Global Affairs Lead - Climate

Global Affairs Lead - Climate 

Contract type: Permanent, Full Time, 35 hours per week  

Location: London, UK, subject to the right to work. 

UK Hybrid Working: A minimum of 40% of working time is spent face to face, either in London office, or as a result of external engagement or travel for WaterAid. WaterAid is located at Canary Wharf, London and this will be your location and contract base.    

*60/40 hybrid working at WaterAid is currently defined as: 60% of an employee’s time in a location of their choice, 40% face to face, defined as in the London office, at conferences or at stakeholder meetings or other location as relevant for the proper performance of the duties of the role.  

Salary: £57,415 - £60,436 per year with excellent benefits 

About WaterAid 

Want to use your skills in global advocacy and political affairs on climate and water to play a vital role in making clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene for everyone everywhere? 

We need passionate, creative and dedicated people. In return, you will be encouraged and empowered to be yourself at your very best. Together, we will make a bigger difference. 

Join WaterAid as Global Affairs Lead on Climate to change usual for millions of people so they can unlock their potential, break free from poverty and change their lives for good.  

About the Team 

This role is in the Global International Affairs team, which plays a leadership role across the WaterAid Federation to drive the design and delivery of WaterAid’s major influencing with key donor governments, IFIs and multilateral institutions to achieve SDG 6.   

Led by the Global International Affairs Director, the team’s purpose is to influence political decisionmakers in key global arenas and markets to prioritise water, sanitation and hygiene for investment and delivery, and to create the conditions that enable everyone, everywhere to access WASH by 2030. We bring political analysis, information and intelligence into WaterAid through the relationships we develop and manage with governments, policy-makers and thought-leaders.  

About the Role 

As our Global Affairs Lead focusing on climate you will drive the political strategy and global advocacy for our climate campaign. Bringing considerable strategic contacts, networks and relationships for WASH and Climate advocacy you will work closely with the Global Head of Campaigns on Climate and the Climate Policy Lead, this role being responsible for the design and delivery of the international political plan on Climate and the insider advocacy, activities and tactics required you will bring political analysis and strategic insight into the organisation to inform our campaigning and advocacy, identify policy needs and inform media and public engagement approaches. 

In this role, you will lead design and delivery of the International Climate Political Plan, the international political influencing strategy for WaterAid’s Climate campaign and give strategic direction to the political advocacy for COP30 agenda for Brasil and influence key decision-makers on climate finance for water and WASH adaptation investment. You will have a good understanding of climate adaptation agenda and policy and you will be responsible for the power-mapping and political analysis that identifies the key levers for change in support of our political plan change objectives for Climate. Bring a strong understanding of the institutions, organisations. 

You’ll also:  

• Be responsible for co-chairing the Global Advocacy Meeting with the global head of campaigns on Climate. 
• Lead the process to identify which targets are best for our policy change objectives, which we can then further refine in line with those targets.  
• Be a media spokesperson and represent the organisation at strategic events and with high-level campaign targets. 
• Embed a strong gender, equity and inclusion lens to advocacy priority delivery, as part of addressing the needs of those burdened the most with a lack of access to WASH. 
• Travel in support of the global relationships and strategic presence at key events and processes. 

To be successful, you’ll need:  

• Strategic Political Leadership: Exceptional strategic thinking skills, with the ability to design and lead the implementation of comprehensive international political influencing plans. 
• High-Level Relationship Management: Demonstrated success in building, managing, and leveraging relationships with senior decision-makers, including government officials, international development agencies, and private sector leaders. 
• WASH and Climate Expertise: Deep understanding of the intersection between WASH, climate change and poverty reduction. As well as how these sit within wider development issues.  
• Advocacy and Campaign Leadership: Proven ability to develop and execute successful advocacy campaigns with demonstrable impact. Strong analytical skills to assess political contexts, identify opportunities, and design tailored advocacy strategies. 

View full job description here

Closing Date: Applications will close at 12:00PM UK Time on 05 June 2025. 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.

How to Apply: Click ‘Apply’ to complete the pre-screening questions and upload your CV and an essential cover letter.

Can I use Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology in my application? At WaterAid, we strongly advise against using AI technology at any stage of the recruitment process. Our goal is to ensure a fair and transparent process that provides every applicant with an equal opportunity to succeed. We value hearing about your unique experiences and perspectives in your application, and, if shortlisted, during the interview as well.

Pre-employment screening:

To apply for this post, you must be able to demonstrate your eligibility to work in the respective country. All pre-employment checks will be carried out according to the applicable laws in the respective countries to comply with our Safer Recruitment policy. All our UK-based vacancies require a basic Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Our Benefits:

• 36 days' holiday (including 8 Bank Holidays)
• Option to buy an extra 5 days annual leave
• We offer a generous pension plan with employer contribution of up to 10%
• Wide range of flexible and agile-working arrangement
• Season Ticket Loan
• Free annual eye tests
• Pay as You Give charitable giving scheme
• Enhanced Maternity and Adoption/Surrogacy pay, Shared Parental Leave and Paternity Leave
• Sabbaticals
• Volunteer Day

Our Commitment:

Our People Promise: We will work with passion and focus to ensure safe and sustainable water, toilets and hygiene are available to everyone, everywhere. WaterAid is a place of purpose – where people have a real commitment and shared responsibility for the impact we have.  We are a global community with diverse backgrounds and perspectives, motivated by inspiring, stimulating work. We are determined to put the wellbeing of our people first, to be a place where people feel safe and able to contribute their voice and truly live our values.    

Equal opportunities: We are an equal opportunity, disability-confident employer and are dedicated to achieving the highest standards of diversity, equity and inclusion. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, beliefs, customs, traditions and ways of life. This includes, but is not limited to, race, gender, disability, age, sexual orientation, religion, national or social origin, health status, and economic or social situation.

Safeguarding: We are also committed to protecting everyone we come into contact with. We have a zero-tolerance approach to abuse of power, privilege or trust across our global work, and any form of inappropriate behaviour, discrimination, abuse, bullying, harassment, or exploitation. Safeguarding the people and communities we work with, our staff, volunteers and anyone working on our behalf is our top priority, and we take our responsibilities extremely seriously.