Water Supply Technical Specialist

Requirements of the role

We are seeking 2 x Water Supply Technical Specialists to join our Cost Assessment team at Senior Associate level. This is a unique and exciting opportunity for someone with a background in engineering, water/environmental science or operational/asset management, looking to work on the development and delivery of current and future price reviews. You will not only gain experience working within the regulatory environment, but also have the chance to work and engage with multiple key stakeholders within the water sector.

The Cost Assessment team is key to the delivery of PR24. We are an enthusiastic mix of economists and water sector specialists that are leading on the assessment of expenditure for the current price review. As part of this we lead on assessment of cross industry strategic planning frameworks such as drainage and wastewater management plans (DWMPs), water resources management plans (WRMPs), and environmental programmes, such as the Water Industry National Environment Programme (WINEP).

We lead on a large number of policy areas, including how we can maximise the delivery of best value, how to ensure that companies focus on the long term and adapt to and anticipate change, how we can move towards net zero efficiently, and how best to reduce sewer flooding and improve drought and wider resilience. The team works closely with the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI), Defra, Environment Agency (EA) and Natural Resources Wales (NRW) on water supply issues. These are big issues for the water sector and beyond, and our contributions are vital.

You will have the opportunity work across several exciting and key areas of PR24 work which could include:

• Assessing elements of company business plans and other evidence submitted for the price review (PR24). This includes the assessment of specific areas of water enhancement expenditure such as investment to deliver drinking water quality and security improvements, or investment to enhance company resilience.
• Applying a range of data analysis and investment appraisal techniques including development of benchmarking models and undertaking detailed reviews of company proposals.
• Engaging with water companies, other regulators (in particular the DWI) and wider stakeholders throughout the PR24 process.
• Supporting the development of the approach for tracking delivery of investments and undertaking future price reviews.

The successful candidate may come from a variety of professional backgrounds and is likely to have experience in water supply process management, design, or delivery, water resilience scheme investment planning, design or delivery (e.g. network reinforcement, interconnectivity and water treatment works investment), or water production operations. This can also include experience in water company emergency planning, physical and cyber security activities, and investment planning.

Key deliverables

In this role you will be expected to:

• Apply technical expertise and/or operational insights to provide support and advice to areas of economic regulation across the organisation.
• Produce high-quality documents and contribute to external publications.
• Support the design and deliver procedures and processes to ensure thorough and effective cost assessment of company plans during the price review (PR24) and beyond.
• Undertake data analysis and critically evaluate analysis or products of professional peers.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders, including the Environment Agency (EA), Natural Resources Wales (NRW), Water Companies, and any other relevant bodies.
• Work closely with colleagues across Ofwat to align with other areas of work.

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