Senior Design-Build Contracts Specialist (FIDIC / Infrastructure)

About the role

GateSource HR is recruiting a Senior Design-Build Contracts Specialist for a major water infrastructure project in Panama. The professional provides contractual advice throughout project delivery, with particular responsibility for Design-Build contract administration, claims, variations, contractual risk and dispute resolution.

Key responsibilities

• Administer Design-Build contracts during the construction phase.
• Advise project leadership on contractual rights, obligations, notices and risk.
• Analyse and manage contractor claims and extension-of-time submissions.
• Evaluate contractual variations and their cost and schedule implications.
• Support dispute avoidance, negotiation and formal dispute-resolution processes.
• Maintain accurate contractual correspondence, records and supporting documentation.
• Work closely with engineering, construction, commercial, legal and project-control teams.

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management or a related field, or a law degree with a specialisation in Construction Law.
• At least 15 years of relevant professional experience.
• Proven expertise in Design-Build contract administration, claims analysis, variations, construction-phase advice and dispute resolution.
• Experience on at least one comparable infrastructure project valued at US$100 million or more.
• Relevant background in dams, hydraulic structures, tunnels, water infrastructure or other complex heavy civil projects.
• Highly preferred: experience on at least two comparable projects exceeding US$400 million each, and extensive knowledge of FIDIC-based Design-Build contracts.
• Preferred: FIDIC Certified Contract Manager certification or an equivalent professional credential, and experience with international employers, consultants and contractors.
• Professional English; Spanish is an advantage.

Required skills

• Experience with FIDIC contracts or equivalent internationally recognised standard forms.
• Claims analysis, variation evaluation and dispute resolution.

Compensation, mobilisation, rotation and assignment conditions will be discussed with shortlisted candidates after technical qualification.