Utility Business Approach Specialist

ROCKBlue is an organization working to improve the lives of the urban poor throughout the developing world by providing water and sanitation for all. For example, with the help of a team of more than 100 dedicated individuals, ROCKBlue assisted utilities and municipalities that kept the taps running for 20 million people across numerous countries, despite many obstacles.

Are you interested in improving the lives of people in developing nations who need it most, allowing them to live healthier, more productive lives, providing the potential to break the cycle of poverty and to build brighter futures? If so, we have an opportunity for a volunteer Utility Business Approach Specialist.

Position Description

ROCKBlue is seeking a volunteer Utility Business Approach Specialist to support its Utility Partnership Division (UPD). This role is designed for individuals who want to make a difference by overseeing the capacity-building efforts of senior utility managers of utilities in the developing world. You will help develop and manage a business improvement process for each utility/municipal service provider in collaboration with ROCKBlue’s Utility Specialists and UPD for each utility partner.

This oversight role can be fulfilled remotely, requiring typically only 4–6 hours per week. It will involve collaboration with the ROCKBlue UPD team, partner utilities/municipalities, the ACORN team, and perhaps external specialists from ROCKBlue’s Roster of Specialists and others.

Other benefits to you

You’ll expand your professional network and gain insight into nonprofit operations, international development financing, and innovations in the WASH sector. You’ll also work alongside development partners, including DFIs, NGOs, and private sector stakeholders, gaining valuable exposure while contributing to meaningful change.

In which division will you work, and will assistance be provided

You will work within the Utility Partnership Division of ROCKBlue, under the guidance of the Director of Utility Partnerships (DUP). You will also be aided by other members of his team, as well as the Utility Specialists and the Local Resident Representatives. We have a roster of over 140 Utility Specialists who may be called upon to assist you, the Utility Specialist, and the utility/municipality. Hence, if there is a demand from the utility partner that exceeds your availability or that of the Utility Specialist, you can refer this demand to the DUP of which will help source the additional help.

This is a great opportunity for someone who wants to help, grow their skillset, and have fun while doing it.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the end-to-end process for senior managers at partner utilities and their designated Utility Specialist from UPD. This includes:
• Diagnosis: Assist in establishing minimum business performance standards (e.g., revenue collection rate, cost-recovery benchmarks, asset management practices, and governance indicators).
• Gap Analysis: Support the Utility Specialist in conducting baseline assessments of utility operations and staff business acumen using ROCKBlue tools or external benchmarks.
• Planning: Contribute to the creation of practical capacity-building and institutional strengthening plans tailored to each utility/municipal service provider and staff needs, including KPIs and timelines.
• Execution: Monitor the rollout of approved plans, helping troubleshoot delays, identify resource needs, and document progress.
• Evaluation: Participate in progress reviews, identifying lessons learned and potential course corrections.
• Under the direction of UPD’s Utility Specialist for the particular utility and individual, liaise with the utility manager on capacity-building matters.
• Support the utility’s Performance Tracking Form (PTF) process by aligning capacity-building efforts with broader utility performance objectives.
• As needed, attend the monthly check-in calls with the utility, Local Resident Representative (LRR), and the Director of Utility Partnerships (DUP) to track progress and provide input.
• As needed, participate in quarterly PAWS (Performance Achievement Workshop Series) sessions.
• Collaborate with other Utility Specialists from ROCKBlue’s Roster of Specialists and escalate needs beyond your availability to the DUP for additional support; in particular, collaborate with specialist in evaluating the financial health of utilities and providing for them (financial) Performance Improvement Plans.

Requirements and Qualifications

• At least 5 years of experience in utility operations, financial planning, institutional reform, or public-private partnerships—preferably in water/sanitation or infrastructure sectors in low- and middle-income countries.
• Experience coordinating multi-stakeholder projects or organizational change initiatives.
• Familiarity with concepts such as cost-recovery, service-level benchmarking, business process improvement, and capacity development.
• Ability to facilitate progress across multiple stakeholders with varying levels of influence and technical understanding.
• Degree in business, public administration, finance, engineering, or a related field. A postgraduate degree is desirable.
• Fluent in English; proficiency in the local working language of the assigned utility is an asset.
• Willing and able to commit 4–6 hours per week remotely with stable internet access.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and intercultural skills.

Compensation

This is a volunteer position

Job Type: Part-time

Application Question(s):

• Please confirm that you are aware that this is a volunteer role

Education:

• Bachelors (Preferred)

Experience:

• utility operations: 5 years (Preferred)

Work Location: Remote