Job Description
Project Description
CDM Smith is pursuing a technical feasibility study assignment for the Lesotho–Botswana Water Transfer Project (LBWTP), a large‑scale, multipurpose, transboundary water infrastructure initiative designed to transfer water from the Lesotho to Botswana through South Africa.
The LBWT Project is being developed under the leadership of the Orange‑Senqu River Basin Commission (ORASECOM), a river basin organization established by Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, and South Africa to coordinate the sustainable management of shared water resources.
The overall project aims to:
• Strengthen transboundary cooperation on shared water resources
• Improve water security for Botswana, Lesotho, and South African communities
• Support hydropower generation in Lesotho
• Enhance regional climate resilience and economic development
The Conveyance System Technical Feasibility Study will assess the technical and economic viability of a large‑scale bulk water conveyance system—approximately 688 km in length—linking water resources in Lesotho to demand centers in Botswana via South Africa. The feasibility study will inform investment decision‑making, project structuring, and subsequent implementation phases of the LBWT Project.
Position Summary
The proposed Team Leader will serve as the overall technical and managerial lead for CDM Smith’s anticipated assignment to carry out the conveyance system feasibility study under the Lesotho–Botswana Water Transfer Project.
If the assignment is awarded, the Team Leader will act as the primary point of contact with ORASECOM and key regional stakeholders, providing leadership and coordination for a multidisciplinary team delivering feasibility‑level technical and advisory services for a complex, multi‑country water transfer conveyance system.
Position Responsibilities
Subject to contract award, the Team Leader will be expected to:
Project Leadership and Management
• Provide overall leadership, coordination, and quality assurance for the Conveyance System Technical Feasibility Study.
• Serve as the primary liaison with ORASECOM, participating member states, and financing partners throughout the feasibility study phase.
• Oversee work planning, scheduling, budgeting, and reporting in accordance with the feasibility study ToR and contractual requirements.
Technical Oversight and Integration
• Coordinate inputs from engineering, environmental, social, financial, legal, and institutional specialists contributing to the conveyance system feasibility study.
• Ensure that feasibility‑level analyses appropriately assess technical options, risks, and viability of the proposed conveyance infrastructure.
• Review and approve feasibility study reports, technical memoranda, and presentations prior to submission.
Stakeholder Engagement and Coordination
• Support stakeholder consultations across Lesotho, Botswana, and South Africa as required for the conveyance system feasibility study.
• Facilitate coordination among consortium partners, subconsultants, and local firms engaged in the assignment.
• Contribute to high‑level discussions related to conveyance system alignment, phasing, and integration with other LBWT project components.
Risk Management and Compliance
• Identify and manage technical, environmental, institutional, and schedule‑related risks associated with the feasibility‑level assessment of the conveyance system.
• Ensure compliance with applicable donor requirements, environmental and social safeguards, and ORASECOM procedures.
Minimum Qualifications
• Advanced degree (Master’s or higher) in water resources engineering, civil engineering, environmental engineering, or related fields.
• Minimum 15 years of professional experience in bulk water supply, water conveyance, or large‑scale water infrastructure planning.
• Demonstrated experience serving as Team Leader, Project Director, or equivalent role on technical feasibility studies for linear or large‑scale water infrastructure systems (e.g., pipelines, tunnels, canals).
• Strong experience coordinating multidisciplinary and multinational teams.
• Excellent written and spoken English.
• Demonstrated ability to translate feasibility‑level technical findings into clear, decision‑focused advice for clients.
• Strong understanding of key issues and challenges associated with cross-border water management
Preferred Qualifications
• Prior experience leading conveyance system or bulk water transfer feasibility studies.
• Prior experience in cross-border water management projects
• Experience working in Southern Africa, particularly in Lesotho, Botswana, or South Africa.
• Familiarity with ORASECOM, SADC water institutions, or similar river basin organizations.
• Prior work with international development partners (e.g., AfDB, World Bank) is an asset
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