Regional Infrastructure Services Lead, Africa at Water.org

Summary

The Regional Lead, Infrastructure Services, Africa within the Infrastructure Advisory Services department is primarily responsible for leading the identification and generation of WSS infrastructure services and investment opportunities in the region, management of implementation and delivery of infrastructure services in the form of technical assistance in project development and policy advisory, both directly and through third-party service providers in Africa.

Working closely with multiple functions of the organization, particularly the WaterEquity investment team, this individual 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.

Key Responsibilities

The Regional Lead, Infrastructure Services, Africa is part of a growing team of infrastructure advisory services and investment professionals, and is responsible for:

Infrastructure Services and Technical Assistance Management and Delivery (40%)

• Responsible for delivery of infrastructure services 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 and related stakeholders to evaluate frameworks, service design, and models that support the deployment of infrastructure services.
• Ensure accurate, timely reporting on project progress, risks and related KPIs for services provided.

Business and Project Development (30%)

• In collaboration with Head of Project Development and Advisory performs business development and project development activities – identification, development of climate resilience infrastructure investment and services opportunities in water supply and sanitation sector.
• Screening and due diligence of potential partners and projects.
• Provide input and support investment decisions - evaluation and appraisal of infrastructure service provisions and investments.

Infrastructure Policy and Regulations Management (30%)

• In collaboration with Head of Infrastructure Policy and Regulation, identify major policies and regulations related to climate resilient water supply and sanitation infrastructure and utilities in the target markets. Disseminate this information to a broad internal audience and key stakeholders.
• Identify opportunities to improve WSS infrastructure policy and regulations to promote private sector participation, private investment, and climate resilience.
• Support infrastructure policy and regulations advocacy through oversight of in-country third-party service delivery and collaboration with partners such as multilateral development banks.

Management Responsibility:

• Acts as a project manager. Among responsibilities is management of a project team. The individuals comprising this team may vary by project.
• Future management responsibility will include supervision of in-country teams to deliver the infrastructure services to projects and corporates.

Required Competencies

• Drives Results – Consistently achieving results, even under tough circumstances.
• Financial Acumen – Interpreting and applying understanding of key financial indicators to make better business decisions.
• Cultivates Innovation – Creating new and better ways for the organization to be successful.
• Manages Complexity – Making sense of complex, high quantity, and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems
• Business Insight – Applying knowledge of business and the marketplace to advance the organization’s goals.
• Builds Networks – Effectively building formal and informal relationship networks inside and outside the organization with partners, donors, and complimentary peers and organizations.
• Strategic Mindset – Seeing ahead to future possibilities and translating them into breakthrough strategies.
• Being Resilient – Rebounding from setbacks and adversity when facing difficult situations.
• Courage – Stepping up to address difficult issues, saying what needs to be said.
• Customer Focus – Building strong customer relationships and delivering customer-centric solutions.
• Communicates Effectively – Developing and delivering multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences.

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field and/or equivalent related work experience
• Twelve 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 five 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.
• Twenty or more years total experience.
• Track record of supporting/enabling private sector investments in emerging market infrastructure, which have reached financial close.