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.
DIRECTOR - GLOBAL POLICY, STRATEGY PARTNERSHIP & WATER DIPLOMACY - SPECIAL ADVISOR
The Director – Global Policy, Strategy Partnership & Water Diplomacy is a senior Special Advisor executive role responsible for advancing GWPO's global political positioning, strategic diplomacy, high-level multilateral partnerships and global convening leadership.
The role serves as a principal advisor to the Chief Executive Officer & Executive Secretary on global political strategy, while leading GWPO's engagement across major international processes including G20, G7, UN-Water, UNFCCC COPs, global water conferences and development finance platforms.
The position establishes and coordinates a network of GWPO Special Envoys and high-level champions and works closely with the UN Water Envoy, as well as other high-level envoys and global leaders operating across water, environmental sustainability, climate resilience and development finance agendas.
The Director leads strategic engagement with Heads of State and Government, Heads of Multilateral Development Banks and international financial institutions, Ambassadors, diplomatic missions, ministers responsible for water, climate change, environment, finance, development planning and foreign affairs, and other senior decision-makers critical to advancing global water investment priorities.
The Director works in close coordination with the Chief of Staff & Governance Affairs, Director – Programme Development & Delivery, Director – Finance & Administration and Regional Water Partnerships.
PURPOSE OF THE POSITION
The purpose of the position is to:
* Position GWPO as a globally recognised political and diplomatic platform for water investments and policy coherence;
* Build strategic alliances with global leaders, governments, development finance institutions and diplomatic actors to accelerate action on water, climate and development finance;
* Strengthen political engagement and leadership mobilisation at the highest levels of government and international finance;
* Coordinate high-level advocacy through Special Envoys and global champions;
* Mobilise political and financial commitment to support implementation of GWPO's strategic agenda.
STRATEGIC RESPONSIBILITIES
The Special Advisor & Director shall:
* Lead GWPO's strategic engagement across G20, G7, UN-Water, UNFCCC COPs and global development finance processes;
* Engage strategically with Heads of State and Government, ministers and senior political leaders to advance global water investment commitments;
* Build partnerships with Heads and senior leadership of Multilateral Development Banks, development finance institutions and climate finance mechanisms;
* Strengthen relationships with ambassadors, diplomatic missions and foreign affairs institutions to support GWPO global positioning and outreach;
* Provide strategic advisory support to the CEO on high-level political engagement and diplomatic strategy;
* Coordinate GWPO participation in the UN 2026 Water Conference, its follow-up and pathways toward the 2028 UN Water Conference;
* Lead GWPO's contribution to implementation of the Water Action Agenda;
* Maintain strategic collaboration with the UN Water Envoy and other high-level envoys working across water, climate, environment and development finance agendas;
* Promote global policy coherence linking water, climate resilience and economic development agendas.
CORE FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategic Political Advisory to the CEO
Provide high-level political and diplomatic advice; support engagement with Heads of State, ministers, ambassadors, finance leaders and global institutions; and develop political engagement strategies.
High-Level Government, Multilateral Partnerships, and Diplomatic Engagement
Lead strategic engagement with governments, diplomatic missions and ambassadors; support ministerial dialogue platforms; and facilitate high-level political multilateral partnerships in support of GWPO-GWP Network objectives.
Engagement with Heads of Development Banks and Financial Institutions
Develop strategic relationships with Presidents and senior leadership of MDBs and development finance institutions; align global financing agendas with GWPO investment priorities; and support high-level finance dialogue platforms.
Collaboration with UN Water Envoy and High-Level Envoys
Work closely with the UN Water Envoy and other high-level envoys and special representatives across water, climate, environment and development finance agendas to align advocacy and collective action.
Special Envoys and Multilateral Partnerships Framework
Establish and coordinate GWPO Multilateral Partnerships, Special Envoys and Global Champions; define mandates; support diplomatic engagement; and ensure strategic alignment.
Global Diplomacy, Multilateral Partnerships and Coalition Building
Lead coalition-building efforts involving political leaders, financial institutions, private sector actors, cities and civil society.
Global Political and Multilateral Processes
Coordinate GWPO engagement across G20, G7, UN-Water and UNFCCC processes and related global platforms.
UN Water Conferences and Water Action Agenda
Lead institutional participation and follow-up mechanisms supporting implementation of commitments under the Water Action Agenda and UN water conferences.
Global Policy Coherence
Promote coherent integration of water across climate, biodiversity, environment, economic and development finance agendas.
Strategic Partnerships and Resource Mobilization
Support high-level resource mobilization through political leadership engagement and partnerships with global financial institutions.
Global Convening and Dialogue Platforms
Design and facilitate high-level dialogues bringing together political leaders, diplomats, financiers and implementation actors.
Alignment with GWPO-GWP Network Programme Delivery
Ensure global diplomatic and policy engagement supports GWPO-GWP Network programme portfolios and investment pipelines.
MANAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES
The Special Advisor & Director will:
* Lead the Global Policy, Partnerships & Special Envoys team;
* Promote diplomacy, collaboration and global influence;
* Build internal institutional capacity for high-level engagement;
* Foster collaboration across GWPO functions and regional structures;
* Support staff development and performance
GWPO Management Team Support
As a member of the GWPO Management Team, the Director will:
* Provide strategic political intelligence and foresight;
* Support leadership engagement with Heads of State, ministers and finance leaders;
* Coordinate GWPO participation in major international political events;
* Support coherence between governance, policy and partnerships;
* Undertake other duties as requested by the CEO & Executive
AUTHORITY AND DECISION MAKING
Within delegated authority, the Director may represent GWPO in high-level diplomatic and political engagements and negotiate strategic cooperation frameworks.
The CEO & Executive Secretary retains final statutory authority regarding institutional policy positions and strategic alliances.
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
* Empowering Others
* Building Trust
* Managing Performance
* Judgement, Agile Decision Making
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
* Advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in international relations, diplomacy, public policy, economics, water governance, climate policy, environmental governance, development finance or a related field.
* Minimum 15 years of progressively responsible experience at senior level in international diplomacy, global policy engagement, multilateral cooperation, strategic partnerships or high-level international development environments.
* Demonstrated experience engaging with Heads of State and Government, ministers, ambassadors, senior multilateral officials, and leadership of international financial institutions or development banks.
* Proven track record in high-level global advocacy, multistakeholder diplomacy, coalition building and strategic convening across governments, international organisations and development partners.
* Strong working knowledge of global governance processes, including the UN system, UN-Water, UNFCCC COP processes, G20/G7 policy environments, and international development finance architecture.
* Demonstrated experience supporting or leading international political processes or global initiatives related to water, climate, sustainable development or development finance
* Proven ability to translate global political momentum into practical partnerships, resource mobilization opportunities and implementation pathways.
* Strong strategic communication, negotiation and stakeholder engagement skills, with demonstrated ability to operate effectively in complex geopolitical environments.
* Experience working across multicultural and multi-institutional environments and managing high-level political sensitivities.
* Excellent drafting and analytic
For complete job description and to apply, visit:
https://gwp.bamboohr.com/careers/117
HOW TO APPLY:
Job Openings (https://gwp.bamboohr.com/careers)