The Assistant Director Engineering & Projects will be responsible for ensuring the efficient execution of engineering, maintenance, and construction projects within the Authority’s ongoing project portfolio.

WATER AND SEWERAGE AUTHORITY OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

Job Title:   Assistant Director, Engineering & Projects

Division:  Technology, Future Systems & Sustainability

Department/Section:  Engineering & Projects

Location:Head Office, St. Joseph

Reports to: Director Technology, Future Systems & Sustainability

1. JOB PURPOSE:  

The Assistant Director Engineering & Projects will be responsible for ensuring the efficient execution of engineering, maintenance, and construction projects within the Authority’s ongoing project portfolio. This includes providing leadership and strategic oversight to the Team Leads in the execution of their duties and management of the deployed resources. 

Duties involve facilitating the efficiency, reliability and continuity of the business’ engineering assets through a systematic and comprehensive program that promotes asset management and integrity through feasibility studies and the research, scheduling and implementation of strategic capital projects designed to improve the Authority’s sustainable management of its assets and operations. 

This role supports a transformed Authority in achieving its strategic mandate through the development and execution of policies and/or programs, accountability for staffing and leading teams to achieve the stated strategic goals.

This role contributes to the preparation of a robust strategic plan designed to achieve short and long-term sustainability goals, initiatives and projects through active environmental scanning, research strategies, business planning and development strategies and project planning and execution.

2.0KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES:

STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT

1. Contributes to the development of the strategic plan for the Division/Department/Unit by planning, organising and coordinating activities designed to achieve the transformation agenda.

2. Provides wide aspect guidance to the Team Leads under his/ her control as a primary means to facilitate the execution of their substantive job functions.

3. Develops, implements and promulgates policy initiatives designed to improve the execution of the Department’s mandate.

4. Leads the development of reporting on Departmental outputs, provides data and intelligence that is used to inform strategy and planning for engineering, construction, and maintenance projects.

5. Maintains oversight on intra-departmental procurement and supply chain management, facilitating seamless integration of the Department’s procurement requirement for functional and deliverable specific consumables with the broader, Authority-wide optimization of resource management.

6. Leads the analysis of research that informs the Authority’s sustainability strategies and objectives.

7. Leads the monitoring process for projects as directed by the Authority and the stated plans.

8. Reviews analytical briefs, research papers by analysing and verifying the information received to assist in the policy formation and decision-making process. 

9. Provides advice, comments and recommendations to the Executive Leadership Team on policy and strategic direction by conducting research and analysis of the utility and environment. 

10. Assesses the long-term plans for the Division/Department/Unit and proposes amendments based on national and /or international demands by monitoring and analysing the socio-economic environment and identified performance indicators. 

11. Reviews Government’s plans and long-term goals and makes evidence-based recommendations by conducting primary research and/or analysing research data on the local, regional and international sectors including trends, strategic issues and socio-economic climate. 

12. Prepares policy status and research papers on activities relevant to the Division and as required by the Utility by reviewing existing policies to identify and recommend policy changes/modifications. 

13. Develops and implements strategies to build stakeholder relationships through collaboration with relevant internal, external and international bodies.

OPERATIONS

14. Provides approval authority on the project development cycle for the successful completion of engineering development and designs for projects and plans.

15. Develops and implements a work plan and schedule for the delivery of engineering and project support for securing of funding from Multinational Development Banks (MDBs).

16. Provides strategic leadership in the development of procedures and standards for the development, production, and presentation of engineering data, designs, specifications, and contracts

17. Provides the operational framework for the implementation of project management methodology in the management of the Authority’s project portfolio.

18. Provides approval authority on the implementation of change management programs as may be required to support project execution.

19. Leads the conduct of relevant reviews and evaluations to inform the successful completion of projects within the portfolio.

PEOPLE 

20. Collaborates with leadership in the project initiative planning processes.

21. Collaborates with relevant stakeholders in the conduct of research and analyses that inform strategies and activities for sustainable and economic development for the Authority.

22. Leads the human resources activity for the unit by managing staff performance through coaching, oral and written discipline and making appropriate interventions for improved performance.

23. Promotes a healthy and safe culture that is compliant with government legislation, company policy, and environmental regulations and standards.

24. Collaborates with Team Leads to execute and evaluate projects and initiatives.

25. Collaborates closely with leadership and technical professionals in prioritizing and scheduling works and activity to be undertaken to support operational and business requirements.

26. Liaises with external Consultants, Contractors and agencies in the procurement and management of engineering services and Capital project implementation.

27. Promotes a healthy and safe culture that is compliant with government legislation, company policy, and environmental regulations and standards.

REPORTS

28. Completes plans and executive level reporting for the Department/Unit’s function.

29. Completes activity reporting for all accountabilities.

30. Provides reporting on projects under management.

31. Supports feasibility and funded projects as required with data, research and reporting.

32. Supports ad-hoc requests with written analyses and reports.

Together with such other tasks as required by the Director and which are appropriate up to the grading level of the post.

3.0COMPETENCIES

CORE

1. Safety: Adherence to the safety practices, laws and codes guidelines, as outlined in the Safety Policy, Operational Manuals and other company documents. Safety First!

2. Teamwork: To work together with one or more persons / organizations to complete a project or task, working towards a common good to benefit the team or organization. Demonstrating the ability to develop, maintain, and strengthen partnerships with others both inside and outside the organization.

3. Enterprise Customer Advocacy: An obvious focus on what is best for the customer throughout the enterprise, a desire to help and/or serve customers and meet their needs. Taking personal responsibility for addressing issues in customer-service, with prompt and effective solutions and without becoming defensive; Ability to prioritize multiple customer needs and take action which aligns with the department initiatives and the organisation's core values. It is simply about putting the customer first in everything that we do at WASA.

4. Professionalism: The habitual and judicious use of communication, technical and problem-solving skills, clinical reasoning, emotions, values, and reflection in daily practice for the benefit of the company and community.  Demonstrates a conscientious, courteous, and business-oriented manner while on the job. 

5. Uprightness: Adhering to the company’s Code of Conduct policy and all other company policies and guidelines. Promotes professionalism, morality, civility and ethical principles, demonstrating commitment to openness, being transparent and honest in one’s dealings with persons internal and external to WASA i.e., Doing the Right Thing All the Time.

TECHNICAL

6. Engineering Management:  The ability to demonstrate depth of knowledge and skill in a specialized Engineering discipline.

7. Process Documentation:  The ability to document the project development process, describing the general purpose of the process and the project life cycle with the relevant information. Preparing documentation for every input and output used in the process.

8. Business Analysis:  Knowledge and ability to apply the principles of business analysis in the planning, engineering, and requirement gathering for business case analyses for policy initiatives encompassing environments, operations, processes, and practices.

9. Project Management:The ability to apply formal project management principles and practices during the planning, implementation, monitoring and completion of projects. The ability to identify resources needed to meet project objectives, develop and manage the project plan, including timelines, deliverables, milestones, and costs. The ability to identify potential roadblocks and risks and develop contingency plans to deal with them.

LEADERSHIP

10. Business Acumen:  Demonstrates a deep understanding of the business environment, including the business case for MDBs. Capable of developing strategies that secure sustainable development of the company, capable of building and cultivating external relationships.

11. Critical & Strategic Thinking:  Sees the bigger picture and strives to effectively integrate departmental resources into a cohesive whole. Takes a strategic approach to leadership and planning, thinking about long term Authority deliverables and organizational transformational strategies. Works to implement the strategic plan, monitoring and reviewing departmental activities to ensure they are aligned with the broader Authority objectives and goals. Self-directed thinking that produces new and innovative ideas and solves problems. Reflecting critically on learning experiences and processes and making effective decisions.

12. Results Orientation:The ability to set challenging goals with desired results and to focus one's effort and the effort of the unit on the desired result. Demonstrating a strong sense of urgency about achieving results and solving problems to accomplish work.

13. Managing through Change and Uncertainty:Adjusts thinking and behaviour to resiliently face change and uses experience to fuel growth. Embraces failure as a learning opportunity for self and others. Enables the process of change and transition while helping others navigate through the effects of change.

14. Communication:  The ability to communicate effectively both verbal and written. Effectively and appropriately interacts with others to build and foster existing relationships, influence, and facilitate the sharing of ideas and information.

15. Stakeholder Management:  The ability to work cooperatively with stakeholders, business professionals and partners and advise on strategic and operational issues, through insights that support business decisions.

16. People Leadership:  The ability to inspire, motivate, and empower people to achieve organizational goals. Coaches, mentors, and manages employee experience, and employee performance, through mindful preparation. Creates space for others to lead.

4.0QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE:

4.1Bachelor’s Degree in any of the following disciplines from a recognized University:

Mechanical/ Civil/ Electrical/ Chemical or Process Engineering

Or any equivalent combination of education and experience.

4.2 Master’s Degree in any of the following engineering disciplines from a recognized University; Mechanical/ Civil/ Electrical/ Chemical or Processing Engineering will be an asset.

4.3Ten (10) years’ experience with extensive knowledge in plant operations and maintenance or water and wastewater treatment plants and associated facilities.

4.4The incumbent should have at least five (5) years’ managerial /senior level experience in a similar organization or environment.

5.0KEY RELATIONSHIPS:

1. Direct Reports: Team Lead, Feasibility and Design; Team Lead, Engineering; Team Lead, Construction & Maintenance, Team Lead Portfolio Management

2. Indirect Reports: Assistant Director, ICT & Network Optimization; Assistant Director, Business Planning & Development; Assistant Director, Customer Relationship & Brand

3. Internal Contacts: Assistant Director, Procurement; Assistant Director, Plants, Water Services; Assistant Director, Plant Maintenance

4. External Contacts: Government agencies, Inter-American Development Bank, CARICOM, CARIRI, PAHO

6.0ACCOUNTABILITIES/OUTPUTS: (Areas for which the incumbent is directly answerable for attaining and delivering in the course of duty)