills: Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with an eye for detail.
• Software Proficiency: Familiarity with contract management software and tools, document management systems, and electronic signature platforms.
• Project Management Acumen: A good understanding of project management principles and how contracts integrate with overall project delivery.