Project Manager – Electrical (Power)

About Liberal Construction

Liberal Construction, LLC is a United States construction company headquartered in McLean, Virginia. Since 2010 it has delivered design-build projects for US clients across Africa, the GCC and Europe. We are hiring engineers for our project sites in Djibouti, East Africa.

Job Description: Project Manager – Electrical (Power)

Location: Djibouti, East Africa (site-based) | Reports to: Projects Director

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

The Project Manager – Electrical (Power) is accountable for delivering the company's concurrent power projects in Djibouti — substation renovation, medium-voltage switchgear replacement, UPS replacement and building electrical works — from notice to proceed to closeout. The role answers for schedule, cost, contract, safety, quality and engineering, and is the Client's day-to-day contact.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Project Leadership, Schedule and Cost

- Own each project from notice to proceed to closeout; lead progress meetings, correspondence and notices with the Client, keeping a written record of every decision.

- Flag changes in scope, condition or direction in writing on the day they arise; prepare RFIs, change proposals and claims supported by site records.

- Build and maintain baseline and monthly-updated schedules in Primavera P6 or MS Project, with three-week look-aheads and narratives.

- Own the budget, forecast, cost to complete and cash flow; prepare monthly progress payment applications against the schedule of values.

- Plan long-lead procurement (switchgear, transformers, E-House, UPS, relays) back from energisation, incl. factory tests and shipping.

Subcontractors, Site Team and Reporting

- Scope, award and manage subcontracts and supply orders; run weekly coordination and certify subcontractor payments.

- Direct the site team — Electrical Engineer, supervisors, QC and safety staff — and coordinate outages, access and permits with site operations.

- Issue daily, weekly and monthly reports on schedule, cost, risk, quality and safety.

Safety, Quality and Engineering

- Own the site safety programme — hazard analyses, work permits, lockout/tagout — with authority to stop work.

- Own the quality control plan with the QC Manager: three-phase inspections, non-conformances driven to closure, and complete test records.

- Coordinate design with the Engineer of Record — single line diagrams, load and cable schedules, protection and power system studies — and answer Client design review comments.

- Plan switching, isolation and energisation for MV work; witness factory and site acceptance tests, commissioning and energisation.

- Take each project to closeout: punch list, as-built drawings, test records, O&M manuals, warranties and final payment.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering (power or energy systems); Master's degree an advantage.

- Minimum 8 years post-graduation, including at least 3 years as the accountable project manager on MV/LV distribution, substation or switchgear projects.

- Hands-on MV switchgear and RMUs (11–15 kV), distribution transformers to 3 MVA, LV switchboards, capacitor banks and ATS.

- Primavera P6 or MS Project, cost control and subcontract administration; ETAP; PMP an advantage.

- Strong written English for formal client correspondence; willing to live and work in Djibouti.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIP:

Reports to the Projects Director; works with the Engineer of Record, site engineers, QC, safety and head office.

What we offer

- Monthly salary of US$4,000–6,000.

- Accommodation: company accommodation, or an accommodation allowance.

- Transportation provided by the company.

- A return air ticket every year.

- Work visa and permits arranged and paid for by the company.

We value smartness and hard work over years of experience. We never charge candidates any recruitment fee.

Location

On site in Djibouti, East Africa. Full-time.

How to apply

Apply on this page: complete the short form and attach your CV. Every application is reviewed by our team. Shortlisted candidates take an online assessment, followed by technical and final interviews.