Control of Work Specialist
BH-303590
Posted: 12/05/2025
- Competitive daily rate
- Iraq Basra
- Contract
-
Oil & Gas
NES Fircroft are currently seeking a Control of Work Specialist to work on 28/28 rotation in Basra, Iraq, supporting the development of a giant oilfield.
This is a role which is expected to be 80% office based - responsible for procedure writing, training packs, improvement plans such as isolations, activity planning, control of work strategy, etc, and turning the strategic plans into tactical plans for the field.
The role reports up to the COW Authority and manages 5 field-based COW Advisor positions. These expat COW Advisors are responsible for control of work compliance at the major degassing stations.
The successful candidate will have a control of work background - having held roles such as area authority, issuing authority, permit authority, etc - then ideally would have worked up to Operations Team Leader, Production Superintendent or a similar level.
Position Summary:
As a senior member of the Control of Work (CoW) Team, the primary responsibility is the formulation of tactical planning and delivery frameworks for the site’s Integrated CoW Strategy. The CoW Specialist supervises a team of expat CoW Advisors and provides coaching and mentoring for the CoW team and associated disciplines. Key responsibilities include developing implementation plans, creating SMART action plans, monitoring KPIs, and ensuring effective delivery of plans.
Roles and Responsibilities:
Mandatory Requirements:
Essential Experience:
With over 90 years' combined experience, NES Fircroft (NES) is proud to be the world's leading engineering staffing provider spanning the Oil & Gas, Power & Renewables, Chemicals, Construction & Infrastructure, Life Sciences, Mining and Manufacturing sectors worldwide. With more than 80 offices in 45 countries, we are able to provide our clients with the engineering and technical expertise they need, wherever and whenever it is needed. We offer contractors far more than a traditional recruitment service, supporting with everything from securing visas and work permits, to providing market-leading benefits packages and accommodation, ensuring they are safely and compliantly able to support our clients.
This is a role which is expected to be 80% office based - responsible for procedure writing, training packs, improvement plans such as isolations, activity planning, control of work strategy, etc, and turning the strategic plans into tactical plans for the field.
The role reports up to the COW Authority and manages 5 field-based COW Advisor positions. These expat COW Advisors are responsible for control of work compliance at the major degassing stations.
The successful candidate will have a control of work background - having held roles such as area authority, issuing authority, permit authority, etc - then ideally would have worked up to Operations Team Leader, Production Superintendent or a similar level.
Position Summary:
As a senior member of the Control of Work (CoW) Team, the primary responsibility is the formulation of tactical planning and delivery frameworks for the site’s Integrated CoW Strategy. The CoW Specialist supervises a team of expat CoW Advisors and provides coaching and mentoring for the CoW team and associated disciplines. Key responsibilities include developing implementation plans, creating SMART action plans, monitoring KPIs, and ensuring effective delivery of plans.
Roles and Responsibilities:
- Support development of key CoW strategies and initiatives.
- Create tactical implementation plans for CoW strategies.
- Develop SMART action plans for CoW Advisors and Coaches.
- Monitor, track, and report on KPIs.
- Promote engagement and collaboration within the team.
- Lead working groups and improvement plans.
- Deputise for the CoW Technical Authority.
- Coach, mentor, and advise CoW Coaches and Area Authority Delegates.
- Provide direct line management to CoW Advisors.
- Facilitate onboarding and training of new CoW team members.
- Ensure consistent application of CoW principles and procedures.
- Offer advice on work planning and hazard controls.
- Attend work activity planning meetings.
- Conduct audits and self-verifications.
- Provide technical assistance during Turnarounds and Shutdowns.
- Assist with CoW Training and development of training modules.
- Review verification activities and recommend interventions.
- Participate in incident investigations.
- Provide training matrix and material for onboarding.
Mandatory Requirements:
- Minimum 15 years of experience in Oil & Gas Operations.
- Minimum 10 years of experience in Control of Work in an oil & gas environment.
- Excellent written and English language skills.
- Excellent people skills.
- Proven capability in training, coaching, and mentoring a multi-national workforce.
- Proficient in IT skills, including Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
Essential Experience:
- Extensive experience in Oil & Gas Operational and/or HSE disciplines.
- Comprehensive knowledge of Permit to Work Systems and CoW Systems.
- Thorough understanding of energy isolation principles.
- Comprehensive understanding of risk assessment.
- Extensive experience in coaching and mentoring in a multi-national environment.
- Experience in preparing and delivering CoW Training Sessions.
- Good interpersonal skills and behaviours.
- Experience in conducting and assessing CoW Audits.
- Effective influencing, communication, and engagement skills.
- Experience in large transitions and organisational change.
With over 90 years' combined experience, NES Fircroft (NES) is proud to be the world's leading engineering staffing provider spanning the Oil & Gas, Power & Renewables, Chemicals, Construction & Infrastructure, Life Sciences, Mining and Manufacturing sectors worldwide. With more than 80 offices in 45 countries, we are able to provide our clients with the engineering and technical expertise they need, wherever and whenever it is needed. We offer contractors far more than a traditional recruitment service, supporting with everything from securing visas and work permits, to providing market-leading benefits packages and accommodation, ensuring they are safely and compliantly able to support our clients.