Project Management & Construction Services Manager

INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL VACANCY: PROJECT MANAGEMENT & CONSTRUCTION SERVICES MANAGER

CEF SOC

CEF is a Schedule 2 state owned diversified energy company reporting to the Department of Mineral & Petroleum Resources. The Mandate of CEF is to contribute to the security of energy supply of South Africa and the Region through exploration, acquisition, development, marketing and strategic partnership. It is derived from the CEF Act (No 38 of 1977) and the Ministerial directives issued thereafter.

 JOB PURPOSE:

To lead, coordinate and oversee the delivery of capital and infrastructure projects within the refinery in alignment with strategic, regulatory, and operational requirements. The role is responsible for ensuring project and construction services are executed efficiently, safely, on time, and within budget while adhering to quality standards and public sector compliance requirements.

 REQUIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Honours degree (NQF 8) in BSc/Beng in Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or equivalent.
• A minimum of 5 years’ experience in management and 3- 5 years senior management experience in project management and construction, particularly in the oil, gas, or refining industry.
• Proven track record of working in the refinery or petrochemical plant managing construction services projects.
• ECSA registration or equivalent is strongly preferred.
• Project Management certification (PMP, Prince2, PMI) is highly preferred.
• Master’s degree (NQF 9) in Engineering or equivalent qualification will serve as an added advantage.

DESIRED ADDITIONAL SKILLS/ COMPETENCIES:

• Strong understanding of refinery processes, systems, operations and technical disciplines including mechanical, electrical, process safety, and construction methodologies.
• Proficient in project management tools (MS Project, Primavera, or similar).
• Skilled in interpreting engineering drawings, overseeing procurement processes, construction methods, commissioning procedures, and ensuring compliance with HSEQ regulations in high-risk industries.
• Highly capable of managing and developing diverse engineering teams in a complex, unionised, or government-regulated environment.
• Strong ability to balance scope, schedule, and budget while managing risks and quality.
• Experienced in CAPEX/OPEX planning, project execution, cost control, departmental budgeting, and supplier/service provider management.
• Demonstrated ability in root cause analysis, troubleshooting, operational risk management, and asset lifecycle cost optimisation
• Workforce planning and capability development skills
• Experienced in long-term asset integrity planning
• Composed and factual decision maker
• Highly assertive and competitive
• Solution orientated and results focused.

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS:

Project Leadership and Governance

• Lead the execution of refinery capital projects, maintenance, and construction activities.
• Ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and according to scope and quality standards.
• Develop and manage project execution plans, including resource allocation, schedules, procurement strategies, and financial control.
• Ensure compliance with safety standards, legal regulations (MHI, PER), and quality control systems (ISO 9001).
• Oversee the management of the project portfolio, ensuring alignment with the refinery’s strategic goals and objectives.
• Implement governance frameworks for project management in accordance with public sector procurement laws and regulations.

 Construction and Technical Oversight

• Oversee the construction phase of projects, managing contractors, suppliers, and external stakeholders.
• Ensure all construction activities comply with refinery engineering standards, process safety requirements, and environmental regulations.
• Conduct risk assessments and ensure risk mitigation plans are in place, particularly around safety, quality, and project delivery.
• Ensure that all technical aspects of the project (design, procurement, construction, testing, and commissioning) are aligned with the refinery’s operational requirements.
• Resolve on-site technical and contractual issues in collaboration with relevant stakeholders.

Budget and Cost Control

• Oversee project budgeting, forecasting, and financial management; ensure projects are delivered within financial constraints.
• Develop and manage project cost control procedures, ensuring regular tracking and reporting of cost performance (CAPEX/OPEX).
• Evaluate contractor bids and provide recommendations on the most cost-effective, risk-mitigating solutions for the project.

Governance, Compliance and Risk Management

• Ensure adherence to relevant public sector procurement legislation, engineering codes construction regulations and environmental laws.
• Maintain rigorous project governance, including stage-gate reviews and audit readiness.
• Identify, manage and mitigate risks across all projects and construction activities.

Resource Management

• Plan, allocate, and manage departmental resources to ensure effective delivery of operational objectives. This includes developing annual plans and budgets aligned with strategic priorities, monitoring expenditure, and ensuring cost-effective use of funds.
• Oversee human resource management within the department, including workforce planning, performance management, and staff development.
• Manage procurement processes by identifying service provider needs, sourcing suppliers in line with procurement policies, and overseeing the quality, cost, and contractual compliance of goods and services delivered.

Stakeholder engagement

• Engage and communicate with internal stakeholders, government bodies, service providers, and community representatives.
• Provide regular progress updates to the MD and participate in executive meetings. 

Publish date:    19 August 2025

Closing Date:   28 August 2025

NOTE: The successful candidate/s for the advertised position/s will be required to undergo personnel suitability checks, which includes, criminal records, citizenship, financial checks, qualifications and previous employment (Reference checks). It is the responsibility of the applicant to make sure that foreign qualifications are evaluated by the South African Qualifications Authority and the evaluation certificate is attached to the application on submission. If you do not hear from the CEF SOC three months after the closing date of the advertisement, consider your application unsuccessful.  CEF SOC reserves the right not to fill this position. CEF SOC is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer, and it is committed to the achievement and maintenance of diversity and equity in employment, especially in respect of race, gender and disability. This position will be filled in accordance with the CEF SOC Employment Equity Plan.