Water is a fundamental human right. Yet, millions of people worldwide still live without reliable access to clean water, decent toilets, and proper hygiene. WaterAid exists to address this urgent challenge and has become a leading global organization in ensuring safe and sustainable water and sanitation for all.
One of its hosted initiatives, End Water Poverty (EWP), is a Southern-led coalition that works tirelessly to advance the human right to water and sanitation through advocacy, campaigning, and global influence. With its base firmly rooted in the lived realities of communities in the Global South, EWP is committed to decolonizing development agendas and ensuring fair access to water and sanitation for everyone, everywhere.
WaterAid is now seeking applications for the position of Global Coordinator of End Water Poverty. This is a strategic leadership role that will shape the coalition’s vision, strengthen its campaigns, and drive fundraising efforts to expand regranting and advocacy capacity. The position is full-time and offered on a two-year fixed-term contract. It is open to candidates based in any Global South country where WaterAid has an established office, subject to right-to-work eligibility.
About End Water Poverty
End Water Poverty (EWP) is a global civil society coalition hosted by WaterAid. The coalition focuses on advocating for universal access to safe water and sanitation as a matter of justice and rights, not privilege. It promotes Southern-led values, decolonization, and the integration of environmental and gender perspectives into water and sanitation advocacy.
By aligning with grassroots movements, influencing international policy spaces, and coordinating impactful campaigns, EWP strives to ensure that water and sanitation are affordable, available, and accessible for all—now and in the future.
About the Role
The Global Coordinator will provide leadership and vision to guide EWP’s coalition-building, advocacy, and campaign strategies. The role requires a seasoned leader with strong political judgment, fundraising acumen, and the ability to unite diverse stakeholders behind a shared mission.
The responsibilities of the position are wide-ranging and cover strategic leadership, fundraising, campaigns, governance, finance, and team leadership. Below is a detailed outline of the job description:
Job Description – End Water Poverty Global Coordinator
1. Strategic Leadership
- Define and implement the vision, governance, and strategic priorities of EWP in collaboration with regional and global partners.
- Lead strategic and annual planning processes, ensuring strong alignment with Southern-led values and principles of decolonization and localization.
- Monitor the progress of strategies, adjusting approaches where necessary to maximize impact across regions.
- Represent EWP in high-level external forums, ensuring visibility, credibility, and influence in global water and sanitation discussions.
- Build and strengthen partnerships with civil society organizations, grassroots movements, donors, and other key stakeholders.
2. Fundraising
- Identify new and innovative funding opportunities that will expand the coalition’s reach and capacity.
- Draft compelling funding proposals and lead on the management of grants and donor relationships.
- Increase financial resources available for regranting to grassroots members and regional partners.
- Collaborate with WaterAid fundraising teams, coalition members, and partner organizations to ensure long-term financial sustainability.
3. Campaigns and Delivery
- Provide strategic oversight of the coalition’s flagship campaign, Claim Your Water Rights, and other related initiatives.
- Ensure that campaigns are grounded in clear objectives, practical delivery structures, and active member participation.
- Guide research efforts to generate evidence and insights that highlight systemic water and sanitation challenges.
- Strengthen advocacy capacity among member organizations through knowledge-sharing, training, and best practice dissemination.
- Monitor campaign effectiveness and ensure delivery aligns with coalition objectives and values.
4. Governance and Finance
- Ensure effective governance of the coalition by coordinating Steering Committee meetings and engaging with membership on strategic issues.
- Deliver comprehensive annual reports that reflect EWP’s achievements and areas for growth.
- Manage coalition budgets responsibly and transparently, ensuring compliance with WaterAid’s financial procedures and policies.
- Support accountability structures within the coalition to maintain transparency and trust among members and donors.
5. Team Leadership
- Manage and support the secretariat staff and consultants, ensuring roles are clear and performance is optimized.
- Foster an inclusive, collaborative, and supportive working culture where staff and members feel valued and motivated.
- Ensure professional development and wellbeing of staff, encouraging innovation and accountability in daily work.
- Lead by example, embodying coalition values and promoting a culture of fairness, respect, and shared purpose.
Candidate Profile
The role requires an individual with significant experience in human rights or water justice, particularly in the Global South. The successful candidate will have a proven ability to lead coalitions, secure funding, manage budgets, and deliver impactful campaigns that drive systemic change. Strong political judgment, deep understanding of grassroots realities, and the ability to work across diverse networks are critical.
Essential requirements include:
- At least 10 years of experience in the Global South, preferably within human rights or water justice movements.
- Leadership experience within global coalitions or networks.
- Familiarity with grassroots organizations and community-based advocacy.
- A strong track record of fundraising success and financial management.
- Experience in building and coordinating international advocacy networks, particularly in Africa, Asia, or Latin America.
- Evidence of delivering impactful campaigns that influenced policy outcomes.
- Strong interpersonal, communication, and team management skills.
- Fluency in English, with conversational ability in French or Spanish.
Desirable attributes include:
- Being born and raised in the Global South.
- Ability to communicate fluently in English, French, and Spanish.
- Experience serving as a spokesperson for international campaigns or coalitions.
Contract, Salary, and Benefits
- Contract type: Two-year fixed-term contract, full-time.
- Location: Any Global South country where WaterAid has an office, subject to right-to-work eligibility.
- The role will require flexible working hours across time zones.
- Salaries and benefits vary by location. For example:
- South Africa: ZAR 1,100,492 – 1,500,347 per year plus benefits.
- Malawi: MWK 75,784,188 – 119,156,217 per year plus benefits.
Additional benefits are aligned with WaterAid’s policies in respective countries.
Recruitment Process
- Closing date: 11th September 2025 at 12:00 PM.
- Applications must be submitted online through WaterAid’s recruitment platform.
- Applicants will complete pre-screening questions and upload a CV and cover letter.
- Pre-employment checks will be conducted in accordance with local laws and WaterAid’s Safer Recruitment policy.
Applicants are advised not to use Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools when preparing their applications. WaterAid values authenticity and fairness and seeks to understand the unique experiences and perspectives of each candidate.
Equal Opportunities and Safeguarding
WaterAid is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Applications are welcome from individuals of all backgrounds, cultures, genders, abilities, and orientations.
The organization maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards any form of abuse, exploitation, harassment, or inappropriate behavior. Safeguarding the wellbeing of communities, staff, and volunteers is a top priority.
Conclusion
This is a unique opportunity to lead a dynamic global coalition committed to advancing the human right to water and sanitation. The Global Coordinator will play a pivotal role in strengthening Southern-led advocacy, driving impactful campaigns, and ensuring sustainable resources for coalition members.
