WATERAID INTERNATIONAL

Description

Regional Technical Advisor - West Africa

Contract type: 2-Years Fixed term contract, Full time

Location: The role can be based at any WaterAid’s office in West Africa: Burkina Faso, Ghana, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, subject to right-to-work eligibility in the respective country.

Salary: Salaries and benefits will vary by country and experience, in line with the successful candidate's location.

Change starts with water. Change starts with you.

Every day, millions of people live without clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene. WaterAid exists to change that – for everyone, everywhere. Join us, and your energy will help unlock people’s potential and create a fairer future.

About WaterAid

We’re a global federation driven by one vision: a world where everyone, everywhere has clean water, sanitation and hygiene by 2030. Powered by our values of Respect, Accountability, Courage, Collaboration, Integrity and Innovation, we work alongside communities, partners and supporters to make change happen.

About the team

The Regional Technical Adviser (RTA) is a member of the regional team, in the International Programmes Department. S/he will also be a member of WaterAid’s global technical programme and support function. The role of the International Programmes Department is to support, resource and enable delivery of our global strategy at the country, regional and continental levels. The role of the regional team is to provide strategic leadership and ensure effective management of Country Programmes and Region, support and develop the capacity of our country programmes in the region to maximise their impact at the national and regional levels, contribute to the development of a strong WASH sector and thus enable the poor, marginalised and excluded people realise their rights to equitable and sustainable access to water, sanitation and hygiene.

About the role

The RTA will lead on ensuring that the technical quality of delivery of our programmes (in terms of hardware and software) is consistent with national and global best practice in the sector as well as with WA global programme frameworks and standards. The RTA will be responsible for ensuring that technical competence in country programmes is at the right level.

In this role, you will:

Technical and Advisory Support:

• Review Country Programme approaches and technologies for water supply, sanitation and hygiene promotion in the light of national and global good practice with guidance from the Regional Team and PSK.
• Support country programme technical staff to raise standards of service delivery carried out through Country Programme partners.
• Based on the WaterAid Quality Programme Standards, support country programmes and partner staff in the quality assurance of project design, implementation and monitoring to achieve technical excellence and long-term sustainability of water and sanitation services. Support the understanding and embedding of the standards in CPs (QPS Project focal point in the Region)
• As part of WaterAid’s global technical support function, use WaterAid’s thematic frameworks – Sustainability, Water Security, Urban, Sanitation, Hygiene, Equity and Inclusion, Disaster Management - in supporting country programmes to adapt these to their respective contexts. Contribute to future developments of these and related guidance documents
• Ensure all WASH facilities constructed by WaterAid and partners in the region are resilient to climate change effects with strong focus on solar powered WASH systems.

Capacity development:

• Identify key areas where capacity gaps exist in WaterAid country offices and among partners and provide support to address these gaps in coordination with the Regional Team and PSK.
• Identify key resources / organisations within the region and at the global level, which can provide support to country programme and partner staff.
• Monitor effectiveness of capacity development inputs to ensure they address the challenges identified.
• Support the design of robust proposals for financial resource mobilisation specifically climate funds.

Quality Assurance, monitoring and evaluation:

• Ensure that adequate monitoring mechanisms are in place that can offer a high level of quality assurance to the Country Directors, Regional Programme Director and Regional Director in coordination with the Regional Team, PSK and the Programme Operations team.
• Support implementation of the Quality Programme Standards plans for assuring consistent adherence to global standards of quality and technical excellence.
• Review periodically the quality of technical delivery, advise senior managers at country and regional levels and propose remedial actions with guidance from PSK and follow up on these actions and on recommendations of country programme evaluations and technical assessments.
• Participate in country programme and other evaluations.
• Regularly revise the construction protocols to ensure security and safety at any time.

Learning, Innovation and knowledge management:

• Identify and promote good practices in the region that enable us to achieve high levels of technical excellence.
• Undertake systematic documentation of our experiences for sharing.
• Host, co-ordinate, anchor discussions and seminars on technical issues to promote our knowledge and understanding.
• Write papers with other RTAs and PSK to disseminate our experience more widely, especially at key regional and global events like AfricaSan, WEDC, Stockholm Water Week, AfWASA and IWA events …
• Actively encourage innovation in the technical spheres of our work and explore possibilities of these being scaled up and replicated.
• Initiate research and scoping studies on emerging themes such as circular economy, optimisation of solar powered water schemes.

Regional collaboration and representation:

• Identify key opportunities for the region to be represented to promote and enhance our understanding and experience of technical issues on areas of particular interest to the region.
• Lead in developing joint proposals for technical research and take part in advocacy actions which promote our work, knowledge and experience.
• Influence other stakeholders through focused advocacy in promoting practices that, based on our experience and that of our partners, are effective in ensuring sustainable access to and use of water and sanitation services.
• Be the key spokesperson in the region on technical matters related to service delivery practices.
• Be a member of the Extended Regional Leadership Team and contribute to the effectiveness of the region in promoting WaterAid’s mission.
• Be a leading member of WaterAid’s Programme, working closely with the Programme Support and Knowledge as well as with the Country Programmes in the designated region.
• Actively participate to relevant CoPs and working groups as appropriate and required for RTAs

Requirements

To be successful you will need:

• Master’s degree with specialisation in water, sanitation, environment or other WASH-related area,
• Knowledge of international WASH development and programme delivery,
• Minimum 10 years’ experience in national, regional and / or international WASH sector development,
• Experience of managing consultants,
• Experience of operational and participatory planning, monitoring, reporting and evaluation
• Experience of working in an advisory or management capacity,
• Experience on CR-WASH and solar powered water schemes design, implementation and management,
• Experience on rural/urban WASH management models,
• Technical knowledge of the water, sanitation and hygiene sectors, specialising in at least one of these,
• Fluent spoken, written and read French and or English,
• Good communication skills including proposal preparation and presentation,
• Excellent word-processing and spreadsheet skills,
• Networking, establishing and maintaining relations with other organisations,
• Strong team player.

Desirable skills:

• Research qualification in WASH-related subject,
• Familiarity with WaterAid’s mission, values and aims,
• Chartered membership of a relevant professional institution,
• Organisational representation at forums or discussion meetings,
• Experience of operating in a global organisation,
• Familiarity with a WaterAid or similar country programme in Africa,
• Demonstrable skills in research and innovation on technical issues,
• Representational skills,
• Advanced knowledge of specific technical fields appropriate to WaterAid’s work.

View the full job description here

Closing date: Applications will close at 12:00 PM UK time on 26 January 2026.

How to apply: Click Apply to upload your CV and Cover Letter.

Can I use Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology in my application?

At WaterAid, we strongly advise against using AI technology at any stage of the recruitment process. Our goal is to ensure a fair and transparent process that provides every applicant with an equal opportunity to succeed. We value hearing about your unique experiences and perspectives in your application, and, if shortlisted, during the interview as well.

Pre‑employment screening

To apply for this role, you must be able to demonstrate your eligibility to work in the respective country. All pre-employment checks will be carried out according to local law and WaterAid’s Safer Recruitment policy.

Benefits

Our Benefits

As a global organisation, WaterAid is committed to creating an environment where you can thrive and be yourself at your very best. Alongside our inspiring mission and meaningful work, we offer a range of benefits tailored to each country’s context and policies. These will be shared during the process.

Our People Promise

We will work with passion and focus to make sure everyone everywhere has clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene. WaterAid is a place of purpose – where people have a real commitment and shared responsibility for the impact we have. We are a global community with diverse backgrounds and perspectives, motivated by inspiring, stimulating work. We are determined to be a place where people feel safe and able to contribute their voice and truly live our values.

Equal Opportunities

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, beliefs, customs, traditions, ways of life and status. This includes, but is not limited to, race, ethnicity, caste, colour, gender, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth, disability status, neurodiversity, age, marital and family status, sexual orientation and gender identity, health status, place of residence, economic and social situation.

Safeguarding

We are committed to protecting everyone we come into contact with. We have a zero- tolerance approach to abuse of power, privilege or trust across our global work, and to any form of inappropriate behaviour, discrimination, abuse, bullying, harassment, or exploitation. Safeguarding the people and communities we work with, our staff, volunteers and anyone working on our behalf is our top priority, and we take our responsibilities extremely seriously. All offers of employment are subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks (which can include counterterrorism, safeguarding and criminal records checks).

Together, we’ll change the world through water.

Join us and be part of the change!

Description

Head of Program Management

Contract: 12 Month Fixed-term contract, Maternity cover, Full-time

Location: Canada, Remote - Preference will be given to candidates in the Eastern Time Zone. Candidates must be based in Canada and legally able to work in Canada.

Salary: CAD 80,000 - CAD 90,000 per year with excellent benefits, depending on candidate experience

Change starts with water. Change starts with you.

Every day, millions of people live without clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene. WaterAid exists to change that – for everyone, everywhere. Join us, and your energy will help unlock people’s potential and create a fairer future.

About WaterAid

We’re a global federation driven by one vision: a world where everyone, everywhere has clean water, sanitation and hygiene by 2030. Powered by our values of Respect, Accountability, Courage, Collaboration, Integrity and Innovation, we work alongside communities, partners and supporters to make change happen.

About the role:

Reporting to the Director, International Programs and working closely with the IP team, WaterAid Country Program and Regional staff, as well as other WA member colleagues, the Head of Program Management (HPM) will play an integral role in providing leadership, strategic guidance and oversight of WAC’s portfolio of programs. The HPM will also engage across all WaterAid Canada (WAC) departments to ensure effective donor compliance and to integrate program knowledge as part of joint departmental initiatives.

The HPM will lead and/or provide oversight on all aspects of WAC’s donor compliance requirements for assigned projects. The HPM will lead the participating WA Country Program teams and partners through all phases of the project cycle, building country program staff capacity where requierd. The HPM will provide excellence in donor compliance, program and financial management, monitoring and evaluation (M&E) and partnership management. The HPM will also support business development initiatives by providing strategic and programmatic insight into concept design and will act as the Director, International Program’s deputy during periods of absence or travel. The HPM will travel as needed to CP locations as part of monitoring and program support activities as well as to Ottawa to participate in organization-wide and partnership meetings.

• Provide leadership, strategic guidance and oversight for assigned projects:This includes leading in all aspects of the project cycle, to ensure project start-up, implementation and close-out are in line with WaterAid quality principles and standards, donor guidelines, and industry best practices.
• Donor compliance, reporting and budgeting: Ensure all assigned programs are in compliance with donor requirements and support other IP staff with donor compliance on non-assigned grants. Lead in the preparation and/or review of WAC baseline and end-line reports, periodic narrative and financial reports, proposals, workplans and budgets within the required formats. Ensure internal sign-off as necessary.
• Agreement preparation and review: The HPM will take a lead role in the development and review of partnership teaming agreements as part of program implementation and WA member-to-member (M2M) agreements which set out the roles and responsibilities and partnership parameters between WA members engaged on specific programs. In some instances, the HPM will be required to ensure that agreements assigned to other IP colleagues are adequately reviewed and completed to a satisfactory level.
• Technical advisor collaboration: Ensure that all programs within the IP portfolio receive sufficient technical expertise from various WA federation technical advisors, including seeking input as needed, following up on recommendations and using their expertise to pursue program quality.
• Lead the development of project learning: Identify opportunities for continuous learning, to improve the quality of programming and in line with WaterAid’s Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting (PMER) guidelines. The HPM will work with the M&E teams in each Country Program and partners, to promote adapted accountability systems which feed into programmatic learning.
• Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E): Ensure that fully functional M&E systems are in place and aligned with donor requirements for all assigned grants while supporting other grants within WA’s portfolio as needed. The HPM will collate, analyse and evaluate program performance data following WaterAid and donor guidelines. The HPM will proactively identify issues and concerns and use participatory processes to overcome implementation obstacles.
• Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QA/QC): Coordinate extensively with federation leads, Regional Offices and CP counterparts on issues of QA/QC to ensure that appropriate standards and expectations are in place for every WAC-led program. The HPM will work with relevant federation counterparts and WAC colleagues to ensure that the standards are effectively implemented to ensure the delivery of quality programming.
• Partnership development: The HPM will act as the lead and focal point for partnership engagement for program implementation purposes on programs assigned to the HPM portfolio and support on those assigned to others. The HPM will also advise the IP team on partnership issues from a strategic and business development perspective as relationship opportunities emerge.
• Stakeholder engagement: Maintain communication with relevant stakeholders, including partners and project consortium members on issues affecting the management of donor agreements, plans and strategies while ensuring strong and mutually beneficial relationships.
• Financial management: Ensure timely and appropriate project expenditures are in line with work plans and budgets and efficient use and stewardship of project material sources. It will be critical for the HPM to understand financial requirements of donors and WaterAid policies to provide detailed oversight to budget planning, expenditures and financial reporting.
• Cross-departmental collaboration:Take a lead role in working with other departments within WAC to ensure that all programs comply with donor requirements (primarily the finance department) and to integrate program knowledge as part of joint departmental initiatives such as donor outreach activities, communications and branding initiatives and fundraising-based reporting.
• Supervision: Provide line management to the IP team’s SWISH Program Manager and Program Officer. Undertake other related tasks and assignments to be delegated by the Director, IP.

Requirements

Required Personal Qualities and Skills: 

• University degree in development studies, public health, education, WASH, environment, feminist/gender studies, or other related area.
• At least 8 years’ experience implementing large, complex projects with multiple partner organizations.
• Experience with Global Affairs Canada project management and reporting processes, including Results-Based Management (RBM).
• Demonstrated ability to write high-quality reports in English.
• M&E skills and experience required.
• Previous experience working in a developing country.
• Advanced knowledge of Excel required; strong administrative skills, including MS Office (Word, Outlook, PowerPoint).

Qualifications considered an asset:

• French, Urdu, and/or Portuguese language skills considered strong assets.
• Technical expertise in water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) programming.
• Experience designing and implementing WASH programming.
• Experience designing and implementing gender equality/SRHR programming.
• Familiarity with environmental issues and community-based, participatory approaches.

Required Personal Qualities and Skills:

• Ability to work collaboratively and flexibly within a small team in Canada while also linking into a larger network of teams and staff across the WA federation
• Ability to work effectively and sensitively in a cross-cultural environment.
• Willingness to travel overseas, approximately 1 to 2 weeks per trip, sometimes in difficult environments. Occasional travel to Ottawa for internal and external meetings will also be required.
• A commitment to WaterAid's values, approach and direction.

View Full Job Description here

Closing date: Applications close 12:00 PM UK time on 26th January 2026. Interviews may be scheduled on a rolling basis, and the role may close earlier if a suitable candidate is found.

How to apply: Click Apply to complete the pre-screening questions and upload your CV and Cover letter.

Can I use Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology in my application? At WaterAid, we strongly advise against using AI technology at any stage of the recruitment process. Our goal is to ensure a fair and transparent process that provides every applicant with an equal opportunity to succeed. We value hearing about your unique experiences and perspectives in your application, and, if shortlisted, during the interview as well.

Pre‑employment screening: To apply for this role, you must be able to demonstrate your eligibility to work in the respective country. All pre-employment checks will be carried out according to local law and WaterAid’s Safer Recruitment policy. All UK based roles require a basic Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Benefits

As a global organisation, WaterAid is committed to creating an environment where you can thrive and be yourself at your very best. Alongside our inspiring mission and meaningful work, we offer a range of benefits tailored to each country’s context and policies. These will be shared during the recruitment process

Our People Promise

We will work with passion and focus to make sure everyone everywhere has clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene. WaterAid is a place of purpose – where people have a real commitment and shared responsibility for the impact we have. We are a global community with diverse backgrounds and perspectives, motivated by inspiring, stimulating work. We are determined to be a place where people feel safe and able to contribute their voice and truly live our values.

Equal Opportunities

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, beliefs, customs, traditions, ways of life and status. This includes, but is not limited to, race, ethnicity, caste, colour, gender, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth, disability status, neurodiversity, age, marital and family status, sexual orientation and gender identity, health status, place of residence, economic and social situation.

Safeguarding

We are committed to protecting everyone we come into contact with. We have a zero- tolerance approach to abuse of power, privilege or trust across our global work, and to any form of inappropriate behaviour, discrimination, abuse, bullying, harassment, or exploitation. Safeguarding the people and communities we work with, our staff, volunteers and anyone working on our behalf is our top priority, and we take our responsibilities extremely seriously. All offers of employment are subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks (which can include counterterrorism, safeguarding and criminal records checks).

Together, we’ll change the world through water.

Join us and be part of the change!

Description

Content Creator & Celebrity Manager

Contract type: 1-year Fixed term contract, 35 hours per week.

Location: London, UK.UK hybrid working – a minimum of 40 % of working time is spent face-to-face (London office, external meetings or travel). 60/40 hybrid working at WaterAid means roughly three days wherever you work best and two days together in person.

Salary: £48,867 per year with excellent benefits

Change starts with water. Change starts with you.

Every day, millions of people live without clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene. WaterAid exists to change that – for everyone, everywhere. Join us, and your energy will help unlock people’s potential and create a fairer future.

About WaterAid

We’re a global federation driven by one vision: a world where everyone, everywhere has clean water, sanitation and hygiene by 2030. Powered by our values of Respect, Accountability, Courage, Collaboration, Integrity and Innovation, we work alongside communities, partners and supporters to make change happen.

About the team

The Global Media and Celebrity Team is part of WaterAid's award-winning Communications and Fundraising Directorate. We lead the organisation’s UK and global news and PR strategies, manage media relations for UK and international media outlets and journalists, develop and deliver creative, innovative campaigns, and support other WaterAid global offices with their press and communications.

The talent function ensures we have a portfolio of high profile talent, content creators and influencers to meaningfully drive awareness, raise funds and action for our work.

About the role

The Content Creator & Celebrity Manager, leads WaterAid’s digital talent strategy to drive and elevate our ambitious communications, fundraising and influencing activities. Aligned with our strategic aims, this role is responsible for identifying, and engaging digital talent and their teams, by bringing their know-how, cultural connections and entrepreneurial flair to deliver impactful results.

In this role, you will:

Lead on delivering a digital talent strategy for WaterAid’s brand, fundraising and political campaigning activities that aligns with the social and digital teams aims:

• Building on the exposure from the #TeamWater campaign in 2025, lead on engaging the YouTube creator community to strategically engage and meaningfully grow our Gen Z audience on the channel.
• Drive and deliver strategic online and offline talent engagement for WaterAid UK organisational priorities, securing talent, creator and influencer support for key communications campaigns and projects
• Lead in developing ideas and implementing new income streams with talent online and on social channels.
• Lead with internal and external stakeholders and help shape decisions around how to progress projects.
• Responsible for strong relationship building and management with talent and their agents, and ensuring they deliver on their commitments.

Requirements

To be successful, you will need:

• 4 years+ Proven experience of working with high-profile personalities (celebrities and influencers and content creators)
• Experience of creating content for and strategically growing YouTube channels
• Extensive experience in and knowledge of digital marketing and social media – spanning earned, owned, shared and paid
• Established network of media contacts, talent agents, or content creators.
• Proven experience of generating income streams through talent and online engagement activities
• Experience of delivering impactful talent-led activities that achieve earned and shared reach for campaigns across different digital channels.
• In depth technical expertise (for example, in the mechanics of video creation) is not essential. Knowing where to get great content and how to get it seen is.
• Demonstrable creativity to develop new ideas, collaborate with others and spot opportunities for growth.
• Experience of delivering earned and shared reach for campaigns via talent support
• An experienced and confident presenter/negotiator used to dealing with both internal and external clients
• An effective decision maker, and able to ground decisions in what will make most impact towards the achievement of the strategy.
• Proven experience of working with in-house media teams or directly with the media on celebrity opportunities
• Crisis communications, risk management and safeguarding management experience; proven ability to remain calm in challenging situations.
• Experience of managing projects and motivating others and driving change.
• Understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion practices in communications

Although not essential, we’d prefer you to have:

• Experience working within the non-profit or social impact space.
• Experience in strategic communications in an international, matrix organisation
• Familiarity with fundraising campaigns and donor engagement.

View the full job description here

Closing date: Applications close 12PM UK TIME Monday 2 February 2026. Interviews are expected to take place week commencing 9 February 2026.

How to apply: Click Apply to complete the pre-screening questions and upload your CV and cover letter

Can I use Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology in my application?

At WaterAid, we strongly advise against using AI technology at any stage of the recruitment process. Our goal is to ensure a fair and transparent process that provides every applicant with an equal opportunity to succeed. We value hearing about your unique experiences and perspectives in your application, and, if shortlisted, during the interview as well.

Pre‑employment screening

To apply for this role, you must be able to demonstrate your eligibility to work in the respective country. All pre-employment checks will be carried out according to local law and WaterAid’s Safer Recruitment policy. All UK based roles require a basic Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Benefits

UK Benefits:

• 36 days’ holiday (including 8 Bank Holidays)
• Option to buy an extra 5 days’ annual leave
• Employer pension contribution up to 10 %
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements
• Season ticket loan
• Free annual eye tests
• ‘Give as you Earn’ charitable giving scheme
• Enhanced parental leave (maternity, adoption/surrogacy, shared parental and paternity)
• Sabbaticals
• One paid volunteer day each year

As part of our annual leave policy, all employees receive three additional days of annual leave on top of their standard allocation of 25 days. These days are designated to cover the period when our UK office closes between Christmas and New Year, allowing all UK WaterAiders to take a well-deserved break.

These days are automatically scheduled and cannot be changed or moved. Annual leave is accrued based on your start date. If sufficient leave has not been accrued by the time of the closure, the 3 days will be taken as unpaid leave or pro-rated, depending on your circumstances.

Our Global Commitment:

Our people promise

We will work with passion and focus to make sure everyone everywhere has clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene. WaterAid is a place of purpose – where people have a real commitment and shared responsibility for the impact we have. We are a global community with diverse backgrounds and perspectives, motivated by inspiring, stimulating work. We are determined to be a place where people feel safe and able to contribute their voice and truly live our values.

Equal Opportunities

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, beliefs, customs, traditions, ways of life and status. This includes, but is not limited to, race, ethnicity, caste, colour, gender, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth, disability status, neurodiversity, age, marital and family status, sexual orientation and gender identity, health status, place of residence, economic and social situation.

Safeguarding

We are committed to protecting everyone we come into contact with. We have a zero- tolerance approach to abuse of power, privilege or trust across our global work, and to any form of inappropriate behaviour, discrimination, abuse, bullying, harassment, or exploitation. Safeguarding the people and communities we work with, our staff, volunteers and anyone working on our behalf is our top priority, and we take our responsibilities extremely seriously. All offers of employment are subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks (which can include counterterrorism, safeguarding and criminal records checks).

Together, we’ll change the world through water.

Join us and be part of the change !

Description

Strategy, Planning and Performance Director, WaterAid UK and International

Contract type: Permanent, Full time – 35 hours per week

Primary Location: London, UK.

Address: 20 Canada Square, Canary Wharf, London, E14 5NN.

We are open to considering candidates based in other locations where WaterAid has an existing office, provided the time zone is compatible with the UK. Please note that candidates must possess a valid Right to Work in their respective country of residence.

For the UK location: We support and enjoy a hybrid working environment. A minimum of 40% of working time is spent face-to-face, either in the London office, for coordination, collaboration, and connectivity across the team, or as a result of external engagement or travel for WaterAid.

Salary: £75,000 - £80,000 per annum with excellent benefits.

Change starts with water. Change starts with you.

Every day, millions of people live without clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene. WaterAid exists to change that – for everyone, everywhere. Join us, and your energy will help unlock people’s potential and create a fairer future.

About WaterAid

We’re a global federation driven by one vision: a world where everyone, everywhere has clean water, sanitation and hygiene by 2030. Powered by our values of Respect, Accountability, Courage, Collaboration, Integrity and Innovation, we work alongside communities, partners and supporters to make change happen.

About the team

The Director reports jointly to the WAUK Executive Director of Finance, Technology & Strategic Planning, and the Global Director, WAI. They will therefore belong both to the UK Finance, Technology and Strategic Planning Directorate team and to the Global Secretariat. The team consists of roles that work across WAUK and international.

About the role

The Strategy, Planning and Performance Director works across WAUK and WaterAid International to deliver performance and planning. They are responsible for delivering planning and performance assessment across both WAUK and international - ensuring that these are aligned and link up in the most efficient manner possible. They will ensure that we understand how we are contributing towards our global strategy and we are maximising our global impact.

In this role, you will:

• Lead WAUK annual planning process. Support WAUK ED Finance, Technology and Strategic Planning to develop UK business plan.
• Lead global annual planning process: work with WaterAid members to align member business plans that maximise the potential contribution of each member to WaterAid’s Global Strategy and impact.
• Coordinate global and WAUK reporting at year end, ensuring a coherent narrative over time that provides clarity for UK Board and WaterAid international Board.
• Coordinate WAUK Quarterly Performance Review (QPR) process, delivering quarterly reporting to the UK DT and Board.
• Provide effective leadership to the Strategy, Planning and Performance team ensure high levels of motivation and engagement as well as strong relationships across the organisation.
• Lead on strategy and performance communications, working with the internal and external communications teams ensure all staff and relevant external audiences have a good understanding of WaterAid’s Global Strategy and our performance (Global and UK)
• Lead the project management support to key WAUK and WAi projects, as required
• Own the Global Performance Management Framework to assess performance against WaterAid’s Global Strategy. Ensure this is aligned and integrated with member-level performance assessment processes.
• Own the development and evolution of WaterAid’s Global Strategy, ensuring effective analysis of external trends and context, drawing on expertise, experience and perspectives from across the organisation.
• Provide support, advice and guidance to enable effective, aligned implementation of the strategy across all members, including support programmes of change and / or individual change projects
• Lead on any multi-annual review of progress against the Global Strategy to assess contribution to global change, identify achievements and challenges, lessons learned and recommendations.

Requirements

To be successful, you will need:

• Strategic and critical thinking across complex and fast moving environments: able to shape business direction and strategy through anticipating and identifying trends and shifts in the wider world, able to translate strategy into action
• Knowledge of corporate planning, with a deep understanding of different approaches in different contexts
• Understanding of complex performance assessment in data-poor environments and complex, qualitative evaluation methodologies that enable deep reflection on performance
• Effective stakeholder management; able to understand and translate senior leadership needs, managing expectations and support outside of remit.
• Significant experience of providing strategic guidance to Board and senior leaders within a large and complex organisation. Able to build and maintain credibility and trust at all levels of the organisation.
• A degree with substantial experience in strategy, planning, and performance management within a reputable organization. A Master’s degree or Professional finance qualifications (ACA, ACCA, CIMA) or an MBA are advantageous but not essential.
• Clear communication and ability to convey complex ideas in a compelling manner, tailoring arguments to persuade the listener.

View the full job description here

Closing date: Applications close on Monday, 2nd February 2026, 12:00 PM (UK time).

First Interviews will be held virtually on 17th and 18th February 2026. Second interviews will be conducted in person at our London office on 3rd and 4th March 2026.

How to apply: Click Apply to answer the pre-screening questions and upload your CV only.

Can I use Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology in my application? At WaterAid, we strongly advise against using AI technology at any stage of the recruitment process. Our goal is to ensure a fair and transparent process that provides every applicant with an equal opportunity to succeed. We value hearing about your unique experiences and perspectives in your application, and, if shortlisted, during the

interview as well.

Pre-employment screening: To apply for this role, you must be able to demonstrate your eligibility to work in the respective country. All pre-employment checks will be carried out according to local law and WaterAid’s Safer Recruitment policy. All UK-based roles require a basic Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Benefits

UK Benefits:

• 36 days’ holiday (including 8 Bank Holidays)
• Option to buy an extra 5 days’ annual leave
• Employer pension contribution up to 10 %
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements
• Season ticket loan
• Free annual eye tests
• ‘Give as you Earn’ charitable giving scheme
• Enhanced parental leave (maternity, adoption/surrogacy, shared parental and paternity)
• Sabbaticals
• One paid volunteer day each year

As part of our annual leave policy, all employees receive three additional days of annual leave on top of their standard allocation of 25 days. These days are designated to cover the period when our UK office closes between Christmas and New Year, allowing all UK WaterAiders to take a well-deserved break.

These days are automatically scheduled and cannot be changed or moved. Annual leave is accrued based on your start date. If sufficient leave has not been accrued by the time of the closure, the 3 days will be taken as unpaid leave or pro-rated, depending on your circumstances.

Our Global Commitment:

Our people promise

We will work with passion and focus to make sure everyone everywhere has clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene. WaterAid is a place of purpose – where people have a real commitment and shared responsibility for the impact we have. We are a global community with diverse backgrounds and perspectives, motivated by inspiring, stimulating work. We are determined to be a place where people feel safe and able to contribute their voice and truly live our values.

Equal Opportunities

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, beliefs, customs, traditions, ways of life and status. This includes, but is not limited to, race, ethnicity, caste, colour, gender, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth, disability status, neurodiversity, age, marital and family status, sexual orientation and gender identity, health status, place of residence, economic and social situation.

Safeguarding

We are committed to protecting everyone we come into contact with. We have a zero- tolerance approach to abuse of power, privilege or trust across our global work, and to any form of inappropriate behaviour, discrimination, abuse, bullying, harassment, or exploitation. Safeguarding the people and communities we work with, our staff, volunteers and anyone working on our behalf is our top priority, and we take our responsibilities extremely seriously. All offers of employment are subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks (which can include counterterrorism, safeguarding and criminal records checks).

Together, we’ll change the world through water.

Join us and be part of the change !