General Manager

Job description

Terms of Reference (TOR) for General Manager – Dollow Water Management Company (DWMC)

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1. Background

The Dollow Water Management Company (DWMC), established in 2011, is a Public Private Partnership model utility mandated to provide clean, reliable, and affordable water services to both host communities and IDPs in Dollow, Somalia

Currently, DWMC faces significant institutional and operational challenges, including high Non-Revenue Water (NRW), high operational costs with limited financial sustainability, weak staff and financial management systems, low technical capacity, inadequate infrastructure, poor water quality monitoring, and weak stakeholder trust.

These constraints threaten DWMC’s sustainability and service delivery, highlighting the urgent need for transformational leadership and technical strengthening.

Despite the challenges mentioned the company has a bright future, with opportunities to expand through 10 developed water sources of good quality and quantity, infrastructure expansion, building model laboratory, storage facilities, extensive pipeline and capacity building support under the UNICEF R-WASH initiative, managed aquifer recharge (MAR) innovations, and the AfDB-supported Water and Sanitation Master Plan.

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Under the UNICEF R-WASH capacity building and infrastructure development initiative, DWMC plans to recruit a General Manager to lead reforms, improve management systems, and guide the utility toward long-term sustainability and efficiency.

2.  Job Information

•        Job Title: General Manager (GM)

•        Appointed By: DWMC Board

•        Reports To: DWMC Board

•        Location: Dollow, Somalia

•        Employment Type: Full-time

•        Number of Positions: 1

•        Application Deadline: 7th Sept 2025

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3. Job Summary

The General Manager will provide strategic leadership, operational oversight, and financial stewardship of DWMC. The role entails driving operational efficiency, improved water delivery service quality and coverage, ensuring customer satisfaction, strengthening institutional capacity, and steering the utility towards financial and environmental sustainability.

The GM will oversee:

•        Human resource management

•        Water production, distribution, and laboratory services

•        Financial management and business growth

•        Customer relations and stakeholder engagement

•        Regulatory compliance and reporting

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4.  Duties and Responsibilities

The GM will be responsible for:

1.   Strategic and Operational Leadership

o   Lead the planning, implementation, and monitoring of DWMC’s strategic and business plans.

o   Ensure continuous supply of potable water for domestic, commercial, and institutional purposes.

o   Drive reforms to reduce NRW, optimize operations, and increase coverage.

2.     Governance and Compliance

o   Ensure adherence to laws, regulations, and board directives.

o   Prepare and submit monthly, quarterly, and annual reports to the Board.

3.     Team Management

o   Oversee recruitment, staff development, and performance management through the HR Manager.

o   Promote a culture of accountability, professionalism, and teamwork.

4.     Financial Management

o   Monitor financial performance, profitability, and compliance with approved budgets

o   Ensure timely preparation of annual budgets, audits, and financial reports.

o   Mobilize revenue enhancement strategies to reduce dependency on subsidies.

5.     Technical and Operations Oversight

o   Ensure effective operation and maintenance of boreholes, pipelines, and treatment systems.

o   Strengthen water quality monitoring and compliance with WHO and national standards.

o   Oversee capital projects including new pipeline extensions, treatment plants, and metering programs.

6.     Community and Stakeholder Engagement

o   Strengthen customer service and implement an effective community feedback mechanism.

o   Represent DWMC in community engagement, partnerships, and donor coordination platforms.

7.     Crisis and Risk Management

o   Develop and implement contingency plans for emergencies.

o   Coordinate with authorities and partners during crises (drought, floods, or conflict).

o   Effective decision making, reporting and publication, accountability towards population, external communications,

Skills and qualifications

5.  Qualifications and Experience

•        Minimum Education: Bachelor’s degree in civil/Sanitary/Mechanical/Water Resource Engineering.

•        Preferred: Postgraduate degree in Engineering, Business Administration, or related field.

6.  Professional Experience

•        Minimum of 5–7 years of progressive senior management experience in an urban water utility, municipal water department, or a large-scale water supply company.

•        Must include:

o   Proven track record in reducing Non-Revenue Water (NRW) through technical and commercial strategies

o   Experience in utility financial management: budgeting, audits, cost recovery, tariff structuring.

o   Demonstrated success in staff capacity building, HR management, and performance systems.

o   Hands-on experience in customer/stakeholder engagement and setting up feedback mechanisms.

o   Knowledge and implementation of water quality monitoring systems (laboratory operations, compliance with WHO/national standards).

o   Project management skills: expansion of networks, rehabilitation of infrastructure, capital works, and asset management.

7. Core Technical Skills

•        Strong grasp of water utility KPIs: NRW, collection efficiency, cost recovery ratio, staff-to-connection ratio.

•        Knowledge of asset management, network rehabilitation, corrosion control, and metering strategies.

•        Familiarity with renewable energy/solarization for cost reduction.

•        Understanding of commercial systems (billing, revenue collection, customer database management).

•        Experience with financial audits and compliance mechanisms.

8.  Key Competencies

•        Leadership: Ability to manage multidisciplinary teams and inspire confidence in staff and stakeholders.

•        Financial acumen: Capacity to drive cost recovery and profitability.

•        Strategic thinking: Ability to develop and execute turnaround strategies for weak utilities.

•        Communication: Effective in engaging government, donors, regulators, and communities.

•        Problem-solving: Practical, results-oriented approach to operational bottlenecks 

•        Accountability: Track record of transparent reporting and compliance with governance frameworks

9.  Language Requirements

•        Fluency in English and Somali (or other local language where the utility operates). Rationale: Needed for both regulatory reporting and community engagement.

10.  Compensation and Benefits

•        Salary: Competitive, based on experience and current job market.

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•        Performance Bonus: Based on company performance and achievement of KPIs.

•        Benefits: Health insurance, retirement plan, and other benefits as per company policy.

•        1 year Contract and will be extended upon satisfactory performance

How to apply

9.     Application Process

Interested and qualified candidates are invited to submit their CVs and cover letters to:

•                  Email: hr.doolowater@gmail.com

•                 Physical Submission: Dollow Water Management Office, Dollow, Somalia Deadline for applications: 7th September 2025