Regional Director

Regional Director, Africa

Water Connect LLC ("Water Connect") is a project development company dedicated to creating opportunities for construction-stage investment in water supply and sanitation (WSS) infrastructure in low- and middle-income countries. We bring early-stage financing and technical expertise to complement local partners, develop new infrastructure, and deploy technology that will impact water access, quality, and scarcity, and in turn build water resilience for households and watersheds.

Water Connect partners with infrastructure developers, utilities, engineering firms, and equipment suppliers to co-develop infrastructure projects, bringing them from concept to financial close and construction. With the goal of accelerating the flow of projects, Water Connect offers project development funding and expertise, particularly in legal and financial structuring, capital raising, climate resilience, and social and environmental impact, to supplement the pre-existing resources of project co-developers.

Water Connect typically pursues projects ranging from $20M capital expenditure and up, with a priority for projects in the $50-100M range. Projects can focus across the water value chain, from bulk supply through treatment, distribution, wastewater treatment, and reuse. Water Connect coordinates closely with sister organizations, Water.org and Water Equity, which offer complementary products, including construction-stage project financing.

Water Connect is in its second year of operations after spinning off from Water.org in 2024. It represents the latest in a series of innovations by Water.org to catalyze investment into water supply and sanitation in pursuit of achieving access for all, as highlighted by UN Sustainable Development Goal 6.

The Regional Director, Africa leads the acquisition and development of WSS infrastructure projects in the Africa region, including both public-private-partnerships (PPP) and private projects serving industrial offtakers. The Regional Director is primarily responsible for leading the identification of WSS infrastructure investment opportunities, due diligence on projects, and negotiation of project development agreements. Working closely with Water Connect's global team, this role will lead and oversee regional project development activities.

This role reports to the Chief Infrastructure Development Officer.

Regional Business Development - pipeline development

• Identify and pursue water supply and sanitation infrastructure project preparation opportunities in the water supply and sanitation sector
• Develop and maintain relationships with various partners in the sector: private developers, technology providers, utilities, and investors

Regional Portfolio Growth

• Screen and due diligence potential partners and opportunities
• Prepare due diligence reports and present to approval committee
• Negotiate term sheets and development agreements, in partnership with Water Connect colleagues

Regional Project Development Execution

• Support Water Connect project management team to oversee project development
• Support engagement and management of third-party service providers and vendors
• Engage with co-developers, offtakers, investors, regulators

Regional Portfolio Monitoring and Management

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

Cross-functional support

• Contribute to strategic projects of Water Connect and the larger enterprise, as needed from time to time