Programme Support & Knowledge Director at WaterAid Tanzania

The role can be based in London, United Kingdom, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Nigeria, Ghana, and Rwanda, subject to right to work eligibility in the respective countries.

UK Hybrid Working: A minimum of 40% of working time is spent face-to-face (London office, external meetings or travel). This means roughly two days together in person and three days wherever you work best.

Salary: UK: £75,916 - £79,912 per year with excellent benefits.

Other Countries: Salaries and benefits will vary in line with the location of the successful candidate and depending on experience.

ABOUT WATERAID

WaterAid is a global federation driven by one vision: a world where everyone, everywhere has clean water, sanitation and hygiene by 2030. The organization is powered by its values of Respect, Accountability, Courage, Collaboration, Integrity, and Innovation. It works alongside communities, partners, and supporters to make change happen.

ABOUT THE TEAM

The Programme Support & Knowledge (PSK) team is a critical and dynamic unit within WaterAid UK's International Programmes Department (IPD), working across 17 countries in Africa and Asia. PSK is a diverse and motivated group of over 20 technical specialists and advisors committed to bringing sustainable WASH to the world's poorest and most marginalised people.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Programme Support and Knowledge Director will play a key role in delivering WaterAid's mission by providing strategic leadership to the PSK team and the wider IPD, as part of the department's Senior Management Team (SMT). The role also involves input into organisation-wide initiatives, external collaborations, and global networks to drive sustainable change.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide strategic and technical leadership to WaterAid UK's programmes.
• Lead the Programme Support & Knowledge Team.
• Lead programme learning and knowledge management.
• Oversee programme support and capacity development.
• Support fundraising, external engagement, partnerships and communications.
• Champion WaterAid's commitment to equity, inclusion and safeguarding.

REQUIREMENTS

ESSENTIAL

• Extensive and deep experience in WASH development across multiple contexts.
• Strong technical WASH skills, such as:
  • Sustainable rural and/or urban water supply service delivery and management.
  • Climate resilient WASH.
• Systems-thinking capability to support transformational WASH programming.
• Proven ability to lead strategic, impactful initiatives in large organisations.
• Strong understanding of planning, monitoring and evaluation in development.
• Experience in knowledge management, learning and capacity development.
• Proven experience of developing propositions and donor engagement.
• A track record of leading high-performing teams and supporting change.

PREFERRED (NOT ESSENTIAL)

• Working knowledge of French, Portuguese, or Spanish.
• Experience leading or managing applied research.
• Experience establishing and promoting technical standards.

APPLICATION AND OTHER DETAILS

• Closing date: Applications close 12:00 PM UK time on December 21st 2025. Interviews may be scheduled on a rolling basis, and the role may close earlier if a suitable candidate is found.
• How to apply: Click Apply to complete the pre-screening questions and upload your CV and cover letter.
• AI Use: WaterAid strongly advises against using AI technology at any stage of the recruitment process to ensure a fair and transparent process.
• Pre-employment screening: Eligibility to work in the respective country must be demonstrated. All checks will be carried out according to local law and WaterAid's Safer Recruitment policy. All UK based roles require a basic Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

GLOBAL COMMITMENT AND POLICIES

• Benefits: A range of benefits tailored to each country's context and policies will be shared during the process.
• Equal Opportunities: Applications are welcomed from people of all backgrounds, beliefs, customs, traditions, ways of life and status, including race, ethnicity, gender, disability status, age, sexual orientation, and more.
• Safeguarding: WaterAid has a zero-tolerance approach to abuse of power, inappropriate behaviour, discrimination, abuse, bullying, harassment, or exploitation. All offers of employment are subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks (which can include counterterrorism, safeguarding and criminal records checks).