WASH Project Management Consultant – Independent Contractor

About the role

The Waitrose Foundation Southern Africa is launching a two‑year regional WASH initiative across South Africa, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The Foundation seeks an independent consultant to provide strategic oversight, technical guidance and project management throughout the programme.

Key responsibilities

• Project oversight and coordination: conduct site assessments, define scope, coordinate implementation, timelines, partners and contractors across four countries, monitor milestones, risks and corrective actions, and support statutory approvals, procurement and mobilisation.
• Technical advisory support: provide coordination and advisory, review implementation and infrastructure plans, advise on community engagement and behaviour change, and ensure alignment with local regulations and standards.
• Monitoring and reporting: support project monitoring, tracking and reporting, conduct site visits and inspections, consolidate country updates and progress reports, and highlight key learnings, challenges and recommendations.
• Financial, risk and compliance oversight: monitor budgets, expenditure and cash flow, support financial, operational, safeguarding and ESG risk management, and flag significant budget, operational or compliance deviations.
• Stakeholder engagement: participate in key stakeholder engagements, support communication between country teams and the Foundation, and assist technical partners and service providers as needed.

Required profile

• Degree in Environmental Sciences or a related field.
• 5‑8 years’ experience managing large‑scale WASH or infrastructure‑related development projects.
• Strong project management and stakeholder coordination skills.
• Understanding of rural development and community‑based implementation.
• Experience with donor‑funded programmes and reporting requirements.
• Knowledge of WASH sustainability, governance and community participation approaches.

Required skills

• Project management
• Stakeholder coordination
• Technical advisory in WASH
• Monitoring and reporting
• Financial oversight
• Risk and compliance management