Chief Executive Officer Public Utilities Board - Kiribati

• Aotearoa New Zealand's International Development Cooperation (IDC) Programme Ngā Hoe Tuputupt-mai-tawhiti to support the Government of Kiribati
• 2-year assignment
• Based in Tarawa, Kiribati, at the Public Utilities Board (PUB)

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) is looking for a qualified candidate for the role of Chief Executive Officer of the Public Utilities Board (PUB) in Kiribati.

The PUB is a State-Owned Enterprise (SOE) responsible for providing safe, reliable and affordable power, water and wastewater services to the 68,000 residents of South Tarawa, Kiribati. The approximately 160 permanent plus addition project and temporary staff of the PUB are organised around power, water and sanitation, compliance, finance and corporate services, including managers, engineers, technicians, specialists, administrator, and labourers.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the PUB is responsible for leading the PUB, overseeing (from design to implementation) a number of large-scale energy, water and sanitation projects, and supporting the implementation of a planned programme of institutional and management strengthening within the PUB. The CEO will be leading the PUB through a critical and exciting period, with priorities leading engineering and asset management, Operations and Maintenance change management, financial management, and project management.

This is an in-line position in the PUB which is accountable to, and managed by, the Chairperson of the PUB and the Board of Directors on the performance and delivery of their role within the PUB. The CEO will also be required to liaise regularly with representatives from the New Zealand High Commission in Tarawa.

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Fulfil the statutory role of the PUB CEO under the Republic of Kiribati SOE Act.
• Enforce and adherence to legal guidelines and in-house policies to maintain the PUB's legality and business ethics.
• Ensure legal compliance with the Energy Act 2022.
• Ensure implementation of plans outlined in the 2024 Statement of Intent, and roll-over of this document for 2025, moving the 3 year objective forward.
• Ensure power and water engineering assets and systems are modern, fit-for-purpose, cost-effective, and safe.
• Deliver high quality and timely advice, reports and recommendations to the Government of Kiribati, relating to the proper functioning and effective asset management of the PUB's electricity, water, and sewage services.
• Develop and implement strategic plans and annual budget in consultation with the PUB Board of Directors.
• Implement a strategy to achieve financial sustainability, including implementation of fair tariffs.
• Address operations and maintenance needs, incorporating them in the annual budgetary cycle.
• Lead development, planning, and implementation of capacity building programmes.
• Lead the utility in performance improvement process that results in a more efficient, safer utility where staff are qualified, supported by training, and empowered in their career pathway as benefitting a learning organisation.
• Strengthen succession planning through career development activities aligned with performance management. Mentor senior managers of the PUB to help them grow into potential future leaders of the PUB.

The qualifications and expertise required to be successful in this role will include:

• Tertiary qualifications in engineering or a related field is essential. Additional qualifications in business management, finance management, or a related field is desirable.
• Experience in managing water/power utilities (minimum 10 years' experience).
• Demonstrated track record leading organisations and managing relationships with a range of stakeholders including Government Agencies, private sector companies and customers.
• Thorough understanding of the electricity and water industries, especially electricity economics, technical and financial analysis for a utility, and asset management and O&M procedures in the power and water sectors.
• Detailed knowledge of key areas of electricity and water regulation including licensing dispute resolution, competition issues, safety and reliability standards, tariffs, consumer protection and contract administration.
• Strong capability and capacity experience (institutional and technical) and strong inter-personal skills including stakeholder relationship management, mentoring and coaching, and communication.
• Strong cross-cultural skills to work effectively within Kiribati.

Knowledge, expertise, and skills desirable for the role include:

• Knowledge and experience of electricity and water sector issues in the Pacific region/or other small island economies.
• Evidence developing and implementing renewable energy projects.
• Experience in successfully managing organisational change and corporate restructuring.
• Experience implementing new information management systems.
• Previous contract management experience and negotiations for the delivery and implementation of complex infrastructure projects.

You will be required to work primarily in an office setting, but visits to sites and some outdoor activity is likely. The ability to drive is essential. This role will appeal if you enjoy and have credible experience working in Pacific Small Island Development States and understand the context and challenges of water/power utilities in the Pacific Region.

Closing date for applications: 2nd February 2024 5pm NZT

Hudson Recruitment has been engaged to manage this procurement process. Please refer all correspondence, queries or requests for more information and a copy of the full Role Description pack to:

Maky Redon
P | 09 8879957
E | **********@hudson.com

(Please note that I am unable to accept your application via email)