Project Manager – Substation Projects

The primary purpose of the Project Manager is to ensure the successful and timely delivery of substation projects from mobilization and detailed engineering through procurement, construction, installation, testing, commissioning, energization, and final handover.

The Project Manager will have overall responsibility for achieving project objectives related to:

• Scope;

• Schedule;

• Cost;

• Quality;

• Safety;

• Technical compliance;

• Contractual performance;

• Resource management; and

• Successful project commissioning and handover.

3.1 Project Planning and Management

The Project Manager shall:

• Develop and implement comprehensive project execution plans in accordance with approved project requirements.

• Establish project schedules, milestones, deliverables, and resource requirements.

• Monitor project progress against approved baseline schedules and take corrective measures where required.

• Manage project activities from initiation through completion and final handover.

• Ensure effective coordination among engineering, procurement, construction, testing, commissioning, and project support teams.

• Identify project risks, constraints, and potential delays and develop appropriate mitigation measures.

• Ensure effective utilization of manpower, equipment, materials, and financial resources.

• Conduct regular project progress meetings and maintain proper records of decisions and action points.

3.2 Technical Management of Substation Projects

The Project Manager shall provide technical and managerial oversight of substation works, including, as applicable:

• High-voltage, medium-voltage, and distribution substations.

• AIS and GIS substation installations.

• Power transformers and auxiliary transformers.

• Circuit breakers, disconnectors/isolators, earthing switches, and busbar systems.

• Current transformers (CTs) and voltage transformers/potential transformers (VTs/PTs).

• Protection and control systems.

• Substation automation and SCADA systems.

• Battery and DC systems, chargers, and auxiliary AC systems.

• Protection, metering, measurement, and control panels.

• Power and control cable systems.

• Cable trenches and cable management systems.

• Earthing and lightning protection systems.

• Substation lighting and auxiliary power systems.

• Fire protection and relevant safety systems.

• Communication and telecommunication systems associated with substations.

• Civil works, foundations, control buildings, equipment structures, fencing, drainage, and access roads.

• Equipment installation, pre-commissioning, testing, commissioning, energization, and handover.

The Project Manager shall ensure that all technical activities are executed in accordance with approved drawings, specifications, method statements, inspection and test plans (ITPs), and applicable standards.

4. Engineering and Design Coordination

The Project Manager shall:

• Coordinate with engineering teams for review and approval of design documents, drawings, calculations, specifications, and technical submissions.

• Ensure timely resolution of technical queries, Requests for Information (RFIs), and design-related issues.

• Coordinate interfaces between electrical, civil, protection and control, SCADA, communication, and mechanical works.

• Review engineering deliverables to ensure alignment with project scope and contractual requirements.

• Monitor design changes and ensure that approved variations are properly documented and implemented.

• Ensure that as-built drawings and technical documentation are completed before project handover.

5. Procurement and Materials Management

The Project Manager shall coordinate closely with procurement and supply-chain teams to ensure timely availability of project materials and equipment.

Responsibilities include:

• Developing and monitoring procurement schedules.

• Identifying critical and long-lead electrical equipment.

• Monitoring manufacturing, inspection, testing, shipment, customs clearance, and delivery of equipment.

• Coordinating factory inspections and Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT), where applicable.

• Ensuring equipment and materials conform to approved technical specifications.

• Monitoring material delivery against the approved construction schedule.

• Preventing project delays caused by procurement or logistics constraints.

6. Construction and Installation Management

The Project Manager shall:

• Direct and coordinate site construction and installation activities.

• Supervise contractors, subcontractors, engineers, supervisors, and technical personnel.

• Ensure construction activities are carried out according to approved drawings, method statements, specifications, and project schedules.

• Coordinate site mobilization, construction sequencing, work fronts, and resource allocation.

• Monitor installation of electrical equipment, structures, cabling, protection and control systems, and auxiliary systems.

• Coordinate civil and electrical interfaces to avoid construction conflicts and delays.

• Ensure proper storage, handling, installation, and protection of electrical equipment.

• Review and approve work plans and method statements within delegated authority.

• Resolve site technical and coordination issues in a timely manner.

7. Testing, Commissioning and Energization

The Project Manager shall have overall coordination responsibility for testing and commissioning activities, including:

• Preparation and implementation of testing and commissioning schedules.

• Coordination of pre-commissioning inspections and tests.

• Coordination of transformer testing and commissioning.

• Protection relay testing and functional verification.

• CT/PT testing and verification.

• Circuit breaker and isolator functional testing.

• Control and interlocking system testing.

• SCADA and communication system integration testing.

• Battery, charger, DC system, and auxiliary system testing.

• Earthing system testing.

• Protection coordination and trip testing.

• Site Acceptance Testing (SAT).

• Coordination of energization procedures and readiness assessments.

• Preparation and completion of commissioning records and test certificates.

• Final punch-list clearance and project handover.

No equipment or system shall be energized without appropriate technical verification, safety clearance, and authorization in accordance with the approved project procedures.

8. Contract and Commercial Management

The Project Manager shall support effective administration of project contracts and commercial obligations by:

• Monitoring contractor performance against contractual requirements.

• Reviewing progress against contractual milestones.

• Supporting preparation and evaluation of variations, claims, extensions of time, and other contractual matters.

• Maintaining proper documentation of project instructions, correspondence, approvals, and changes.

• Monitoring potential commercial risks arising from delays, design changes, material shortages, or contractor performance.

• Coordinating with the commercial and contracts teams regarding payment milestones and project deliverables.

• Ensuring that project documentation provides adequate records for contractual and commercial purposes.

9. Quality Assurance and Quality Control

The Project Manager shall ensure that project activities comply with approved Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) procedures.

Responsibilities include:

• Ensuring implementation of approved Quality Plans and Inspection & Test Plans.

• Monitoring inspection and testing activities.

• Ensuring non-conformities are properly identified, recorded, investigated, and closed.

• Reviewing material inspection and equipment test certificates.

• Ensuring compliance with approved technical specifications and standards.

• Coordinating with the QA/QC team, consultant, client, and contractors regarding quality issues.

• Ensuring completion of quality documentation prior to commissioning and handover.

11. Stakeholder and Government Coordination

The Project Manager will serve as a key technical and managerial focal point for project coordination with:

• Client representatives;

• Afghanistan Electricity Company (MEW/DABS), where applicable;

• Ministry and relevant government authorities;

• Provincial authorities;

• Project consultants and engineers;

• Contractors and subcontractors;

• Equipment manufacturers and suppliers;

• Local communities and stakeholders; and

• Other organizations involved in project implementation.

The Project Manager shall ensure effective communication, timely decision-making, and professional resolution of project-related issues.

12. Project Reporting

The Project Manager shall prepare and submit regular project reports, including:

• Daily and weekly progress reports;

• Monthly project progress reports;

• Updated project schedules;

• Resource utilization reports;

• Procurement and material status reports;

• Risk and issue registers;

• HSE performance reports;

• Quality and inspection reports;

• Financial/progress status reports;

• Testing and commissioning status;

• Variation and claims status; and

• Project completion and handover reports.

All reports shall be accurate, timely, technically sound, and supported by appropriate documentation.

13. Team Leadership and Human Resource Management

The Project Manager shall:

• Lead multidisciplinary project teams effectively.

• Assign responsibilities and monitor performance of project personnel.

• Coordinate engineers, supervisors, technicians, contractors, and subcontractors.

• Promote professional discipline, teamwork, accountability, and technical excellence.

• Identify manpower requirements and coordinate mobilization.

• Mentor and develop junior engineering and technical staff.

• Conduct performance monitoring of project teams under his/her supervision.

The candidate must possess:

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Power Engineering, or a closely related field from a recognized university.

• A Master's degree in Electrical/Power Engineering or Project Management will be considered an advantage.

• Relevant professional training or certification in project management will be an advantage.

15. Required Professional Experience

The ideal candidate should have:

• Minimum 7 years of relevant professional experience in electrical power infrastructure projects.

• At least 5 years of relevant experience in substation construction, installation, testing, commissioning, or project management.

• Demonstrated experience managing medium- and/or high-voltage substation projects.

• Proven experience coordinating multidisciplinary engineering and construction teams.

• Experience with project scheduling, resource planning, contractor management, procurement coordination, QA/QC, and commissioning.

• Previous experience with transmission and distribution infrastructure projects will be highly desirable.

• Experience working with utility companies, government entities, EPC contractors, consultants, or international engineering organizations will be an advantage.

• Experience working in Afghanistan or comparable challenging project environments will be preferred.

16. Technical Competencies

The candidate should demonstrate strong knowledge of:

• Electrical power systems and substations.

• HV/MV electrical equipment.

• Power transformers and switchgear.

• Protection and control systems.

• Substation automation and SCADA.

• Electrical testing and commissioning.

• Earthing and lightning protection.

• Electrical drawings, single-line diagrams, and schematics.

• Technical specifications and BOQs.

• Construction methodologies.

• Project scheduling and progress monitoring.

• QA/QC systems and Inspection & Test Plans.

• HSE requirements for electrical construction.

• Contract and contractor management.

• Risk and change management.

• Technical documentation and project reporting.

Knowledge of relevant IEC, IEEE, BS, NFPA, and other applicable international standards will be considered an advantage.

17. Project Management Competencies

The successful candidate should possess:

• Strong project planning and execution capability.

• Excellent leadership and team-management skills.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving ability.

• Ability to manage multiple project activities simultaneously.

• Strong decision-making and coordination skills.

• Ability to work under pressure and meet demanding deadlines.

• Strong negotiation and conflict-resolution skills.

• Excellent communication and reporting skills.

• Strong understanding of project cost, schedule, quality, and risk management.

• High level of professional integrity, accountability, and commitment.

18. Software Skills

Proficiency in the following will be preferred:

• Microsoft Project and/or Primavera P6.

• Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.

• AutoCAD and/or relevant electrical design software.

• Project reporting and document-control systems.

• Knowledge of specialized electrical engineering software will be an advantage.

19. Language Requirements

• Pashto: Excellent.

• Dari: Excellent.

• English: Good professional working proficiency, particularly in technical documentation, specifications, contracts, correspondence, and reporting.

20. Duty Station and Mobility

The position will involve extensive field deployment to various provinces of Afghanistan depending on project requirements.

The successful candidate must be:

• Willing and able to travel frequently to project sites;

• Comfortable working in remote and challenging field environments;

• Available for extended field assignments when required; and

• Capable of coordinating projects across multiple locations.

21. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Performance will be assessed against, but not limited to, the following indicators:

1. Achievement of project milestones and completion dates.

2. Compliance with approved project budget and cost controls.

3. Technical compliance of project deliverables.

4. Quality performance and reduction of non-conformities.

5. HSE performance and prevention of major incidents.

6. Timely procurement and mobilization of critical equipment.

7. Effective contractor and subcontractor performance.

8. Successful testing, commissioning, and energization.

9. Timely closure of project punch-list items.

10. Quality and completeness of project documentation.

11. Effective stakeholder coordination.

12. Successful project handover and client acceptance.

22. Application Requirements

Interested and qualified candidates are requested to submit:

1. Updated CV/Resume;

2. Cover Letter;

3. Copies of relevant educational certificates;

4. Copies of professional certificates, where applicable;

5. Details of relevant substation projects previously managed or supervised; and

6. Contact information for professional references, if requested.

Candidates should clearly indicate their relevant experience in substation projects, including project capacity/voltage level, location, employer/client, project value where appropriate, and their specific responsibilities.

Position: Project Manager – Substation Projects
Organization: Fine Star Group of Companies
Duty Station: Various Provinces of Afghanistan

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further assessment and interview.

Fine Star Group of Companies is committed to recruiting qualified professionals based on competence, experience, integrity, and professional merit.