Job Title: Executive Secretary for Global Water Partnership Eastern Africa
Reports To: GWP Eastern Africa Chairman
Duration: 1 year with possibility of renewal subject to performance and funding
Location: Entebbe, with the possibility of teleworking. The position will ultimately be located at self-hosted GWP Eastern Africa Secretariat Office, currently in the process of establishment
Application Deadline: 6 May 2026, 23:59 CEST
BACKGROUND: GWP EASTERN AFRICA
The Global Water Partnership (GWP) is a global action network advancing water governance and climate-resilient investments for a sustainable and equitable future. GWP’s vision is a water secure world. The GWP network comprises of 2800+ partner organizations in over 180 countries, served through 13 Regional Water Partnerships (RWPs) and a Global Secretariat, the Global Water Partnership Organisation (GWPO).
The GWP Eastern Africa (GWPEA) Regional Water Partnership was established in 2003 to support the sustainable development and management of water resources at all levels in the Eastern Africa Region. GWPEA comprises of eight Country Water Partnerships (CWPs) including: Burundi, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan, Rwanda and Uganda. GWPEA brings together governmental, non-governmental, academic, private and civil society groups and all interested water related institutions and sectors in the Eastern Africa region, for purposes of supporting countries in the sustainable management of their water resources. GWPEA is steered by the GWPEA Board, which provides strategic decisions and guidance to the GWPEA Regional Secretariat.
GWP EASTERN AFRICA Executive Secretary
In the implementation of the ambitious 2026-2030 GWP Strategy, GWPEA is entering a new strategic phase focused on scaling impact through programme development, resource mobilization, and policy influence. This includes developing a pipeline of investment-ready proposals at basin, national, transboundary, regional and continental levels; mobilizing stakeholders across the EAC, IGAD, COMESA communities; positioning Eastern African regional climate resilient water security within global and continental financing processes; and strengthening enabling policy and institutional frameworks.
The GWPEA Board is seeking a highly qualified and experienced Executive Secretary to lead the Regional Secretariat through this next phase of growth and transformation. The Executive Secretary will provide strategic leadership to position GWPEA as a leading regional platform for water security, climate resilience, and investment mobilization, while overseeing the development and delivery of high-impact regional programmes, leveraging existing programmatic delivery for immediate growth, strengthening partnerships across governments and regional institutions, and advancing policy influence at national, regional, and global levels. The successful candidate will bring a strong track record in project management, programme development, stakeholder mobilization, and resource mobilization, with the ability to translate technical priorities into scalable, investment-ready initiatives and to engage effectively with senior decision-makers, development partners, and financing institutions.
SCOPE FOR THE POSITION
The Executive Secretary is the head of the GWPEA Regional Secretariat and is accountable to the GWPEA Steering Committee (Board). The position is responsible for maintaining a close relationship with GWPO through which it links to the global GWP Network. The position is contracted out of GWPO, until the ongoing establishment of the self-hosted GWP Eastern Africa Secretariat Office is complete.
The position is responsible for the development and strategic implementation of the GWPEA Regional Work Programs and Annual Work Plans, ensuring the stability, growth, and sustainability of the GWPEA while delivering on regional priorities while contributing to the 2026-2030 GWP Strategy targets.
SPECIFIC DUTIES
The Executive Secretary is Responsible for:
Regional Programme
- Based on the GWPEA Board’s strategic direction, drive all aspects in relation to planning, development, implementation, resource mobilization, reporting, financial management and administration of the Regional Work Programme, in collaboration with the GWP Partners in the region, in alignment with continental and regional institutional targets, and funder and financier priorities
- Develop, strengthen and nurture effective working relationships and synergies with allies (donors and lead regional partner institutions), Country Water Partnerships (CWPs) and governments
- Proactively develop programming opportunities and mobilizing resources from financial partners active in the Eastern African region and countries. This includes networking to find fruitful partnerships with other organisations and supervising all fundraising activities, regionally, to promote GWPEA to its donors, current programming partners, and prospective partners and ensure the resource mobilization targets are being achieved at the regional level
- Develop and implement a resource mobilization and financing strategy for building on the results of ongoing GWPEA projects, leveraging ongoing global, continental, and regional processes and priorities including the Continental Africa Investment Programme, for the implementation of the Africa Water Vision 2063 and Policy launched at the 2026 February AU Leaders’ Summit; Continental Africa EW4All Initiative; IGAD Water Security, DRM priorities, and others
- Ensure alignment of all GWP programmes and projects delivered in the Eastern African Region to the GWP strategy, policy frameworks, including through the supervision and guidance to Programme/Project Managers
- Ensure delivery of GWP Eastern African programmes and projects are on track according to approved project documents, work plans, and budgets; proactively identifying and mitigating risks to ensure high quality, impactful, and timely execution
- Establish a GWP Eastern Africa Regional Reference Group of Experts to assist with the implementation of the Regional Work Program
- Ensure effective networking, communication and information sharing among GWP Partners and the CWPs within the Eastern African region, which includes the promotion of lessons learnt between the GWP Partners, the CWPs, other RWPs and GWPO.
Management of Regional Secretariat
- Be responsible for the management and administration (including human resources management) of the Regional Secretariat to ensure a high-quality professional service to GWPEA Partnership, CWPs within the region, GWPO and regional GWP Partners
- Ensure the Regional Secretariat is staffed with technical expertise matching its programme delivery commitments and programme development ambitions, maintaining high motivation and drive
- Manage the Regional Database of Partners on behalf of GWPO
- Engage closely with GWPO to harness the potential of the global GWP Network for the benefit of Eastern Africa, and to ensure GWPEA’s contributions globally through the Network. Ensure timely submission of regional inputs, development of synergies within the GWP Network and knowledge sharing across the GWP Network.
- Co-ordinate the Regional Secretariat in order to ensure efficient and effective operations within the Regional Secretariat.
Regional Governance
- Report on the progress of GWP activities, both narrative and financial, to the GWPEA board and GWPO (and any other entity as required)
- Serve as Secretary to the GWPEA Board and to the GWPEA General Assembly, participating in meetings with the right of voice but without vote.
- Call the meetings of the GWPEA Board at the request of the Chair, as well as organize and prepare the necessary documents for all governance meetings.
- Support the GWPEA Board to ensure compliance with the Conditions for Accreditation and the GWPEA statutes. This includes all GWPEA Board governance duties and the expansion of the GWP Partners base.
- Update the risk register on a bi-annual basis at minimum, presenting identified risks and mitigation measures to the GWPEA Board at its regular meetings.
- Liaise and consult with the Chair of the GWPEA Board on matters relating to the fundraising, risk management and implementation of Board decisions.
- any other responsibilities as assigned by the GWPEA Board.
QUALIFICATIONS
The candidate’s education, experience, network, and demonstrated results must be commensurate with the ambition of this strategic phase of GWPEA including:
- A university degree (Masters required, PhD an added advantage) in climate change, water resources development, disaster risk reduction, or a related field
- Minimum 15 years of progressively responsible experience, with demonstrated results in:
- Developing national, multi-country, regional programmes and that have accessed multilateral finance (GEF, Adaptation Fund, GCF, AfDB, etc.)
- Managing and delivering on programmes on time with exceptional results
- Leveraging ongoing programme delivery for future programme development
- Cultivating and mobilizing regional and international networks across governments and financiers, bilaterally and across large-scale stakeholder platforms across sectors and levels
- Converting technical programmes into investment opportunities
- Building strategic partnerships and positioning organizations as executing/implementing partners
- Demonstrated experience in all-rounded aspects of project management, preferably in regional or multi-country projects.
- Experience in implementing projects influencing national policy as well as those with community activities in East Africa required.
- A flexible, diplomatic, friendly and cooperative personality with a sensitive approach to national and regional political environments.
- Ability to network at highest political levels and across the region.
- Strong understanding of climate resilience, water resource management, drought management, and sustainable development.
- Knowledge of and experience in regional processes related to sustainable development, water security, climate change, drought and desertification.
- Good understanding of national government’s economic development priorities in Eastern Africa and experience of working with governmental development programmes.
- Proven ability to lead teams, coordinate stakeholders, and manage complex projects, including in fragile, conflict, and vulnerable contexts.
- Excellent communication, networking, and partnership-building skills.
- Fluency in English is required; knowledge of French, Arabic or local languages is an asset.
TO APPLY
Please note that only citizens of Eastern African countries may apply.
Interested applicants should submit the following package through the BambooHR platform:
- A one-page motivation letter that addresses the requirements stated above
- Curriculum vitae – clearly outline programmes developed, program funding raised, programmes implemented
- Names, titles, and contact information (including email and phone number) of 3 professional referees who may be contacted if you are short-listed for the position.
Applications must be received by 23:59 CEST on 06 May 2026.
Applications received after the deadline may not be considered.
Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
Please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
GWPO recruitment policies to apply.
