Jordan – Amman
44818BR
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Job Description
The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is making significant investments to secure its water future through the National Conveyor Project (NCP). Once completed, desalinated sea water from the Gulf of Aqaba will be treated at a 300 MCM per year capacity plant featuring a 450 kilometer conveyance system. The project will supply Amman and governorates along the conveyance route with 250 million cubic meters (MCM) per year, with the remaining 50 MCM per year planned for Aqaba and the south Wadi Araba area.
In support of this effort, CDM Smith is providing comprehensive leadership, contract support, and technical oversight for the country’s largest water security initiative. The project is being delivered through a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model and integrates renewable energy and greenhouse gas emissions limits, aligned with the Government of Jordan (GoJ) and donor climate commitments.
Under this program, CDM Smith provides technical assistance to the Ministry of Water and Irrigation (MWI), the Water Authority of Jordan (WAJ), and associated committees. This support includes procurement, transaction advisory services, and guidance through financial close for this complex national project.
The project is now transitioning into the implementation phase, which includes construction and commissioning. CDM Smith will continue to serve as MWI’s advisor, delivering ongoing legal, financial, technical, and coordination support.
Assignment Location: Amman, Jordan
Assignment Duration: Minimum 2 years
Position Description
The Chief of Party is responsible for the overall management, technical direction, and delivery of a complex water infrastructure project Jordan. The Chief of Party serves as the primary interface with USG/GoJ, MWI, WAJ, and other key national and international stakeholders.
The Chief of Party is accountable for ensuring that all technical, procurement, advisory, and management services are delivered in accordance with contract requirements, approved work plans, and applicable regulations, while effectively managing the risks, sensitivities, and coordination demands associated with a large‑scale BOT desalination and conveyance program of national strategic importance.
Key Responsibilities
Program Leadership
• Provide overall leadership and strategic management of the project, ensuring timely, high‑quality delivery of services while fostering a high‑performing, collaborative project team.
• Act as the principal point of contact with USG/GoJ, MWI, special tendering committees, and other relevant government entities.
• Provide direct management, coaching, and mentorship to team members, promoting accountability, professional development, knowledge‑sharing, and a positive team culture throughout project implementation.
Project Coordination
• Lead overall project coordination in close collaboration with the Client’s designated project manager and senior counterparts.
• Coordinate and integrate inputs from international and national experts across engineering, procurement, legal, financial, and transaction advisory disciplines to meet project timelines and quality standards.
Planning, Budgeting & Reporting
• Oversee preparation and approval of annual work plans, budgets, procurement plans, cash‑flow forecasts, and implementation schedules.
• Ensure timely preparation and submission of quarterly, annual, and ad‑hoc reports covering technical progress, financial performance, safeguards, and institutional outcomes in formats agreed with the client.
• Consolidate and submit disbursement documentation and supporting financial reports in compliance with contractual and donor requirements.
• Procure office space, vehicles, and equipment in coordination with the local office and corporate resources.
Financial Oversight & Performance Control
• Review and verify invoices, payment requests, and financial claims submitted by consultants and subcontractors.
• Provide recommendations for payments based on contractual compliance, technical progress, and performance benchmarks.
• Monitor financial performance and risk, and direct corrective actions to ensure cost control, cash‑flow stability, and value for money.
Stakeholder Engagement & Program Integration
• Promote effective coordination with related national and donor‑funded water, energy, climate, and infrastructure initiatives.
• Lead and participate in consultative meetings, technical workshops, and high‑level coordination forums with government counterparts and other stakeholders.
• Support the establishment and effective functioning of project steering committees, technical working groups, and implementation committees, as required.
• Present in high level management and political events in representation of the USG, GoJ, MWI and CDM Smith.
Institutional Strengthening & Systems Development
• Assess and strengthen the client’s ability to implement, monitor, and coordinate complex BOT/PPP infrastructure delivery.
• Establish and institutionalize project‑specific systems, tools, and management processes tailored to the project requirements.
• Develop standardized templates, procedures, and reporting formats to improve consistency, transparency, and compliance.
Monitoring, Evaluation & Safeguards
• Track project implementation against defined objectives, milestones, and performance indicators.
• Ensure integration and monitoring of environmental, social, climate, and governance safeguards, in accordance with USG requirements and national regulations.
• Identify delivery challenges and propose direct practical solutions to maintain schedule integrity and technical quality.
Technical Oversight, Quality & Capacity Building
• Provide senior oversight and coordination of technical services related to desalination, conveyance, renewable energy integration, construction, and BOT transaction support.
• Support and guide capacity‑building and training initiatives to strengthen institutional, technical, and management capabilities of the client.
• Promote best practices in risk management, quality assurance, and governance throughout project implementation.
Compliance, Ethics & Governance
• Adhere to applicable USG policies, contractual provisions, ethical standards, transparency requirements, and environmental responsibility commitments.
• Execute all tasks and deliverables in accordance with contract requirements.
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Minimum Qualifications
• Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering or other relevant engineering discipline, with Master’s degree preferred.
• At least 15 years of engineering experience with water supply, treatment and distribution facilities and infrastructure implementation, preferably with seawater desalination.
• Demonstrated experience leading teams involved in BOT infrastructure projects of similar size.
• At least 10 years of project management experience in the water sector, preferably managing international teams with multidisciplinary expertise.
• Demonstrated experience overseeing or supporting construction management for large scale infrastructure works, including interface management between design, procurement, construction, and commissioning phases.
• Demonstrated leadership, communications, presentation skills, and stakeholder engagement skills in multicultural and politically sensitive environments.
• Demonstrated experience in a senior leadership role on private sector, donor‑funded, or government‑backed infrastructure programs.
• Proven experience managing complex, multi‑stakeholder projects involving procurement, contract negotiations, and high‑level government coordination.
• Strong familiarity with USG compliance, reporting, and management requirements.
• Professional‑level proficiency in English (written and spoken).
Preferred Qualifications
• Prior experience with large‑scale desalination, bulk water conveyance, or BOT/PPP infrastructure projects, preferably in water‑scarce regions.
• Previous experience working in Jordan or the Middle East, particularly with MWI, WAJ, or comparable public sector institutions.
• Familiarity with procurement and transaction advisory services for BOT or PPP infrastructure projects.
• Experience integrating renewable energy, climate resilience, and greenhouse‑gas mitigation into major infrastructure programs.
• Working knowledge of Arabic and/or prior long‑term regional experience.
Amount of Travel Required: 10%
Background Check and Drug Testing Information
CDM Smith Inc. and its divisions and subsidiaries (hereafter collectively referred to as “CDM Smith”) reserves the right to require background checks including criminal, employment, education, licensure, etc. as well as credit and motor vehicle when applicable for certain positions. In addition, CDM Smith may conduct drug testing for designated positions. Background checks are conducted after an offer of employment has been made in the United States. The timing of when background checks will be conducted on candidates for positions outside the United States will vary based on country statutory law but in no case, will the background check precede an interview. CDM Smith will conduct interviews of qualified individuals prior to requesting a criminal background check, and no job application submitted prior to such interview shall inquire into an applicant’s criminal history. If this position is subject to a background check for any convictions related to its responsibilities and requirements, employment will be contingent upon successful completion of a background investigation including criminal history. Criminal history will not automatically disqualify a candidate. In addition, during employment individuals may be required by CDM Smith or a CDM Smith client to successfully complete additional background checks, including motor vehicle record as well as drug testing.
Agency Disclaimer
All vendors must have a signed CDM Smith Placement Agreement from the CDM Smith Recruitment Center Manager to receive payment for your placement. Verbal or written commitments from any other member of the CDM Smith staff will not be considered binding terms. All unsolicited resumes sent to CDM Smith and any resume submitted to any employee outside of CDM Smith Recruiting Center Team (RCT) will be considered property of CDM Smith. CDM Smith will not be held liable to pay a placement fee.
Business Unit: ISU
Group: IDG
Assignment Category: Fulltime-Regular
Employment Type: Regular
