Communications & Stakeholder Engagement Specialist

Reports to: Head – Strategic Communications, Advocacy & Partnerships

Location: Windhoek, Namibia

Team: Global Policy, Strategy, Partnerships & Water Diplomacy, Communications Unit

Job Grade Range: P2 - P3

Application Deadline: 12 June 2026

EXTERNAL POSITION

BACKGROUND 

The Global Water Partnership (GWP) is an international institution with a unique model comprising an intergovernmental organisation, the Global Water Partnership Organisation (GWPO), and a global network of more than 2,800 partner organisations. GWP was founded in 1996 with the support of the World Bank, the United Nations Development Programme and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency with a mission to support countries in the sustainable development and management of water resources at all levels.

 

In 2002, the Global Water Partnership Organisation (GWPO) was established as an intergovernmental organisation with a mandate to serve as the global secretariat of GWP to support and work with the world-wide GWP Network in pursuit of its mission and vision of a water secure world.

 

For more than two decades, GWPO and the GWP Network have been at the forefront of promoting integrated water resources management and strengthening water governance globally. GWP comprises 13 Regional Water Partnerships and 77 Country Water Partnerships operating in more than 180 countries. Since 2014, GWP has directly and indirectly supported investments and strengthened water governance and policy frameworks in more than 90 countries.

 

In 2025, GWPO and its GWP Network launched a Global Transformation Agenda on Water Investments. Under the GWP Strategy 2026–2030, GWPO is undertaking a profound institutional transformation to accelerate the mobilization and deployment finance at scale, strengthen water governance, and management of water resources for sustainable, climate resilient, and equitable development.

This bold new chapter includes strengthened partnerships with G20 countries, MDBs, global climate finance institutions, the private sector, and regional financial and economic institutions, among others, to scale up impact. It also includes establishment of GWPO’s innovative Dual Headquarters anchored in the Global South while offering an opportunity to visionary States and governments around the world to join the organization-a historic opportunity to renew global water cooperation and be part of the world’s first Global South anchored Intergovernmental architecture on water investments.

 

Under the GWP Strategy 2026–2030, strategic communications and global advocacy are critical to ensuring that water security receives the political attention and financial investment required to address growing global water challenges. The GWP Strategy includes four prioeity themes:

(a) Climate Resilience

(b) Transboundary water governance

(c) Blended Finance and Private Sector

(d) Innovation, knowledge and capacity development.

 

Strategic communications and global advocacy play a critical role in strengthening political support and mobilising partnerships and investments to address global water challenges.

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION 

The Communications & Stakeholder Engagement Specialist leads the development and implementation of GWPO’s communications and stakeholder engagement activities across the GWP Network for an agreed GWP Thematic priority.

The role contributes to:

• strengthening visibility of GWP Thematic programmes and partnerships
• supporting global advocacy on water security and climate resilience
• communicating results for a GWP theme and investment opportunities emerging from GWP programmes
• supporting preparation of publications, digital communications and media engagement 

The position plays a key operational role in producing high-quality communication products and supporting global communications activities for one or two priority themes across the GWPO Secretariat and Regional Water Partnerships.

ROLE IN THE GWPO ARCHITECTURE 

The Communications & Stakeholder Engagement Specialist supports implementation of one or two priority themes as part of the global communications strategy under the leadership of the Head of Strategic Communications, Advocacy & Partnerships.

The Communications & Stakeholder Engagement Specialist works closely with thematic teams under the Programme Development & Delivery Directorate to strengthen visibility of GWPO-GWP Regional programmes. This includes thematic communications support for initiatives related to climate resilience, transboundary water cooperation, innovation and knowledge development, and water investment mobilisation. Through this role, communications contributes to promoting programme results and investment pipelines emerging from the GWP Network.

In addition, the role works closely with programme teams and Regional Water Partnerships to strengthen visibility of programme results, policy initiatives and investment opportunities emerging from the GWP Network. The position contributes to strengthening the global narrative on water security, climate resilience and water investments under the GWP Strategy 2026–2030.

The role contributes to GWPO communications function positioning as the central coordination point for communications across the GWP Network and works closely with the thematic specialists in the Programme Development and Delivery Directorate and Regional Water Partnerships.

The position ensures that communications efforts support the strategic objectives of the GWP Strategy 2026–2030, particularly the mobilisation of political and financial support for climate-resilient water investments.

The role contributes to strengthening the global narrative on water security and positioning GWPO as a leading global platform for advancing water investment and international cooperation. The role supports communications that highlight investment pipelines emerging from GWPO programmes and the Global Water Investment Platform.

The role also supports the Head of Communications in communicating GWPO-GWP’s global institutional architecture, which combines political leadership, investment mobilisation and multilateral engagement. This includes supporting communications related to GWPO’s primary headquarters in Windhoek, the 2nd HQ global water investment HQ in Cape Town supporting the Global Water Investment Platform, and the GWPO-WMO Geneva liaison platform strengthening engagement with UN agencies and international partners.

Within the GWPO communications architecture, the Head of Strategic Communications provides strategic leadership for global advocacy, messaging and institutional positioning, while the Communications & Stakeholder Engagement Specialist supports operational delivery of communications activities including publications, digital communications, programme visibility and media engagement across the GWP Network.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES 

Corporate Communications and Publications

• Operational support in the preparation of GWPO corporate communication materials including reports, publications and multimedia products.
• Provide editorial support for publications produced by the GWPO Secretariat and GWP Network.
• Contribute to preparation of flagship institutional publications including the GWP in Action Annual Report, impact reports and institutional briefing materials.
• Ensure quality control of communication outputs produced across the GWP Network. 

 

Programme Communications

• Lead communication activities for prioritized GWP thematic priorities including climate resilience, transboundary water cooperation, innovation and knowledge programmes and water investment initiatives.
• Work with programme teams in preparing thematic communication materials highlighting programme results and investment opportunities.
• Develop thematic programme communication plans aligned with institutional messaging. 

 

Media and Public Communications

• Prepare press releases, media briefings and communication materials supporting GWPO initiatives.
• Prepare media outreach activities related to major thematic events and global initiatives. 
• Lead media engagement around prioritized global forums and international events such as World Water Week, UN Water Conferences, UNFCCC COPs and others.

 

Digital Communications

• Lead management and development of thematic content for the GWP website and digital communication platforms.
• Develop digital thematic content including articles, blogs, social media posts and multimedia materials.
• Lead implementation of thematic digital communications strategies and online outreach campaigns.

 

Network Communications Coordination

• Coordinate thematic communications across Regional Water Partnerships. 
• Facilitate exchange of communication practices and collaboration across regional communication teams.
• Strengthen thematic communications capacity across the GWP Network. 

 

Event Communications

• Lead communication activities for priority global conferences and international events organised or supported by GWPO and GWP Network.
• Prepare thematic communication materials for global forums, ministerial meetings and leadership platforms.
• Ensure thematic visibility and outreach related to major global water investment initiatives. 

 

Knowledge and Content Development

• Prepare articles, blogs and multimedia content highlighting programme results and lessons learned across the GWP Network.
• Develop thematic knowledge products and communication materials related to priority GWP themes 
• Develop compelling thematic communication products that highlight programme results, policy impact and investment outcomes.

 

Communications Support to Global Initiatives

• Prepare thematic communications activities related to the Global Water Investment Platform and related initiatives.
• Preparation of thematic communication materials supporting high-level leadership platforms and ministerial initiatives.
• Lead thematic communications highlighting thematic investment pipelines emerging from the Global Water Investment Platform and GWP programmes. 
• Ensure visibility and strategic thematic messaging for leadership initiatives including the AIP High Level Panels and related water investment platforms. 
• Preparation of thematic communication materials for high-level engagements led by the CEO and Executive Secretary.
• Provide thematic communications content and visibility of leadership platforms such as the Global Outlook Council on Water Investments.
• Lead thematic communications and media outreach for major investment mobilisation events including the Water Investment Summit.
• Develop thematic communications content and products that promote water investment opportunities emerging from the Global Water Investment Platform. 

MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES 

The Communications Specialist will:

• work under the supervision of the Head of Strategic Communications
• collaborate with communications specialists across global support hubs
• support coordination of consultants and service providers supporting communications activities
• work closely with programme teams and Regional Water Partnerships to ensure effective communication of programme results.

EXPECTED RESULTS 

• Strengthened visibility of the GWP Network and its programmes
• High-quality institutional publications and communication products
• Improved digital communication presence of GWPO
• Strengthened communication coordination across Regional Water Partnerships
• Increased awareness of water investment opportunities emerging from GWP programmes
• Stronger global narrative on water security and climate-resilient water investments. 

CORE VALUES AND COMPETENCIES 

Core Values 

• Integrity
• Professionalism
• Respect for Diversity

Core Competencies 

• Strategic Communication
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Writing and Editorial Skills
• Digital Communications
• Planning and Organising
• Teamwork

Managerial Competencies 

• Leadership
• Vision
• Building Partnerships
• Managing Performance

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE 

• Advanced university degree in communications, journalism, international relations, public policy or related field.
• Minimum 8–10 years of professional experience in communications or media engagement. 
• Experience working with international organisations, development institutions or global partnerships is desirable.
• Demonstrated experience producing publications, digital content and communication materials. 
• Strong writing, editorial and digital communication skills. 
• Open to Nationals of Namibia or Permanent Residents within Namibia
• Fluency in English required; knowledge of French or Spanish is desirable.