Position Background
In line with the Water Mission’s five-year goals, the organization launched a private, regional water service provider (WSP) (also referred to herein as a utility) to meet the safe water needs of rural communities in Uganda, particularly at the household level. Water Mission’s utility-type approach has high potential to deliver reliable, high-quality water services to large service areas in Uganda. The utility-style company will oversee water systems designed for scale and longevity, manage a predictable budget, and operate with the stability of a professionalized WSP that is integrated with the government at the District and National levels.

Position Summary

The Managing Director will be responsible for scaling a rural water utility in Luuka District, Uganda. The utility will be contracted by the Government of Uganda’s Ministry of Water and Environment, to deliver professionalized water services within the mandated service area. As such, the Managing Director will represent the utility as a service provider with sector stakeholders and work to ensure a healthy bottom line for the business based on customer satisfaction and retention, and market growth. The Managing Director will also ensure that the utility meets its annual key performance targets and other contractual requirements as agreed upon with the Ministry.

The position requires an entrepreneurial, self-starter, and strong leader who can co-develop the WSP’s structure, including departments and management teams. The Managing Director will be responsible for refining and implementing an annual business plan that supports the utility’s capacity to manage thousands of household connections in the service area.

Position Responsibilities

General Duties

• Maintain a strong Christian witness and model servant leadership to colleagues, partners, the communities we serve, and the public.
• Maintain high-level knowledge of Water Mission’s organizational objectives, programmatic strategies, projects, and activities. Stay informed of local, regional, national, and global news and issues to support the organization effectively.
• Effectively communicate about the global water crisis and Water Mission’s private water utility to various audiences.

Utility Staff & Team Oversight and Administration (40%)

• Supervise department heads.
• Ensure human resources processes and systems are designed to support overall utility performance metrics and a commitment to high-quality service delivery for customers.
• Drive results by creating a culture of performance and integrity within the utility, starting with leadership.
• Lead development of annual budget setting based on financial performance expectations.

Government Strategic Engagement & Partnership Management (20%)

• Be a utility champion, representing and advocating for the utility’s brand to existing and future customers, as well as to all external stakeholders, including sector regulators, social impact investors, donors, and local and national government and community leaders.
• Maintain strong and positive working relationships with government and counterparts, including the Ministry of Water and Environment and the Water Utility Regulatory Department (WURD), toward ensuring a successful growth trajectory through a solid reputation of the Utility.
• Set effective key performance indicators (KPIs) and targets.
• Update business plan and request annual tariff increases on an annual basis with government’s authorizing entity.
• Lead negotiation process for government contracts, permits, taxes, permissions, and any other legal requirements for business operations in the service area.
• Lead strategic planning for the 10-year expansion of the service area, including geographic locations and customer segments.

Utility Management (40%)

• Responsible for overall operations, maintenance, and improvement of water service delivery schemes in Luuka District.
• Monitor the company’s Profit and Loss performance and provide oversight to continuously improve the utility’s bottom line, including cost recovery or profit targets.
• Oversee capital maintenance expenditure fund and advise on opportunities to improve cash flow and forecasting and scheduling of major repairs and replacements.
• Advise Water Mission on utility organization and operations for Uganda and other countries of operation.

Essential Requirements:

• Personal and growing relationship with Jesus Christ.
• Alignment with Water Mission’s Statement of Faith and core values of Love, Excellence, and Integrity.
• 8-10 years of experience in management, operations, business development, or similar field.
• Five or more years of relevant experience in rural or peri-urban WASH sectors; experience managing safe water enterprises is preferred.
• Experience working in multiple countries in East Africa; preference for experience in Uganda, Tanzania, Malawi, and Kenya.
• Solid understanding of the political economy associated with rural water service delivery.
• Experience in strategic planning and budgeting for a social enterprise water utility or WASH organization is preferred.
• Experience developing a comprehensive and effective sales and marketing strategy of water services to new customer markets; Excellence in customer service strategy is preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree required; additional education is a plus, preferably in international development, business, or engineering fields. MBA is a plus.
• Experienced in using financial systems (e.g., QuickBooks or equivalent).
• Produces and reviews monthly Budget vs. Actual (BvA) analysis.
• Can break down costs by category, analyze variances, and explain drivers.
• Makes independent, data-backed financial decisions without heavy HQ support.
• Experience in strategic planning, business development, revenue projection, project management, and public speaking.
• Experience in leading dynamic teams to deliver revenue targets and other key performance targets.
• Cross-cultural communication experience.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to clearly articulate ideas and provide constructive feedback.
• Adept with technology, such as various phone apps, mobile data collection, use of dashboards, online banking, etc.
• Excellent PowerPoint and presentation skills.
• Home internet bandwidth strong enough to support video conferencing and other job-related responsibilities is required.
• Ability to travel domestically for up to one week, four to eight times a year.
• Ability to travel internationally for up to two consecutive weeks, approximately twice a year.
• Flexibility to work periodic nights and weekends as required for organizational needs.
• Commitment to the values and mission of the organization and ending the global water crisis.

Core Competencies

• Relationship Building

• • Develops rapport easily with a variety of people.
  • Modifies communication style to fit the personality and culture of others.
• Results Orientation
  • Sets stretch goals.
  • Strives to achieve goals.
  • Develops standards against which to measure behavior and performance.
• Managing Performance
  • Takes action without being asked or required to do so.
  • Operates well in situations when the consequences of decisions and actions are unclear.
• Attention to Communication
  • Organizes and expresses ideas clearly.
  • Creatively identifies and utilizes effective communication methods and channels.
• Strategic Thinking
  • Utilizes knowledge of industry and market trends to develop and champion long-term strategies.
• Service Awareness
  • Responds to customer requests in a timely and professional manner.
  • Elicits feedback from customers to monitor their satisfaction.