Specialist Structural Engineer at The South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL)

LOCATION

• Southern Region: 20 Shoreward Drive Baywest, Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha) X1
• Western Region: 1 Havenga Street, Oakdale, Bellville, Cape Town, X1
• Eastern Region: 58 van Eck Place, Mkondeni, Pietermaritzburg X1

POSITION OBJECTIVE:

To ensure appropriate and cost-effective provision / maintenance of road infrastructure by ensuring correct and appropriate hydraulic, hydrological, and structural investigation, assessment, design, and quality construction at project level. To develop and maintain excellent working relationships with internal and external stakeholders and to ensure required business results.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• B Eng. or B Sc. or B Tech Eng. Degree in Civil Engineering.
• MEng Structures/Hydraulics or MTech Structures/Hydraulics highly advantageous
• Registered with ECSA as a Professional Engineer or Professional Engineering Technologist.
• The candidate must have at least 15 years working experience in related industry, and at least 5 years specialist experience in bridges and other structures.
• At least 5 years’ experience in projects exceeding a budget of R200 million or more.
• Extensive project management experience in the relevant industry post qualification.

WORKPLACE COMPETENCIES:

The successful incumbent will be able to effectively demonstrate the following:

• Extensive knowledge of relevant industry standards, specifications, and relevant legislation.
• Extensive knowledge of construction materials properties and specifications
• The ability to understand road structure behavior and appropriate / cost efficient intervention strategies, solve problems / failures and assess new products / techniques.
• The ability to ensure appropriate quality assurance on project
• The candidate should exhibit sound and accurate judgment and work well under pressure.
• The candidate should have the ability to develop policy & procedure documents for relevant area of expertise, therefore written skills are also necessary.
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office suite

WORKING CONDITIONS / INHERENT REQUIREMENTS OF THE JOB:

• Travel as and when required.
• Attend Cluster Meetings as an when required.
• Driver’s License.
• Work is performed in a combination of office and construction site environment, as and when required.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Project identification and planning

• Participate in the identification and prioritisation of structural projects in region
• Develop high-level structural designs, including design criteria, for consideration during design feasibility studies
• Assist with the development of detailed project scope, including the requirements and work to be performed, in order to meet the project objectives
• Facilitate discussions with other authorities impacted by projects e.g. Province/Municipalities/Eskom/Transnet/DMR/DEA

Preparation of tender documentation

• Prepare tender documentation for the appointment of consultants, in line with project requirements and SANRAL’s procurement policies
• Support Supply Chain Management during procurement process with any queries or clarifications required
• Participate in adjudication of tenders to ensure competent consultants and contractors are appointed

Project and contract management

• Responsible for the overall project management and coordination of assigned projects
• Ensure effective contract management and oversight, and that activities are executed in accordance with contractual terms and conditions
• Track progress of activities against the project management plan and proactively identify and mitigate issues
• Identify and manage changes in scope timeously
• Liaise with other internal SANRAL specialists that are required to provide input during design
• Prepare monthly forecast and ensure effective cashflow management
• Monitor financial performance to ensure project remains within budget. Review scope of work and potential impact on the budget and request additional funds if necessary
• Verify payment certificates prior to approval for payment
• Review and scrutinise concept and preliminary designs for structures, and design reports prepared by consultants.
• Ensure that the latest technology, innovation and cost-effective techniques are applied during design
• Review, scrutinise and approve structural designs
• Conduct construction site visits to monitor that structural works are executed according to the approved designs and SANRAL standards and specifications
• Cultivate and maintain good working relationships with key stakeholders and consultants
• Obtain drawing number for structures. Ensure all required design documentation is electronically uploaded into the records management system and/or submitted for physical storage

Technical advisory and support 

• Provide technical input on projects involving structures across the region
• Actively participate in the relevant functional working group for Structures
• Share knowledge and experience with colleagues across SANRAL
• Maintain good working relationships with all colleagues in all regions and areas of expertise
• Pursue and research best practice and consider innovation in project lifecycle
• Participate in the development and improvement of standards and specifications for SANRAL
• Promote SANRAL’s credibility and promote aims and objectives of SANRAL
• Cultivates and maintains good working relationships with key stakeholders, consultants, and contractors.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT  

• Participates in the evaluation of tenders and appointment of consultants.
• Prepare relevant scope documentation for appointment of consultants.
• Prepare relevant tender documentation, in association with consultant, based on the scope of the project.
• Attends site inspections and brief contractors on services required for project.
• Participates in the adjudication of tenders and review recommendations by consultants.
• Ensure appointment of competent consultants.
• Ensure use of appropriate and correct tender documentation as per specifications.
• Ensure compliance to SANRAL’s procurement policy.

COMMUNICATION MANAGEMENT

• Maintains good working relationships with all colleagues in all regions and areas of expertise.
• Cultivates and maintains good working relationships with key stakeholders, consultants, and contractors. 
• Ensure internal collaboration and co-operation.
• Promote aims and objectives of SANRAL.