Description
Advocacy and Research Officer
Contract: Fixed term, Full time, 37.5 hours per week
Location: Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
Salary: Competitive Salary 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 role:
The Advocacy and Research Officer is responsible for generating evidence, coordinating local-level advocacy initiatives, and ensuring the effective implementation of influencing strategies in the North Mecha Universal WASH Programme. The post holder will contribute to policy research, stakeholder engagement, and build community voice in sector dialogues, while supporting learning and documentation in line with WaterAid’s influencing approach.
Main Responsibilities and Duties
Advocacy and Policy Engagement:
- Coordinate local and sub-national policy influencing interventions aligned with WAE’s national policy priorities.
- Develop and maintain strong relationships with relevant government and civil society stakeholders.
- Organize multi-stakeholder platforms, town halls, and public dialogues to amplify community voices.
Research and Evidence Generation:
- Lead documentation of case studies, evidence briefs, and learning from project implementation.
- Support baseline, endline, and WASH systems mapping in collaboration with the MEL team.
- Monitor WASH sector developments and contribute to evidence-based policy dialogue.
- Design and carry out operational, qualitative, and quantitative research to inform advocacy and programmatic decisions.
- Ensure participatory research methodologies and ethical standards are maintained
Campaigns and Communication:
- Coordinate local campaign implementation aligned with WaterAid’s national/global campaigns.
- Develop communication materials (factsheets, briefs, blogs) that capture the impact and insights of the programme.
- Translate complex research findings into clear, compelling messages for diverse audiences.
- Work with media partners to ensure visibility and amplification of key WASH messages.
Networking and Capacity Building
- Represent the organization in local WASH coordination forums, advocacy coalitions, and technical working groups
Learning and Capacity Building:
- Facilitate peer learning sessions, reflection meetings, and joint reviews with partners. – Support community organizations to engage in advocacy and voice platforms.
- Coordinate documentation of promising practices and ensure learning is shared with other WAE programmes.
Safeguarding and Compliance:
- Uphold WaterAid’s Safeguarding, Gender Equality, and Child Protection Policies. – Ensure all communications and documentation uphold ethical and inclusive principles.
Requirements
Qualifications, Skills and Experience
Qualifications:
- Minimum bachelor’s degree in social sciences, Communications, Public Health, WASH, Development Studies, or related field.
Experience:
- Minimum 7 years for BA or 5 years to MA holder, of relevant experience in advocacy, research, or programme learning. – Demonstrated experience in organizing community engagement and government dialogue forums. – Experience in developing policy briefs, learning products, or campaign materials. – Strong understanding of WASH systems and policy processes in Ethiopia.
Skills:
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills. – Strong analytical and report writing abilities. – Ability to coordinate multiple tasks and stakeholders. – Proficiency in Amharic and English (written and spoken).
View the full job description here
Closing date: Applications will close 12:00 PM UK time on 11th August 2025.
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
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!
