Contract Engineer and Assistant Contract Engineer

Project-specific — Polihali Dam and Katse Reservoir water-transfer infrastructure in Lesotho

Senior civil engineers, contract engineers, quantity surveyors, construction-contract specialists and infrastructure professionals experienced in major dams, tunnels, hydraulic works, water-transfer infrastructure and FIDIC contracts.

SMEC, as a member of the Metsi a Senqu-Khubelu Consultants Joint Venture, is recruiting Contract Engineering personnel for the Polihali Transfer Tunnel component of Phase II of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project.

The Lesotho Highlands Water Project is a major bilateral water-transfer and hydropower programme implemented by Lesotho and South Africa.

Phase II includes construction of the Polihali Dam, Polihali Reservoir, the Polihali-to-Katse water-transfer tunnel and associated roads, bridges, power supplies, water supplies, wastewater facilities, communications infrastructure and construction camps.

The approximately 38-kilometre Polihali Transfer Tunnel will connect the new Polihali Reservoir with the existing Katse Reservoir. The tunnel includes intake works and a gate shaft at Polihali, outlet works and a gate shaft at Katse, an underwater connection, access tunnels, shafts and associated construction infrastructure.

The Contract Engineer and Assistant Contract Engineer will support the Engineer in administering the construction contract.

The positions will focus on monthly measurement, payment certification, interpretation of contractual provisions, claims assessment and management of contractual matters arising during implementation of the major civil works.

Both positions are full-time and based at either the Katse or Polihali tunnel construction sites in the Lesotho Highlands.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Support the Engineer and Chief Resident Engineer in administering the construction contract.

• Prepare monthly measurements of completed construction works.

• Prepare and review monthly payment certificates.

• Review quantities, supporting records and contractor payment applications.

• Interpret construction-contract conditions and contractual obligations.

• Apply FIDIC contract procedures to the administration of the works.

• Support the review and adjudication of contractor claims.

• Assess contractual notices, claims documentation and supporting evidence.

• Provide advice on contractual matters arising during construction.

• Maintain accurate payment, measurement, claim and contract-administration records.

• Coordinate with resident engineers, quantity surveyors, technical specialists, contractors and project-management personnel.

• Support contractual correspondence, instructions, determinations and reporting.

• Assist with construction administration for the Polihali Transfer Tunnel and associated hydraulic infrastructure.

• Work full-time at the Katse or Polihali construction site.

• Perform other contract-management duties assigned by the Chief Resident Engineer or Project Manager.

The public vacancy does not state a nationality restriction. Applicants must satisfy SMEC employment, professional-registration and work-eligibility requirements.
Senior professional position. The Contract Engineer requires at least 15 years of postgraduate experience. Candidates for the Assistant Contract Engineer position may be considered with less experience.

Requirements and qualifications

Applicants for the Contract Engineer position must hold a recognised university degree in Civil Engineering or Quantity Surveying.

Applicants must be registered as a Professional Engineer or hold an approved equivalent professional qualification.

The Contract Engineer must have at least 15 years of postgraduate professional experience in civil-engineering works.

Applicants must have at least 10 years of experience working as a Contract Engineer or Quantity Surveyor on major civil-works projects.

Applicants must have at least 10 years of experience working with FIDIC construction contracts.

Candidates must demonstrate substantial experience in contractual matters, including the evaluation and adjudication of construction claims.

Applicants should understand monthly measurement, interim-payment certification, contractual correspondence, notices, variations, claims and contract interpretation.

Experience working on major dams, tunnels, water-transfer schemes, hydropower projects or comparable civil infrastructure is highly relevant.

Candidates must be able to work effectively with multidisciplinary engineering, construction-supervision and contractor teams.

The Assistant Contract Engineer may be considered with less experience than the minimum prescribed for the senior Contract Engineer and will assist the Contract Engineer with the stated duties.

Technical skill:

• FIDIC construction contracts.

• Construction-contract administration.

• Monthly measurement and valuation.

• Interim-payment certificates.

• Claims analysis and adjudication.

• Contract interpretation.

• Quantity surveying.

• Civil-engineering construction.

• Dam and tunnel infrastructure.

• Water-transfer projects.

• Construction correspondence and records.

• Contractor and consultant coordination.

• Technical and contractual reporting.

Language requirements:

The official vacancy does not state a formal language requirement. Strong professional English communication and contract-writing skills are expected because the advertised duties involve FIDIC contract interpretation, claims and formal correspondence.

Documents required
• Updated curriculum vitae.

• Cover letter explaining relevant contract-engineering or quantity-surveying experience.

• University degree in Civil Engineering or Quantity Surveying.

• Evidence of Professional Engineer registration or an approved equivalent qualification.

• Details of major civil-engineering projects completed during the applicant’s career.

• Evidence of at least 10 years of FIDIC contract experience for the senior position.

• Evidence of claims evaluation, measurement, payment-certification and contract-administration experience.

• Any additional documents requested through the official SMEC Workday recruitment portal.

Open the official SMEC recruitment page for job reference JR116331.

Select the Apply button.

Create a Workday recruitment account or sign in to an existing account.

Complete all mandatory personal, employment, education and professional-registration sections.

Upload an updated curriculum vitae and any supporting documents requested by the recruitment portal.

Clearly describe experience with major civil works, FIDIC contracts, monthly measurements, payment certificates and construction claims.

Applicants interested in the Assistant Contract Engineer position should explain their relevant experience even where it is below the minimum required for the senior Contract Engineer position.

Review the application carefully before final submission.

Submit the completed application no later than 31 August 2026.

SMEC does not require applicants to pay a recruitment or application fee.