Business Development and Planning Manager

The National Water Resources Authority (NWRA) is a statutory organization established by the Water Resources Act of 2013 with a specific function to regulate and manage water resources. Furthermore, the NWRA seeks to ensure the sustainable use of water resources and address the water resources planning, development, and management challenges.

In its effort to sustainably manage water resources, the NWRA seeks to recruit additional members of staff tenable at the Authority. In this regard, NWRA invites applications from suitably qualified and experienced persons to fill the following vacant position:

Position: Business Development and Planning Manager (Non-Established)
Grade: NW3
Reporting to : Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Responsible for : Planning and Research Officer
Duty station : NWRA Headquarters, Lilongwe, Malawi

Job overview

The Business Development and Planning Manager leads two linked functions that determine NWRA’s ability to deliver its mandate under the Water Resources Act of 2013: (a) corporate planning, research, and monitoring and evaluation; and (b) revenue mobilisation and business development.

The Manager ensures that strategic plans, budgets and policy positions are evidence-based, costed and tracked through to results, and grows internally generated revenue by ensuring that fees and charges are properly billed, collected and accounted for and by developing new income opportunities within the Authority’s legal mandate.

Duties and responsibilities

A. Strategic and Corporate Planning

• Lead formulation and costing of the strategic plan, business plans and annual work plans, and monitor their implementation.
• Coordinate annual work plans and budgets, and lead midyear reviews, ensuring plans are realistic and linked to approved ceilings.
• Develop performance standards, performance management plans and reporting systems for the Authority and the Division.
• Monitor sector, macroeconomic and policy trends, and forecast socio-economic shocks that may affect the Authority, recommending mitigation.

B. Policy, Research and Monitoring and Evaluation

• Lead policy formulation and medium- to long-term development strategies.
• Oversee research that informs decision-making, and promote a data-driven culture.
• Design and maintain a results-based M&E system, track progress against plan and donor-programme targets, and report regularly.
• Evaluate departmental and regional service delivery and report findings and recommendations to the CEO and top management.

C. Project Development and Resource Mobilisation

• Lead development and appraisal of projects, concept notes and investment programmes (e.g. PSIP), ensuring they are technically sound, economically justified and aligned with strategic priorities.
• Ensure plans, programmes and budgets submitted to the Board meet value-for-money principles.
• Engage donors and development partners, prepare funding proposals and support programme reporting.
• Maintain a pipeline of funding opportunities showing value, status and next steps, and provide project
  management support to implementing departments.

D. Revenue Mobilisation and Collection

• Prepare and implement an annual revenue mobilisation plan with monthly and quarterly collection targets.
• Maintain a register of revenue sources (licences, permits, water-use charges, levies and other approved fees) and monitor amounts billed, collected, outstanding and overdue.
• Work with licensing, inspection and enforcement teams so that licence and compliance revenue is captured and followed up, without compromising regulatory independence.

E. Business Development and New Revenue Opportunities

• Identify viable opportunities within NWRA’s legal mandate, such as data and information services, technical studies, consultancy, training and monitoring services.
• Develop business cases setting out demand, costs, pricing, projected income, risks and returns.
• Lead economic analysis and justification for revisions of fees, charges and regulations, assessing cost recovery and impact on water users.
• Develop partnership and cost-sharing proposals that protect public resources and statutory responsibilities.

F. Revenue Forecasting, Budgeting and Financial Performance

• Generate annual revenue projections (including macroeconomic-based estimates) to inform budget ceilings and prepare monthly forecasts.
• Support budget estimates and medium-term projections with Finance and manage the Division’s budget.
• Compare actual collections with targets, explain material variances and recommend remedial action.
• Maintain revenue and performance dashboards covering collection efficiency, arrears, revenue by source and projected income.

G. Stakeholder Engagement

• Maintain constructive relationships with water users, commercial operators, government institutions, local authorities and donors, and resolve billing queries with Finance and technical teams.
• Keep accurate, auditable records of plans, performance data, revenue assessments, receipts and arrears.
• Work with Finance, ICT and Internal Audit to strengthen revenue and M&E systems and internal controls, and support internal and external audits.
• Report suspected revenue losses, irregular transactions and control weaknesses through established channels.

H. Leadership

• Lead, supervise, mentor and appraise staff in the Planning, Research, M&E and Business Development functions.
• Collaborate with other heads of departments and regional offices to align planning, budgeting and revenue efforts.
• Represent the Authority at relevant forums and perform any other duties assigned by the CEO.

Qualifications and experience

• Master’s degree in Economics, Development Economics, Public Policy, Development planning, Business Management, Commence or a related field.
• Professional qualification in project management or M&E is an added advantage. in revenue forecasting,
• Demonstrated experience in revenue forecasting, budgeting, performance reporting, project appraisal and stakeholder engagement.
• At least five years of relevant experience in business development, revenue management, financial management, commercial operations, debt recovery or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience in revenue forecasting, performance reporting, stakeholder engagement and the development of practical business proposals.
• Experience designing and operating M&E or performance management systems
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, statistical analysis tools [SPSS, STATA and R) and management information systems.

Added advantage

• Experience with donor-funded programmes and preparing funding proposals.
• Experience in a statutory authority, utility, water-resources organisation or other regulated environment.
• Knowledge of public financial management, licensing processes and the Water Resources Act of 2013.
• Professional membership.

Skills and competencies

• Strategic thinking, analytical ability and sound commercial judgement
• Financial analysis, budgeting, forecasting and economic appraisal
• Collections management, arrears recovery and revenue controls
• Leadership and team management
• Negotiation and stakeholder management
• Proposal writing and clear written and verbal communication, including presenting to the Board
• Integrity, accountability and respect for public-sector financial procedures

How to apply

The NWRA is an equal opportunity employer. Therefore, both male and female persons, who meet the prerequisite qualifications and experience are encouraged to apply. An attractive remuneration package comprising a competitive salary and benefits will be offered to the successful candidates.

Eligible candidates who meet the above requirements are invited to submit their applications, accompanied by an up-to-date and detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV), certified copies of relevant academic and professional certificates, and the names and contact addresses of three (3) traceable referees.

Applications should be submitted in sealed envelopes clearly marked with the title of the position being applied for and addressed to the address provided below. All applications must be received no later than 30th November 2026.

The Chief Executive Officer,
National Water Resources Authority (NWRA),
TAURUS House,
Private Bag 363,
Lilongwe 3.

Late applications shall not be considered. Only shortlisted candidates will be acknowledged and invited for interviews.