Reports to: CEO & Executive Secretary (Strategic Advocacy) & Director – Global Policy, Strategy, Partnerships & Water Envoys (Operational Coordination)
Location: GWPO Secretariat
Team: Global Policy, Strategy, Partnerships
Duty Station: Windhoek, Namibia or Cape Town, South Africa
Job Grade Range: P3 – P4
Application Deadline: 15 May 2026
EXTERNAL RECRUITMENT
BACKGROUND
The Global Water Partnership (GWP) is an international institution with a unique model comprising an intergovernmental organisation, the Global Water Partnership Organisation (GWPO), and a global network of more than 2,800 partner organisations. GWP was founded in 1996 with the support of the World Bank, the United Nations Development Programme and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency with a mission to support countries in the sustainable development and management of water resources at all levels.
In 2002, the Global Water Partnership Organisation (GWPO) was established as an intergovernmental organisation with a mandate to serve as the global secretariat of GWP to support and work with the world-wide GWP Network in pursuit of its mission and vision of a water secure world.
For more than two decades, GWPO and the GWP Network have been at the forefront of promoting integrated water resources management and strengthening water governance globally. GWP comprises 13 Regional Water Partnerships and 77 Country Water Partnerships operating in more than 180 countries. Since 2014, GWP has directly and indirectly supported investments and strengthened water governance and policy frameworks in more than 90 countries.
In 2025, GWPO and its GWP Network launched a Global Transformation Agenda on Water Investments. Under the GWP Strategy 2026–2030, GWPO is undertaking a profound institutional transformation to accelerate the mobilization and deployment finance at scale, strengthen water governance, and management of water resources for sustainable, climate resilient, and equitable development.
This bold new chapter includes strengthened partnerships with G20 countries, MDBs, global climate finance institutions, the private sector, and regional financial and economic institutions, among others, to scale up impact. It also includes establishment of GWPO’s innovative Dual Headquarters anchored in the Global South while offering an opportunity to visionary States and governments around the world to join the organization-a historic opportunity to renew global water cooperation and be part of the world’s first Global South anchored Intergovernmental architecture on water investments.
Under the GWP Strategy 2026–2030, strategic communications and global advocacy are critical to ensuring that water security receives the political attention and financial investment required to address growing global water challenges.
PURPOSE OF THE POSITION
The Head of Strategic Communications, Advocacy & Partnerships provides strategic leadership for global communications and advocacy across the Global Water Partnership Network.
The position ensures coherent global messaging on water security, climate resilience and water investments, strengthens engagement with governments, international organisations and development partners, and enhances the global visibility and influence of the GWP Network.
The role also supports communication of major global initiatives including the Global Water Investment Platform, the Global Outlook Council on Water Investments, and other high-level leadership platforms convened by GWPO to accelerate financing for climate-resilient water systems.
In this role, the Head of Strategic Communications contributes to strengthening GWPO’s global positioning and supports the mobilisation of partnerships and capital for climate-resilient water investments.
ROLE IN THE GWPO ARCHITECTURE
The Head of Strategic Communications, Advocacy & Partnerships serves as the central coordination point for communications across the GWP Network and works closely with the Programme Development and Delivery Directorate and Regional Water Partnerships.
The position ensures that communications efforts support the strategic objectives of the GWP Strategy 2026–2030, particularly the mobilisation of political and financial support for climate-resilient water investments.
The role contributes to strengthening the global narrative on water security and positioning GWPO as a leading global platform for advancing water investment and international cooperation.
The Head of Strategic Communications also plays a key role in communicating GWPO’s global institutional architecture, which combines political leadership, investment mobilisation and multilateral engagement. This includes supporting strategic communications related to GWPO’s headquarters in Windhoek, the global water investment hub in Cape Town supporting the Global Water Investment Platform, and the Geneva liaison platform strengthening engagement with UN agencies and international partners.
Communications Delivery Model in the GWP Network
The Communications and Advocacy function operates through the One GWP joint-delivery model, supporting the implementation of GWPO’s global programmes and initiatives across the GWP Network.
Strategic communications leadership is provided by the Head of Strategic Communications, Advocacy & Partnerships at the GWPO Secretariat, working in collaboration with communications focal points in Regional Water Partnerships and programme teams across the network to strengthen global visibility, policy advocacy and investment mobilisation.
Through this role, communications contributes to positioning GWPO as a global platform for advancing water security and mobilising climate-resilient water investments.
The Communications and Advocacy function also supports GWPO’s programme operations by strengthening visibility, policy engagement and investor outreach for thematic programmes and investment initiatives implemented through the GWP Network. In doing so, the function contributes to positioning GWPO as a global platform for mobilising partnerships and financing for climate-resilient water investments.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Global Communications Strategy
- Develop and implement a global communications strategy aligned with the GWP Strategy 2026–2030.
- Promote a coherent global narrative on water security, climate resilience and water investments
- Oversee development and implementation of the annual GWPO communications workplan and associated communications budget.
- Coordinate communications planning across the GWPO Secretariat and the GWP Network to ensure alignment with institutional priorities.
- Strengthen global visibility of the GWP Network and its programmes.
Global Advocacy and Strategic Messaging
- Support the CEO in advancing global advocacy on water security and water investments.
- Develop strategic messaging for high-level engagements with governments, ministers and international organisations.
- Support preparation of speeches, policy briefs and communication materials for global forums and leadership engagements.
- Provide strategic communications support to global leadership platforms convened or supported by GWPO, including the Global Outlook Council on Water Investments and Heads of State panels advancing water investment and water security.
- Support communications and visibility of regional leadership initiatives such as the Africa Water Investment Programme High-Level Panel and similar platforms in Latin America and Asia.
- Develop communication materials and strategic messaging supporting high-level political platforms and global water investment initiatives.
- Prepare executive briefing notes, talking points and communication materials for the CEO and senior leadership to support high-level engagements with governments, development partners and international organisations.
- Support preparation of strategic communications materials for high-level global platforms and leadership engagements convened or supported by GWPO.
Strategic Communications for Global Water Investment Leadership
- Support strategic communications and visibility for the Global Water Investment Platform and related investment initiatives.
- Develop communication materials and strategic messaging supporting the Global Outlook Council on Water Investments.
- Support communications and global outreach for high-level leadership platforms including Heads of State panels and ministerial initiatives advancing water investment and water security.
- Support communications and visibility of high-level leadership platforms convened or supported by GWPO, including the Africa Water Investment Programme (AIP) High-Level Panel and other regional water investment leadership initiatives
- Promote global awareness of water investment priorities emerging from international political platforms supported by GWPO.
Media and Public Communications
- Provide editorial oversight for major publications, reports and communication materials produced by the GWP Network
- Strengthen global media engagement on water security and climate resilience issues
- Develop media strategies supporting major GWP initiatives and events
- Promote coverage of GWP initiatives through international media platforms.
Network Communications Coordination
- Coordinate communications across Regional Water Partnerships
- Support RWPs in strengthening their communication strategies and visibility
- Promote exchange of communication practices across regions
Digital Communications and Knowledge Platforms
- Oversee management and continuous improvement of the GWPO website and digital communication platforms in collaboration with the IT team.
- Provide strategic guidance on digital marketing and online engagement strategies
- Promote innovative digital approaches for communicating water issues and programme results
- Strengthen the global visibility of GWP initiatives through digital channels.
Partnerships and Outreach
- Support communications engagement with international organisations and development partners.
- Promote visibility of joint initiatives with development banks, climate funds and global partners
- Strengthen outreach to governments, investors and the private sector.
Events and Global Campaigns
- Lead communications support for global GWP events and initiatives
- Coordinate communication campaigns supporting water investment mobilisation
- Support visibility of GWPO initiatives at major global forums
- Lead global communication campaigns on water investment and climate resilience
- Support strategic communications and global visibility of major investment mobilisation events convened or supported by GWPO and GWP Regions, including the Africa Water Investment Summit and similar international platforms advancing water investment under the G20 and global climate agendas.
Investment Communications and Investor Engagement
- Support communication of investment opportunities emerging from the Global Water Investment Platform
- Develop investor-facing communication materials highlighting bankable water investment opportunities
- Support communication and outreach to development banks, climate funds and private investors
- Promote visibility of water investment pipelines emerging from the GWP Network.
Corporate Communications and Brand Management
- Ensure consistent application of the GWP brand and visual identity across all global and regional communications materials.
- Oversee development of communication materials including publications, reports, multimedia products and promotional content.
- Lead preparation and publication of institutional flagship communications products including the GWP in Action Annual Report, institutional impact reports and other corporate publications highlighting results and investment outcomes across the GWP Network
- Manage relationships with external service providers supporting communications activities, including editorial, translation and design services.
- Ensure quality control of GWPO publications and communication outputs across the network.
MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES
The Head of Strategic Communications will:
- Supervise communications specialists across GWPO support hubs
- Supervise digital marketing and communications staff supporting the Secretariat communications function
- Coordinate digital media activities and communication consultants
- Work closely with RWPs to strengthen communications capacity across the GWP Network
- Ensure effective coordination between programme teams and communications functions.
EXPECTED RESULTS
- Strengthened global visibility and influence of the GWP Network
- Improved global awareness of water security and climate resilience challenges
- Increased political support for climate-resilient water investments
- Strengthened communications coordination across Regional Water Partnerships
- Strengthened visibility of climate-resilient water investment opportunities emerging from the GWP Network, contributing to mobilisation of public and private finance through the Global Water Investment Platform.
CORE VALUES AND COMPETENCIES
Core Values
- Integrity
- Professionalism
- Respect for Diversity
Core Competencies
- Strategic Communication
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Planning and Organising
- Innovation and Creativity
- Teamwork
Managerial Competencies
- Leadership
- Vision
- Building Partnerships
- Managing Performance
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
- Advanced university degree in communications, international relations, journalism, public policy or a related field
- Minimum 12–15 years of professional experience in communications, advocacy or international media
- Experience working with international organisations, development institutions or global partnerships
- Demonstrated experience managing global communications strategies
- Excellent writing, communication and media engagement skills
- Fluency in English required; knowledge of French or Spanish is desirable.
