JOB DESCRIPTION

Permitting and Utilities Interface Officer

Job Title: Permitting and Utilities Interface Officer

Program: Jordan Water Governance Activity (WGA)

Location: Amman – Jordan.

BACKGROUND 

The Water Governance Activity (WGA) program is a multi-year project funded by USG, which aims to support the GOJ in achieving measurable improvements and greater sustainability of the water sector by providing technical assistance to strengthen strategic planning, financial sustainability, policy development, data-driven decision-making, and capacity-building efforts to enhance utility performance. In addition, to increase accountable, sustainable water sector management and governance by supporting and strengthening the National Conveyor Project's Project Management Unit, strategic planning, financial management, policy development and implementation, and capacity-building efforts. 

JOB SUMMARY

The Permitting and Utilities Interface Officer will provide operational support across both the permitting function and the utilities and authorities interface function of NCPMU, ensuring timely coordination of Government Authorizations, permits, and utility-related approvals required for the readiness and construction of the project components.

Working in close coordination with the Utilities & Authorities Interface Senior Engineer, the Officer will track permit applications and utility relocation approvals, administer the Single Window platform, support identification and documentation of utility clashes, follow up at working level with focal points across government entities and utility providers, and ensure issues affecting the project schedule are escalated in a timely manner.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The incumbent’s main responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Support the Utilities & Authorities Interface Senior Engineer in serving as a focal point between NCPMU and government authorities on Government Authorizations and permits (tax included).
• Support the operationalization and day-to-day administration of the utility Single Window desk, including workflows, the online platform, user onboarding, and data integrity across entities.
• Track all permit applications, approvals, and authorizations required for the project, and maintain up-to-date records and dashboards on submission status across entities.
• Coordinate at working level with focal points across government entities to streamline communication, clarify requirements, and ensure adherence to defined workflows; support resolution of inter-agency challenges and escalate complex issues to the Senior Engineer.
• Maintain and continuously update the Permitting Matrix and tracking dashboard, integrated with NCPMU monitoring and risk management tools.
• Support the Utilities & Authorities Interface Senior Engineer in coordinating with relevant utility providers (water, wastewater, electricity, telecom, gas, municipalities, roads, etc.) on utility relocation, protection, modification, and integration.
• Track utilities relocation permits, approvals, and authorizations and maintain up-to-date records of submissions and statuses.
• Support identification and documentation of utility clashes during design and pre-construction phases and assist in coordinating technical meetings to resolve design conflicts with utility providers.
• Monitor and report risks related to utilities that may affect construction progress, and support development and maintenance of the Utility Clash Resolution Matrix and tracking dashboard.
• Where required, support the review of invoices submitted by utility undertakers for works performed.
• Prepare and consolidate regular reports on permitting and utility coordination progress, risks, and critical path items that may impact overall project delivery, and support alignment between approval workflows and the project schedule.
• Ensure all permitting and utility coordination activities comply with Jordanian legal and regulatory frameworks and Project Agreement requirements and escalate critical delays or risks to senior management with documented evidence and suggested mitigation measures.
• Any other tasks as assigned by the direct supervisor and the NCPMU Executive director.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Strong understanding of Jordanian permitting and regulatory processes and working understanding of utility coordination workflows.
• Stakeholder coordination and follow-up across government entities, utility providers, and project teams.
• Working understanding of construction sequencing, site readiness, and utility interface management.
• Familiarity with key government entities (GAM, Ministry of Public Works and Housing, Ministry of Water and Irrigation, line ministries, etc.) and utility providers (water, wastewater, electricity, telecom, gas, municipalities, roads).
• Working knowledge of online case management or workflow platforms and ability to maintain digital tracking tools, dashboards, and reports.
• Ability to review technical drawings and support identification of potential utility clashes.
• Good knowledge of Jordanian laws and regulations relevant to permitting and utility relocations.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to track multiple parallel approvals and clash resolutions with accurate records.
• Effective written and verbal communication in Arabic and English; ability to work under the direction of senior staff, escalate issues appropriately, and demonstrate readiness to take on expanded responsibilities over time.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, public administration, or a related field.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in across permitting and regulatory processes, utility coordination, infrastructure projects, government coordination, or relevant tasks to the job.
• Holding a PMP certification or other relevant professional certifications is highly preferred.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Chemonics is committed to the goal of equal employment opportunity. Chemonics recruits, hires, trains, and promotes people in all job titles without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity, or any other category specified by labor laws. All employment decisions will be consistent with the principle of equal employment opportunity. All personnel actions such as compensation, benefits, transfers, layoffs, return from layoff, company sponsored training, education, tuition assistance, social and recreational programs will be administered without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity, or any other category specified by local labor laws.