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.
HOW 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.
Apply at https://gwp.bamboohr.com/careers/128