Background information about the job or company (e.g., role context, company overview)

Living Water International (LWI) is a global Non-Governmental Organization that exists to demonstrate the love of God by helping communities acquire desperately needed clean water, and experience “living water” (the gospel of Jesus Christ) which alone satisfies the deepest thirst. Living Water provides safe drinking water, Christian Witness, Sanitation and Hygiene Education to communities across Africa, Asia, Latin America & Carribbean.

The following vacancy exists at Living Water International, in Petauke.

Position Purpose

Sustainability planning, systems strengthening, governance support, and the Government Co-Financing and community-ownership agenda for the 78 solar-powered piped water systems across Eastern and Southern Provinces. Applies the nine-building-block WASH Systems Strengthening framework to guide institutional arrangements, financing, monitoring, and demand-side ownership, working closely with the Project Manager, District WASH Committees, District Councils, the Ministry of Water Development and Sanitation, and Water User Committees to progressively transition the portfolio toward Government and community ownership.

Responsibilities or duties

• Sustainability Planning and Strategy
• Lead development of the Government Co-Financing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Water Development and Sanitation, Provincial Water and Sanitation Officers, District Councils, and District WASH Committees.
• Coordinate the progressive Government ownership and handover pathway, tracking national, provincial, district, and community readiness milestones.
• Capacity Building and Stakeholder Engagement
• Support training and mentoring of District WASH Committees, Water User Committees, and local authorities on governance, financial management, and sustainable O&M practices.
• Co-organize the Project Launch and Partnership Inception events and quarterly portfolio review meetings convening Government, church, traditional leadership, and community stakeholders.
• Advocate for alignment of the Government co-financing framework with national WASH policy and the emerging hybrid rural water service delivery model.
• Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning
• Oversee sustainability-related Key Performance Indicators, including Government Co-Financing Framework establishment, O&M fund performance, and Results-Based Financing (RBF) readiness.
• Conduct annual sustainability performance reviews assessing governance effectiveness, financial management, community ownership, and progress toward Government co-financing and handover objectives.
• Document lessons learned and coordinate quarterly and annual sustainability reporting.
• Technical Oversight
• Support integration of Remote Monitoring Unit (RMU) data into the centralized asset management platform to strengthen evidence-based, predictive sustainability planning.
• Promote climate-resilient asset design and siting considerations in coordination with the Civil Engineer and Water Quality Specialist.
• Guide the sustainability transition and eventual handover of all 78 systems to Government and community structures at the end of the implementation period, including LWIZ’s potential transition into a Technical Assistance and Advisory Partner role thereafter.
• Environmental and Social Safeguards
• Integrate environmental sustainability, water source protection, and inclusive service delivery (gender, disability, marginalization) considerations into the maintenance and sustainability programme.
• Conduct sustainability risk assessments (technical, financial, and governance) consistent with the five key sustainability risks and implement mitigation strategies.
• Develop and submit monthly reports to the supervisor.
• Any other related duties may be assigned.

Qualifications or requirements (e.g., education, skills)

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in development studies, community development, governance, or related field.
• Must be a committed Christian, with a personal relationship with Jesus Christ
• Strong understanding of sustainability frameworks (e.g. service delivery models, lifecycle costing, governance).
• Excellent facilitation, training, and capacity-building skills.
• Familiar with WASH-related software/tools.
• Knowledge of climate-resilient WASH and environmental sustainability practices.
• Strong leadership and team management skills.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Strong monitoring, evaluation, and reporting skills.
• Good command of local language(s) and English.

Experience needed

• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in WASH sustainability, systems strengthening, or rural service delivery.
• Experience working with government systems, NGOs, etc.
• Demonstrated experience in working with local governments, NGOs, and community structures.
• Experience with I-NGO is a definite advantage.

Any other provided details (e.g., benefits, work environment, team info, or additional notes)

• Interested candidates should have own accommodation in Petauke.
• LWI Zambia is an equal opportunity employer, and therefore qualified females are encouraged to apply.
• All documents submitted will not be returned and are subject to authenticity and background checks.
• A recommendation from your local pastor / church leader will be an added advantage.
• ONLY shortlisted candidates shall be contacted.
• You are free to visit the website: www.water.cc for more information about the activities of Living Water International.
• ONLY Applicants that STRICTLY meet the qualifications and person specifications should apply.

• Sustainability Planning and Strategy
• Lead development of the Government Co-Financing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Water Development and Sanitation, Provincial Water and Sanitation Officers, District Councils, and District WASH Committees.
• Coordinate the progressive Government ownership and handover pathway, tracking national, provincial, district, and community readiness milestones.
• Capacity Building and Stakeholder Engagement
• Support training and mentoring of District WASH Committees, Water User Committees, and local authorities on governance, financial management, and sustainable O&M practices.
• Co-organize the Project Launch and Partnership Inception events and quarterly portfolio review meetings convening Government, church, traditional leadership, and community stakeholders.
• Advocate for alignment of the Government co-financing framework with national WASH policy and the emerging hybrid rural water service delivery model.
• Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning
• Oversee sustainability-related Key Performance Indicators, including Government Co-Financing Framework establishment, O&M fund performance, and Results-Based Financing (RBF) readiness.
• Conduct annual sustainability performance reviews assessing governance effectiveness, financial management, community ownership, and progress toward Government co-financing and handover objectives.
• Document lessons learned and coordinate quarterly and annual sustainability reporting.
• Technical Oversight
• Support integration of Remote Monitoring Unit (RMU) data into the centralized asset management platform to strengthen evidence-based, predictive sustainability planning.
• Promote climate-resilient asset design and siting considerations in coordination with the Civil Engineer and Water Quality Specialist.
• Guide the sustainability transition and eventual handover of all 78 systems to Government and community structures at the end of the implementation period, including LWIZ’s potential transition into a Technical Assistance and Advisory Partner role thereafter.
• Environmental and Social Safeguards
• Integrate environmental sustainability, water source protection, and inclusive service delivery (gender, disability, marginalization) considerations into the maintenance and sustainability programme.
• Conduct sustainability risk assessments (technical, financial, and governance) consistent with the five key sustainability risks and implement mitigation strategies.
• Develop and submit monthly reports to the supervisor.
• Any other related duties may be assigned.

• Strong understanding of sustainability frameworks (e.g. service delivery models, lifecycle costing, governance).
• Excellent facilitation, training, and capacity-building skills.
• Familiar with WASH-related software/tools.
• Knowledge of climate-resilient WASH and environmental sustainability practices.
• Strong leadership and team management skills.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Strong monitoring, evaluation, and reporting skills.
• Good command of local language(s) and English.

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in development studies, community development, governance, or related field.
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in WASH sustainability, systems strengthening, or rural service delivery.
• Experience working with government systems, NGOs, etc.
• Demonstrated experience in working with local governments, NGOs, and community structures.
• Experience with I-NGO is a definite advantage.