Programme Manager - Programme Manager, Universal Access and Sustainable WASH

It’s hard to believe that today 771 million people do not have clean water and 1.7 billion do not have a decent toilet – around 1 in 5 of the world’s population. Every two minutes a child under five dies from diarrheal diseases caused by poor water and sanitation. 

Join WaterAid as our Programme Manager to change normal for millions of people so they can unlock their potential, break free from poverty and change their lives for good. On top of that you'll be joining a 2020 Great Place to Work® award-winning organisation.

• Contract type: Fixed Term
• Employment type: Full-time
• Working hours week:39.5
• Location: Tamale/Bongo

The Programme Manager, Universal Access and Sustainable WASH, plays a critical role in driving WaterAid’s strategic ambition to achieve universal access to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH). This position leads the design, implementation, and oversight of WASH programs, ensuring their growth, effectiveness, and sustainability. The role is responsible for providing technical leadership, managing program performance, and overseeing the overall program budget to ensure resources are utilized effectively and deliver maximum impact.

With a focus on program growth, the Programme Manager identifies opportunities for scaling up interventions and integrating system-strengthening approaches. They ensure efficient program operations by aligning activities with WaterAid’s strategic priorities and national development goals. Additionally, the role drives sector support activities such as influencing policy, building capacity, and documenting lessons learned to enhance sector impact.

How to Apply

If you are interested in the position and have the right skills and attributes, click on apply to download the full Job Description and send your application, consisting of a letter of interest using the link supplied in the JD.

Deadline 22 January 2024

Please note: to apply for this role you must be able to demonstrate your eligibility to work in Ghana.

Only candidates shortlisted for interviewing will be contacted within two weeks of the closing date for applications. 

Responsibilities:

Strategic Oversight and Policy Alignment:

• Lead the design and implementation of Universal WASH programs and projects, ensuring the delivery of sustainable, inclusive, and scalable WASH services.
• Provide technical leadership on WASH system strengthening, including sector assessments, planning, financing, and policy alignment.
• Contribute strategic insights to the development and review of the Country Strategy to align WASH programming with national priorities and WaterAid’s vision.

Program and Project Management:

• Manage the full lifecycle of Sub-National Universal Access programs and projects, ensuring compliance with WaterAid’s standards, values, and donor requirements.
• Ensure projects achieve high technical quality by adhering to national best practices and WaterAid’s Program Quality Standards.
• Embed cross-cutting themes such as Safeguarding, Child Protection, Gender Equality, and Social Inclusion in all phases of projects and team operations.
• Strengthen and maintain systems for project and program performance monitoring, ensuring continuous improvement and timely reporting.

Team Leadership and Talent Management:

• Supervise, mentor, and support team members to foster a collaborative and productive work environment.
• Oversee the recruitment, onboarding, coaching, and performance management of direct reports and staff under Aim 1.
• Build team capacity to ensure they are equipped to deliver high-quality WASH programming.

To be successful, you’ll need to have: 

Essential Skills 

• Master’s degree or higher in a relevant field such as Development Planning, Public Administration, Civil or Environmental Engineering, Public Health, Water Resources Management, or a related discipline.
• At least 7 years of professional experience in WASH programming, or development roles within international development organizations or government agencies, with a focus on designing and managing impactful programs.
• Advanced knowledge across all WASH sub-disciplines and a proven ability to lead and manage complex, multi-year rural and urban water, sanitation, and hygiene programs using systems-strengthening approaches.
• Extensive experience in designing and managing large-scale development programs, particularly those funded by major donors (e.g., USAID, FCDO, GAC), ensuring compliance with technical and financial requirements.
• Strong ability to translate strategic visions into actionable work plans, ensuring the delivery of sustainable and scalable program outcomes.
• Demonstrated ability to engage, negotiate, and build strong partnerships with diverse stakeholders, including governments, donors, NGOs, and communities, to drive program objectives.
• Proven capacity to inspire, mentor, and lead diverse, cross-functional teams in achieving high performance, fostering a collaborative and productive work environment.
• Creative and forward-thinking approach to tackling challenges and identifying innovative solutions that improve program impact and efficiency.
• Ability to thrive in dynamic and challenging environments, with a focus on flexibility, perseverance, and proactive decision-making.
• Proficiency in MS Office, web conferencing tools, and information management systems, with the ability to leverage ICT tools like GIS, mWater, and Power BI for project tracking and reporting.

Click on ‘Apply’ to download the job description.

We’re looking for people who share a commitment to our vision. We’re looking for people with an appreciation and respect for different people and ideas, and the energy and expertise to help tackle the most important challenges.

In return, you can expect to get inspiration from the change you help make happen, a sense of belonging and the feeling of being part of a global community. You will also experience stimulation and fulfilment, the chance to grow, and space to be yourself at your best. This is our pledge to you.

WaterAid is committed to ensuring that wherever we work in the world there is no tolerance for abuse (of power, privilege or trust), inappropriate behaviour, discrimination, harassment, bullying or exploitation of any kind. The safeguarding of the communities in which we work, staff, volunteers and anyone working on our behalf, is our top priority and we take our responsibilities extremely seriously. 

We celebrate the diversity of our staff, partners and everyone with whom we work to create a culture where everyone feels respected, included and can be their best. 

WaterAid is an equal opportunity and is committed to achieving the highest standards of diversity, inclusion and fairness. We welcome applications from all. Should you have a disability or special needs and require additional assistance with your application, please contact us.

If a disabled applicant meets the minimum criteria for the role, they will be guaranteed an interview. 

No recruitment agencies please.