Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI) is an independent, non-profit organization based in Stockholm and working globally to advance water’s role in secure, equitable, and sustainable futures. We convene partners across sectors, translate knowledge into policy and practice, and strengthen capacity to co-create solutions.
SIWI seeks a consultant to support two workstreams related to World Water Week 2026, our leading annual platform bringing together policymakers, practitioners, researchers, and the private sector to address global water challenges.
Background
World Water Week 2026 will take place from 23–27 August, both on-site in Stockholm and online. Guided by the theme Water for People and Progress, the week will focus on advancing a more just and equitable, water-secure future for all people while strengthening care for our shared planet in the face of climate change.
World Water Week is SIWI’s leading annual convening platform, bringing together policymakers, practitioners, researchers, and the private sector to address global water challenges. The event combines a multi-day programme, high-level engagement, and global media outreach, requiring coordinated communications, programme delivery, and media engagement efforts across SIWI teams.
The Water in Communications programme, now in its sixth edition and co-produced with the Grundfos Foundation, is a dedicated programme within World Water Week. It aims to strengthen how water-related issues are communicated to policymakers and the public by supporting journalists, communicators, and water professionals to improve the quality, reach, and impact of water-related coverage, particularly in relation to climate change and sustainable development.
The programme consists of two components:
· Workshops (June)
· Centre Stage programme (August)
Scope of the Assignment
SIWI seeks a consultant to support two distinct areas of work related to World Water Week 2026.
The first component of the assignment is the planning and implementation of the Water in Communications Centre Stage programme during World Water Week.
The second component is the implementation of media engagement activities related to World Water Week more broadly, including preparation, outreach, and coordination of journalist engagement before, during, and after the event.
The assignment therefore combines:
• Programme coordination for the Water in Communications Centre Stage programme
• Media engagement for World Water Week
These two components are separate but complementary and will be carried out in coordination with the World Water Week Marketing and Partnership teams, and SIWI Communications.
The Water in Communications workshops (June) are led by a separate consultant and are not part of this assignment.
Responsibilities
1. Water in Communications Centre Stage programme
Programme framework and implementation
· Lead the development and implementation of the 2026 Centre Stage programme for the Water in Communications Programme.
· Coordinate the delivery of three Centre Stage panel discussions during World Water Week.
· Collaborate with the World Water Week Partnership team to ensure thematic alignment with the event programme.
· Collaborate with the World Water Week Marketing team and SIWI Communications to ensure alignment with the overall event scope and messaging.
Project management and administration
Oversee project operations, including cost tracking, documentation, and programme administration
Evaluation and reporting
· Compile and deliver a comprehensive Water in Communications programme report
· Consolidate outcomes and impact from both the workshops and the Centre Stage programme
· Coordinate reporting with the Workshops Programme Lead
· Coordinate with World Water Week Marketing on surveys and data analysis
2. Media engagement for World Water Week
Support the implementation of media activities related to World Water Week and SIWI by translating the agreed media strategy into concrete media engagement before, during, and after the Week.
This role will work closely with SIWI’s and World Water Week’s Marketing and SIWI Communications to operationalize the media strategy once its direction has been defined.
Support strategic alignment
· Support the Senior Communications Manager by preparing groundwork for the media strategy alignment
· Map relevant international and Swedish media outlets covering water, climate, development, and global policy, if aligned with the direction of the strategy
· Identify key journalists and editors relevant to World Water Week topics
· Conduct background research to support storyline prioritization
Prepare media infrastructure
Once the strategic direction has been clarified:
· Prepare media lists aligned with prioritized outlets
· Develop media materials such as briefing notes, backgrounders, and interview preparation materials
· Coordinate messaging with SIWI experts and programme leads
· Support outreach planning aligned with agreed editorial priorities
Implement media engagement
· Conduct targeted outreach to priority journalists
· Coordinate interviews and briefings with water experts participating in World Water Week
· Facilitate media participation in relevant World Water Week sessions
· Manage media accreditation, ticketing, and registration processes for journalists
· Support engagement with journalists participating in the Water in Communications programme
Media coordination during World Water Week
Act as a contact point for journalists attending the Week
· Coordinate interviews and media briefings
· Identify emerging story opportunities during the event
· Coordinate and collaborate on PR activities with the Stockholm Water Prize Laureate and the Stockholm Junior Water Prize winners
· Support media visibility of key storylines and speakers
· Provide support to SIWI social media activities during the Week
Post-event follow-up
· Support follow-up engagement with journalists
· Compile and analyze media coverage
· Identify opportunities for additional commentary or op-eds
Desired Profile
The consultant should combine experience in communications, media engagement, and coordination of programmes or events in international policy or sustainability contexts.
· Demonstrated experience working directly with journalists and managing media relations around international conferences, policy forums, or major events
· Experience supporting communications and promotional campaigns, including development of web content, social media materials, and email communication
· Ability to develop and coordinate communication materials, including visual assets and digital content, in collaboration with design or marketing teams
· Experience coordinating programmes, sessions, or public events involving multiple partners and speakers
· Strong organizational and project coordination skills, including managing timelines, logistics, and communication with partners and internal teams
· Experience working with communications related to water, climate, environment, sustainability, or international development is a plus
· Experience engaging with international policy media and national media outlets, ideally including European or Nordic media
· Experience working in international or multilateral contexts is an advantage
· Fluency in Swedish and English is required
Timeline and estimated workload
May – September 2026
(with most intensive engagement June–August)
Indicative distribution of work
• Centre Stage programme management: ~200 hours
• Media engagement for World Water Week: ~200 hours
Submission of proposal
Interested consultants are invited to submit a proposal including:
· A short cover letter (max. 1 page) outlining relevant experience and motivation for the assignment
· A CV highlighting relevant experience
· 1–2 examples of relevant previous work (e.g. media engagement, event communications, or similar assignments)
· An indication of availability during the assignment period
· A financial proposal, including an hourly rate
Please direct any questions to Andrea Norgren, Senior Communications Manager at SIWI. Andrea.norgren@siwi.org
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an interview and may be asked to complete a short assignment.
Please send us your proposal by April 6th, 2026 at the latest.
