At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic initiatives to provide clean water and sanitation solutions globally.
- Company: Join WaterAid, a global leader in WASH development.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, excellent benefits, and hybrid working options.
- Other info: Diverse team with opportunities for growth and collaboration.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on communities lacking clean water and hygiene.
- Qualifications: Extensive experience in WASH development and strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 75916 - 79912 £ per year.
Location: The role can be based in London, United Kingdom, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Nigeria, Ghana and Rwanda, subject to right to work eligibility in the respective countries. 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: Salaries and benefits will vary in line with the location of the successful candidate and depending on experience. UK: £75,916 - £79,912 per year with excellent benefits. Ethiopia: ETB 13,544,181 - 19,864,798.8 per year with excellent benefits. Tanzania: TZS 217,215,222.3 - 304,101,311.22 per year with excellent benefits. Nigeria: NGN 81,860,262.3 - 106,418,340.99 per year with excellent benefits. Ghana: GHS 1,200,723 - 1,681,013 per year with excellent benefits. Rwanda: RWF 95,234,280.3 - 133,327,992.42 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 in which 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 Programme Support & Knowledge (PSK) team is a critical and dynamic unit within WaterAid UK’s International Programmes Department (IPD), working across 17 countries in Africa and Asia. PSK is a diverse and motivated group of over 20 technical specialists and advisors committed to bringing sustainable WASH to the world’s poorest and most marginalised people.
About the role: As our Programme Support and Knowledge Director, you will play a key role in delivering our mission by providing strategic leadership to the PSK team and the wider IPD, as part of the department’s SMT. You will also input into organisation‑wide initiatives, external collaborations and global networks to drive sustainable change.
Responsibilities:
- Provide strategic and technical leadership to WaterAid UK’s programmes
- Lead the Programme Support & Knowledge Team
- Lead programme learning and knowledge management
- Oversee programme support and capacity development
- Support fundraising, external engagement, partnerships and communications
- Champion WaterAid’s commitment to equity, inclusion and safeguarding
Qualifications:
- Extensive and deep experience in WASH development across multiple contexts
- Strong technical WASH skills – e.g. sustainable rural and/or urban water supply service delivery and management, climate resilient WASH
- Systems‑thinking capability to support transformational WASH programming
- Proven ability to lead strategic, impactful initiatives in large organisations
- Strong understanding of planning, monitoring and evaluation in development
- Experience in knowledge management, learning and capacity development
- Proven experience of developing propositions and donor engagement
- A track record of leading high‑performing teams and supporting change
Preferred qualifications:
- Working knowledge of French, Portuguese or Spanish
- Experience leading or managing applied research
- Experience establishing and promoting technical standards
Closing date: Applications close 12:00 PM UK time on December 21st 2025. 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.
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. All offers of employment are subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks.
Programme Support & Knowledge Director employer: WaterAid
WaterAid is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that prioritises collaboration, innovation, and inclusivity. With a strong commitment to employee growth, the Programme Support & Knowledge Director role provides opportunities to lead impactful initiatives across diverse global contexts, all while enjoying flexible hybrid working arrangements in vibrant locations like London and various African countries. Join us to make a meaningful difference in the lives of millions and be part of a passionate team dedicated to achieving universal access to clean water and sanitation by 2030.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Programme Support & Knowledge Director
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your field, especially those connected to WaterAid. A friendly chat can open doors that applications alone can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching WaterAid's mission and values. Show us how your experience aligns with our goals, especially in WASH development. We love candidates who are passionate about making a difference!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your skills can lead the Programme Support & Knowledge team to success. Confidence is key, so rehearse until it feels natural.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we’re always on the lookout for talent that shares our vision for a fairer future.
We think you need these skills to ace Programme Support & Knowledge Director
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Programme Support & Knowledge Director role. Highlight your relevant experience in WASH development and any leadership roles you've held. We want to see how your skills align with our mission!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about WASH and how you can contribute to our team. Be sure to mention specific experiences that demonstrate your strategic leadership abilities.
Showcase Your Team Leadership Skills:We’re looking for someone who can lead high-performing teams. In your application, share examples of how you've successfully managed teams and driven impactful initiatives. This will help us see your potential fit within our dynamic PSK team.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need to complete the pre-screening questions and upload your documents.
How to prepare for a job interview at WaterAid
✨Know Your WASH Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) development. Be ready to discuss your extensive experience in this field, especially in sustainable service delivery and climate-resilient systems. The interviewers will want to see that you can apply your technical skills to real-world challenges.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Programme Support & Knowledge Director, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to lead high-performing teams. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led strategic initiatives in large organisations. Highlight your experience in capacity development and how you've supported teams through change.
✨Engage with Their Values
WaterAid is all about respect, accountability, courage, collaboration, integrity, and innovation. Familiarise yourself with these values and think of ways you've embodied them in your previous roles. During the interview, weave these values into your responses to show you're a great cultural fit.
✨Prepare for Global Contexts
Since this role involves working across multiple countries, be prepared to discuss your understanding of different cultural contexts and how they impact WASH programming. If you have experience in Ethiopia, Tanzania, Nigeria, Ghana, or Rwanda, make sure to highlight it, as it will give you an edge in the conversation.
