The Ministry of the Environment is looking for a head for Romanian Waters. “Premier” contest, interviews filmed and published

The Ministry of the Environment has launched the selection process for the position of director general of the National Administration “Romanian Waters”, a position left vacant after Florin Ghiţă resigned in the context of the scandal related to the supply of drinking water in Prahova and Dâmbovița counties.

“The Ministry of the Environment, Waters and Forests announces the launch, for the first time, of a transparent selection process for the position of general director of the National Administration “Romanian Waters”, marking a fundamental change in approach in the way of appointing the management of one of the most important institutions in the field of water management in Romania”, the institution sent on Monday.

The Ministry specified that, for the first time, the appointment of the future general director of ANAR is carried out “through an open, public approach and based on competence and integrity, after a long period in which the management of the institution was established by eminently political appointments, in which the professional and integrity criteria were secondary to support from politicians”.

“The National Administration “Romanian Waters” has, over the years, been affected by repeated public scandals, which have eroded citizens' trust and weakened the institution's ability to fulfill its mission. It is time for a real change. Romania needs a deep reform of the water management system, after decades of insufficient investments and decisions made without a coherent vision. Through this open and rigorous process, we aim to identify a professional who has the competence, integrity and authority necessary to lead ANAR at a critical stage for the hydrological security of the country”, declared the Minister of the Environment, Diana Buzoianu.

Interviews, recorded and published

The selection process is organized in a framework of maximum transparency, which involves the recording and publication of interviews, to ensure public accountability and a high standard of institutional credibility.

Candidates will be interviewed by a committee made up of internationally recognized experts in the field of water management, with relevant experience in public policies, hydrotechnical infrastructure, flood risk management and adaptation to climate change.

In order to participate in the interview, candidates will submit a file containing the following documents:

• digital copy of the identity document;
• documents certifying professional experience in the field of water, including academic experience, if applicable;
• criminal record certificate showing the absence of convictions for acts of corruption or influence peddling;
• a cover letter of max. 500 words (3000 characters) to succinctly present the managerial vision and the main 3-5 measures of institutional reform in the short, medium and long term.

The files will be sent until January 12, 2026, to the e-mail address: [email protected].

In the event that certain requested documents cannot be submitted by this deadline for reasons related to their issuance by public institutions, candidates can submit proof of their request.

Interviews will take place between 14-16 January 2026.

The general director of the Romanian National Water Administration, Florin Ghiţă, submitted his resignation at the beginning of December 2025 following the drinking water crisis in Prahova and Dâmboviţa.

The interim was taken over by Sorin Randaşu, the director of the Department for Emergency Situations within the institution.