At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead global communications to support fundraising and drive sustainable change.
- Company: Join WaterAid, a global leader in clean water and sanitation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, excellent benefits, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Flexible hybrid working and opportunities for personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on global issues while working with diverse teams.
- Qualifications: Experience in global communications and stakeholder engagement.
The predicted salary is between 49000 - 60000 £ per year.
Contract type: 12 months Fixed term, Full time, 35 hours per week.
Location: This role may be based in one of our WaterAid member offices, London, United Kingdom or Stockholm, Sweden, subject to right to work eligibility in the respective countries. If UK-based, 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 and Benefits: Salaries and benefits will vary by country, depending on the successful candidate's location and experience. See further details below:
- UK: GBP £61,645 per annum with excellent benefits
- Sweden: SEK 49,000 – 60,000 per annum with excellent benefits.
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: This role sits at the heart of WaterAid's global communications and fundraising collaboration, connecting colleagues across the federation rather than belonging to a single team. Working with communications, fundraising and advocacy colleagues across WaterAid's members, regional hubs, country programmes and International Secretariat, the role helps strengthen alignment to support fundraising growth, audience engagement and brand visibility across markets.
About the role: As our Global Communications Lead, you will lead the development and delivery of the global communications plan in support of the global fundraising strategy, working closely with communications, fundraising, advocacy, policy, programme and federation colleagues to drive sustainable change. In this role, you will:
- Lead the development and delivery of a joined-up global communications plan that supports fundraising growth, audience engagement and brand visibility across the federation.
- Develop and maintain a rolling 12-month global communications opportunities calendar, helping markets maximise the impact of campaigns, fundraising moments and media opportunities.
- Develop shared communications assets, toolkits, narratives and planning resources that reduce duplication and support more effective delivery across markets.
- Coordinate communications engagement across the federation, including shaping input into the Global Communications and Fundraising Executive and improving information flow between relevant global forums.
- Champion WaterAid’s commitment to equity, inclusion and safeguarding.
To be successful, you will need:
- Demonstrable experience working in global communications in the not-for-profit sector, with the ability to align stakeholders across cultures, locations and backgrounds to build trust and momentum.
- Experience developing integrated global communications strategies and turning them into clear, deliverable plans with monitoring and reporting.
- Strong insight-led decision making, using data, performance metrics and trend analysis to shape narratives, drive continuous improvement and make sound calls.
- Excellent planning, prioritisation and project leadership skills across multiple workstreams, deadlines and dependencies in a matrix or complex environment, with an agile, solution-focused approach.
Although not essential, we’d prefer you to have:
- Ability to flex working hours to ease time zone challenges.
- Experience working on global marketing.
- Understanding of emerging AI tools and their application in communications.
Closing date: Applications close 12:00 PM UK time on Monday 7th September 2026. Interviews are expected to take place the week commencing 14th September.
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.
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.
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!
Global Communications Lead employer: WaterAid
WaterAid is an exceptional employer that champions a collaborative and inclusive work culture, where employees are empowered to make a meaningful impact on global water and sanitation issues. Based in London, the company offers competitive salaries, comprehensive benefits, and ample opportunities for professional growth, ensuring that team members can thrive both personally and professionally while contributing to vital humanitarian efforts.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Global Communications Lead
✨Get Involved Locally
Dive into local volunteer opportunities or social initiatives. This not only beefs up your CV but also connects you with like-minded folks in nonprofits. Plus, it shows your passion for social impact, which is key for getting noticed by WaterAid.
✨Tap into Professional Networks
Join networks like the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) or local charities to meet professionals in the sector. Attend events and workshops to build relationships and learn about potential openings at organisations like WaterAid.
✨Showcase Your Commitment
When prepping for interviews, be ready to speak about your personal connection to social issues. Dive into specific examples of how you’ve contributed to community projects – this will resonate with the mission-driven vibe at WaterAid.
✨Utilise Online Platforms
We’re all about making connections, so use platforms like Idealist and CharityJob to hunt for full-time roles. And of course, you should keep an eye on our website for exciting opportunities at WaterAid. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Global Communications Lead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for the Cause:In the nonprofit sector, it's super important to demonstrate genuine passion for the mission of WaterAid. Use your cover letter to showcase any personal experiences or volunteer work that connects you to their social impact initiatives. This emotional connection can really help your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, be sure to include any relevant projects or roles that showcase your skills in social impact. Whether it's community organising, fundraising, or advocacy, highlight what you've done and the difference it's made. Don’t just list tasks; quantify your achievements and the outcomes of your efforts.
Tailor Your Documents to the Role:For a full-time role like Global Communications Lead, ensure your CV and cover letter specifically address the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Use their language to describe your skills and experience, making it easy for the hiring team to see how you fit into their vision.
Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration:Nonprofits thrive on teamwork, so make sure to emphasise your collaborative experiences. Whether you've worked in a team setting, partnered with community organisations, or facilitated group projects, highlight these experiences in your application. Show them you understand the importance of working alongside diverse individuals to achieve shared goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at WaterAid
✨Show Your Passion for Social Change
When we’re prepping for interviews in the nonprofit space, it's vital to demonstrate our genuine passion for social impact. Be ready to discuss not just your skills and experiences but also why you care about the mission of WaterAid. Sharing personal stories or insights can really make us stand out.
✨Highlight Project Experience
We should focus on specific projects we've worked on that align with the goals of social impact. Whether that’s a community initiative, volunteering, or a class project, having solid examples that showcase our role and the outcomes will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Familiarity with Relevant Tools and Practices
Let’s brush up on tools and methodologies commonly used in the nonprofit sector, like project management software or outcome measurement frameworks. Being able to speak fluently about these will show that we’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that evaluate our problem-solving skills in real-world social issues. Think about how we’d handle challenges in the nonprofit environment and prepare stories that demonstrate our critical thinking and adaptability. Role-playing with a friend could help us feel more confident!
