Contract Management in the Public Sector Training

The programme

Programme overview

This 3-day course on Contract Management is specifically aimed at empowering and building the capacity and competence of public officials who have to conclude and manage contracts for and on behalf of an “Organ of State”. Government’s quest for improved service delivery and the high premium placed on building the capacity of public service officials that, amongst others, use resources effectively, are innovative and continually raise service standards. This Contract Management in the Public Sector programme supports government officials in developing the necessary knowledge, skills and values that will enable you to improve your own levels and standards of service excellence, and to translate the policy intentions into your daily practice.

There is overwhelming evidence that points to the need for contract management capacity to be developed in the government environment. The Auditor-General’s Consolidated Report on Local Government Audit Outcomes 2024-25, tabled 24 June 2026, confirms this remains an urgent concern: National Treasury’s own MFMA Compliance Report for the same period shows the national balance of unauthorised, irregular, fruitless and wasteful expenditure rose from R264.10 billion in 2023/24 to R268.13 billion in 2024/25, with irregular expenditure — much of it rooted in poor contract management — confirmed as the single largest contributor to that figure.

The purpose of this Contract Management in the Public Sector Training is to train and broaden the knowledge and skills base of SCM practitioners and other role players who are involved in “contract management” on a regular basis. The course is aligned to the basic values and principles governing public administration as contained in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, Act 108 of 1996, in that it promotes a high standard of professional ethics as well as the efficient, economic and effective use of resources and accountability. As you know, in terms of the outcomes-based approach, one of the key outcomes for government is the development of an efficient, effective and development oriented public service. Furthermore, the course is designed against the backdrop of the regulatory framework that governs Supply Chain Management in the public sector.

This 3-day contract management course is quite intensive and will require you to exercise a great deal of active participation and a willingness to share and learn.

Who should attend

Who is this programme for?

This course is specifically designed for public sector officials and professionals involved in contract management, procurement, and supply chain activities. Ideal participants include:

• Supply Chain Management (SCM) Practitioners – those responsible for procurement, contract administration, and supplier management
• Contract Managers and Administrators – individuals directly managing, monitoring, or overseeing contracts in government departments or state-owned entities
• Procurement and Tender Officials – members of Bid Specification Committees, evaluation teams, or award committees
• Financial Officers and Auditors – those involved in ensuring compliance with PFMA, MFMA, and related regulations
• Project and Programme Managers – staff responsible for implementing projects that involve service providers or contractors
• Legal and Compliance Officers – individuals providing advice or oversight on the legality of contracts and administrative processes
• Senior and Middle Management Officials – decision-makers who require an understanding of contract management principles to improve service delivery
• Any public official involved in contract oversight or performance monitoring – to strengthen accountability, efficiency, and ethical standards in the public sector

Learning outcomes

What you will learn

• Explain the legislative environment, the role-players, terminology and the role of contract documents pertaining to contract management
• Perform contracts administration activities
• Perform records management activities
• Manage relationships and monitor performance on contracts

Explore the programme

Detailed programme outline

• Overview of Contract Management
• Enabling procurement legislative requirements, including the ongoing transition toward the Public Procurement Act, 2024 — described as the most significant procurement reform since the PFMA and MFMA, creating a single legal framework across all organs of state
• The South African Legal System: Sources of law in South Africa General principles of Contract Law
• Role players in Contract Management
• Composition and functions of the Bid Specification Committee
• Standard bid documents and Contract Management
• General conditions and Special Conditions of Contract
• Award process
• Conclusion of Contract/Service level agreement through the standard contract documents
• Legality of tender contracts
• Placing orders after a contract has been concluded
• Contract management and applicable legislative framework, including awareness of the Public Procurement Act, 2024 transition and its anticipated impact on contract management prescripts
• Oversight of contract management
• Importance to manage the implementation of contracts
• Contract amendment
• The transfer of contract obligations to a third-party assignment
• Contract monitoring
• Contract management and variation orders
• Contract management and payment administration
• Contract management and liquidation, death, sequestration or judicial management of contractors
• Introduction to contract administration
• Classification of contracts – level of management intervention
• Contract identification by type or nature
• Contract performance
• Performance reporting as part of Contract Management
• Record management
• Contract management and illegal administrative action
• PAJA and the review of an administrative action
• Review and set aside an irregular decision by the contracting authority
• Force majeure: Impossibility to perform to a contract
• Breach of a contract
• Dispute resolutions
• Termination of a contract
• Termination of contract upon reasonable notice where the contract is silent on its duration
• Wrongfulness of a decision to cancel a contract
• Purchasing outside contract stipulations
• Applying the penalty clause
• Restriction of suppliers

Learning approach

How you will learn

Our diverse instructional approaches ensure effective learning:

– Lectures & Presentations: Engage with expert-driven, stimulating content.– Course Material: Access well-crafted supporting resources.– Group Work: Collaborate on discussions and case studies for practical insights.– Workshops & Role-Play: Participate in immersive, scenario-based activities.– Practical Application: Focus on applying theoretical knowledge in real situations.– Post-Training Support: Receive extensive support after training for skill implementation.

Discuss your requirements

Dates, duration & arrangements

Contact Ratomac to confirm dates, duration, delivery format, entry requirements and any applicable assessment or certification before booking.