Water System Infrastructure and Performance Manager

About the role

The Water System Infrastructure and Performance Manager will support the LIFT program’s goal of expanding equitable access to clean water and sanitation in peri‑urban areas of the Kivus region, DRC. Reporting to Tetra Tech, the manager will lead technical assessments of water utilities, advise on infrastructure investments, and improve the financial and operational performance of private water providers.

Key responsibilities

• Support multi‑criteria site‑selection analysis and coordinate field data collection with Mercy Corps and other consortium partners.
• Conduct comprehensive water system assessments covering engineering, maintenance, financial management, organizational structures, customer service and energy efficiency.
• Analyze infrastructure costs, cost‑recovery models, non‑revenue water (NRW) and other key performance indicators to inform investment decisions.
• Provide advisory on design trade‑offs, short‑ and long‑term operation costs, and technical viability of peri‑urban projects.
• Assist Mercy Corps with tender preparation, procurement support and QA/QC for design and construction contracts.
• Serve as primary liaison between LIFT and water service providers to improve business practices, financial performance and customer care.

Required profile

• 5‑10 years of professional experience in water infrastructure development, finance and utility performance improvement.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, Economics or related field; Master’s degree preferred.
• Fluency in written and spoken French and/or Swahili; English proficiency preferred.
• Experience working on donor‑funded projects in Eastern Africa, preferably the DRC.

Required skills

• Water infrastructure development and financial analysis.
• Public‑private partnership structuring and implementation.
• Non‑revenue water (NRW) assessment and metering.
• Cost‑recovery modeling and financial modeling.
• Strong analytical abilities and report writing.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel.