Pre-Contract Specialist (Contracts & Legal Support)

Pre-Contract Specialist (Contracts & Legal Support) 

• A leading platinum and chrome producer is seeking an experienced Pre-Contract Specialist to join its Contracts & Legal Support function, reporting to the Contracts Manager.
• The successful candidate will be responsible for managing all pre-contract activities from initiation of the procurement process through to contract award and handover, ensuring that Scopes of Work, tender documentation, contractual terms, commercial requirements and supplier/contractor qualifications are appropriately reviewed, clarified and aligned prior to contract award.
• The role requires close collaboration with Project Managers, Engineers, Procurement and other relevant stakeholders to identify and manage contractual and commercial risks, facilitate contractual clarifications and negotiations, and ensure contracts are concluded in accordance with the Company's governance requirements, approved contracting strategies and standard terms and conditions.

• Bachelor's Degree, BTech or equivalent qualification in Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, Engineering, LLB or a related discipline.
• A recognised qualification at NQF Level 7 or above is mandatory.
• Demonstrable experience in contract preparation, tender and bid review, contractual clarifications, contract negotiations and contractual risk management within mining, EPCM, construction or project environments.
• Practical working knowledge of construction and/or engineering contracts, including FIDIC or comparable standard forms of contract.
• Experience reviewing tender and contract documentation and Scopes of Work.
• Experience preparing and reviewing contracts and contractual schedules.
• Experience managing contractual deviation and clarification registers.
• Experience conducting contractual clarification meetings and supporting commercial and contractual negotiations.
• Experience working with Engineers, Project Managers and Procurement teams and managing multiple contract packages concurrently.
• Experience preparing contracts for execution and facilitating post-award handover.
• A relevant postgraduate qualification would be advantageous.
• Formal training or demonstrated experience in FIDIC and other construction or commercial contracts would be advantageous.
• Professional registration or membership with a recognised professional body would be advantageous.
• Strong analytical and critical-thinking skills, sound commercial judgement and strong negotiation skills.
• Attention to detail with excellent organisational and document control abilities.
• Assertive and professional communication with strong interpersonal and stakeholder-management skills.
• Ability to work independently, prioritise effectively and manage multiple priorities in a project environment.
• Professional integrity, accountability and problem-solving ability.

Roles and Responsibilities:

Scope of Work & Tender Review

• Review Scopes of Work prior to tender to ensure that scope, responsibilities, deliverables, interfaces, milestones and contractual requirements are clearly defined.
• Review and analyse tender, bid and commercial documentation to identify contractual and commercial risks.
• Review supplier and contractor qualifications, exclusions, assumptions and proposed deviations from the Company's contractual requirements.
• Review technical Scopes of Work from a contractual and commercial perspective and challenge unclear or incomplete contractual requirements constructively.

Contract Formation & Documentation

• Prepare, review and coordinate contract documentation for construction, services, equipment supply and other project-related procurement packages.
• Ensure the appropriate contract type and contracting strategy is applied based on the nature and risk profile of the procurement package.
• Ensure agreed contractual and commercial positions are accurately incorporated into final contract documentation prior to award.
• Ensure contracts and purchase orders are aligned with the final negotiated and approved contractual position.
• Assist with Letters of Intent, contract amendments and addenda.

Clarifications, Negotiations & Risk Management

• Prepare and maintain contractual deviation and clarification registers.
• Facilitate contractual clarification meetings and negotiations with tenderers, contractors and suppliers.
• Support Project Managers, Package Engineers and Procurement during tender evaluations and contract negotiations.
• Identify contractual risks and recommend appropriate mitigation measures to the Contracts Manager and relevant project stakeholders.
• Review commercial provisions including payment terms, securities, retention, warranties, insurance, performance requirements, delay damages and limitation of liability.
• Ensure required Performance Guarantees, Advance Payment Guarantees, insurance requirements and other contractual securities are appropriately addressed before contract award.
• Interpret contractual provisions and identify associated commercial risks.

Governance & Records

• Ensure appropriate governance and approvals are obtained before contractual commitments are made.
• Ensure contractual documentation complies with approved templates, procedures and governance requirements.
• Maintain proper contract records, registers, templates and supporting documentation for audit and governance purposes.
• Ensure all contractual documentation is appropriately controlled, traceable and audit ready.

Handover & Post-Award Transition

• Facilitate structured handover of awarded contracts to the responsible post-contract/project team.
• Highlight key obligations, risks, milestones, securities and outstanding actions during contract handover.
• Coordinate with Procurement to ensure all contractual documentation is completed prior to contract award.

Stakeholder Coordination

• Support Project Managers, Package Engineers, Procurement, Finance, Legal, Commercial/Quantity Surveying, Safety, Operations and other relevant Group stakeholders.
• Liaise with tenderers, contractors, suppliers, OEMs, consultants, legal advisors and other service providers regarding contractual matters.
• Attend tender clarification, evaluation and project progress meetings.
• Provide contractual guidance and support to Engineers, Project Managers, Procurement and other internal stakeholders.
• Communicate contractual risks clearly to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Escalate material contractual and commercial risks to the Contracts Manager where required.

Continuous Improvement

• Support the continuous improvement and standardisation of contract templates, contracting processes and pre-contract controls.
• Support the Contracts Manager in ensuring consistent application of contracting principles across project packages.
• Promote adherence to health, safety, environmental and quality standards.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives within the pre-contract function.

Closing Date: 6 Nov 2026