Managing Director, Water, Sanitation, and Drainage (WSD) Project

Job Description

About Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) Timor-Leste

MCA Timor-Leste, collaborating with the Government of Timor-Leste and the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) of the Government of the United States of America, is responsible for implementing the $420 million Timor-Leste Compact, together with an additional contribution of $64 million from the Government of Timor-Leste—representing a total $484 million investment in Timor-Leste. The Compact aims to address human capital development as a binding constraint to economic growth in Timor-Leste through two projects: the Water, Sanitation, and Drainage (WSD) Project and the Teaching and Leading the Next generation of Timorese (TALENT) Project.

The Managing Director, WSD Project, is responsible for leading, managing and coordinating the work of the WSD Project. The work will include all aspects of project development and project preparation, and all aspects of project implementation and project hand-over. WSD Project constitutes five interrelated investment activities in water disinfection, wastewater system, associated drainage improvements, institutional strengthening and regulatory reform, and household sanitation and water management. The Managing Director, WSD Project, will serve as the FIDIC Employer’s Representative on all construction contracts, and will serve as the manager of the Program Management Consultant. The Managing Director, WSD Project, will be responsible for developing the capacity and capability of the WSD Project to be able to prepare and implement the WSD Project within the stipulated Compact timelines, meeting agreed major milestones, in accordance with stated quality standards, MCC technical and other policies and guidelines, and approved budgets, as well as applicable local regulations and requirements. The Managing Director, WSD Project, will manage a division of about 8 staff, including 4 direct reports.

Duties and Responsibilities

Support and advise the Deputy Executive Director, Program on a range of issues, including the status and performance of project activities, risks, impacts of risks, progress on milestones and timeline impact for all investment activities, budget updates and their compliance with MCC requirements and applicable local standards.

Serve as the main point-of-contact for the MCC WSD Project Lead on all matters relating to the WSD Project, and arrange, prepare, and facilitate MCC technical oversight missions.

Lead overall preparation and implementation of compact investments in water disinfection,wastewater system, associated drainage improvements, institutional strengthening and regulatory reform, and household sanitation and water management.

Manage the development and execution of appropriate implementation plans, including procurement plans, budgets, work plans, and construction schedules.

Manage the day-to-day work of four direct reports and their subordinate staff, and assist them in making timely decisions, resolving conflicts or uncertainties, addressing issues and risks that arise during implementation, achieving milestones on time and within budget, and ensuring that compact projects and activities deliver established results.

Serve as the Manager for the Program Management Consultant (PMC) contract. In this capacity, review and accept the deliverables of the PMC. Maintain close coordination and collaboration with the Key Personnel of the PMC. Actively involve the PMC in all technical and contract decision making process. Use the PMC as a technical advisor to provide expert advice on water disinfection, sanitation and drainage, and construction methods.

Serve as the FIDIC Employer’s Representative on all construction contracts. In this capacity, take timely decisions on all contractual matters so that construction progress is not delayed due to delays in delivering instructions to contractors. Manage and deliver actions required by FIDIC Employer. Coordinate closely with the PMC, external FIDIC experts, and MCC’s technical experts in fulfilling this role.

Provide periodic updates to MCC’s WSD Project Lead on progress, risks, issues, and budgets, and reach out for guidance on issue resolution.

Share information on all WSD investment activities with principal stakeholders in a timely manner.

Coordinate with implementing entities on major design and implementation decisions and considerations on the investment activities.

Lead the development of a collaborative, teamwork environment within the WSD Project Team of MCA and with external stakeholders and implementing entities.

Support the recruitment of well-qualified Directors and project staff; build the staff through targeted training, professional development, and performance management; and make recommendations on appropriate recognition and staff retention.

Manage and coordinate the identification of necessary technical resources, including technical support from MCC and external consultants, to support the proper implementation of compact projects and activities.

Fulfill the duties of the Deputy Executive Director, Program in his/her absence.

Requirements (Education, Experience, Technical Competencies)

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, preferably Civil, Environmental or Chemical Engineering. Master’s degree or other advanced degree preferred but not essential.

Accredited Professional Engineering certification required.

Experience and Technical Competencies

Minimum of 10 years of prior experience working in managing large capital projects in infrastructure, including experience handling complex projects with multi-disciplinary components.

Minimum of 15 years of experience in developing and/or implementing large scale infrastructure projects. Project management certification preferred but not essential.

Demonstrated experience managing issues related to urban wastewater networks, wastewater treatment, and/or urban water supply networks.

Demonstrated experience in managing teams and facilitating collaborative, motivated work environment.

Demonstrated experience in infrastructure contract management in the public and/or private sector.

Demonstrated interpersonal and problem-solving skills.

Fluency in English, both spoken and written.

Applications documents must include: 1). A cover letter highlighting the candidate's background and work experience related to the requirements (education, experience, competencies); 2). A CV describing the candidate's qualifications and experience related to the PDs.; 3). Electronic copy of the relevant Academic Certificate(s); and 4). A list of 3 professional references (including at least 1 former supervisor), including name, title, relationship with the candidate, telephone number, and e-mail address.

To ensure equal opportunity and neutrality, application documents should not include details related to: age, marital status, political and religious affiliation, family information.

Short-listed candidates will be expected to submit samples of relevant past work assignments and demonstrate English proficiency. All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and security checks, results of which will form the basis for the final hiring decisions. For any queries, please contact: TimorLeste@developmentaid.org