Job detail

Job description

Our client, a leading petrochemical company based in Abu Dhabi is looking forward to recruit Contracts Specialist

1. Basic Function
Plans, develops and negotiate contracts for the Plant and Head office pertaining to operational, technical, maintenance, manpower hiring and administration services. This includes all contract engineering activities from the initial concept of a contract through to the award and presentation of the formal Agreement documentation.
Primarily responsible for post contract administration which includes review of contract risks and commitments in regard to guarantees, warranties, insurance, claims/counterclaims, variation orders, termination/suspension, liquidated damages and dispute resolutions. Administers and analyses contracts, drafts and develops additional provisions in conjunction with legal statutes and contracts law.

2. Duties Performed
¿ Participates in the programming and development of contracting strategy within the Department. Recommends changes, in the wording of contracts or modifications of terms and conditions more specifically pertaining to contracts law and statutes.
¿ Reviews the list of registered contractors and obtains any necessary clarification/further information. Evaluates data and prepares recommendations for bidder¿s list approval in accordance within the Delegation of Authority.
¿ Receives work scope and specifications for works and services to be contracted out from the operating center. Clarifies any unclear technical aspects and discusses specific requirements with originator. Reviews scope in terms of legal, contractual and financial risk aspects prior to preparation of the call for tender.
¿ Prepares and issues call for tenders to the selected contractors contained in the approved bidders list. This includes detailing Scope of Work requirements, specific terms and conditions, location of work, bill of quantities etc., in a tender enquiry document and preparing an invitation to bid. Also arranges for the dispatch of bid documents. Explains specific instructions, submission and work to be performed to prospective bidders including, the necessary inclusion of any specific matters which require compliance under the UAE Law.
¿ Makes necessary arrangements for prospective bidders to make on-site inspections which includes, coordinating details with the Operating Center and arranging for Plant representative to accompany bidders to answer any pertinent questions. Attends the site visit when necessary to answer queries concerning contractual/commercial issues or conducts separate query sessions at Head Office.
¿ Directs the receipt, marking and storage of all bids received according to prescribed procedures. Ensures that care is taken in making sealed bids with the date and time received and other necessary information. Ensures that Company¿s requirements for facilitation of the ¿bid bond¿ are met and is responsible for the extraction of all details, and transmittal to Financial Controller for safe custody.
¿ Participates, as instructed in the opening and review of all technical bids received and arranges for the transmittal of the same to the operating center for technical evaluation and coordinates receipt of the technical evaluation of the bids from the operating centers and performs detailed commercial evaluation of bids received. Obtains any clarifications from bidders as required. Participates in price negotiation/clarification meetings with bidders as deemed necessary.
¿ Prepares detailed recommendations for processing approval of an award of the contract in accordance with the Delegation of Authority. Prepares letter of award and completes the formal Agreement documentation for signature
¿ Primarily responsible for post contracts administration. Ensures timely receipt of contractors¿ performance bank guarantee, monitors Contractors¿ performance against original project schedules and extensions of time. Develops claims and recommendations for liquidated damages, call of performance bonds and penalties. Develops counterclaims against Contractors¿ claims. Strictly monitors the legal and statutory provisions of contracts. Provides (ADR) Alternative Dispute Resolution support to Management and the organization and preparation the case for defending against Contractor claims. Demonstrates the Claims Strategy in terms of presentation
¿ Advises, where necessary, on matters of a contractual nature, by providing interpretations, comments or assistance in resolving any problems.
¿ Processes any Contract variation and reviews any Contractors¿ claims/develops counter claim. This includes coordinating with the operating center, negotiating with contractor, preparing recommendation for approval of award and preparing formal documentation.
¿ Participates in the evaluation and measurement of the performance of contractors in conjunction with operating center. Obtains detailed feedback from work sites and updates records accordingly to provide basic data for future use.
¿ Coordinates the approval of contractor invoices. Includes verifying work progress with site, ensuring issuance by site of receipt voucher or completion certificate (after each job), and checks technical details of invoice against contract terms to ensure compliance. Signs off on documents prior to, passing on to Procurement Division Manager for final review and approval.
¿ Ensures that all activities are carried out consistent with good commercial practice and highlights any potential problems of a legal or commercial nature.
¿ Logs, registers and updates changes in Contract Hired personnel under the long term Manpower Agreement. Notifies the respective employing Agent of any required amendment. Obtains the required documentation on Operative¿s from Agents and passes to HRM for their records.
¿ Prepares when required a Claim¿s defence which highlights Risk (and possible weakness if any) to enable Management to decide on the likely outcome.

3. Work Contacts
¿ Regular contacts up to the next higher level within the Company to obtain information on contract requirements and to coordinate work activities. Liaison with ADNOC affiliated companies to exchange views/information relating to development of contracts. Attendance and participation in special Task Forces or special Committees set up to assist Organisational change or for developing ¿best practice¿ Regular contact with prospective and successful bidders to obtain clarifications and discuss changes, or variation orders and during contract negotiations

4. Latitude
¿ Reports to Contracts Department Manager (and, through the Senior Contracts Specialist).
¿ Works independently on day-to-day activities of contract development, which includes setting own priorities within user requirements.
¿ Works in accordance within strict commercial practices and Company policies and procedures governing contracts. Work is reviewed by the Contracts Department Manager.

5. Skills
¿ Strong background in contracts law
¿ Claims and counterclaims specialist. Paralegal experience.
¿ Interpersonal skills, good oral and written communication skills.
¿ Ability to analyze business trends.
¿ Problem solving ability and analytical skills.
¿ Applicable Project Management skills.
¿ Computer literacy in spreadsheet, word and computerized purchasing systems.

6. Minimum Requirements
¿ Bachelor of Science in Engineering or equivalent
¿ 6 years¿ experience out of which at least 2 years in contracts development within the oil, chemical or petrochemical industry and 2 years specific experience in paralegal contracts administration .
¿ Very good knowledge of English