Job Summary

The purpose of this position is to lead and ensure profitable operations of the distribution region in accordance with the respective Strategic Business Unit’s (SBU’s) directives and company’s policies and procedures.  The incumbent provides strategic direction to maintain optimum level of overall system availability and effectiveness in supply of natural gas to consumers within the region and manages the front line business operations of metering & measurement, sales, billing, customer relations, relevant accounting, administration HR, HSE and security operations. In addition, the incumbent ensures maintenance of the distribution network in compliance with regulatory requirements and company policies.  Plans and manages system development, leak detection and corrosion control activities for the region.

Job Responsibilities

• Develop, update and implement, a distribution O&M plan for the region covering regulators & relief devices, corrosion control, leak detection, unaccounted for gas, repairs & new construction, service lines, regulators and customer meters, system integrity management and compliance reporting for respective SBU head and regulatory bodies.
• Lead initiatives to improve business viability through well managed customer service, accurate and timely meter reading, billing and collection, resolution of complaints and effective budgetary control.
• Engage with sub regional or zonal heads, guide and agree on clear performance standards and delegate tasks effectively.
Offer support to sub regional or zonal heads, monitor performance and regularly view outputs, giving timely praise and recognition. Also provide constructive feedback, recognizing and handling under-performance where appropriate.
• Work with sub regional or zonal heads and other regional employees to identify areas for development; encourage regional employees to engage in development opportunities; identify development opportunities for self and share learning with peers and subordinates.
• Ensure that an inspection program is in place to check regulators and relief valves at specified intervals for the physical condition, relief sizing capacity, pressure of relief devices and regulators.
Verify that staff conducting inspections are adequately trained and are competent.  Ensure maintenance, safe custody and proper use of manuals, diagrams and maintenance procedures for each device.  Ensure that inspection records are maintained as per defined standards and appropriate technical help is timely requested for problematic devices.
• Oversee the implementation of defined procedures to maintain a corrosion control program for the assigned piping system within the region.
Ensure that procedures for design, installation, operation and maintenance of a cathodic protection (CP) system are regularly followed. Also ensure that adequate coating and CP system installation is completed for new pipelines within the required timeframe. Monitor the qualification and training status of the staff carrying out pipeline corrosion control procedures to ensure they perform their tasks effectively. 
• Ensure that the frequency of examinations of exposed pipes and electrical surveys to determine cathodic protection for assigned pipelines are planned and executed as per test points shown on CP system maps and appropriate leak detection surveys are carried out for situations where electrical surveys are not possible.
  Ensure that records of CP tests, surveys and inspections are maintained as per company policy and applicable regulations
• Ensure that appropriate leak management plans are maintained by respective sub regions or zones to discover and repair leaks on gas piping that are or could become hazardous for human life or property.
  Ensure that leak survey technicians or contractor staff are trained and qualified in the operation of the leak detection equipment to perform leak surveys, are well versed with the leak survey procedures, leak classification, recognition of hazards and pinpointing.
• Review the process of prompt investigation on gas leak reports through appropriate tests including soap solution bubble test or a suitable leak detection instrument such as a Combustible Gas Indicator (CGI), a Flame Ionization Detector (FI), a Methane Detector or other instrument or method as specified by the company for the situation at hand.
 Ensure that adequate records of all leakage surveys, leaks found, and actions taken, such as leak repairs or monitoring are maintained, including records of leak reports received from customers.
• Ensure that available records of the gas pipeline system maps within the region are regularly updated and maintained in safe custody.
  Provide inputs to regional office in preparation of system development and rehabilitation plans.  Ensure that construction and installation activity is carried out by adequately trained and qualified staff or contractors with due regard to safety protocols for excavation, precautions against damage, recording and reporting of any damages, metallic and plastic pipe installation and joining procedures, etc.
• Ensure that repairs to and replacements of existing lines are carried out according to the written prescribed procedures by trained and qualified personnel specially welders, fitters and coat/wrap workers, in line with the rehabilitation or maintenance plan with due regard to safety procedures and followed by leak surveys of adjacent pipelines to detect additional leaks from movement of the damaged pipe(s).
• Ensure that specifications and engineering documents for materials, instruments and equipment approved are safely maintained and ensure that all materials including pipes, valves, flanges & accessories, regulators and pressure protection equipment and welding materials etc.
, received and used is in accordance with the approved specifications.
• Ensure that before installing service lines, regulators and customer meters, due regard is given to prescribed procedures, including consideration of accessibility, protection from damage, use of approved operating pressure, proper location of valves and protection of people from release of gas at the meter.
• Create awareness amongst the respective regional employees to strictly adhere to procedures regarding discontinuation of supply to customers, including locking of valves, physical disconnection, plugging and sealing, prevention of gas flow, removal of meters, and proper documentation.
• Review reports on zonal functions related to sales, customer services, maintenance, HSE compliance, HR and Admin, Accounts, metering, measurement, corrosion controlling, progress on new project development and security and vigilance issues etc.
Provide guidance and make suggestions for the zones to implement improvements of business cycles and processes leading to increased profitability and minimized losses.
• Prepare budget for the respective region and consolidate budgets submitted by zones.
Guide the zones in setting annual targets to achieve the required growth in the distribution network while providing profitability to the region.
• Provide the zones with the guidance in controlling UFG and reducing losses due to causes including meter inaccuracy, meter reading cycle adjustments, temperature and pressure variations, pilferage, leakage as a result of normal wear and tear of the pipelines, and any damages caused by other government agencies during development work relating to road construction, water/sewerage lines.
 
• Support the respective sub regions or zones in identifying projects for new pipeline construction as well as rehabilitation projects.
Lead initiatives to implement network segmentation. 
• Ensure correct classification of domestic, commercial and industrial customers for the purpose of using applicable tariff.
Ensure that regular surveys and patrolling trips are organized within the assigned service area.
• Ensure timely response to complaints received from customers directly via contact center and customer facilitation center or through PMDU, OGRA, and Wafaqi Mohtasib via Corporate Communications department.
• Provide guidance to zones with respect to bill recovery measures in order to meet the revenue targets and prevent losses.
• Ensure uninterrupted supply of natural gas to customers during their respective peak hours within the assigned service area.
• Comply with the SBU’s guidelines and program to replace faulty meters installed within the region in order to ensure correct billing and prevent revenue losses.
• Monitor any threats to distribution pipeline.
Ensure maintenance of emergency plans and staff training on those plans.  Ensure timely emergency response in case of gas leakages and customer complaints. Provide necessary assistance to zones during emergency situations.
• Ensure proper health, safety, environment and quality assurance in accordance with the relevant international ISO standards (ISO 45000, ISO 14000 and ISO 9000).
• Identify risks within the assigned service area and suggest mitigation actions.
• Perform any other task assigned by immediate supervisor.