Position : Senior Investment Manager (Public Policy and Investment)

Reports to: Infrastructure Lead

Location: Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Period of Assignment: September 2026 – May 2027

Duration:  9 months with possibility of extension (An extension to the CAPRED contract, from 30 June 2027 until 30 June 2030, is currently under negotiation)

Employment type: Full time

Program Background

Cambodia-Australia Partnership for Resilient Economic Development (CAPRED) or CAPRED Facility, is Australia’s flagship bilateral economic development program in Cambodia, focusing on economic recovery and resilience.  The Facility supports Cambodia in implementing a range of necessary economic interventions and reforms to maintain and support the country’s economic transition. These interventions and reforms are primarily aimed at encouraging more productive and inclusive public and private investment that promotes a resilient, inclusive and sustainable economy (RISE). 

CAPRED interventions fall under three technical components namely (i) Agriculture and Agro-processing; Trade, (ii) Investment and Enterprise Development and (iii) Infrastructure Development; and three cross-cutting sectoral areas (1) Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI); (2) Climate Resilient initiatives, and (3) the Policy Hub. GEDSI is at the heart of all that CAPRED does.

Position Summary

CAPRED is seeking a highly capable Senior Investment Manager to help shape and deliver its growing portfolio of initiatives in Cambodia’s clean water supply sector.

This is an opportunity to work at the intersection of investment, infrastructure, private-sector development and public policy, helping turn promising ideas into commercially viable investments and practical reforms that deliver impacts.

Cambodia’s clean water sector is entering an important period of transformation. Significant opportunities are emerging in infrastructure financing, utility optimisation and modernisation, financial sustainability assessment and planning, and sector policy reform. CAPRED works closely with government, private water operators, utilities, financial institutions and development partners to help unlock these opportunities.

The Senior Investment Manager will, in consultation with the Infrastructure Lead, be primarily responsible for implementation of CAPRED's water portfolio, including day-to-day leadership of CAPRED's specialist water team. This includes identifying, structuring and managing initiatives across the full intervention cycle—from market and investment analysis, investment concept development and commercial assessment through stakeholder engagement, procurement, implementation and performance monitoring.

A significant part of the role will involve working across complex stakeholder environments. The Senior Investment Manager will build and maintain relationships with senior government counterparts, private-sector partners, utilities, investors and development partners; facilitate dialogue around sector priorities; and help navigate the institutional and political economy considerations that influence infrastructure investment and sector reform.

The role will also contribute to CAPRED’s work on the financial sustainability of water services, including water tariff policy and reform, utility financial performance, cost recovery, investment planning and financing mechanisms. 

We are looking for a pragmatic problem-solver with a strong sense of ownership, sound judgement and the ability to move comfortably between financial analysis, stakeholder engagement and implementation. 

Experience in infrastructure, utilities or clean water would be advantageous, while candidates with strong backgrounds in investment, finance, economics, commercial advisory, private-sector development or public-private engagement are strongly encouraged to apply.

The role will be based in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, with potential travel to provincial locations. This is a nine-month position with possibility of extension based on CAPRED's contract extension and performance in the role. The Senior Investment Manager will report to the Infrastructure Lead.

Roles and Responsibilities 

1. Leadership

• Lead, mentor and motivate a specialist water team, fostering practical innovation, strong collaboration and high-quality delivery.
• Contribute to infrastructure strategy, work planning and adaptive management, turning portfolio priorities into clear actions.
• Support the Infrastructure Lead to manage workloads, delivery risks, stakeholder priorities and implementation bottlenecks.

2. Technical

• Provide strategic and technical leadership for CAPRED’s clean water supply portfolio, ensuring activities are commercially sound, policy-relevant and aligned with program objectives.
• Identify, assess and advance investment concepts, sector reforms and practical solutions that respond to emerging opportunities in clean water supply.
• Oversee project performance, due diligence, grant disbursement, financial planning, risk management and corrective action across the intervention cycle.
• Lead high-quality analysis and written outputs, including strategy papers, investment notes, policy briefs, feasibility studies, progress reports and presentations.
• Use evidence, MERL insights and implementation learning to inform policy dialogue, impact assessment and future portfolio direction.
• Promote GEDSI and climate resilience across investment design, policy engagement, sector planning and operator support.
• Help capture and communicate results, lessons and sector insights that demonstrate CAPRED’s contribution to lasting sector change.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Infrastructure Lead.

3. Compliance 

• Ensure activities and partners comply with Cowater and DFAT policies, including child protection, PSEAH, anti-fraud and corruption, value for money, GEDSI and safeguards requirements.
• Champion environmental sustainability and climate action across the Facility.

4. Stakeholder relationship

• Serve as a trusted coordination point with MISTI and relevant government stakeholders on clean water planning, financing, reform and implementation follow-up.
• Build productive relationships with government agencies, water operators, utilities, financial institutions, industry bodies, suppliers, consultants and development partners.
• Represent CAPRED in technical discussions, partner meetings, sector events and coordination platforms, including engagement with DFAT and the Australian Embassy.

Selection Criteria

Qualifications

• At least a master's degree in finance, economics, business administration, or a related field is required.

Essential Criteria

• At least five years’ experience in infrastructure, clean water supply, investment, finance, public policy, private sector development or a related field.
• Ability to work across policy, investment, technical and implementation issues, translating complexity into practical action.
• Strong coordination, project management and writing skills, with experience producing high-quality reports, briefs, plans, presentations and senior-level materials.
• Proven stakeholder engagement skills, including with government, private sector actors and development partners.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including assessing investment opportunities, sector constraints, financial viability and implementation risks.
• Excellent communication skills, sound judgement and the ability to work independently in a diverse, fast-moving environment.
• Strong written and spoken Khmer and English.
• Proactive, flexible and committed to GEDSI, environmental sustainability and climate action.

Desirable Criteria

• Familiarity with Australian-funded economic development programs related to infrastructure and sustainability.
• Understanding of Cambodia’s clean water sector, including operators, utilities, financing, regulation and investment challenges.
• Experience in market systems development, blended finance, infrastructure finance, utility reform or GEDSI integration would be an advantage.
• This is a full-time position with attractive monthly remuneration package being commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Closing Date: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, so please apply as soon as possible. The application process will close once the position is filled.

How to apply

Please send your cover letter and CV with name and contact details (phone and email) of three professional referees to recruitment@capred.org  mentioning the position you apply for in the subject line “Senior Investment Manager”.

Cowater International is an equal opportunity employer, basing employment on merit and qualifications as they relate to the professional experience and position expectations. Cowater does not discriminate against any employee or applicants on the basis of race, religion, sex, gender identity, disability, age, or any other basis protected by law.  CAPRED aims to have a diverse workforce at all levels, and a workplace that is supportive of gender equality, disability and social inclusion. Women, people with disabilities and other minorities are highly encouraged to apply.

Only applicants shortlisted will be contacted for interview.