Private Sector Financing Specialist, Lebanon Water Sanitation and Conservation (WSC)

Project Background:

The Water Sanitation and Conservation (WSC) Project’s purpose is the enhanced conservation and protection of Lebanon’s water resources through achieving three objectives: 1) capacity of wastewater (WW) and sanitation management expanded; 2) efficiency of public water utilities to manage water resources increased; and 3) citizens’ water stewardship enhanced. The availability of usable water resources in Lebanon—a strategic priority country to the U.S. Government’s Global Water Strategy—is at risk, jeopardizing the well-being of citizens and the social compact between the Government of Lebanon (GOL) and its people. In achieving WSC’s three objectives, USAID also hopes to gain fuller municipal and community integration—women and youth included—and a more substantial private sector role in Lebanon’s water sector, as well as greater sustainability of water sector enhancements.

Position Description:

Private Sector Financing Specialist

The Private Sector Financing Specialist will support and work with Private Sector Engagement Team Lead  to engage with the private sector and identify private sector financing opportunities in water conservation, protection, and utilities management. Provide support to facilitate potential investments to improve the Water Establishments’ performance and entice private sector partnership to increase water efficiency in water management, as well as promoting and introducing performance-based contracting in efficiently managing water and wastewater facilities. S/he will also engage diverse private and public sector entities to promote the adoption of water conservation and protection measures. Reports to Private Sector Engagement Team Lead.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide support to the development of WSC’s private sector engagement strategy in water conservation, management and protection that is adapted to the current financial and economic crisis in Lebanon;
• Provide support to identify and create WSC’s cooperation and partnership with private sector and seek private sector financing;
• Support coordination activities with Water Establishments and the Ministry of Energy Water regarding private sector engagement initiatives;
• Design and review private sector support initiatives to incentivize private entities participation in the water sector;
• Assist on monitoring and reporting on PSE deliverables;
• Support the Private Sector Engagement Team Lead to improve public private partnerships that comply with Lebanon’s legal and regulatory frameworks;
• Provide support to acquire data needed by WSC MEL Team for the calculation of WSC targets set by USAID;
• Develop and review financial models and feasibility assessments of potential PSE opportunities;
• Provide recommendations to municipal-level actors and RWEs on how to engage the private sector to help improve services;
• Provide assistance to ensure privates sector engagement initiatives are compliant with USAID and Lebanon’s legal and regulatory frameworks and meet local and international environment, heritage, and social responsibility standards;
• Perform financial input, due diligence and advice to support the PSE team lead execute oversight and monitoring of activities, including ensuring appropriate design, procedurally correct development, sound implementation, active monitoring and evaluation, and timely closing;
• Assist in the management and monitoring of subcontractors and consultants working on PSE lead activities
• Review deliverables and project related documentation such as feasibility studies, capital mapping, business models, financial and market analysis and other relevant documents; and.
• Other tasks as required.

Qualifications: 

• Master’s degree in business, economics, public administration, development, international studies, or other relevant field.
• 5 to 7 years of experience working with the private sector, with private investors, local and international companies, business associations and public sector.
• Experience in natural resource management preferred and water sector experience is plus.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in private sector engagement and financing mechanisms.
• Proven experience with private sector enabling environment, ecosystem analysis, PPP strategy reports and potential financing avenues.
• Knowledge of the risks for private engagement and/or investment in the water, wastewater, and irrigation sector, and contracting through technical assistance, grants, or fund-matching/cost-sharing/ blended financing/ viability gap funding (VGF), partial guarantees, risk insurance products, output-based aid (OBA) and other applicable financial instruments.
• Experience with identifying and developing private sector engagement feasibility studies and viable projects in managing public facilities particularly in the water sector
• Proven knowledge and experience in public-private partnership policies, laws, regulations, and institutional frameworks.
• Broad ability to review and seek resolutions to public-private partnership-related issues and disciplines including: public policy; finance & investments; and technical issues in infrastructure sectors.
• Strong strategic planning and management skills as well as strong teamwork and effective cross-cultural interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the public sector in Lebanon including regulations, laws, and institutional structures.
• Demonstrated communications and presentation skills.
• Fluency in English and Arabic is required.

About DAI 

DAI is a global development company with corporate offices in the United States, the United Kingdom, EU, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Palestine and project operations worldwide. We tackle fundamental social and economic development problems caused by inefficient markets, ineffective governance, and instability. DAI works on the frontlines of global development. Transforming ideas into action—action into impact. We are committed to shaping a more livable world. 

DAI and its employees are committed to confronting racism and holding ourselves accountable for positive change within the company and in the communities, cultures, and countries in which we live and work.  DAI is committed to attracting and retaining the best employees from all races and backgrounds in our continued effort to become a better development partner. 

DAI upholds the highest ethical standards. We are committed to the prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment as well as other ethical breaches. All of our positions are therefore subject to stringent vetting and reference checks.