Resilient Water Accelerator Director At WaterAid

Want to use your skills in strategic leadership to play a vital role in building the climate resilience of 50 million vulnerable people?

Join the Resilient Water Accelerator (hosted by WaterAid) as the Resilient Water Accelerator Director. By joining WaterAid, you’ll also be joining a 2020 Great Place to Work® award-winning organisation.

The Resilient Water Accelerator (RWA) is a new multi-stakeholder partnership that aims to boost climate finance to build the climate resilience of 50 million vulnerable people living in water-stressed areas by 2030. The Accelerator will enable climate vulnerable communities to secure clean and reliable water resources and services by helping design comprehensive programmes and unlock new sources of financing.

The Accelerator has set some ambitious goals to be achieved by COP27, including raising up to $20 million in programmatic funding and launching activities in 5 locations – Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Malawi, Mozambique, and Nigeria. As we start preparing to launch activities in-country and drive the Accelerator’s next chapter of operationalization, we are looking to hire the Resilient Water Accelerator’s Director to provide steering and leadership to this growing initiative.

You will be leading on the implementation of the Accelerator’s vision and strategy, providing oversight over the Accelerator’s operations and governance, and acting as the main counterpart with key donors and partners.

The position will be hosted by WaterAid, which has been acting as the Accelerator’s interim host until an agreement with a long-term host has been finalized.

How to Apply To see the full job pack, please click ‘Apply’.

* Please apply by submitting your CV and a cover letter into one document in either Word Document or PDF format. * Please indicate your location and the right to work eligibility in your Cover letter.

Shortlisting and interviews may take place on a rolling basis and the application process will close if a suitable candidate is found prior to the advertised closing date.

Applications will close on 19 June 2022 at 23:59 BST.

In this role, you will lead on the implementation of the Accelerator’s vision and strategy, providing oversight over the Accelerator’s operations and governance, and acting as the main counterpart with key donors and partners (supported by Secretariat staff).

You’ll also: * Lead on the Accelerator’s strategy o Support the refinement of the Accelerator strategy and operating model o Translate the Accelerator’s strategy into yearly work plans and budgets for approval by the Steering Committee o Drive and coordinate the implementation of the Accelerator’s strategic activities, with other Secretariat staff and partner organizations (e.g., WaterAid, GWP) * Provide operations and governance oversight o Build and manage a strong Secretariat team (3 to 5 members) that embodies the Accelerator’s values (will include some initial recruitment) o Be responsible to the Steering Committee for meeting goals, objectives, work plans and budgets and regularly report to the Steering Committee on progress and potential risks o Oversee the Accelerator’s expenditure and align with the Accelerator’s future hosting organization on key needs (e.g., recruiting, spending) – supported by Secretariat staff o Manage, with the support of the Steering Committee and advocacy staff, the Accelerator’s overall brand image and flag risks, if any o Manage consultants hired to support the Accelerator’s Secretariat * Be the voice of the Accelerator and drive strategic relationship building with donors and partners o Build alliances and partnerships with relevant organizations and identify means and channels for coordination in support of the Accelerator’s objectives o Build and maintain relationships with the Accelerator’s current and prospective donors – sovereign and private – supported by fundraising staff o Be a strong spokesperson for climate resilient water, representing the Accelerator in relevant meetings and conferences (e.g., COP27)

To be successful, you’ll need: * Experience in a strategic leadership/management role in international development/ humanitarian aid, social business, and/or philanthropy * Relevant knowledge and experience on water, climate and development challenges; with a demonstrable established network. * Proven ability to apply an entrepreneurial and innovative approach. * Strong experience or understanding of international finance for water, development or climate * Experience of managing and directing financial and non-financial resources, in a multi-stakeholder partnership * Demonstrated experience in managing and motivating staff, and overseeing operations * Prior experience leading and supporting multi-stakeholder partnerships informed by strong strategic vision * Ability to influence and work effectively with senior stakeholders, across a diverse range of countries and cultures. * Strategic thinker, strong solutions- and result orientation * Highly organized with strong project management skills * Proven ability to navigate ambiguity effectively and deliver results in a changing context or environment. * Fluent in spoken and written English * Passionate about climate adaptation and water security, and driven to make a difference in the lives of vulnerable communities

Location:

This position can be based in the United Kingdom or the WaterAid Country Programme in Rwanda, subject to right to work eligibility in the respective countries.

Salary:

Salaries and benefits for different countries will vary in line with the location of the successful candidate, and depending on experience. The role is within the salary banding of Grade 1 in UK and Grade H in Country Programme.

Additional Information:

We are unable to provide sponsorship for this post. In order to apply for this post, you must be able to demonstrate your eligibility to work in the UK or Rwanda.

For UK based applicants, WaterAid is located at Canary Wharf, London and this will be your location and contract base. We support and enjoy a hybrid working environment, this includes regular attendance in the London office to connect with each other. We look forward to discussing with you how you can best deliver in your new role.

WaterAid is committed to ensuring that wherever we work in the world there is no tolerance for the abuse of power, privilege or trust. WaterAid reinforces a culture of zero tolerance towards any form of inappropriate behaviour, abuse, harassment, or exploitation of any kind. The safeguarding of our beneficiaries, staff, volunteers and anyone working on our behalf, is our top priority and we take our responsibilities extremely seriously. All staff and volunteers are required to share in this commitment through our Global Code of Conduct. We will conduct the most appropriate pre-employment references and checks to ensure high standards are maintained.

WaterAid is an equal opportunities, disability-confident employer and committed to achieving the highest standards of diversity, fairness and equality. Should you have a disability and require any additional support, please contact us at careers@wateraid.org.