CDM Smith
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Position description
The Building Water Infrastructure (BWI) Program in Jordan is a multi‑year initiative funded by the United States Government (USG) designed to strengthen Jordan’s water security through planning, design, construction supervision, and institutional capacity building for priority water and wastewater infrastructure investments. The program supports the Government of Jordan (GOJ) in improving water availability, efficiency, resilience, and sustainability by delivering high‑quality engineering services and reinforcing the technical and managerial capacity of national water sector institutions. Activities typically include infrastructure assessments, feasibility studies, detailed design, tender support, construction supervision, independent quality assurance, and targeted capacity development for key sector entities such as the Ministry of Water and Irrigation, the Water Authority of Jordan, and water utilities.
BWI is currently implementing 20 work assignments with separate budgets and schedules for a range of technical and engineering work on 34 projects across all governorates in Jordan, consisting of four strategic national projects,ten wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), three water treatment plants (WTPs), and six water supply and distribution system projects.
Position Description
The Chief of Party (CoP) is the senior-most project representative and has overall responsibility for the technical, managerial, and administrative leadership of the BWI program in Jordan. The CoP serves as the primary point of contact with the USG, the Government of Jordan, and key sector stakeholders, ensuring that program objectives are achieved in accordance with contract requirements, approved work plans, and applicable USG regulations. The CoP provides strategic direction, oversees multidisciplinary technical teams, and ensures the delivery of high‑quality infrastructure and capacity‑building outcomes across the life of the project.
The CoP will be based in the project office in Amman leading an established team consisting of 20-25 full-time national staff (e.g., engineers, scientists, drafters, administrative staff) and 1-2 long-term international staff, with frequent short-term inputs of technical staff.
Key Responsibilities
Project Leadership & Strategic Coordination
• Act as the main point of contact for all program stakeholders, including USG, Jordanian ministries, utilities, consultants, contractors, and implementing partners.
• Provide regular briefings and presentations to senior Government of Jordan officials, including Ministers.
• Lead coordination amongst a diverse team of international and national experts to ensure timely delivery, technical quality, and alignment with approved work plans for all work assignments within the BWI portfolio.
• Provide direct management, coaching, and mentorship to team members, promoting accountability, professional development, knowledge‑sharing, and a positive team culture throughout project implementation.
Planning, Budgeting & Reporting
• Lead preparation and approval of monthly level-of-effort reports and annual work plans, budgets, and financial forecasts.
• Lead preparation of new work assignment scopes of work, as necessary
• Ensure timely submission of quarterly, annual, and ad hoc reports including technical progress, financial performance, and administrative/compliance reporting in formats agreed with USG.
Financial Oversight & Contract Management
• Provide senior oversight of project financial management, including review and validation of subcontractor invoices.
Stakeholder Engagement & Program Integration
• Ensure effective coordination with related water, wastewater, and infrastructure programs funded by USG or other donors in Jordan.
• Lead high-level consultations, coordination meetings, and technical workshops with government counterparts and sector stakeholders.
• Support the establishment and functioning of project steering committees, technical working groups, or implementation committees, as required.
Institutional Strengthening & Systems Development
• Establish and institutionalize project-specific systems, tools, and procedures to enhance implementation effectiveness and compliance.
• Develop standardized templates and reporting formats to support consistency, transparency, and sustainability across project components.
Monitoring, Evaluation & Safeguards Oversight
• Monitor project implementation against defined objectives, output targets, and performance indicators.
• Ensure compliance with environmental, social, and climate-related safeguards, including USG requirements and Jordanian regulations.
• Proactively identify implementation challenges and direct corrective actions to maintain delivery timelines and quality standards.
Technical Oversight, Capacity Building & Quality Assurance
• Provide senior coordination and oversight of engineering, construction supervision, and quality assurance activities.
• Guide capacity-building and training initiatives to strengthen Jordanian institutions’ technical, managerial, and operational capabilities.
• Ensure that technical outputs meet international best practices, long-term sustainability goals, and CDM Smith quality requirements.
Compliance, Ethics & Governance
• Ensure full adherence to USG and CDM Smith policies, ethics standards, financial integrity, transparency, and environmental responsibility requirements.
• Execute all responsibilities in accordance with contract requirements and approved work plans.
Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree (Master’s or higher is preferred) in an engineering discipline.
• At least 15 years of progressively responsible experience in the planning, design, and implementation of large‑scale water and/or wastewater infrastructure programs, out of which a minimum of 10 years is at the level of project manager for projects which include multiple tasks and that are similar in terms of complexity, scope, and budget.
• Demonstrated experience serving in a senior leadership role (e.g., Chief of Party, Project Director, or equivalent) on donor‑funded infrastructure projects.
• Proven experience managing complex, multi‑stakeholder programs, including coordination with government counterparts and international donors.
• Proven record of successful management and leadership skills with communication, presentation, and coordination capabilities to convey activity progress to technical and nontechnical stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of USG‑funded project environments, including technical oversight, reporting, and compliance requirements.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively in multicultural settings
• Professional-level proficiency in English (written and spoken)
Preferred Qualifications
• Prior experience as Chief of Party or Deputy Chief of Party on USG‑funded water or infrastructure programs in the Middle East, preferably in Jordan.
• Demonstrated experience working with Jordanian water sector institutions, utilities, or regional stakeholders.
• Experience overseeing construction supervision and quality assurance for large capital works.
• Working knowledge of Arabic and/or prior long‑term experience in Arabic‑speaking countries.
• Professional registration (e.g., Professional Engineer or related) is an asset.
• United States citizenship is preferred.
Application instructions
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