VP - Water System Operability (UAEN)

About EWECEWEC (Emirates Water and Electricity Company) is the sole procurer and supplier of water and electricity in the emirate of Abu Dhabi. EWEC drives the planning, forecasting, purchasing, and system despatch services of water and electricity. EWEC fulfils these vital responsibilities through the short-term and long-term balancing of bulk supply and demand for distribution companies and authorities in Abu Dhabi and other Emirates. EWEC is supporting the government of Abu Dhabi and the government of the UAE by enabling the reduction of cost whilst also providing the increased security of supply that comes from a cleaner, larger, and more integrated system.EWEC is mandated to implement strategic initiatives that will achieve the 60 per cent clean energy target outlined in the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy's (DoE) Clean Energy Strategic Target 2035 for Electricity Production in Abu Dhabi, in addition to enabling the achievement of UAE Water Security Strategy 2036, UAE Energy Strategy by 2050, and the UAE Net Zero by 2050 strategic initiative. EWEC is accelerating Abu Dhabi and the UAE’s energy transition by diversifying the country’s energy mix through developing and deploying renewable and clean energy as well as low-carbon intensive water desalination capacities. EWEC is part of ADQ, one of the region’s largest holding companies with a broad portfolio of major enterprises spanning key sectors of Abu Dhabi’s diversified economy. For more information, please visit www.ewec.ae.Job Summary:The Vice President of Water System Operability is responsible for leading water system operability planning and operational readiness activities, ensuring alignment with EWEC planning processes and regulatory requirements. The role defines water operability envelopes, constraints and operating approaches for the next 1–3 years as part of the System Operational Planning and Operability Plan and Risk Assessment Report (SOPOR) and leads the development of system operational readiness requirements and functionalities for the 3–15+ year horizon.The position leads the development and application of water system operability and readiness models and supports integrated water resource planning and system sustainability activities. Key duties include evaluating system operability and readiness, optimizing system operation and future operating approaches, defining future disinfection requirements, supporting the development of functional specifications for new assets, and contributing to integrated water resource management approaches to ensure efficiency and resilience across operations.The role supports the integration of sustainable practices into operability planning and readiness studies, working closely with internal and external stakeholders to support efficient, reliable and environmentally responsible water system operations during the energy transition.

Key Responsibilities

Provide leadership of the Water System Operability function, ensuring a consistent and coordinated approach to water system operability planning and operational readiness across production, transmission and storage.Contribute to strategic planning and operational coordination activities, ensuring that water operability and operational readiness considerations are reflected in EWEC planning processes and decision-making.Support the implementation of integrated water resource management approaches by ensuring alignment between operability planning, readiness studies and water resource planning activities.Support the evaluation and adoption of innovative water technologies by assessing operability and readiness implications for new production and transmission assets.Lead the development of medium-term water system operability planning across production, transmission and storage, defining envelopes, constraints and operating approaches for the next 1–3 years as part of the System Operational Planning and Operability Plan and Risk Assessment Report (SOPOR).Lead the development of long-term water system operational readiness planning across production, transmission and storage, defining envelopes, constraints and system functionalities for the next 3–15+ years (Operational Readiness), including operability input to new schemes and interconnection assessments.Develop operability assumptions, scenarios and analyses for Statements of Future Water Requirement (SFWR) and IPWR.Integrate sustainability objectives and demand-side management into operability planning and water resource analyses, including non-desalinated water use, energy efficiency and environmental impacts.Coordinate water operability assumptions with Integrated Planning and Power Operations on power–water couplings (e.g. RO timing, pumping strategies) to ensure consistent system planning and operation.Lead the development of detailed functional specifications for water technologies, coordinating closely with the Asset Development team to ensure that readiness requirements are incorporated into new installations and functional upgrades.Develop and maintain the water quality and disinfection strategy for the water transmission system in coordination with the VP of Water Quality & Integrity, ensuring that water system development complies with system operator policies.Provide operability input to Business Cases, including system constraints, energy and pumping implications and treatment and disinfection requirements linked to water operability and water resource planning.Support the assessment of medium- and long-term operability risks and maintain the water operability risk register and mitigation plan covering supply shortages, contamination, asset failures and climate impacts.Lead the development, refinement and maintenance of the Operability and Operational Readiness Models (hydraulic and water-age models), ensuring they support medium-term operability planning and long-term operational readiness studies and accurately represent network behaviour under a range of operating conditions.Lead coordination and working-level engagement with external stakeholders, including regulatory authorities, government agencies and industry partners, to align EWEC’s water operability planning with sector requirements and standards.Represent Water System Operability in technical and planning engagement with regulators, government entities and industry partners on water system operability and operational readiness matters.Prepare analytical reports and recommendations on water system operability, risks and readiness for Water System Operations leadership and senior management.Ensure that methods, assumptions, scenarios and decisions used in operability and readiness studies are clearly documented and auditable.Standard Responsibilities:Implement all relevant section policies, processes, and procedures so that work is carried out in a controlled and consistent mannerExecute the continuous improvement of systems, processes and practices taking into account ‘international leading practice’ and changes in business environment and leveraging insights. This includes supporting the related change management effortsEnsure adherence to all health, safety, security and environment (HSSE) policies and requirementsContribute to the preparation of timely and accurate reports to meet the section requirements, policies and standardsAdhere to EWEC values (including sustainability, integrity, collaboration and innovation)Upgrade technical skills and knowledge on an ongoing basis.Experience Requirements:Master's degree in Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Water Resources Management, or a related field. A Ph.D. is preferred.Minimum of 12 years of experience in water resource management, environmental engineering, or a related field, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role.