Regional Director, Africa Full Time

Summary:

WaterConnect LLC, a purpose-driven venture, develops water and sanitation infrastructure projects in low- and middle-income countries. Partnering with developers, utilities, and suppliers, it advances projects from concept to construction, enhancing resilience for communities. The Regional Director, Africa leads pipeline development and project execution in the water supply and sanitation sector, collaborating with Water.org and WaterEquity to drive impact and investment.

Responsibilities:

• Initiate and generate pipeline opportunities.
• Identify and develop climate resilience infrastructure investment opportunities in water supply and sanitation sector.
• Develop and maintain relationships with developers, product and technology companies, utilities, multilateral development organizations, and banks.
• Develop investment opportunities from early stage until financial close.
• Screen and perform due diligence of potential partners and opportunities.
• Prepare required documentations to process project opportunities to approval.
• Provide input and support investment decisions, including evaluation and appraisal of infrastructure service provisions and investments.
• Deliver WaterConnect’s scopes during project development through technical assistance, coordinating third-party service providers and vendors.
• Prepare project and legal requirements, scopes of work, and terms of reference, and select third-party service providers and vendors.
• Ensure third-party deliverables meet goals in terms of results and timelines, escalating recommendations to appropriate authority.
• Drive implementation, collaborating with team members, co-developers, and stakeholders to evaluate frameworks, service design, and models for development works.
• Ensure accurate, timely reporting on project progress, risks, and related KPIs for development scopes provided.
• Manage local stakeholders.
• Identify opportunities to improve water supply and sanitation infrastructure policy and regulations to promote private sector participation, private investment, and climate resilience.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field or equivalent related work experience.
• Fifteen or more years of progressive responsibility and experience in water supply and sanitation private sector participation, utilities, infrastructure project, or business development, or management consultancy working on infrastructure development or water utilities in Africa.
• Proven track record of business development, projects, or business contracts in emerging markets, with high commercial awareness and success in fostering key relationships and networks, including client and stakeholder management.
• Deep knowledge of private sector participation in water supply and sanitation sector and advanced understanding of Public-Private Partnership schemes and modalities, such as DBFOT, BOOT, HAM, and concessions.
• At least 10 years of experience leading development or implementation of infrastructure projects and advanced proficiency in project life-cycle from concept to commercial operations and infrastructure project procurement models, with strong track record of utilizing third-party service providers.
• General understanding of infrastructure policy and regulations in emerging markets.
• Understanding of infrastructure investment and project appraisal.
• Self-driven and proactive problem-solver to drive alignment of plans and priorities across projects and initiatives in line with strategy and business metrics.
• Multi-country experience in the Africa region.
• Demonstrated commitment to social and environmental impact and willingness to drive the company’s mission.
• Proficiency in written and verbal English and regional languages, as applicable.

Benefits:

• Compensation commensurate with education and experience, structured as a competitive package for a full-time senior-level team member.
• No relocation benefits or visa sponsorship offered.