About WaterAid

WaterAid is a global non-government, not-for-profit organisation, working for over 30 years now in changing lives for the betterment in 34 countries around the world. We work to offer clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene to underprivileged people globally, through convincing the governments to change laws, linking policy makers with people on the ground, pooling knowledge and resources, and rallying support from people and organisations from different corners of the world – altogether making lasting change happen on a massive scale.

Job Purpose

The incumbent, being part of policy advocacy team, is responsible to support WaterAid Bangladesh in taking forward the climate related policy advocacy agenda supporting implementing the WASH and Climate aim (Aim 3: Strengthen the resilience of WASH to climate change). The incumbent’s focus will be to build stronger linkages externally with WASH and climate actors especially in the government and (I)NGO sector and Donors for influencing these entities to invest more in climate resilient WASH. S/He as a knowledge leader in overall policy and governance related issues of climate change and WASH will develop the skills, capacity and knowledge of WaterAid Bangladesh’s programme and partner staff to understand the policy and governance perspectives of climate change and WASH. S/He will lead the Climate and WASH policy agenda. As Climate and Water Governance Specialist, s/he will support the programme and business development department to design and implement impactful WASH projects/programmes with climate resilience WASH centered components in projects. The incumbent will be responsible for supporting/liaising, establishing and maintaining relationship with Government of Bangladesh’s various ministries that deal with climate change and WASH, not only limited to MoEFCC and/or MoLGRD&C as the focal ministry for WASH, but will/may include Ministry of Water Resources, Ministry of Planning, Ministry of Finance etc as necessary. S/He will work with local and national strategic partners to strengthen the WASH system to deliver climate resilient WASH services.

Key Responsibilities

a. Policy advocacy/influencing for Climate resilient WASH: • S/He will work with the government systems that are responsible for climate change and work with/influence to include WASH aspects into their policy agenda. • S/He will work with/influence other sector actors [INGOs, national NGOs and donors] to design and implement inclusive and effective climate change and WASH related interventions into existing/new WASH programmes/projects and communications. • S/He will support WaterAid Bangladesh’s work to promote ownership and responsibilities for climate resilient WASH by working with GoB entities and decision makers to embed climate resilient WASH in all aspects of climate change work including WASH systems strengthening, GoB planning and monitoring. • S/He will take forward the existing work of WaterAid Bangladesh in relation to climate change and WASH related initiatives such as the policy advocacy related work with the various ministries [i.e., MoEFCC, MoWR, MoLGRD&C etc] and networks. • S/He will support the advocacy and communication initiative of WaterAid Bangladesh to promote the issues around climate resilient WASH at the national [With GoB, INGOs, NGOs, donors] and international level and within the WaterAid international structures and especially at the various international climate conferences [COP, Pre-COP negotiations, Water Conference etc]. • S/He will support the process to ensure WaterAid’s presence and contribution in different strategic consultative processes related to climate change that arise within and beyond the sector. • S/He will support the national WASH and Climate budget analysis process and create advocacy/influencing policy briefs. b. Programmatic support: • S/He will support programmes to integrate policy and governance aspects of climate change and WASH into programmes/projects, especially at the local government institutes level (Union Parishad, Municipality and City Corporation). • S/He will support programme and campaign staff to design and implement locally owned climate resilient WASH related campaigns to promote resilient WASH services for the climate vulnerable people. • S/He will support programmes/projects to design and implement project that promotes climate resilient WASH services. • S/He will support programmes to work with WASH sector service providers to model climate resilient WASH services, and advocate for increased climate resilient WASH investments and performance measures in national WASH systems data. c. Capacity Building: • S/He will support to build the capacity and knowledge of WaterAid Bangladesh’s staff as well as partner staff in matters relating to policy and governance issues of climate change and WASH. • S/He will support business development department to design and develop impactful projects that promotes universal access to climate resilient WASH for the citizen of Bangladesh, particularly providing inputs into how policies related to providing access to universal access to climate resilient WASH can be strengthened and how governance structures and mechanisms can be enhanced for universal access to climate resilient WASH for the citizens of Bangladesh. d. Networks/Networking Engagements: • S/He will facilitate various capacity building, networking and collaborative initiatives (training course, workshop, consultation, campaigns, lobby and advocacy etc.) for WaterAid programme and strategic partners and WASH Networks, sector governance and different influencing. • S/He will facilitate a process with sector actors responsible for climate change related work, networks and partner organizations to create an enabling environment so that poor people, especially women, girls, persons with disability and marginalized people will be able to participate in local-level sector planning, budgeting and monitoring mechanisms. e. Knowledge Management: • S/He will take lead in documenting the learnings of climate and WASH policy and governance related work of programmes/projects of WaterAid Bangladesh with inputs from programme colleagues for internal and external circulation. • S/He will support partner organizations to develop their knowledge management skills in relation to WASH and Climate. In addition to above any other responsibilities assigned by the line Manager to be done for the interest of WAB.

Requisite qualifications, experience, and attributes

Educational Qualification: Master’s degree, preferably in Environment/Climate Change, Social Sciences, Development Studies, or a related discipline. Experience: Minimum of 8 years of experience in policy advocacy related to climate change, with a preference for experience in WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene). - Proven track record in policy advocacy with demonstrated skills and achievements. - Extensive experience in policy, strategy, and action plan formulation, including report and article writing, as well as documentation. - Strong understanding of climate change and WASH-related issues at both national and international levels, including familiarity with government structures, policies, and frameworks related to climate change. - Proficiency in climate change terminology, including adaptation, mitigation, loss, and damage, and their interconnection with WASH. - Prior experience working with government entities, development partners, or INGOs is highly advantageous. Professional and Technical Skills: - Proven ability to manage multiple tasks efficiently while meeting tight deadlines, both independently and within a team environment. - Strong analytical skills to assess policies and strategies, identify key advocacy priorities, and align them with WaterAid Bangladesh’s strategic objectives. - Competence in coordinating efforts across diverse stakeholders within a multi-sectoral environment. - Capacity to work autonomously with minimal supervision while ensuring high-quality deliverables. - Expertise in building and maintaining strong relationships with government agencies, stakeholders, and partners while effectively leveraging cooperation across teams and external networks. - Skilled in utilizing digital tools, including computers, multimedia projectors, internet platforms, email systems, and widely used software applications. - Excellent presentation, facilitation, and writing skills in both Bangla and English. - Strong interpersonal communication and networking abilities. - Experience in engaging with print, electronic, and social media for advocacy and outreach. - In-depth knowledge and expertise in planning, budgeting, and report writing to support effective project execution and policy advocacy.

Reportable To

Director – Programme and Policy Advocacy (DPPA)

Workstation

WaterAid Bangladesh Country Office, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Working Hours

37.5

Contract Tenure

Long Term

Salary & Benefits

Monthly gross salary is BDT 127,161/- with admissible benefits including provident fund, gratuity, festival bonus, life insurance for self, health insurance for self, spouse and children, cell phone allowances and other entitlements as per policy provision

Travel

Travel on a regular basis to remote areas of Bangladesh. (50% time should be dedicated to travels).

Ways of Working

Internal: Internal working relationships includes but not limited to all other Cross Functional Departments, Projects/Programmes and Teams within WaterAid Bangladesh External: External stakeholders. For example, WAUK/Regional, PNGO, Donor, govt. entity etc.

Apply Instruction

If you are passionate to improve lives of the people in the transforming climate context, courageous to bring positive impact through your proficiencies, confident to meet organisation’s expectations and fulfil the above-mentioned requirements please visit the following link and apply. For any technical difficulties while submitting an application, please contact careerbd@wateraid.org. CVs sent via email will not be considered. Apply Now

Application Deadline: 05 April 2025

ONLY SHORT-LISTED CANDIDATES WILL BE CONTACTED
Candidates will have to go through an extensive selection process.
Any lobbying will be considered as disqualification

WaterAid is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity.

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.
Please visit https://www.wateraid.org/uk/safeguarding-at-wateraid

To know more about our organisation, please visit: www.wateraid.org