Position Title
REF 1731: Manager Regional Operations
About Our Organisation
The Water Authority of Fiji is a corporate body established under the Water Authority of Fiji Act 2007 to make provision for the effective management and administration of the Water and the wastewater systems.
We are responsible for providing access to quality drinking water and wastewater services to over 159,000 and 33,540 residential and non-residential metered customers in the urban areas of Fiji and also setting up water supply systems in rural areas.
Position Objective
The Manager Regional Operations is responsible for overseeing all operations and service delivery activities within the assigned Region.
As the senior-most WAF officer in the Region, the role provides leadership, coordination, and administrative oversight across all operational functions, including teams operating under dual reporting arrangements, to ensure efficient, compliant, and customer-focused service delivery.
The role works closely with the Chief Operating Officer, Executive Management, Managers, and support functions to ensure the effective operation and maintenance of water and wastewater systems, while supporting continuous improvement in service reliability, water quality compliance, and operational performance.
Key Accountabilities
- Leadership, Culture & Safety
- Provide strong leadership and direction to all regional operations staff, ensuring alignment with WAF values, strategic objectives, and performance expectations.
- Lead, manage and coordinate day-to-day operations across all depots, offices and operational worksites within the Region.
- Ensure effective supervision, performance management, objective setting, and continuous feedback for all regional staff.
- Promote and enforce a strong safety culture, ensuring full compliance with OHS policies, procedures, and initiatives.
- Work closely with the OHS Unit to ensure implementation of safety systems, audits, and continuous improvement in workplace safety.
- Drive a culture of continuous improvement, learning, and capability development across all operational teams.
- Effective Resource Utilisation
- Manage and monitor approved operational and capital budgets for the Region in line with the Annual Business Plan (ABP).
- Contribute to the development of Annual and Long-Term Plans, including preparation of budgets and supporting business cases.
- Monitor, forecast, and control regional expenditure to ensure cost-effective operations.
- Track and manage maintenance and operational costs to optimise resource utilisation.
- Ensure delivery of at least 85% of planned works under the yearly SBU and Regional Annual Business Plan.
- Risk Management
- Act as the Regional Operations Lead and Event Management Chair during emergencies and operational incidents.
- Ensure availability outside normal working hours to provide leadership and technical advice/expertise during critical events.
- Lead and coordinate response to operational risks, incidents, and urgent projects within the Region.
- Identify, assess, and manage operational risks in accordance with WAF’s Risk Management Framework.
- Ensure all Out-of-Risk Appetite incidents are promptly escalated to COO and CEO for further actions.
- Support audits and ensure compliance with operational, financial, and risk management requirements.
- Leading & Developing Others
- Translate organisational strategies into clear regional work plans, targets, and operational objectives.
- Provide coaching, mentoring, and development opportunities to enhance staff capability and performance.
- Delegate responsibilities effectively to build leadership capacity within the Region.
- Foster a high-performance team environment through engagement, accountability, and continuous feedback.
- Specialist Knowledge – Water & Wastewater Operations
- Ensure reliable and efficient operation of water supply, treatment, distribution, wastewater collection and treatment systems within the Region.
- Ensure all treated water complies with Fiji National Drinking Water Standards (FNDWS).
- Ensure wastewater treatment plants consistently meet EMA 2005 effluent discharge standards.
- Strengthen focus on water and wastewater quality compliance improvements, including proactive monitoring, reporting, and corrective actions.
- Ensure customer complaints are addressed within Customer Charter timelines.
- Ensure at least 75% of identified leaks are repaired within 48 hours.
- Drive NRW reduction initiatives to achieve minimum 5% annual reduction targets.
- Lead operational response to water quality incidents, including public advisories and mitigation actions.
- Management of Operations Support Functions (Updated)
- Coordinate and oversee the effective functioning of all Operations Support Units within the Region, including Mechanical & Electrical (M&E), SCADA & Instrumentation, Water Quality & Treatment, Warehouse and Occupational Health & Safety (OHS)
- Ensure these support units are aligned to operational priorities to maintain continuous, reliable, and efficient service delivery.
- Co-manage and coordinate with key corporate and support functions operating within the Region, including, Customer Experience, Finance, Human Resource, Security, Asset Management, Infrastructure Delivery, Risk, Audit & Compliance and etc
- Ensure effective cross-functional coordination, planning, and execution between operations and these support units to achieve regional targets and improve service delivery outcomes.
- Provide regional oversight to ensure timely support, issue resolution, and alignment of priorities across all functions.
- Strengthen integration between operations and support units to eliminate delays, improve responsiveness, and enhance customer service delivery.
- Improvements in Water & Wastewater Operations - Regional Improvements
- Identify system constraints and undertake studies to support improvements in water and wastewater systems.
- Develop and submit PAC proposals, business cases, and CAPEX requests aligned with WAF planning processes.
- Implement and monitor delivery of approved CAPEX and operational improvement projects.
- Identify and manage Intermittent Service Areas (ISAs) and work with Asset Management and Infrastructure Delivery teams to improve system performance.
- Coordinate system performance reviews, including network analysis and modelling outcomes.
- Drive improvements in treatment plant capacity, efficiency, and compliance performance.
- Identify risks associated with the Water and Wastewater infrastructure in the Region and work with respective SBU’s to mitigate and effectively address these risks.
- Asset Management, Properties & Facilities
- Support effective asset management practices, including maintenance planning, lifecycle management, and asset performance monitoring for all WAF assets, properties and facilities in the Region.
- Coordinate with Asset Management teams to ensure assets are operated, maintained, and upgraded to meet service delivery requirements.
- Identify and address gaps in asset reliability, redundancy, and resilience.
- Ensure improvements to properties, depots, treatment plants, pump stations, and office facilities within the Region.
- Provide and maintain a safe, functional, and conducive working environment for all WAF staff.
- Ensure facilities meet operational, safety, and compliance standards.
- Overall Management of the Region
- Coordinate with all SBUs and support functions operating within the Region to ensure integrated and efficient delivery of services.
- Ensure that both operational and support units are effectively aligned to regional priorities, service delivery targets, and customer outcomes.
- Provide feedback to SBU Heads and Executive Management on performance, coordination gaps, and support requirements.
- Maintain overall accountability for ensuring that all functions within the Region operate cohesively to deliver WAF services effectively.
- Managing Office
- Ensure effective operational and administrative control of water and wastewater systems within the Region.
- Maintain strong financial discipline through budget monitoring and cost control.
- Ensure proper documentation and record keeping of operational data and system information.
- Maintain safe, efficient, and well-managed office and operational environments across the Region.
- Teamwork and Cooperation
- Promote teamwork, collaboration, and cohesion within the Region and across all SBUs.
- Foster strong cross-functional relationships to improve operational efficiency and service delivery.
- Support organisational initiatives and contribute to achieving WAF strategic objectives.
- Undertake additional duties as assigned by the CEO and COO.
Qualification and Experience Requirement
- The applicant must possess a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Water & Wastewater Engineering, or an equivalent qualification from a recognised institution with at least 7years relevant experience in Water and Wastewater Operations or Business and 3 years management experience in a similar organisation or business.
- Professional engineering membership with a recognised and certified professional body.
Skills and Abilities
- In-depth technical and operational knowledge of water and wastewater systems, including treatment processes and conveyance infrastructure.
- Strong understanding of water quality and wastewater compliance requirements, including Fiji National Drinking Water Quality Standards and EMA 2005 discharge standards.
- Proven ability to lead, manage, and influence multidisciplinary operational teams within a complex organisational environment.
- Demonstrated capability in strategic operational planning, resource management, and performance improvement initiatives.
- Strong leadership, decision-making, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage risks and implement effective solutions.
- Ability to work collaboratively across business units and engage effectively with senior management, external stakeholders, and regulatory bodies.
- Well-developed administrative, organisational, and reporting skills to support operational governance and accountability.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to lead teams and manage stakeholder expectations.
- Sound computer literacy, including experience with AutoCAD, GIS, and other relevant operational systems.
- Demonstrated customer-focused approach with commitment to service standards, compliance, and continuous improvement.
- A full and valid driver’s licence.
How To Apply For Position
Interested candidates are advised to apply online and complete the recruitment requirements on the portal. All applications should be received no later than 10th April, 2026
INCOMPLETE & LATE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED. ONLY SHORTLISTED CANDIDATES WILL BE CONTACTED.
Employment Type
Established
SBU
Operations
Sub-Section
Support
Salary Scale
$94,400.00-$118,000.00 Per year
Job Location
Vatunibale Depot - Labasa
Vacancy Valid Till
April 10, 2026
