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VACANCY: Contracts Manager

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A Durban, South Africa-based construction company seeks a Contracts Manager to collaborate with Project Managers in asserting functional authority over the entire scope of work and associated construction activities. PURPOSE To coordinate with Project Manager, studying specifications and construction procedures and exercises functional authority for all scope of works and related construction activities Experience required Minimum 6 years experience working as a Site Agent/ Manager on heavy concrete works and general civil engineering projects Qualifications Required Minimum National Diploma / B. Sc. in Civil Engineering Professional Registration with either SACPCMP or ECSA is an added advantage Competencies required Knowledge of civil and structural codes and other associated codes used in the project Ability to understand and and deliver contracts within the agreed contract conditions Ability to provide leadership and direction so that all staff understand their role in delivering t
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PROFILE: My unconventional career - Abongile Dyawire

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Abongile Dyawire tells us about MY UNCONVENTIONAL CAREER that led him to a fulfilling career in training, mentoring and coaching of Built Environment Professionals

What was your 1st career choice?

Civil Engineer

What motivated you to get into your Civil Engineering

I wanted to be involved in the designs of bridges and at the time, there were few engineers that had that experience. So, I wanted to contribute to the development of Eastern Cape's infrastructure plans and build reliable road mobility networks.
What makes your career journey unconventional?

I thought I was going to be a civil engineering specialist but I now find myself in the training, mentoring and coaching space rather. So, this to me comes as a surprise when I look back because this was never in my career plans, but a discovery that has led to learning more about my interests/passion, strengths and weaknesses.

Give us brief history of your unconventional journey and the experiences you gained along the way 

Even though my undergraduate qualification is Civil Engineering, I realized that I was not that strong in interpreting technical detail and the tolerance levels in engineering were very low. I also appreciated the fact that my strength was more in dealing with people and that strength was tested during my in service training days.

I then started focusing my efforts in building that capability by challenging myself to take charge in leadership roles. This was a learning curve for me as I was transitioning from a Civil Engineering mindset to a more construction management centric approach which is more focused on putting assets on the ground. Fast forward, I then got exposure in project, programme and portfolio management and that is very far from being a civil engineering technical specialist. Currently, I am full-time in training, mentoring and coaching of built environment professionals in the line of project, programme and portfolio management. This for me is very far off from what I had originally envisaged and my career direction has significantly shifted from what it was when I started and my career lessons have directed me to this point.

ALSO READ PROFILE: My unconventional career - Pierre van der Spuy

What is your current role and what are you learning from it?

I am a project, programme and portfolio management mentor and coach involved in consulting services helping organisations strengthen their processes, procedures and systems in delivering projects, programmes and portfolios. What is exciting about this new role is that you learn about the different challenges experienced by the built environment community and knowledge gaps that need to be addressed in project, programme and portfolio management.

This helps me to propose alternative solutions and also learn from my client's experiences along the way. What is nice about being a mentor or coach is that you are not expected to know everything, but develop a framework for solving problems in a structured approach. I learn everyday in what I do, and this feeling is fulfilling because my success is directly linked to my customers' success.

Looking back, what has been key learning points in your unconventional career?

As a built environment professional, you need to invest more time in discovering yourself and be receptive to constructive criticism. It is only through understanding yourself that you will know where your contribution will have the most positive impact.

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