Project Planner and Scheduler at SARAO - South African Radio Astronomy Observatory

• The Project Planner and Scheduler role is responsible for creating and maintaining integrated (portfolio) project schedules, project (master) schedules, detailed project schedules, ensuring alignment with project goals and timelines, and managing resources efficiently. This role collaborates with project managers and stakeholders to define project scope and deliverables, oversee the development of schedule performance metrics, and conduct risk analyses. The role involves monitoring project progress, preparing status reports, and facilitating communication among teams to address issues. Additionally, they manage project management tools, implement best practices, provide training and advisory services, and support the development of junior planners to ensure successful project delivery.

Key Responsibilities:

Project Planning and Scheduling:

• Develop and maintain detailed project schedules, including resource allocation and activity sequencing.
• Work with project managers and team members to define project scope, WBSs, objectives, and deliverables.
• Ensure schedules align with project goals and timelines.
• Work with program/ portfolio managers to maintain the Enterprise Project Structure (EPS).
• Oversees the development of schedule performance metrics, related processes, and management tools within the organisation, including, but not limited to, critical path analysis and schedule risk assessment.

Coordinating, Monitoring, Controlling and Reporting:

• Monitor project progress and performance against the baseline schedule.
• Prepare regular status reports, including progress updates, schedule variances, and forecast completion dates.
• Conduct schedule risk analysis and recommend corrective actions.
• Facilitate communication between project stakeholders, including program/ portfolio managers, project managers, project teams, clients, and contractors.
• Conduct regular integrated (master) schedule review meetings to discuss project progress and address any issues.

Resource Management:

• Maintain the integrated resources management database.
• Identify and allocate necessary resources to ensure project milestones are met.
• Coordinate with functional/ resource managers to resolve any resource conflicts.
• Track resource utilization and availability to optimize project scheduling and support portfolio project prioritization.

Tools and Systems:

• Maintain project management software (i.e. Primavera P6 EPPM, MS Project).
• Implement and maintain scheduling best practices and standards for planning and scheduling.
• Provide training and support to team members on scheduling tools and techniques.
• Contribute towards the development and/or maintenance of project management framework and processes.
• Conduct regular schedule management and maintenance audits.

Coaching, Lead and Advisory Services:

• Provide planning and scheduling advisory services to senior management, program managers, and functional managers.
• Perform other duties as assigned by PMO Manager.
• Support the developmental plan of junior project planners/ schedulers and graduate trainees.

Key Requirements:
Qualification:

• BTech Degree in Engineering/ Built Environment/ Project Management or related field
• Planning and Scheduling Certification (PMI-SP), Planning & Scheduling Professional (PSP) or equivalent. (Advantageous).

Experience:

• 6+ Years in project planning and scheduling demonstrated experience in multidisciplinary projects
• Experience in planning and scheduling multidisciplinary projects (preferably from EPC, EPCM or Client perspective).
• Planning and scheduling research, science, engineering, and technology development projects
• Extensive knowledge in using project planning tools (Primavera P6 EPPM – Advanced, MS Project)
• Excellent PC skills (MS Office Suite, Google Workspace, Confluence, JIRA)
• Extensive experience in reviewing and approving contractors/consultants’ baseline schedules or programmes in NEC, FIDIC, and/or Bespoke contracts

Knowledge:

• Extensive contractual programme management knowledge (preferably in accordance with NEC4, FIDIC and/or GCC contracts)
• A Project Management Office environment
• Knowledge and experience of project management principles/standards
• Advanced knowledge of various duration estimating techniques
• Project Management theory, principles, standards and best practiceSystem/Product Life-cycle EngineeringCost/Schedule IntegrationSchedule risk assessment
• Public Finance Management Act

Additional Notes:

Skills/Ability/Competencies

• Excellent communication – both verbal and written, in EnglishGood analytical and planning skills
• Efficiency in a high-pressure environment
• Proactive
• Capable of dealing with uncertain environments and reducing uncertainty
• Problem solving
• Primavera P6 (EPPM) and Microsoft project
• Best practice project scheduling
• Project Controls using Earned Value Management (EVM)Willingness to work outside normal hours
• No constraints on ability to travel within South Africa and Internationally

Deadline:11th August,2025