Chair of the Steering Committee – End Water Poverty at WaterAid

WaterAid is seeking an experienced, visionary, and values-driven leader to serve as Chair of the Steering Committee for End Water Poverty (EWP), a Southern-led global civil society coalition advocating for universal access to water and sanitation. This is a senior non-executive governance opportunity for an individual with strong leadership, advocacy, and stakeholder management experience.

The Chair will provide strategic leadership to the Steering Committee, support effective governance and accountability, and help guide the coalition’s long-term direction. The role is remote and global, offered on a voluntary basis under a fixed-term two-year contract, making it particularly suitable for an experienced leader who wants to contribute to global WASH advocacy and development.

Why Work with WaterAid?

This opportunity provides a platform to contribute to international efforts aimed at improving access to water, sanitation, and hygiene services. The successful candidate will help influence coalition priorities, strengthen strategic alliances, and represent End Water Poverty in important international forums.

The role also provides an opportunity to work with organizations and stakeholders from different regions and backgrounds while contributing to global advocacy, human rights, and sustainable development initiatives.

About End Water Poverty

End Water Poverty (EWP) is a Southern-led global civil society coalition advocating for universal access to water and sanitation. The coalition brings together organizations and stakeholders working across regions to influence policies, strengthen accountability, and advance water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) priorities.

The Chair of the Steering Committee will help ensure that the coalition operates effectively while maintaining inclusive, transparent, and accountable governance.

Who Can Apply?

This opportunity is suitable for experienced leaders with a strong background in WASH or related sectors, particularly those with experience in global advocacy, human rights, international development, or coalition leadership.

Candidates should have experience chairing boards, committees, or multi-stakeholder bodies and be comfortable facilitating discussions involving diverse organizations, cultures, and regional interests.

Key Responsibilities

The Chair of the Steering Committee will be responsible for:

• Leading and overseeing the effective functioning of the Steering Committee.

• Upholding EWP governance principles and accountability standards.

• Chairing meetings and facilitating inclusive decision-making.

• Guiding coalition priorities and long-term strategic direction.

• Promoting alignment among member organizations and regions.

• Providing strategic guidance and support to the Secretariat.

• Supporting leadership selection and succession planning.

• Monitoring implementation of the coalition’s strategic plan.

• Ensuring accountability for agreed priorities and outcomes.

• Representing EWP at priority global events and international forums.

• Championing coalition advocacy priorities and campaign positions.

• Acting as an external spokesperson when appropriate.

• Strengthening strategic alliances and political positioning.

• Supporting engagement around major global milestones, including the United Nations Water Conference 2026.

• Promoting transparent, accountable, and inclusive governance.

• Managing sensitive issues and stakeholder relationships constructively.

• Upholding safeguarding principles and ethical standards.

• Working closely with the Vice-Chair.

• Sharing responsibilities with the Vice-Chair where appropriate.

• Ensuring continuity of leadership and effective governance.

Qualifications and Skills Required

Applicants should demonstrate:

• Strong governance and board leadership experience.

• Strategic thinking and sound judgment.

• Excellent communication and influencing skills.

• Strong intercultural sensitivity.

• High integrity and independence.

• Strong professional background in WASH or a related sector.

• Experience in global advocacy, human rights, or international development.

• Proven experience chairing boards, committees, or multi-stakeholder organizations.

• Ability to facilitate inclusive dialogue and consensus-building.

• Experience working within complex global or regional coalitions.

• Strong strategic decision-making abilities.

• Excellent interpersonal and diplomatic skills.

• Ability to represent diverse stakeholder interests effectively.

• Ability to work collaboratively with organizations and stakeholders from different cultural and regional backgrounds.

Terms of the Role

• Position: Chair of the Steering Committee – End Water Poverty

• Organization: WaterAid

• Location: Remote/Global

• Employment Type: Contract

• Role Type: Volunteer, non-executive governance role

• Contract Duration: 2 years

• Duty Station: Global/Remote

How to Apply

Interested candidates who meet the requirements should submit their applications online through the official WaterAid recruitment portal.

Apply below

Application Deadline: 10 August 2026

Final Thought

The Chair of the Steering Committee – End Water Poverty position provides an opportunity for an experienced governance and advocacy leader to contribute to global efforts for universal access to water and sanitation. Candidates with strong WASH knowledge, coalition leadership experience, strategic judgment, and a commitment to inclusive governance are encouraged to apply.