Policy Analyst – WASH and Health

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

Location: The role can be based in Nairobi or Addis Ababa, subject to right-to-work eligibility in the respective countries.

Salary & Benefits: Salaries and benefits for different countries will vary in line with the location of the successful candidate and depending on experience. See further details below.

Salary:

·       Kenya: KES 5,958,525 – 8,042,754 per year

·       Addis Ababa: ETB 3,221,527 - 5,517,827 per year

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 position will be based in WaterAid’s Global Policy and Research Team (part of the Global Policy & Campaigns Department, GPAC) and will report to the Head of Policy – WASH and Public Health. The Policy and Research Team plays a lead role across the WaterAid Federation in setting WaterAid’s policy change agenda.

About the role

As our Policy Analyst Health, you will develop innovative policy research and evidence solutions and products to inform WaterAid's advocacy strategies and campaigns relevant to health and act as the lead on thematic health portfolio areas. You will work closely with colleagues in the health global health sector and across WaterAid to deliver our strategic aim on Prioritising WASH for public health and to drive sustainable change.

In this role, you will:

Support the development and implementation of research, policy and lobbying on health as part of the health policy and advocacy work (60%):

• Conduct policy analysis, commission research, critically analyse the policy landscape and identify key decision-maker targets.
• Identify policy changes and strategies on health that will deliver a step change in the political profile of WASH in healthcare settings. Write briefings and reports and influence key decision-maker targets to deliver these changes. .
• Build influential relationships with technical decision-makers and develop and maintain a network of influential allies.

Provide policy advice and support to country programmes (20%):

• Incorporate learning, research and policy analysis from our country programmes (CPs) into our global work and provide policy analysis, advice and support to country programme staff

Provide general policy advice, coordination, reporting and logistics support (20%):

• Research, writing and policy briefings on general climate and WASH issues. Organise meetings, support reporting processes and coordination and logistics

To be successful, you will need:

• Well-developed understanding of the role of different advocacy tactics in bringing about change and experience of working on public policy and/or advocacy on issues related to health and WASH, especially in Africa or Asia. Strong understanding of the impact of WASH on health and the relationship to people in poverty, particularly women and girls
• Good political economy, analytical and research skills and ability to implement impactful research and policy influencing strategies and to monitor a complex internal and external context and advise on what tactics will be most effective and impactful
• Experience of working with networks and coalitions to progress a compelling change agenda and ability to build impactful relationships with decision makers and partners
• Well-developed verbal and written skills in English with proven experience of authoring high-impact policy briefs and ability to work and communicate effectively with and across key internal stakeholders across different geographies
• Project management and organisational skills Strong IT skills in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint
• Commitment to WaterAid’s values and a working style that reflects these. Willingness and ability to travel internationally to fulfil requirements of the role 

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

• Experience of working on gender and women’s health and empowerment or health financing or infectious diseases – such as cholera and AMR.  
• Masters’ degree, or post-graduate qualifications and research experience in a relevant water related or development discipline
• Fluency in European, African or Asian languages

View the full job description here

Closing date: Applications close 12:00 PM UK time on 26 November 2026.

How to apply: Click Apply to complete the pre-screening questions and upload your CV and cover letter

Can I use Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology in my application?

We understand that AI tools can be useful, especially for anyone who needs support with their writing, and you’re welcome to use them. That said, we’re seeing more and more applications that feel generic, flat, or hard to tell apart from one another, and these are the ones that struggle to stand out.

Your own words, experience, and ideas are what we want to read. Tell us in your own voice why this role matters to you and how you’d bring your experience to it. It’s the best way to stand out in a competitive field.

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.

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.

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!