Head: Water & Sanitation

Job Description Lead and manage the origination and development of investment opportunities in the Water & Sanitation sector. The Head: Water & Sanitation is responsible for formulating sector strategies, identifying and evaluating viable projects, and ensuring alignment with the bank’s development mandate and investment objectives. The role also drives client engagement, fosters strategic partnerships, and leads the development of market-responsive financial products. Key Responsibilities Strategic Leadership Develop and lead the water and sanitation origination strategy, aligned with national and regional development priorities, including universal access, climate resilience, water security, and sustainable sanitation. Originate bankable and early-stage projects across public and private infrastructure sectors, in line with the Bank’s development finance mandate and long-term strategic objectives. Align the project pipeline with strategic investment themes such as water resource management, sanitation infrastructure, circular economy, and measurable development outcomes. Deal Origination Lead the early-stage identification, conceptualisation, and screening of water and sanitation projects and investment proposals to assess technical, commercial, developmental, and strategic viability, laying a solid foundation for project origination. Develop and manage a high-quality, diversified origination pipeline, progressing projects from concept to preparation phase in line with the Bank’s mandate. Collaborate with internal teams to maintain pipeline quality, momentum, and alignment with institutional investment and development priorities. Drive targeted outreach and client engagement strategies, focusing on municipalities, water utilities, private sector entities, and cross-border stakeholders in the water and sanitation space. Lead data-driven market analysis and segmentation to identify high-impact opportunities and expand the Bank’s client and partner base. Represent the Bank in sector forums, conferences, and stakeholder engagements, positioning DBSA as a key player in water and sanitation infrastructure development. Sector Intelligence and Policy Influence Oversee the development of sector-specific insights, opportunity maps, and investment briefs to guide project origination and inform institutional strategy in the water and sanitation sector. Provide technical input into national and regional water and sanitation policy processes, regulatory consultations, and sector reform initiatives to support enabling environments for investment. Position the Bank as a thought leader in sustainable water and sanitation solutions, including climate resilience, circular water economy, and inclusive service delivery. Monitor industry trends, regulatory developments, and macroeconomic factors impacting the water and sanitation landscape across South Africa and the broader region. Client & Stakeholder Relationship Management Build and maintain long-term, trust-bas