Portfolio Lead Water Infrastructure, South Asia, Water.org

Job Description

1 POSITION VACANT: Portfolio Lead Infrastructure , 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 Portfolio Lead – Infrastructure (PLI) will serve as both a strategic and implementation lead, driving investments in municipal piped water infrastructure to expand and improve household access to water services in South Asia. The position will have purview of our infrastructure operations in India and Bangladesh. The role is centered on enabling capital access and investment-readiness for utilities and infrastructure partners, with 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. 4. THEMATIC FOCUS AREAS: The PLI 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 PLI 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) Lead development of investment plans, feasibility studies, and engineering designs for water infrastructure projects; (2) Support partners in accessing capital through introductions to providers, guidance on applications, and regulatory advisory; (3) Identify and prioritize infrastructure opportunities that result in measurable improvements in household water access; (4) 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 10 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: PLI-WO 12. APPLICATION PROCESS: Eligible candidates interested in this position are requested to apply online using the link https://samsstc.com/Jobs/job-description/portfolio-lead-infrastructure-waterorg-new-delhi/89 by or before June 20, 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