International Expert (Regulatory Standards)

During the last years, the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture          initiated an ambitious program for the investigations of its major surface and groundwater resources, for the monitoring of these resources, for the study of hydrological resources (research side), and for the management of the resources including the distribution network and control of water consumption (management side). While most of these tasks have been completed or are about to come to an end, the implementation of most of the necessary measures is in its very early stages and hampered by the increasing workload in the ministry.

For the transition from the current patterns of water administration to future professional water management, the technical and organizational capacities of the MEWA have to be strengthened. In addition, a rigid framework of regulations and standards has to be implemented.

Together with UNDP, a program has been designed to initiate a systematic process of capacity development to help in sustainable development and protection of all water resources. Through this program, several experts with expertise in a wide spectrum of project-related fields will be hired. This service contract is part of this program.

https://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_notice.cfm?notice_id=64567

SCOPE OF WORK AND DELIVERABLES

Objective within the Framework of the UNDP Project

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has recently passed the National Water Strategy 2030, which intends, among others, to increase the use of recycled water as an additional water resource. This process has to be          accompanied by the corresponding set-up of standards, regulations, and enforcing mechanisms.

Hence, MEWA has asked UNDP to select an International Expert to set up the regulatory framework for the entire process. This framework is being developed in the General Directorate of Regulations of MEWA, but also needs coordination and cooperation with other governmental and private sector entities, especially the Deputy Ministry of Environment.

Scope of Work of the UNDP Expert within the Framework of this Project

The tasks and responsibilities of the UNDP Expert are to:

• Evaluate water and wastewater treatment processes and their performance throughout the Kingdom.
• Develop legal water quality standards for the use in the domestic, public, agricultural, and industrial

       sectors.

• Develop guidelines for the reuse of TSE in the domestic, public, agricultural, and industrial sectors.
• Develop guidelines and legal water quality standards for injection (ASR, MAR)
• Develop a water quality control chain including documentation from the source to the ultimate

       destination of the water.

• Develop emergency reaction procedures for polluting incidents.
• Develop the regulatory and enforcing framework, including bylaws for water quality.

EXPECTED KEY DELIVERABLES

• Water Quality: Standards and Control documents for the entire water sector

Expected Output 1st year

• Water Quality: Standards and Control documents for the wastewater sector

Reporting requirements, frequency, format and deadlines

The Consultant will report directly to the CTA. Together, they will develop a mutually agreed upon quarterly work plan with key milestones and KPIs. The Consultant will submit a quarterly progress report against these milestones.

Competencies:

Core Competencies:

• Strategic planning
• Innovation
• Organizational Awareness
• Developing and Empowering People / Coaching and Mentoring
• Works effectively in Teams
• Clear and concise communication
• Ethics and Values
• People Management

Functional Competencies:

Technical/ Functional:

• Strong knowledge and expertise in civilian policing aspects
• Builds support and good judgment
• Strong analytical capacities and ability to synthesize complex inputs into coherent documents
• Change agent including the ability to convince, convey and advocate.

Managerial:

• Focuses on impact and result for the client
• Coordinates/collaborates with all key stakeholders and build strong networks/ partnerships
• Effective team leadership with strong conflict resolution skills
• Establishes priorities for self and other members of the team; schedules activities to ensure optimum use of time and resources
• Demonstrates excellent oral and written communication skills

Behavior:

• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
• Treats people fairly without favoritism
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude

QUALIFICATIONS and REQUIREMENTS 

Education:  PhD. or equivalent in Environmental Sciences or/and Chemistry or/and Biology, with

                      experience in conventional and non-conventional water resources.

Experience:

?    Experience in safe water standards, water contaminants, and water pollution with additional

      certification in water quality besides the experience.

?    At least 10 years of experience in (waste) water  

?   Demonstrated depth of knowledge in water treatment processes and water resource, policy or law as

     they relate to surface and ground water resources including water management.

?   Strong English command with reporting/publication record

?  Experience developing project ideas, and develops science-and-technology based management and    

    policy.

Languages:

• English, excellent communication and writing skills in English; as the position implies frequent contact

       with local authorities, also excellent communication and writing skills in Arabic are required.