Description
Project Lead- Utility Strengthening
Contract type: Fixed term, Full time, 37.5 hours per week
Location: Chattogram, Bangladesh
Salary: Monthly gross salary BDT 210,000/- (flexible for successful candidate).
Change starts with water. Change starts with you.
Every day, millions of people live without clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene. WaterAid exists to change that – for everyone, everywhere. Join us, and your energy will help unlock people’s potential and create a fairer future.
About WaterAid
We’re a global federation driven by one vision: a world where everyone, everywhere has clean water, sanitation and hygiene by 2030. Powered by our values of Respect, Accountability, Courage, Collaboration, Integrity and Innovation, we work alongside communities, partners and supporters to make change happen.
About the role
Utility Strengthening Project is a 5-year project, implemented in an collaborative manner with an Utility with duel focus on supporting low income communities with Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) services and supporting utility’s capacity to respond to the water and sewage needs of its constituency/customers effectively and efficiently. Also, support the utility’s vision of being the leader in customer oriented/focused utility.
The incumbent, reporting to the Director, Programme and Policy, will lead the day-to-day implementation of the project and will be accountable for the achievement of the outcomes stated in the ‘Theory of Change’ for the project. S/He will be assisted in strategic issues from her/his supervisor and the senior management team (SMT) as well as extended management team (EMT) of WaterAid Bangladesh.
Her/His primary role is to be the face of WaterAid Bangladesh in day-to-day dealings with CWASA and manage, lead the coordination process with relevant government entities (Chattogram City Corporation, Chattogram Development Authority, District Commissioner etc).
In this role, you will:
Lead and manage “Utility Strengthening Project”
- Develop project plans, budgets, and timelines in line with the Country Programme Strategy and donor’s requirement.
- Ensure project implementation maintaining quality and standards; and adhering organisational compliances.
Advocacy, Coordination & Networking
- Advocate/facilitate networking and alliance building with CWASA and CCC, CDA and other government entities.
- Advocate policy influencing work with different Local Government Institutions, WASAs and other relevant stakeholders in coordination with Advocacy and Communication team.
System Strengthening/Capacity building
- Lead the system strengthening process with CWASA, CCC, CDA and other GoB entities.
- Building capacity of relevant WASH actors.
Reporting and donor communications
- Maintain regular communications with business development team for donor reporting.
- Take appropriate measures and prepare periodic project reports and document it as per internal requirement, donor and other stakeholders.
Team/People Management
- Ensure achievements of project outcomes by effectively leading and managing the project team.
- Set clear goals, objectives and expectations for both self and team members.
Financial Management
- Facilitate preparation, review and approval of project’s annual plan and budget including partner’s plans and budget (if any).
- Facilitate fund disbursement process with support of finance team.
Safeguarding
- Promote and uphold a safe, respectful, inclusive and enabling environment for all adhering organisational safeguarding principles, policies and procedures.
- Ensure all team members are aware of, understand and comply with safeguarding policies and practices.
Others
- Ensure that all stakeholders (including partner organization – if any) are fully informed of the projects guiding principles and mainstream them towards implementation of sustainable water supply, sanitation and hygiene promotion services.
- Coordinate and facilitate all field visits, meetings with stakeholders as necessary.
Requirements
To be successful, you will need:
Education
- Master or equivalent degree in any discipline preferably in Social Science/ Development Studies or BSc in Engineering from any recognized University.
Experience
- At least 10 years progressively higher job experience in development field with at-least 6 years in programme/project management and 4 years in managing WASH Projects. At least 3 years working experience with international NGO preferable.
Knowledge
- Understanding of system strengthening process, especially with water and sewage utilities. Good understanding of technical, social and institutional issues relating to water and sanitation, hygiene education in developing countries.
Background (Preferred)
- Experience in customer relationship management, business planning, and marketing is desirable.
Skills
- The incumbent should have experience of partnership/stakeholder management. Thorough knowledge of programme implementation and development issues. Strong Computer skills on MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint. Excellent presentation, communication and report writing skills both in Bengali & English. Understanding of Urban context and impact on WASH and relevant technical, social and institutional issues in country.
Competencies
- Demonstrated leadership skill, resources management, self-motivated, organizing and problem-solving abilities, articulation of goals and action plans, ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines, ability to work in a dynamic team environment, demonstrate gender and cultural awareness.
View the full job description here
Closing date: Applications close at 12:00PM UK Time on 12 August 2025. Interviews may be scheduled on a rolling basis, and the role may close earlier if a suitable candidate is found.
How to apply: Click Apply to upload your CV and cover letter.
Can I use Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology in my application?
At WaterAid, we strongly advise against using AI technology at any stage of the recruitment process. Our goal is to ensure a fair and transparent process that provides every applicant with an equal opportunity to succeed. We value hearing about your unique experiences and perspectives in your application, and, if shortlisted, during the interview as well.
Pre‑employment screening
To apply for this role, you must be able to demonstrate your eligibility to work in the respective country. All pre-employment checks will be carried out according to local law and WaterAid’s Safer Recruitment policy.
Benefits
Our benefits
- Festival bonus
- Provident fund
- Gratuity
- Life insurance for self, health insurance for self, spouse and children,
- Cell phone allowances etc. are applicable as per policy provision.
Our Global Commitment:
Our people promise
We will work with passion and focus to make sure everyone everywhere has clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene. WaterAid is a place of purpose – where people have a real commitment and shared responsibility for the impact we have. We are a global community with diverse backgrounds and perspectives, motivated by inspiring, stimulating work. We are determined to be a place where people feel safe and able to contribute their voice and truly live our values.
Equal Opportunities
We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, beliefs, customs, traditions, ways of life and status. This includes, but is not limited to, race, ethnicity, caste, colour, gender, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth, disability status, neurodiversity, age, marital and family status, sexual orientation and gender identity, health status, place of residence, economic and social situation.
Safeguarding
We are committed to protecting everyone we come into contact with. We have a zero- tolerance approach to abuse of power, privilege or trust across our global work, and to any form of inappropriate behaviour, discrimination, abuse, bullying, harassment, or exploitation. Safeguarding the people and communities we work with, our staff, volunteers and anyone working on our behalf is our top priority, and we take our responsibilities extremely seriously. All offers of employment are subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks (which can include counterterrorism, safeguarding and criminal records checks).
Together, we’ll change the world through water.
Join us and be part of the change !
