Reports to: Director – Global Policy, Strategy, Partnerships & Water Diplomacy
Functional Coordination: Director – Global Programme Development & Delivery
Team: Global Policy, Strategy, Partnerships & Water Diplomacy Directorate
Job Grade Range: P2 – P3
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, GWPO and the GWP Network are undertaking a major institutional transformation to accelerate mobilisation of finance at scale, strengthen water governance, and support climate-resilient water investments.
A central pillar of this transformation is the Global Water Investment Platform, which seeks to mobilise public and private capital for climate-resilient water investments by connecting programme pipelines emerging from the GWP Network with development finance institutions, climate funds, philanthropic organisations and private investors.
The Strategic Partnerships & Resource Mobilisation Lead plays a key role in enabling this transformation by strengthening partnerships and mobilising resources for programmes and investment initiatives across the GWP Network.
STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS & RESOURCE MOBILISATION LEAD
The Strategic Partnerships & Resource Mobilisation Lead is a core enabling function within GWPO’s institutional architecture, positioned at the intersection of programme development, diplomacy and partnership engagement.
The role supports mobilisation of financial resources and strategic partnerships to scale GWPO programmes and investment initiatives emerging from the GWP Network.
The position works closely with:
- Director – Global Programme Development & Delivery
- Global Thematic Heads
- Regional Water Partnerships
- Director – Global Policy, Strategy, Partnerships & Water Diplomacy
to ensure that programme pipelines are translated into funded programmes and investment partnerships.
The role also supports GWPO engagement with governments, development finance institutions, climate funds, philanthropic partners and institutional investors.
PURPOSE OF THE POSITION
The Strategic Partnerships & Resource Mobilisation Lead supports the mobilisation of financial resources and strategic partnerships for GWPO programmes and investment initiatives across the GWP Network.
The role plays a central part in:
- Strengthening partnerships with development finance institutions and governments
- Mobilising financial resources for programme portfolios
- Facilitating investment partnerships for climate-resilient water investments
- Supporting the operationalisation of the Global Water Investment Platform
The Strategic Partnerships & Resource Mobilisation Lead also serves as custodian of the “Pyramid of Water Investment Transformation” articulated in the GWP Strategy 2026– 2030, facilitate matchmaking between programme pipelines emerging from the GWP Network and potential financing partners including development finance institutions, climate funds and institutional investors; and supporting the conversion of policy and programme pipelines into bankable investment opportunities and financing partnerships.
The function operates within GWPO’s distributed institutional architecture:
- Windhoek: Global political headquarters and programme leadership
- Cape Town: Global Water Investment Platform and investment mobilisation hub
- Geneva: Global diplomacy and engagement with UN agencies and international partners
The Strategic Partnerships & Resource Mobilisation Lead works closely with the Cape Town Global Water Investment Platform hub to facilitate partnerships and financing arrangements connecting programme pipelines emerging from the GWP Network with development finance institutions, climate funds and institutional investors.
STRATEGIC RESPONSIBILITIES
The Strategic Partnerships & Resource Mobilisation Lead supports the mobilisation of financial resources and strategic partnerships for GWPO programmes and investment initiatives.
Key strategic responsibilities include:
- Serve as institutional custodian and partnership lead for the Global Water Investment Summit and related global investment mobilisation platforms convened or supported by GWP, ensuring strategic engagement with development finance institutions, sovereign partners, philanthropic organisations and institutional investors
- Support development of strategic partnerships with governments, development finance institutions, philanthropic organisations and private sector partners.
- Mobilise financial resources for GWPO programme portfolios and thematic initiatives emerging from the GWP Network.
- Facilitate engagement with climate finance institutions and international financing mechanisms supporting climate-resilient water investments.
- Support positioning of GWPO as a credible global platform for mobilising climate- resilient water investments.
- Contribute to the operationalisation of the Global Water Investment Platform and associated investment pipelines.
- Support engagement with high-level global leadership platforms, including the Global Outlook Council on Water Investments and Heads of State or ministerial initiatives advancing water investment and climate resilience.
- Support the Chief Executive Officer and senior leadership in engagement with development partners, financing institutions and strategic partners.
The Strategic Partnerships & Resource Mobilisation Lead serves as the operational bridge linking GWPO’s political leadership platforms, investment mobilisation mechanisms and programme pipelines. In this role, the position supports the translation of strategic guidance emerging from the Global Outlook Council on Water Investments and other high- level leadership platforms into investment opportunities showcased through the Water Investment Summit and subsequently developed into financing partnerships through the Global Water Investment Platform.
CORE FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES
The Strategic Partnerships & Resource Mobilisation Lead supports mobilisation of resources and development of strategic partnerships across the GWPO-GWP Network.
Strategic Partnership Development
Support development of partnerships with:
- Multilateral development banks
- Bilateral development partners
- Climate finance institutions
- Philanthropic foundations
- Private sector investors
The role contributes to strengthening collaboration between GWPO and the global water investment community.
Programme-Based Resource Mobilisation
Work closely with the Programme Development & Delivery Directorate and Global Thematic Heads to support mobilisation of financial resources for programme portfolios and thematic initiatives.
This includes:
- Identifying funding opportunities
- Supporting preparation of funding proposals
- Aligning programme pipelines with donor priorities
Engagement with Climate Finance Institutions
Support engagement with global climate finance mechanisms including:
- Green Climate Fund
- Global Environment Facility
- Adaptation Fund
- Other climate financing mechanisms
Support to the Global Water Investment Platform
Contribute to the operationalisation of the Global Water Investment Platform by supporting partnerships with development finance institutions, investors and financial institutions.
The role supports:
- Development of investment partnerships
- Engagement with financial institutions
- Visibility of investment pipelines emerging from the GWP Network
Partnerships Coordination Across the GWP Network
Work with Regional Water Partnerships to strengthen partnership engagement and resource mobilisation across the network.
This includes:
- Coordination of donor engagement across regions
- Sharing funding opportunities across the network
- Strengthening collaboration with programme teams.
Donor Relations and Partnership Management
Support management of relationships with development partners and donors supporting GWPO programmes.
This includes:
- Coordination of donor engagement
- Support to partnership dialogue
- Preparation of partnership agreements.
Global Leadership Platform Engagement
Support partnership engagement linked to high-level global leadership platforms convened or supported by GWPO, including the Global Outlook Council on Water Investments and Heads of State or ministerial initiatives advancing water investment and climate resilience.
Water Investment Summit and Global Investment Platforms
Serve as custodian of the Water Investment Summit and related global investment mobilisation platforms supported by GWPO-GWP Network, working closely with the Programme Development & Delivery Directorate, Regional Water Partnerships and strategic partners to mobilise financing and investment partnerships for climate-resilient water investments.
Support preparation of investment pipelines, partnership engagement and investor outreach linked to the Summit and related investment mobilisation platforms under the Global Water Investment Platform.
Investment Pipeline Partnership Facilitation
Support alignment of programme pipelines emerging from GWPO thematic programmes and Regional Water Partnerships with appropriate financing partners including development finance institutions, climate funds, philanthropic organisations and private investors.
Mobilisation of Institutional Capital
Support mobilisation of financial resources from a diverse range of institutional partners including:
- Sovereign governments
- Multilateral development banks
- Climate finance institutions
- Philanthropic foundations
- Institutional investors and pension funds.
This includes supporting long-term institutional funding partnerships with host governments and strategic partners supporting GWPO’s global programmes and investment initiatives.
MANAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES
The Strategic Partnerships & Resource Mobilisation Lead works closely with programme teams and Regional Water Partnerships to strengthen partnerships and funding opportunities across the GWP Network.
The role contributes to:
- Coordination of partnership engagement across GWPO programmes
- Strengthening collaboration with Regional Water Partnerships
- Promoting a partnership-oriented culture across the GWP Network.
AUTHORITY AND DECISION MAKING
Within delegated authority, the Strategic Partnerships & Resource Mobilisation Lead may support development of partnership frameworks, facilitate engagement with development partners and contribute to preparation of funding proposals and partnership agreements.
Final approval of partnership agreements and funding arrangements remains with the Chief Executive Officer and authorised senior management.
KEY PERFORMANCE AREAS
- Strengthened partnerships with development finance institutions and donors
- Increased funding opportunities for GWPO programmes
- Strengthened engagement with climate finance mechanisms
- Contribution to mobilisation of resources for climate-resilient water investments
- Effective coordination of partnership engagement across the GWP Network.
CORE VALUES AND COMPETENCIES
Core Values
- Integrity
- Professionalism
- Respect for Diversity
Core Competencies
- Communication
- Teamwork
- Planning & Organizing
- Accountability
- Creativity
- Client & Partner Orientation
- Commitment to Continuous Learning
- Technological Awareness
Managerial Competencies
- Leadership
- Vision
- Building Partnerships
- Managing Performance
- Judgement and Decision-Making
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
- Advanced university degree in international development, economics, public policy, finance, water resources management or related field.
- Minimum 10–12 years of progressively responsible experience in partnership development, resource mobilisation or international development cooperation
- Demonstrated experience working with development finance institutions, international organisations or global partnerships
- Experience in programme funding, donor engagement and partnership management
- Strong communication, negotiation and stakeholder engagement skills
- Fluency in English required; knowledge of French or Spanish is desirable.
