Global Communications Lead

Contract type: 12 months Fixed term, Full time, 35 hours per week.

Location: This role may be based in one of our WaterAid member offices, London, United Kingdom or Stockholm, Sweden, subject to right to work eligibility in the respective countries. 
 
If UK-based, a minimum of 40 % of working time is spent face-to-face (London office, external meetings or travel). 60/40 hybrid working at WaterAid means roughly three days wherever you work best and two days together in person 

Salary and Benefits: Salaries and benefits will vary by country, depending on the successful candidate's location and experience. See further details below: 

UK: GBP £61,645 per annum with excellent benefits* 
Sweden: SEK 49,000 – 60,000 per month with excellent benefits. 

*We offer competitive, market-aligned salaries based on the grade and scope of each role. Roles are offered at the advertised starting salary, with any exceptions considered only in exceptional circumstances. 

Change starts with water. Change starts with you.

Every day, millions of people live without clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene. WaterAid exists to change that – for everyone, everywhere. Join us, and your energy will help unlock people’s potential and create a fairer future.

About WaterAid

We’re a global federation driven by one vision: a world where everyone, everywhere has clean water, sanitation and hygiene by 2030. Powered by our values of Respect, Accountability, Courage, Collaboration, Integrity and Innovation, we work alongside communities, partners and supporters to make change happen.

About the team

This role sits at the heart of WaterAid's global communications and fundraising collaboration, connecting colleagues across the federation rather than belonging to a single team. Working with communications, fundraising and advocacy colleagues across WaterAid's members, regional hubs, country programmes and International Secretariat, the role helps strengthen alignment to support fundraising growth, audience engagement and brand visibility across markets.

About the role

As our Global Communications Lead, you will lead the development and delivery of the global communications plan in support of the global fundraising strategy, working closely with communications, fundraising, advocacy, policy, programme and federation colleagues to drive sustainable change. 

In this role, you will:

• Lead the development and delivery of a joined-up global communications plan that supports fundraising growth, audience engagement and brand visibility across the federation.
• Develop and maintain a rolling 12-month global communications opportunities calendar, helping markets maximise the impact of campaigns, fundraising moments and media opportunities.
• Develop shared communications assets, toolkits, narratives and planning resources that reduce duplication and support more effective delivery across markets.
• Coordinate communications engagement across the federation, including shaping input into the Global Communications and Fundraising Executive and improving information flow between relevant global forums.
• Champion WaterAid’s commitment to equity, inclusion and safeguarding.

Requirements

To be successful, you will need:

• Demonstrable experience working in global communications in the not-for-profit sector, with the ability to align stakeholders across cultures, locations and backgrounds to build trust and momentum.
• Experience developing integrated global communications strategies and turning them into clear, deliverable plans with monitoring and reporting.
• Strong insight-led decision making, using data, performance metrics and trend analysis to shape narratives, drive continuous improvement and make sound calls.
• Excellent planning, prioritisation and project leadership skills across multiple workstreams, deadlines and dependencies in a matrix or complex environment, with an agile, solution-focused approach.

Although not essential, we’d prefer you to have:

• Ability to flex working hours to ease time zone challenges.
• Experience working on global marketing
• Understanding of emerging AI tools and their application in communications.

View the full job description here

Closing date: Applications close 12:00 PM UK time on Monday 7th September 2026 Interviews are expected to take place the week commencing 14th September.

How to apply: Click Apply to upload your CV only and 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 role, you must be able to demonstrate your eligibility to work in the respective country. All pre-employment 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.

Benefits

Our benefits  

As a global organisation, WaterAid is committed to creating an environment where you can thrive and be yourself at your very best. Alongside our inspiring mission and meaningful work, we offer a range of benefits tailored to each country’s context and policies. These will be shared during the process (or you may choose to insert your specific country’s benefits here) 

Our People Promise 

We will work with passion and focus to make sure everyone everywhere has clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene. 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 be a place where people feel safe and able to contribute their voice and truly live our values. 

Equal Opportunities 

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, beliefs, customs, traditions, ways of life and status. This includes, but is not limited to, race, ethnicity, caste, colour, gender, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth, disability status, neurodiversity, age, marital and family status, sexual orientation and gender identity, health status, place of residence, economic and social situation. 

Safeguarding 

We are 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 to 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. All offers of employment are subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks (which can include counterterrorism, safeguarding and criminal records checks). 

Together, we’ll change the world through water.  

Join us and be part of the change!