Manager – Project Cost Management at Equity Bank Kenya

Description

Equity Bank is one of the region’s leading banks whose purpose is to transform the lives and livelihoods of the people of Africa socially and economically by availing them modern and inclusive financial services that maximize their opportunities. With a strong footprint in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, South Sudan and DRC Congo, Equity Bank is now home to over 12 million customers - the largest customer base in Africa. Currently the Bank is seeking additional talent to serve in the role outlined below.

 Reporting to the Facilities Manager the successful candidate will be responsible for the following amongst others; 

Governance

• Consistency in adherence to and application of established policies, processes and tools to achieve optimal efficiency, compliance and cost containment for all projects, at all stages,
• Actively seek to improve processes and procedures and value for money
• Ensure compliance with all regulatory legislation as applies to constructions and fit out projects
• Assist in establishing the Bank's requirements and provide support for feasibility studies and business cases
• Work with the project team to ensure project risk mitigation plans are considered, put in place, administered and actioned
• Reconcile data to support complete accuracy and create a clean audit trail on costs for all projects

Project Financials /Cost Management

• Support Senior Project Management in monitoring and tracking all project costs to ensure completion within approved budgets at every stage.
• Provide reliable and robust cost information to support decision making and direction and alternative solutions where needed to achieve approved budget and cost parameters
• Support Senior Project Management in advising and preparing necessary value engineering reports as required
• Evaluate contractor invoices prior to submission into Finance systems for pre-approval
• Support Senior Project Management, managing and taking ownership of estimating and cost planning activities for all projects, from inception to final certificate.
• Provide regular cost management reports, including cost forecasting, early warnings, and contingency management.
• Ensuring that final accounts are negotiated and agreed in a timely manner.
• Compiling as built cost estimate records and market data for benchmarking purposes.
• Assist in the procurement process for all projects and make recommendations for procurement route selection versus risk.

Project Contracts

• Review contractor and subcontractor tenders, rates and pricing and support supply chain management in negotiations to drive fair contract prices to meet approved budget, taking into consideration cost in use and life cycle issues.
• Maintain comprehensive database of the different building contracts in current use
• Providing advice and inputs on contractual claims
• Provide advice on contractor’s commercial terms
• In liaison with Legal and Senior Project Management, assist to ensure that any main contracts entered into have terms and conditions that are appropriate for bank and the project in hand,
• Ensure that Contracts are properly administered including timely issue of interim certificates, early warnings and contractual notices, ensuring that the relevant parties are kept informed.
• Assist in the advice for project insurances

Project Management  Processes & Reporting

• Maintain and manage project cost reports and provide regular updates on projects financial position
• Develop cost plans, estimates through each design phase, delivering updated cost plans for approval at appropriate project milestones and Gateways.
• Advise and provide input into the value engineering management process and assist in preparing necessary reports and recommendations as required, including VE procurement options
• Production of reports (weekly, monthly e.t.c) for presentation to stakeholders and to aid in decision making e.g reports on actual costs vs estimate and identify underlying reasons for any variance (variance analysis)
• Develop and maintain report tracking tools and generate cost reports on regular basis including evaluation of earned value
• Identifying and act upon opportunities to improve cost management/reporting procedures, templates, products and hence improve the delivery of all projects
• Maintain a data base of cost for various aspects and several sources, and carry out benchmarking/market testing  to ensure an up-to-date data on project costs expectations
• Perform quantity surveying, cost control and change management processes and activities throughout the full project life cycle.
• Ensure that post-contract cost variances and change control processes are managed effectively in line with project management process and procedures.

Supplier/ Customer Performance

• Develop appropriate consultant and contractor  database and manage the supplier interface
• Support Senior Project Management to administer and execute Contract claims and penalties as relates to project contracts where necessary
• Schedule site visits and stakeholder engagements on a regular basis
• Support Senior Project Management to develop and monitor procurement strategy including contingency planning to realign any variance
• Ensure any withheld, disputed or disallowed costs are reported to the Senior Project  Manager and any inadmissible costs are not included within the project costs
• Work closely with the project, design and site team to ensure change is captured
• Be proactive and advise site teams on costs and management of costs

Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s Degree in Building Economics/Quantity Surveying, Construction Management or it's equivalent from a recognized institution. Registered with IQSK, BORAQs, PM chapter under AAK or hold RICS qualification 
• Minimum of 5 –  10 years proven experience in a similar role and  good knowledge of the East African construction industry

Technical  Competencies

• Have a detailed knowledge of the technical aspects of construction, including first-hand experience with a variety building systems (RC frame, masonry, timber frame and earthen methods are particularly relevant); including fitting out and refurbishment work
• A strong understanding of quality standards and compliance requirements, including knowledge of construction health and safety;
• Excellent knowledge of construction industry technical and commercial matters, such as different procurement routes, forms of contract, value management and value engineering techniques.
• Trained in commonly used industry software (AutoCAD, MS Office/Project/ Excel/ Cost etc), and an aptitude for learning new software

Behavioural Competencies

• Negotiating skills- ability to negotiate contract terms to achieve best value in the market within the relevant parameters
• Interpersonal skills to effectively communicate with and manage customer expectations (internal and external), and other stakeholders who affect performance.
• Self-empowerment to enable development of open communication, teamwork and trust that are needed to support performance
• Demonstrate leadership capability showing ability to focus on strategy as well as detail.
• Organisations skills: ability to prioritize, plan, coordinate, work under pressure and without supervision 
• Teamwork and leadership skills: ability to work independently while at the same time be an active team player, with good communication and prepared to speak out

Closing Date Apr 6, 2022