Wastewater Utility Specialist

Position Description:  

Wastewater Utility Specialist
The Wastewater Utility Specialist will be providing technical expertise and direction in the design and implementation of tasks and activities targeted at improving the management capabilities and performance of the Regional Water Establishment (RWEs) in the Wastewater sector. 

She/he will support Water Establishments and private entities to increase efficiency in wastewater management, whilst promoting and introducing performance-based contracting in efficiently managing wastewater facilities. She/He will be interacting with RWEs officials, private sector entities and operators, and other key water and wastewater sector stakeholders. The key role of this Specialist is to monitor and guide the process of outsourcing the O&M of selected Wastewater treatment facilities and grant awarding WW solutions to ensure the accuracy of all technical deliverables and documentation. Reports to the Utility Management and Private Sector Engagement Team Lead.

Key Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Provide support to RWEs in enhancing the performance of wastewater facilities, and capacity building of their related staff.
• Support WSC’s private sector engagement strategy in wastewater management and water resources protection that is adapted to the current financial and economic crisis in the country
• Support WSC in managing wastewater solution and water protection grants designed to support private businesses and industries in complying to water protection
• Advocate for best practices in wastewater management in collaboration with private sector service providers
• Engage, monitor, and supervise the performance of private sector service entities subcontracted by WSC to perform O&M contracts
• Coordinate with Water Establishments and specially appointed O&M units for the monitoring and supervision of O&M contract at selected facilities and provide needed guidance in managing performance-based contracts (PBCs)
• Support the process of wastewater O&M contracts design, tendering, selection and award.
• Manage the O&M contracts and WSC risk mitigation process in collaboration with WSC’s lead design and supervision firm
• Coordinate closely with WSC main partner ADPI in the management of the PBCs
• Coordinate and consolidate wastewater activities and contribute to the preparation of contractually required reports to USAID
• Provide support and oversight, where needed, for wastewater activities, including ensuring appropriate design, procedurally correct development, sound implementation, active monitoring and evaluation, and timely closing
• Provide data needed by WSC MEL & CLA Team for the calculation of WSC targets set by USAID
• Provide information to WSC’s Communication Team to make sure that wastewater management efficiency enhancement activities are highlighted and included in communication tools, success stories and progress reports
• Ensure that all private sector engagement initiatives are compliant with USAID and        Lebanon’s legal and regulatory frameworks and meet local and international environment, heritage, and social responsibility standards.
• Work on building strong partnerships among subcontractors and cooperation based on novel output-based contracts
• Oversight of environmental reviews, if assigned.
• Other tasks as required.

Qualifications:

• 5 years of experience in the water sector with particular knowledge of wastewater treatment facilities.
• The candidate must have a bachelor’s degree in relevant fields such as environmental studies, wastewater management or Engineering disciplines with focus on process. Preference will be given to the candidates with M.Sc./M.Tech./ME degree in relevant field particularly when related to process.
• The candidate must have 5+ years of relevant experience with a Bachelor’s degree  or 3 years with master’s degree in planning, implementation, operation and monitoring of wastewater facilities and/or resources management.
• Demonstrated experience in activities targeted at enhancing the performance of water and wastewater utilities, with modern management systems based on international best practices such as KPIs and capacity building.
• Knowledge and experience in Performance Based wastewater treatment plants O&M contracts is an asset
• Demonstrated project management experience, including in an international development context.
• Strong strategic planning and management skills as well as strong teamwork and effective cross-cultural interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the public sector in Lebanon including regulations, laws, and institutional structures is an asset.
• Demonstrated communications, presentation, and reporting skills.
• Fluency in English is required.