Regional Director, Africa

Introduction

WaterConnect (the “Company”) is a new purpose-driven venture committed to expanding investible water and sanitation projects globally to achieve UN Sustainable Development Goal 6. The Company will partner with private companies active in the supply, development, and operations of infrastructure to jointly develop investable water and sanitation projects in emerging markets. With the goal of accelerating the flow of projects, the Company will bring project development funding and expertise to supplement the pre-existing resources of its partners. The Company will coordinate closely with Water.org and WaterEquity, which offer complementary products, including project construction financing.

 Summary 

The Regional Director Africa - Infrastructure Development, provides regional leadership in development of pipeline opportunities and deliver the company’s products and services in partnership with developers and companies developing investment opportunities in WSS sector in the region. The scope of services delivered by the company encompasses all the necessary activities during development stage in collaboration with partners and are designed to improve risk profile of investment opportunities to meet investment impact and financial objectives. The contribution of the company during development stage is expected to strengthen and expand investment opportunities and make it investable for WaterConnect’s asset management affiliate, WaterEquity in particular, and private investors in general.

The Regional Director is primarily responsible for leading the identification and generation of WSS infrastructure investment opportunities in the region, management of implementation and delivery of development actitivities and technical assistance on behalf of the company in project development, both directly and through third-party service providers in Africa. Working closely with multiple functions of the organization, particularly the WaterEquity investment team, this role will drive complex projects while anticipating issues, recognizing risks, considering alternatives, and supporting long-range goals, including executing the strategy and innovating various solutions to meet the unique, local demand from target markets in the region.

This role reports to Chief Infrastructure Development Officer.

Job Responsibilities 

1.    Main Responsibilities

Regional Business Development - pipeline development

• Initiate and generate pipeline opportunities
• Identification, development of climate resilience infrastructure investment opportunities in water supply and sanitation sector
• Develop and maintain relationships with various partners in the sector: developers, product and technology companies, utilities, multilateral development organizations, banks, utilities

Regional portfolio growth

• Develop investment opportunities from early stage until financial close
• Screening and due diligence of potential partners and opportunities
• Prepare the required documentations to process project opportunities to approval
• Provide input and support investment decisions - evaluation and appraisal of infrastructure service provisions and investments

Regional project development execution

• Delivery of WaterConnect’s scopes during project development in the form of technical assistance, including coordinating third-party service providers and/or vendors
• Preparation of project and legal requirements and scopes of work/terms of reference, and selection of third-party service providers and/or vendors.
• Ensures third-party deliverables meet goals in terms of results and timelines and, escalating recommendations to the appropriate authority.
• Drive implementation, working with other team members within the organizations, co-developers and related stakeholders to evaluate frameworks, service design, and models that support the deployment of scope of development works. 

Regional portfolio monitoring and management

• Ensure accurate, timely reporting on project progress, risks and related KPIs for development scopes provided
• Local stakeholder management
• Identify opportunities to improve WSS infrastructure policy and regulations to promote private sector participation, private investment, and climate resilience.

2.    Additional Contribution

As a key member of a global organization team members of Infrastructure Development team are expected to cover additional duties not only limited to a specific region or main responsibilities, but also common aspects of company’s global activities to support successful achievement of WaterConnect’s goal.

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field and/or equivalent related work experience
• Ten or more years of progressive responsibility and experience in Water Supply and Sanitation private sector participation, utilities/infrastructure project/business development, or management consultancy working on infrastructure development or water utilities in Africa, including:
• Proven track record of business development, projects and/or business contracts in emerging markets, including high degree of commercial awareness and business acumen as well as demonstrable success in developing and fostering key relationships and networks, including client and stakeholder management
• Deep knowledge of private sector participation in the water supply and sanitation sector and advanced understanding of Public-Private Partnership (PPP)-schemes and modalities, such as DBFOT, BOOT, HAM, and concessions
• At least 7 years of experience leading development or implementation of infrastructure projects and advanced proficiency in the project life-cycle from, concept to commercial operations and infrastructure project procurement models including strong track record of utilizing third party service providers and/or similar models
• General understanding of infrastructure policy and regulations in emerging markets.
• Understanding of infrastructure investment and project appraisal.
• Self-driven & proactive problem-solver to drive strong alignment of plans and priorities across projects and initiative in line with strategy and established business metrics. 
• Multi-country experience in the Africa Region.  
• Demonstrated commitment to social and environmental impact and a willingness to do the work to drive our mission.
• Proficient (written and verbal) in English and regional language(s), as applicable.

Preferred:

• Master’s degree in relevant field
• 15 or more years total experience
• Track record of supporting/enabling private sector investments in emerging market infrastructure, which have reached financial close
• Familiarity with WSS policy environments in emerging markets
• Skilled in financial modelling for PPP project

Physical Requirements  

Role includes regular on-line collaboration across time zones. Colleagues, partners, and service providers are based in the Americas, Africa, India, and East Asia. This role involves extended periods of sitting and reaching. This role requires the ability to see, talk, and hear. Travel may be required up to 20% of the time. 

How to Apply 

Submit a cover letter with salary requirements and a resume. Both documents must be in English. 

Don’t meet every single requirement?  If you are enthusiastic about this role but find that your experience does not perfectly match every qualification listed, we still encourage you to apply. Your unique skills and perspective could make you the ideal candidate for this position.  

Compensation and Benefits 

Overall compensation will be commensurate with education and experience and structured to reflect a competitive package for a full-time senior-level team member.  

No relocation benefits or visa sponsorship will be offered.