Managing Director, Water Sanitation and Drainage Project (RELAUNCHED)

Position Objective:

The Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) in 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, which, together with an additional contribution of $64 million from the Government of Timor-Leste, represents 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 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, is responsible for leading, managing and coordinating the work of the WSD Project, including overseeing the Private Management Office (PMO) responsible for WSD Project Management, embedded amongst the MCA Timor-Leste staff. The work of the Managing Director will include managing all aspects of project development and project preparation, and all aspects of project implementation and project hand-over of the project through the PMO staff. The Managing Director, WSD Project, will manage a team of eight (8) to ten (10) professionals, including contracted staff of the PMO. The Managing Director, WSD Project, will serve as the FIDIC Employer’s Representative on all construction contracts, and will serve as the contract manager for the consultancies needed for the WSD Project, including but not limited to the Design/ESIA/RAP Consultant, the Cost Recovery Plan Consultant and the Program Management and Construction Supervision Consultant and may delegate the required duties for project management of these contracts to the PMO. The Managing Director, WSD Project, will be responsible for coordinating all actions by the Government to be able to prepare and implement the WSD Project through the PMO within the stipulated Compact timelines, meeting agreed major milestones, in accordance with the Compact, the stated quality standards, MCC policies and guidelines, and approved budgets, as well as applicable local regulations and requirements.

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. Manage the day-to-day work of the PMO, and assist them in making timely decisions, serve as liaison with all Government agencies, 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.
• Provide periodic updates using the PMO’s inputs 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 through the PMO.
• Lead the development of a collaborative, teamwork environment within the PMO and with external stakeholders and implementing entities.
• Manage the PMO contract, support the appointment of well-qualified project technical staff that form the PMO; make assessments of staff performance and provide performance feedback and direct replacements if required.
• Communicate technical support needed from MCC and its 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 a relevant subject. Relevant subject includes engineering, science, economics and international development.

Experience:

• At least 10 years of work experience in the public sector and/or development programs in Timor Leste.
• Prior significant experience in the water and sanitation sector of Timor-Leste or water and sanitation services in Timor-Leste.
• Demonstrated experience working with various government agencies of Timor-Leste
• Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly, effectively, and persuasively in English, both orally and in writing.
• Fluency in Tetum and Portuguese required.
• Demonstrated interpersonal and problem-solving skills.