Objectives

The primary objective of this tender is to appoint a Contract Advisory, Contract Law, and Contract Management Specialist to provide independent expert support for SARAO's commercial construction projects. The specialist will offer strategic advice on contract interpretation, administration, risk management, dispute resolution, and capacity building to ensure effective management of contracts under FIDIC, SAICE GCC, National Treasury GCC, and NEC4 frameworks.

Scope

The scope includes, but is not limited to:

• Providing expert advice on the interpretation and application of relevant contract frameworks.
• Advising on contractual strategies, risk allocation, and practical implications of contract clauses.
• Reviewing and assessing contractor claims related to time, cost, variations, and other contractual issues.
• Supporting SARAO in contractual responses, dispute management, and legal documentation.
• Reviewing contract administration practices for compliance and consistency.
• Advising on procurement documentation, tender strategies, and contractual data.
• Managing performance, commercial, and contractual risks across projects.
• Providing independent reviews, capacity building, and knowledge transfer to SARAO staff.
• Visiting SARAO offices and sites in Cape Town, Johannesburg, and Carnarvon as required.

Technical Requirements

The technical requirements specify that the service provider must:

• Possess relevant tertiary qualifications in Construction Law, Contracts Management, or related fields.
• Have extensive experience as a Contracts Manager or Specialist in managing large-scale construction projects (>R50 million).
• Demonstrate knowledge and practical experience with FIDIC (White, Yellow, Red books), SAICE GCC, NT GCC, and NEC4 contracts.
• Provide at least three recent (not older than 5 years) reference letters/testimonials validating experience.
• Show capacity to deliver services within the specified project timelines and locations.

Skills Requirements

The successful bidder must demonstrate:

• Expertise in contract law, procurement processes, and contract administration.
• Ability to interpret complex contractual clauses and advise on risk management.
• Experience in handling contractor claims, disputes, and legal documentation.
• Strong communication skills for advising project teams and stakeholders.
• Capacity for independent review, capacity building, and transferring knowledge.
• Willingness to visit multiple SARAO sites and offices as needed.