Chair of the Steering Committee - END WATER POVERTY

Contract type: Fixed-term

Term: 2 years (renewable once)

Time commitment: Approximately 4-6 hours per month

Location: Remote/global: This role can be based anywhere.

Volunteer Position: This is an unpaid role

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 End Water Poverty

End Water Poverty (EWP) is a Southern-led global civil society coalition advocating for the realisation of human rights to water and sanitation for all.

EWP works to ensure water and sanitation services are:

• Accessible and affordable
• Safe and equitable
• Environmentally sustainable and resilient

The coalition includes 160+ member organisations across 90+ countries, bringing together grassroots organisations, NGOs, regional networks, and trade unions to address systemic inequalities and advance water justice worldwide.

About the role

EWP is seeking an experienced and values-driven leader to serve as Chair of the Steering Committee. The Chair will provide strategic governance leadership and help drive urgent, systemic impact in advancing water and sanitation justice globally.

The Chair:

• Provides strategic governance leadership
• Ensures effective functioning of the Steering Committee
• Acts as a visible ambassador of the coalition
• This is a non-executive role, with day-to-day operations led by the EWP Secretariat.
• The Chair also plays a critical role in:
• Fostering meaningful participation across diverse members
• Strengthening political alignment across regions
• Ensuring EWP remains connected to grassroots realities and collective advocacy priorities

Key Responsibilities

1. Governance Leadership

• Lead and oversee the effective functioning of the Steering Committee
• Uphold EWP values, governance principles, and accountability standards
• Chair meetings and ensure effective and inclusive decision-making

2. Strategic Direction

• Guide coalition priorities and strategic direction
• Support alignment across members and regions
• Provide strategic guidance to the Secretariat

3. Governance Stewardship

• Support selection and succession processes
• Oversee progress against the strategic plan

4. Advocacy & External Engagement

• Represent EWP at agreed priority events and global fora
• Champion EWP's advocacy priorities and campaign positions externally
• Act as a spokesperson aligned with coalition priorities
• Strengthen political positioning and alliances, including around key global moments such as the UN Water Conference 2026

5. Ethical Leadership

• Promote inclusive and transparent governance
• Manage sensitive dynamics and ensure respectful engagement
• Uphold safeguarding and ethical standards

6. Collaboration with Vice-Chair

• Work effectively and collaboratively with the Vice Chair, including sharing responsibilities as appropriate

Working Relationship with Secretariat

• The Chair works closely with the EWP Secretariat by:
• Providing strategic guidance while respecting operational independence
• Maintaining regular coordination with the Global Coordinator
• Ensuring clarity of roles and effective collaboration

Accountability & Governance

• The Chair is accountable to:
• The Steering Committee
• The wider EWP membership (through the Steering Committee)

The Governance Performance Assessment will be conducted by the Steering Committee (or a designated subgroup), based on agreed criteria. The Chair will be given an opportunity to respond to the assessment.

Governance Structure

• The Steering Committee holds governance and decision-making authority
• The Secretariat is responsible for operational implementation

Equity & Inclusion Commitment

EWP is committed to advancing equity and Southern-led leadership. Strong priority will be given to candidates from the Global South.

Requirements

To be successful, you will need core competencies:

• Governance & Board Leadership
• Strategic Thinking
• Communication & Influencing
• Intercultural Sensitivity
• Integrity & Independence

In this role,

Essential experience requirements are:

• Strong background in WASH or related sectors
• Experience in global advocacy, human rights, governance, or development

Leadership & Governance

• Proven experience chairing or leading boards or multi-stakeholder bodies
• Ability to facilitate inclusive dialogue and consensus-building

Strategic Capability

• Experience working within complex global or regional coalitions
• Strong strategic judgement and decision-making skills

Communication & Representation

• Excellent interpersonal and diplomatic skills
• Ability to represent diverse perspectives effectively

WHAT THE CHAIR GAINS

This is a unique opportunity to lead a powerful Southern-led coalition at a pivotal moment for global water and sanitation justice.

Global visibility: Represent the coalition in global fora and agreed priority events, building your profile as a leading voice in water and sanitation advocacy.

Drive impact: Shape water and sanitation advocacy across a coalition of 160+ organisations in 90+ countries, channelling strategic ideas into systemic action.

Shape strategic narrative: Build and influence global networks across civil society, donors, and policymakers at a critical time for the sector.

Lead a Southern-led coalition: Position yourself as a principal voice shaping a Southern-led coalition during a period of rapidly evolving global water politics.

View the full job description here

Closing date: Applications close 12:00 PM UK time on 10th August 2026. Interviews are expected to take place Last week of August.

How to apply: Click Apply to complete the pre-screening questions and upload 

• A statement of motivation (max 400 words) demonstrating how your experience meet the profile criteria
• A CV showing relevant governance and leadership experience

Questions or support needed?

If you have any questions about this role, need additional information, or require special accessibility arrangements or support to apply, please get in touch. We're here to help. Contact us at [email protected].

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 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!