Infrastructure Expert

Job description

1 POSITION VACANT: Infrastructure Expert, South Asia, Water.org

2.

ORGANIZATIONAL BACKGROUND:

Water.org is a global non-profit headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, USA, committed to bringing water and sanitation to people living in poverty.

Co-founded by Gary White and Matt Damon, the organization has empowered more than 73 million people with access to safe water or sanitation across Africa, South Asia, and Latin America.

In India, Water.org has enabled access to safe water or sanitation for more than 28 million people, through its innovative WaterCredit model and strategic partnerships with microfinance institutions, government missions, commercial banks, social enterprises, and other stakeholders.

To know more, visit www.water.org

3.

JOB DESCRIPTION/ RESPONSIBILITIES:

Reporting to the Executive Director, South Asia, the Infrastructure Expert will serve as business development and implementation lead, driving the process of designing, creating and unlocking government and private sector funds in municipal piped water infrastructure in South Asia, in order to expand and improve household access to water services.

The position will have purview of our infrastructure operations in India and Bangladesh.

The role requires a thorough technical understanding of water projects across South Asia, in different states of India, understanding and knowledge of government priorities, missions and challenge funds for water and sanitation, and a tested ability to work with municipalities and urban local bodies.

Initially, many of the projects this position will try to identify and work to develop will have a focus on municipal piped water supply, particularly in areas with potential for system efficiency improvements and household-level service expansion including but not limited to, reducing physical water losses.

The position will oversee Water.org’s infrastructure work in India and Bangladesh.

4.

THEMATIC FOCUS AREAS:

The Infrastructure Expert will focus on the following thematic areas/ water infrastructure needs:

(1) Municipal (government-licensed) piped water supply;

(2) Connecting new households or improving existing services through enhancements in water quality, reliability, availability, or climate resilience;

(3) Reducing capital barriers that limit household service expansion;

(4) Supporting water loss reduction projects where utilities can expand service without increasing production capacity;

(5) Focusing on projects that result in tangible household-level service improvements or water efficiency gains.

5.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Infrastructure Expert shall develop, lead and manage initiatives that strengthen access to municipal (government-licensed) piped water supply with emphasis on improving or extending household-level water services.

A.

Project Development & Capital Facilitation:

(1) Identify municipalities and urban local bodies using own networks to identify opportunities for projects that are investible by the private sector and in line with government priorities

(2) Develop relationships and partnerships with these municipalities and local bodies and formalize them whilst designing a suite of technical assistance services to be provided to them such as creation of proposals, DPRs, and applications for submission to various government funds

(3) In the lifecycle of the project, work with private sector players to offer services at the ULB level and help access capital

(4) It has to be noted that Water.org strives to unlock capital to enable household access to water and sanitation infrastructure and improvements thereof

(5) Provide strategic advisory services to utilities, urban local bodies (ULBs), and other implementing partners to remove financial and operational barriers to service expansion.

B.

Strategic Advisory & Account Management:

(1) Serve as trusted advisor and account manager to key partners, aligning their needs with impact and capital goals;

(2) Collaborate with utilities, financial institutions, and government stakeholders to co-design investment-ready interventions;

(3) Ensure all engagements are aligned with national and state priorities in the WASH and Infrastructure sectors.

C.

Repayment Enablement & Demand Generation:

(1) Lead initiatives to improve repayment and service sustainability by developing training programs and communication collateral to increase household demand;

(2) Design and implement strategies to drive community demand for piped water connections and improve repayment sustainability;

(3) Develop customized IEC materials, training modules, and community engagement tools, particularly in underserved and low-income communities.

D.

Business Development:

(1) Design and structure innovative financing models for utilities and water-focused SMEs, including debt, equity, and blended solutions.

E.

Business Metrics & Reporting:

(1) Maintain accurate data and reporting systems to track account performance, funding utilization, and execution progress;

(2) Maintain accurate data and documentation related to portfolio performance, KPIs, and fund utilization;

(3) Identify and mitigate project and partnership risks, ensuring timely course correction and strategic alignment;

(4) Report on outcomes related to household access, service improvements, and system efficiencies enabled through the infrastructure portfolio.

F.

Cross-Functional Leadership:

(1) Represent the infrastructure vertical in cross-departmental workstreams related to risk identification, impact strategy, consulting services, and project management.

G.

Team Management:

(1) Supervise a team potentially comprising Portfolio Managers, Partnership Account Managers, and/or Associates;

(2) Assume responsibility for hiring, performance management, and mentoring of assigned team members.

6.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

(1) Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Finance, Infrastructure Development, or related field;

(2) At least 12 years of experience in strategic partnerships, infrastructure finance, water & sanitation project development, or SME financing;

(3) Demonstrated success in building, expanding, and managing strategic accounts or investment portfolios.

7.

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

(1) Strong commercial acumen, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills;

(2) Ability to manage complex projects and build consensus among diverse stakeholders;

(3) Strategic mindset with deep understanding of public water systems and capital facilitation;

(4) Demonstrated values of equity, trust, inclusion, and cross-cultural collaboration.

8.

LOCATION: Anywhere in India but preference for candidates based in New Delhi, India.

9.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENT: Up to 25% domestic and international travel.

10.

COMPENSATION OFFERED:

Gross compensation budgeted for the position is attractive.

Please note that the offer made to the selected candidate shall be commensurate with qualifications, experience, and salary history.

11.

REFERENCE: IE-SA-WO

12.

APPLICATION PROCESS: Eligible candidates interested in the position are requested to apply using the link https://www.sams.co.in/jobs/job-description/infrastructure-expert-south-asia/322 by or before October 15, 2025.

13.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Strategic Alliance Management Services P Ltd.

(SAMS)

1/1B, Choudhary Hetram House, Bharat Nagar

New Friends Colony, New Delhi – 110025

Phone: 011-40819900 | 011-41653612

Required Skill Profession

Computer Occupations