Operations Manager

OPERATIONS MANAGER FOR BEYOND WATER MALAWI
Job Title: Operations Manager
Reports To: Managing Director
Duty Station: Lilongwe, Malawi
Supervisor Duties : Programme Manager, M&E Manager.
Contract Type and Duration : Full time, 12 months, renewable annually.

1.0. About Beyond Water and the role:
Beyond Water Malawi is a social enterprise, established to provide a fully sustainable (social and financial) solution to Malawi’s water point management and functionality challenges, through a highly professionalised business focused approach.

WE REPAIR: We reverse decades of broken investments by restoring access to water through our professionally managed network of mechanics.

WE MAINTAIN: We treat water users as customers, providing a range of services that are professionally managed and guaranteed. This is radically difference from voluntary systems implemented by charities.

WE SUSTAIN: We use data to monitor performance and lead our decision making. It enables us to incentivise our mechanics based on performance, manage user payments and aim to achieve financial viability.

We are implementing an ambitious 5 year plan for scale and growth and we are therefore seeking to hire a dynamic and inspiring individual to fill the post of Operations Manager, who will be responsible for overall management of business operations for Beyond Water, including designing, developing, and directing delivery of Professionalized Hand Pump Management (HP PRM), Solar Powered Water Systems (SPWS) installation and ongoing management of the systems, Management Information System (MIS) and Integrated Water Resource Management for climate water resilience. S/he will work closely with the Managing Director and Programme Manager to ensure that day-to-day delivery and control of organizational activities result in a flow of high value outputs such as increased customer base, income generation, customer satisfaction, customer retention, client and partnership management.

S/he will work with the M&E Manager to ensure the existence of robust reporting procedures and production of routine technical and business performance reports at monthly, quarterly, semi-annual and annual intervals.

2.0. Duties and Responsibilities for the Operations Manager

2.1 PRM Handpump programme design, planning, budgeting, implementation and monitoring

2.2. Solar Powered Water Systems (SPWS) PRM programme design, planning, budgeting implementation and monitoring, including catchment assessment, planning and water security / climate resilient interventions.

2.3. Finance and Administration

• Budget development and key cost driver analysis
• Phasing and cost control plans…
• Oversee the delivery of outsourced programme activities and third party contractors

2.4. Staff Management

• Line manage programme manager and M&E manager; Setting objectives, regular reviews and performance appraisals.
• Recruitment and induction of staff as necessary.

2.5. Business Planning and Strategy development

• Business planning and budgeting: including HP PRM, SPWS, climate resilience / water security
• Strategy development targeting community and institutional customers/clients
• Develop and implement pathway to scale for all enterprises (HP PRM, SPWS, Water security)
• Build partnerships with key WASH stakeholders to advocate for and promote PRM.
• Participate in business development initiatives by exploring potential partnerships and funding opportunities to leverage resources for scaling up PRM activities.
• Support development of concept notes and proposals.
• Formulate project budgets and allocate resources effectively.

3.0. ESSENTIAL SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

The Operations Manager will have the following skills and competencies:

3.1. Innovation, technical and new strategy development

• Ability to innovate with the purpose of improving the acceptability, affordability, feasibility and desirability of our offers.
• Understanding and preferably experience of social enterprise
• Water sector development and management

3.2. Profile raising, networking, Influencing

• Scope and plan for opportunities to pitch and network.
• Attend and pitch at meetings and any other opportunities.

3.3. Partnership development

• Scope and actively developing new partnerships.
• Scope operational areas.
• Partner meetings and diligence meetings.

3.4. Donor / Funding Development

Scope opportunities to meet with Malawi donors.

• Meet and pitch to donors effectively with outcomes in mind.
• Follow up with donors with regular meetings, reports and updates.

4.0. Required educational qualification and experience

The Operations Manager should meet the following minimum qualifications:

• A minimum of a first degree in water resources management obtained from a recognized institution.
• And / or
• Significant experience working with the rural water sector with progressive achievements in handpump, solar powered water systems or catchment water security interventions.

5.0. How to apply

If you meet the requirements and are excited about contributing to Beyond Water’s growth, please submit your detailed CV and cover letter to JessyKawamba@pumpaid.org by Friday midnight, the 18th April 2025.

A full job description can be downloaded on our website: www.beyondwatermalawi.com