Contracts Advisor III at ABNL Limited

ABNL Limited was founded in 1992 as an oil and gas servicing firm with the goal of providing professional engineering and technical services to Nigerian and West African oil and gas exploration and production industries. Since its inception, the company has grown by leaps and bounds, broadening its commercial range while remaining focused on the Oil & Gas sector.

Title: Contracts Advisor III

Location: Lagos

Employment Type: Contract

Work Schedule: Standard – 5 days on / 2 days off

Main Functions:

• The Contracts Advisor plays a pivotal role in overseeing project contracting, which encompasses various responsibilities such as strategic planning, contractor qualification, management of commercial aspects during project phases (Pre-FEED/FEED/EPC), assisting in contractor evaluation and selection, and ensuring high-quality contract execution and administration. This role extends to coordinating interfaces post-contract award and overseeing the contract until close-out.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

• Manages processes, produces deliverables, and updates tools to support the development of project contracting strategy, including contractor qualification, tendering, and proposal evaluation.
• Develops detailed Contracting Plans aligned with the overall Contracting Strategy.
• Creates Invitation to Tender (ITT) packages according to the responsibility matrix.
• Maintains a database of all correspondence to ensure proper documentation of questions, clarifications, and agreed-upon issues in final proposals.
• Leads or supports negotiations of contested contractual terms and conditions.
• Ensures alignment of all contract documents with the selected bidder’s proposal, clarifications, and final negotiations.
• Obtains necessary functional reviews/endorsements of contract documents, as required (e.g., Legal, Audit, Controllers, etc.).
• Provides pricing and other commercial analyses to the Project Team (PT) for the development of contract award recommendations.
• Assists the PT in obtaining contract award endorsements/approvals from Senior Management and other stakeholders.
• Develops and maintains final contract files, including all components.
• Conducts internal kick-off meetings with Company personnel to ensure contract awareness and reviews contract terms, change order processes, and claims avoidance.
• Develops materials for external kick-off meetings with Company and Contractor personnel to review key contract components.
• Leads or supports Contract Administration, working with project and business managers to align on contract administration responsibilities.
• Reviews and comments on Contractor’s contracting and subcontracting plans, procedures, processes, and deliverables to ensure compliance with Company’s requirements.
• Manages expedited filing of Contractor commercial documents (e.g., insurance certificates, Parent Company Guarantees, LOCs, etc.) and files original Bank Guarantees/LOCs per agreed-upon processes.
• Reviews, updates, and coordinates PT contractual correspondence procedures/communications, including any notices associated with the contract (PT Document Distribution matrix).
• Develops and monitors the approval process and compliance with invoicing and payment procedures.
• Coordinates the change control process, including amendments, change notices, change orders, and other contract changes.
• Oversees Contractor’s subcontracting activities, coordinates PT engagement in Company review/approval of individual subcontracting plans, and manages subcontract development activities from qualification through award/execution.
• Advises the project team on contract administration and subcontracting issues and mitigation measures.
• Measures contractor performance and provides feedback to project and functional management.
• Captures and communicates lessons learned in contract administration and subcontracting for the project.
• Develops the Contract Close Out Plan as part of the Project Close Out Plan.
• Establishes a close-out agreement with the Contractor to settle any outstanding items.

Skills and Qualifications:

• Preferred Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (B.Sc).
• Preferred experience in Contracts Engineering/Administration.
• Previous experience in a closely related position is required.
• Proficiency in commercial negotiations, contractor management, and contract administration.
• Comprehensive understanding of project execution and contracting principles, theories, and concepts.
• Willingness to travel or relocate to project sites (domestic/overseas).
• Owner/operator experience in project management roles is preferred.
• Professional qualification/certification from a related professional body (ISM – CPM/CPSM, APICS, PMP).

Additional Skills (in Addition to Job Description):

• Candidates should possess well drilling and completion skills, including but not limited to drilling rig equipment, completion tools, and drilling and completion services.
• Demonstrated experience in developing drilling and completion technical Invitation to Tenders (ITTs).
• Good understanding of NUIMS and NCDMB contracting processes is required.

Deadline: 6th October, 2023.

How to Apply: Interested and qualified candidates should send their CV / Resume to: [email protected] using the Job Title as the subject of the mail.