Senior Cost Engineer - - Johannesburg

Job Description

To provide a cost engineering service (in accordance with contract execution procedures) to both project and corporate management for home office and external (i.e. field) activities.
Allocated project has a complete set of cost control documents appropriate for the size and phase of the project. Cost control documents are consistent in format, and presentation.
Allocated projects are provided with a manpower/manhour plan, in which actual manpower and manhours to date, and forecast manhours to go are reflected, after consultation with the project teams. The forecast manpower and manhours are aligned with the forecast schedule.
Allocated projects where materials and services are being procured (directly or indirectly) has a cost control base, preferably using standardized tools (Artista II), aligned with the project estimate, including variations as may be approved. These are traceable through the life of the project. The cost control base is aligned with corporate procedures and contract requirements.
Allocated projects (with exception possibly of projects that are of a technical advisory service unless otherwise required), are furnished with a cost report that accurately reflects costs to date and provides a cost forecast. The cost report is auditable to actual expenditure and commitments, and the forecast is aligned to the project schedule/forecast.
Allocated projects have a robust change control system in place for raising, tracking and monitoring changes and supporting claims. Registers are published to the agreed project frequency to the project team as appropriate.
Invoicing on allocated projects is up to date. Project Managers are kept abreast of overdue payments against invoices.

Responsibilities

Understand all relevant documentation pertaining to the project including scope of services, conditions of contract, project execution plan, project schedule, etc.
Work within standard project cost engineering procedures. Ensure that these procedures comply with contractual reporting requirements and, if not, modify accordingly.
Prepare activity plans to accomplish all work required by the procedures.
Liaise with client project control personnel as necessary.
Prepare manhour, material quantity and cost budgets from the cost estimate and update them on approval of contract changes and budget transfers.
Disseminate budget information to all operating groups, providing clarification and additional information where required and ascertaining commitment to budgets as the cost target.
Generally instill cost awareness in the project organisation such that capital costs are controlled and changes to workscope are identified and quantified.
Obtain from operating groups, the latest information pertinent to cost analysis and ensure its accuracy and completeness. Attend meetings concerning cost matters.
Maintain a comprehensive material and construction quantity control and reporting system to include the current status of budget, material take-off and forecast quantities.
Liaise with Project Planning Engineer on analysis of project status. Review the impact of cost and schedule changes upon each other.
Identify and analyse deviations and trends against the budgets. Investigate such deviations with the relevant group and advise Project Manager/Project Controls Manager of issues requiring corrective action.
Establish and maintain all cost recording documentation. Provide comprehensive cost analysis and prepare forecasts of final project costs.
Liaise with Field Cost Engineer/Construction/Site Manager and review field cost reports and associated information for inclusion in the overall project cost report.
Review overall project status and forecast with Project Manager/Project Controls Manager each month.
Prepare monthly Project Cost Report, with supporting narratives, associated back-up, cost report summaries, exclusions, potential cost problems and recommend corrective actions for review with Project Manager, Chief Cost Engineer and Project Controls Manager as necessary.
Prepare quarterly Contract Profit Reports (CPR) and associated back up for review with Project Manager, Chief Cost Engineer, Project Controls Manager, and Executive and Corporate Representatives as necessary
Audit of invoices and payment certificates prior to payment by either the client or company accounts.
Ensure reconciliation between project cost report and accounts cost and billing information.
Prepare final project statistics and advise effectiveness of procedures and systems for possible development on future projects.
When assigned as a Lead Cost Engineer, oversee subordinates, allocate work accordingly, check and monitor work quality, accuracy and timeliness of reporting, and provide technical guidance.
When nominated, act as a sponsor to trainees, regularly review their progress and make periodic reports to the Manager Project Controls.
Perform any other functions as directed by the Chief Cost Engineer.

Qualifications:

National Diploma in in the finance, commerce, accounting fields or equivalent or,
Sufficient relevant experience over and above that stated below, in lieu of qualification requirements

Desirable