Job Description

At the SKAO we are coordinating a global effort to deliver one of the largest science facilities on the planet. The SKAO telescopes will be next-generation instruments that will help to answer key questions in astrophysics, drive technological innovation and support human capital development.



More than a dozen partner countries and over a thousand scientists and engineers around the world are already on board, making the SKA project an international collaboration like no other, and one of the most ambitious science and engineering endeavours of the 21st century.



Headquartered in the UK, with telescope sites in Australia and South Africa, the SKAO will be one observatory operating two telescopes, an endeavour spanning three continents. Multinational by design, in early 2021 the SKAO became an intergovernmental organisation, one of only a select handful of science infrastructures to do so worldwide.



Construction activities for the SKAO's telescopes in Australia and South Africa started in 2021, along with a ramping up of SKAO staff in both countries. It is expected that the transition from the Construction Phase to the Operations Phase will happen around 2028.



SKAO Operations in South Africa will be conducted in partnership with the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO). SKAO Operations in Australia will be conducted in partnership with the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO). The Observatory will also partner closely with a global network of SKA Regional Centres through which astronomers will access science data products and a suite of tools and resources to further analyse the SKA telescopes' data.



For more information on the SKA project visit https://www.skao.int/



The SKA Observatory offers a competitive salary and a generous pension and benefits package. As an employee of an intergovernmental organisation, an appointee who is not a national of the country in which the role is based may be subject to personal Privileges and Immunities.



The SKA Observatory is seeking to appoint an experienced Project Manager to manage the SKA-Low infrastructure contracts.


The Role



The SKAO Project Management Group holds the project management and control expertise within the Observatory. During Construction, the Project Managers procure and deliver their assigned parts of the SKA-Mid and SKA-Low telescope facilities by managing a portfolio of contracts and work packages. The Project Managers form the primary managerial link between SKAO as the client and the selected contractors and are responsible for delivery of their scope within the agreed budget and schedule, managing change, reviews, risks and issues and performing regular reporting and variance analysis.



Project Manager- SKA- Low Infrastructure Contracts will manage the following contracts:


Low Infrastructure 5 - Site Monitoring - procurement and delivery Low Infrastructure 6 - Low Camp - management Low Infrastructure 8 - Fibre Design & Build - delivery

In addition, this role will coordinate the fit-out of a large on-site data processing facility, 18 remote processing data centres, and the infrastructure components installed at the PAWSEY facility, which houses the main Science Processing Facility.



This position involves overseeing the physical installation of computing hardware, networking equipment, and power and cooling systems to support 4-6 different technology stacks. The role requires close collaboration with other Project Managers, engineering leads, and international vendors to ensure integrated, timely, and technically sound delivery of all infrastructure components.

This is a fixed-term contract to provide temporary cover within the PM team with a duration of twelve months and will be based in

Perth, Australia

.

We welcome applications from candidates of all nationalities, especially those from member countries. However, for these roles visa and relocation support will not be available and applicants must be able to comply with the terms of a Australia based local contract, details of which may be accessed on SKAO's recruitment portal.



SKAO is committed to providing an inclusive and flexible working environment, meeting the requests of our Colleagues whilst also fulfilling the needs and objectives of the Observatory.



This role requires the post holder to work across different time zones and, in line with SKAO policy, flexible working hours will be supported in agreement with the line manager.



Key Responsibilities, Accountabilities and Duties


Manage the delivery of the products and services listed above through to successful completion, complying with relevant legislation, policies and frameworks: + Actively manage budget, schedule, changes, reviews, risks and issues and perform regular reporting and variance analysis within SKAO's governance framework
+ Where contracts not yet awarded, conduct rigorous tender, evaluation and selection processes, complying with organisational policies to select suppliers which best meet the requirements of the project and organisation.
+ Ensure that the deliverables from these contracts and the work of the internal team are integrated into the project level tools and systems.
+ Assess programmatic, safety, environmental and reputational risks associated with their contracts, recommend appropriate actions to senior managers and implement and report on agreed actions.
+ Take prompt action to resolve any problems in accordance with the terms of the contract, including negotiating and managing contract variances
+ Manage an effective governance and control environment with their contractors to ensure the direction of travel in the contracts is aligned to the business case and data integrity is maintained, taking corrective actions when needed
+ Manage contract quality reviews in order to identify, assess and take action to mitigate risks to project success.
Lead and co-ordinate efforts across the internal matrix organisation, including project control, engineers, procurement specialists, assurance and operations staff, to guide and support the contractors, with all applicable processes overseen and integrated. Build relationships with internal and external stakeholders to gain buy in and support effective collaboration.

Mandatory Knowledge, Skills and Experience


Degree qualified or equivalent experience supported by a relevant professional project or programme management qualification (e.g. PMI's PMP or APM's PMQ or ChPP) with deep understanding of the theoretical principles which apply to project and programme management. Substantial experience in commissioning and managing products/services within a complex project to deliver measurable and visible outcomes for the client. Knowledge/experience in contract management and associated procedures and processes, with the ability to agree and shape standards to a particular project environment. Ability to monitor, plan and manage an agreed budget within a defined area, producing reports and analysis. Ability to plan and monitor integrated schedules across various contracts. Domain knowledge of the technical specialisms being managed (civils, electrical, fibre, networks, construction camp management) Ability to provide team leadership for a geographically dispersed, multi-cultural team working across several time-zones. Ability to take part in formal communications and influencing across different levels of the business, including senior management and stakeholders. Proficient user of web-based tools and services used in the delivery of complex projects, including scheduling, financial, configuration, engineering, collaboration and risk tools.

Desirable Knowledge, Skills and Experience


Post-graduate qualification in management, engineering or physical sciences Full membership of a project management or engineering professional body Experience in managing delivery in multi-disciplinary, multi-national projects Industry experience and/or a track record in successful collaboration with industry Experience in using the NEC4 contract suite Experience in using CEMAR, Primavera P6, Confluence, Google Drive, PowerBI and Jira Experience of delivery using predictive and iterative methods

Equality Diversity and Inclusion Statement

SKA Observatory recognises that our diversity is a strength. We aim to create a welcoming and inclusive environment where everyone feels they belong, and diverse perspectives and ideas thrive. As such, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion are at the core of SKA Observatory's agenda.



Our aim is to recruit and retain the most talented individuals, regardless of gender, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, nationality or background.



Women have traditionally been under-represented in the fields of science and engineering; SKA Observatory welcomes and encourages female applicants.



Where applicants with a disability need facilities or adjustments to enable them to participate in the recruitment process, these will be provided.



SKA Observatory welcome all candidates, especially those from member countries.



The "How to Apply" information contained within the SKA Observatory recruitment portal provides more detail regarding our application and selection approach.