The Resident Engineer acts as the contractually designated “Engineer” under FIDIC Conditions of Contract, responsible for administering the Contract, exercising delegated authority, and making fair and impartial determinations on matters relating to time, cost, and quality.
The role combines:
• Formal Resident Engineer duties (core priority)
• Advanced contract administration
• Claims and commercial advisory capability
• Risk management and dispute avoidance
• Technical oversight (via DSA supervision teams)
A. FIDIC Contract Administration (Core Role)
• Act as the Engineer in accordance with FIDIC provisions.
• Issue Instructions, Determinations, and Certifications in compliance with contractual authority.
• Ensure all parties adhere to obligations relating to time, cost, quality, and procedures.
• Administer contractual processes including notices, submissions, approvals, and responses.
• Maintain procedural compliance and full contractual audit trail
B. Claims & EOT Management
• Assess and determine:
o Extension of Time (EOT) claims
o Prolongation and disruption claims
• Ensure claims are valid, substantiated, and contractually compliant.
• Prepare and issue Engineer’s Determinations in accordance with FIDIC requirements.
• Proactively identify and manage potential claims to minimise dispute escalation.
C. Variations & Commercial Oversight
• Administer Clause variations and adjustments.
• Review, instruct, and validate variations in coordination with commercial teams.
• Ensure commercial implications are understood prior to instruction.
• Maintain control of cost exposure through disciplined contractual processes.
D. Risk Management & Dispute Avoidance
• Identify and monitor risks affecting programme, cost, and delivery.
• Implement early mitigation measures and maintain a proactive risk register.
• Support dispute avoidance through:
o Timely decisions
o Clear documentation
o Contractual compliance
• Assist in formal dispute processes where required.
E. Contractual Communications & Governance
• Lead preparation and review of all contractual correspondence, including but not
limited to:
o Notices
o Responses
o Instructions
o Determinations
• Ensure communications are contractually robust, consistent, and defensible.
• Maintain full traceability via relevant EDMS platforms.
F. Programme & Progress Oversight
• Review contractor programmes and progress updates.
• Validate:
o Critical path
o Delay analysis
o Recovery measures
• Ensure alignment with contractual milestones and obligations.
G. Interface with Supervision Team
• Oversee coordination between site supervision and contract administration deliverables.
• Ensure site issues (delays, NCRs, changes) are translated into formal contractual actions.
• Provide guidance to DSA site leads and discipline engineers on contractual implications.
H. Project Close-Out & DLP
• Administer:
o Taking-Over Certificates
o Performance Certificates
• Oversee snagging, testing & commissioning, and DLP processes.
• Ensure proper contract close-out and resolution of outstanding matters.
In addition to the Engineer duties, the role also includes Contracts Manager–level
responsibilities, including:
• Claims evaluation and strategy development
• Contract interpretation and advisory
• Drafting of contractual notices and position papers
• Commercial risk identification and mitigation
• Support to negotiations and dispute resolution
• Ensuring defensible contractual positions across all project stages
Degree in Engineering, Architecture, or Construction Management
• 15+ years’ experience in FIDIC-based contract administration and construction supervision
• Demonstrated experience acting as:
o Resident Engineer and/or
o Senior Contracts / Claims Manager on complex projects
• Strong experience across large-scale developments (hospitality, mixed-use, high-rise and infrastructure)
• Landscape based project experience is essential
• Expert knowledge of FIDIC Conditions of Contract (Red Book essential)
• Strong capability in claims analysis, EOT assessment, and dispute avoidance
• Sound commercial awareness with ability to understand cost implications of contractual decisions
• Proven ability to make independent, balanced, and defensible determinations
• Excellent contractual communication skills (written and verbal)
• Strong negotiation and stakeholder management capability
• High level of integrity, objectivity, and professional judgement
• Detail-oriented with strong analytical and problem-solving ability
• Ability to operate under pressure within complex, fast-track project environments
• Commitment to:
o Acting fairly and impartially in line with the Engineer’s role
o Maintaining strict compliance with contractual procedures and timelines
o Ensuring decisions are well-documented and defensible
o Promoting proactive risk management and dispute avoidance
Interested candidates can also send their CV to recruit.dxb@dsa.design, mentioning ‘Resident Engineer / Landscape & Architectural Lead’ in the subject line.
