Chief Programme and Delivery Officer

The project is established to plan, finance, deliver, operate, and maintain a 71-km highway and up to 700-hectare of reclaimed land and infrastructure development project in Lagos, Nigeria. The estimated construction cost is over US$2 billion.

Role Overview:

The Chief Programme and Delivery Officer (CPDO) will provide strategic oversight and operational management of the programme delivery and commercial functions. This includes planning and implementing the FIDIC EPC Silver Book contracts, ensuring risk mitigation, managing costs, and driving effective stakeholder engagement to deliver the project on time, within budget, and to specified quality standards.

The ideal candidate will provide strategic delivery leadership, courageous decision-making, political & stakeholder diplomacy, commercial negotiation (claims & disputes), high integrity and transparency, resilience under pressure, and be a strong communicator (Board & external stakeholders).

Key Responsibilities:

1. Programme Management:

• Develop and oversee the integrated programme plan, covering both project stages, with clear milestones, timelines, and resource allocation.
  
• Monitor and manage programme delivery, ensuring alignment with LLHL objectives and adherence to FIDIC Silver Book contract provisions.
  
• Establish and oversee robust progress reporting systems to track project performance against KPIs.
  
• Identify and resolve programme risks, bottlenecks, and interdependencies.
  

2. Contract and Procurement Management:

• Develop and implement procurement strategies for selecting contractors, ensuring compliance with FIDIC Silver Book standards and applicable regulations.
  
• Administer the FIDIC contracts, ensuring clarity in scope, deliverables, and contractor responsibilities.
  
• Manage contractor relationships, resolve disputes, and ensure timely delivery of contractual obligations.
  
• Oversee procurement of key materials, equipment, and services to ensure cost-effectiveness and quality.
  

3. Commercial Strategy and Cost Management:

• Establish and manage the project budget, ensuring effective cost control and forecasting throughout the project lifecycle.
  
• Conduct regular financial reviews and implement cost-saving strategies where appropriate.
  
• Manage variations, claims, and change orders in accordance with contract terms.
  
• Ensure transparency and accountability in all commercial transactions.
  

4. Risk Management:

• Develop and implement a comprehensive risk management framework to identify, assess, and mitigate risks related to programme and commercial activities.
  
• Monitor potential cost overruns, delays, and quality issues, implementing corrective measures promptly.
  
• Proactively address risks specific to the two-stage delivery process and the FIDIC EPC Silver Book requirements.
  

5. Stakeholder Engagement:

• Liaise with government agencies, regulatory authorities, contractors, consultants, and other stakeholders to ensure smooth project execution.
  
• Present programme updates, risks, and progress reports to the CEO, Board of Directors, and key stakeholders.
  
• Foster collaborative relationships between the LLHL, contractors, and external stakeholders to maintain alignment and minimize disputes.
  

6. Quality Assurance and Compliance:

• Ensure all works comply with FIDIC EPC Silver Book standards, regulatory requirements, and international best practices.
  
• Implement quality control systems to ensure deliverables meet specified technical and operational standards.
  
• Conduct periodic audits and reviews to ensure adherence to contractual obligations.
  

7. Team Leadership and Development:

• Lead and manage multidisciplinary teams involved in programme delivery and commercial functions.
  
• Build capacity within the programme management and commercial teams, ensuring knowledge transfer and skills development.
  
• ​Promote a culture of accountability, innovation, and collaboration within the team.
  

Requirements

Mandatory Qualifications and Experience:

• Education: Degree in Civil / Structural / Geotechnical Engineering (or equivalent). A Postgraduate degree (MSc, MEng, or MBA) or equivalent senior leadership qualification is desirable.
  
• Experience: Minimum of 15 years infrastructure experience, with at least 8-10yrs in senior project delivery roles.
  
• Programme Management: Proven experience managing large-scale infrastructure projects, preferably highways and marine/land reclamation projects (ideally 20-50Km or equivalent scope), with at least one of these projects delivered under FIDIC EPC Silver Book contracts
  
• Commercial Expertise: Strong commercial acumen and track record in managing budgeting, forecasting and cost control of large-scale infrastructure projects
  
• Project Delivery: Demonstrated ability to deliver multi-billion-dollar projects on time and within budget, managing multidisciplinary teams, EPC contractors, claims management, procurement of major civil engineering packages, and complex stakeholders (govt, DFI's etc) within complex PPP or EPC projects.
  
• Technical Knowledge: Familiarity with engineering, land reclamation, and highway construction methodologies.
  
• Emerging Markets: Experience working in emerging markets, with knowledge of Nigerian regulatory frameworks and procurement laws preferred.
  
• ​Professional certifications in project/programme management (e.g., PMP, PRINCE2) or commercial management (e.g., MRICS, CIPS, FICE etc.) are highly desirable.
  

Desirable Qualifications and Experience:

• Postgraduate degree (MSc, MEng, or MBA) or equivalent senior leadership qualification is desirable.
  
• Chartered Engineer / Registered with the Nigerian Society of Engineers (or equivalent recognised professional body).
  
• NEBOSH (or equivalent HSE), or specialised contract/claims training.
  
• Prior experience with PPP/Concession models and lender/DFI engagement (IFC, AFC, AfDB, World Bank etc).
  
• Exposure to project finance modelling or working with project finance legal documentation.
  

Key Skills:

• Strategic programme and commercial planning.

• Advanced understanding of FIDIC contract management.

• Risk management and problem-solving expertise.

• Strong negotiation and stakeholder engagement skills.

• Leadership and team-building abilities.

• Effective communication and presentation skills.