Quantity Surveyor (P7) at Sol Plaatje University

Purpose

• Sol Plaatje University seeks to appoint a Quantity Surveyor to support the Director: Infrastructure Project Management with the planning, cost management and delivery of the University’s 2026–2030 Infrastructure Development Plan.
• The incumbent will provide professional quantity surveying and cost management services across the full lifecycle of capital infrastructure projects.

Mimimum Requirements 

• A bachelor’s degree (NQF7) in Quantity Surveying
• Registration as a Professional Quantity Surveyor with the South African Council for the Quantity Surveying Profession.
• Construction estimating or finance experience is advantageous,
• PMP certification is an additional advantage

Recommended Requirements 

• Strong analytical, numerical and cost-planning skills.
• Proficiency in quantity surveying software, such as CCS, WinQS, DimX or Buildsoft, and advanced competence in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel & MS Projects.
• Excellent contract administration and negotiation skills.
• High level attention to detail and accuracy.
• Strong report-writing and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple projects and meet deadlines under pressure.
• Integrity and sound judgement in financial and contractual matters.

Duties

Planning, Budgeting and Feasibility

• Prepare cost estimates, budgets and feasibility studies for new infrastructure projects during the planning phase, considering the whole-life cost of infrastructure and not only initial capital cost.
• Support the Director in compiling infrastructure budgets, business cases and funding motivations.
• Conduct cash-flow forecasting and financial reporting for the infrastructure programme.
• Maintain and update a database of cost benchmarks, cost norms and elemental cost estimates from historical projects, to inform the costing of future infrastructure projects.

Procurement and Tender Support

• Compile bills of quantities, tender documentation and contract documentation in line with supply chain and procurement policies.
• Evaluate tenders and contractor bids, and provide recommendations on cost, value and affordability.
• Ensure compliance with relevant public sector financial regulations, university supply chain policy and applicable built environment legislation.

Administer: Contract Administration and Cost Control

• Administer construction contracts, including JBCC, NEC and GCC contracts, where applicable.
• Prepare and review valuations, payment certificates, variation orders and final accounts.
• Monitor project expenditure against approved budgets and report on cost variances.
• Assess and negotiate claims, extensions of time and change orders.

Reporting, Records and Stakeholder Coordination

• Liaise with appointed professionals, contractors and other consultants to support cost-effective project delivery.
• Work closely with the Senior Project Manager assigned to each project on cost-related matters, while escalating significant cost issues to the Director.
• Maintain accurate project cost records and documentation for audit purposes.
• Assist with risk management related to project costs and procurement.
• Provide regular progress and financial reports to the Director and relevant university committees.

Collaboration with Programme Manager

• Reviewing cost plans and project budgets.
• Monitoring project affordability.
• Analysing financial impacts of design changes.
• Reviewing contractor payments and financial progress.
• Supporting value engineering initiatives.
• Ensuring alignment between programme objectives and cost management.
• (The Quantity Surveyor remains professionally accountable for quantity surveying functions and reports independently to the Director.)