Digital & Social Media Specialist

Reports to: Head – Strategic Communications, Advocacy & Partnerships

Location: Windhoek, Namibia 

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

Job Grade Range: NO B - NO C

Application Deadline: 12 June 2026 

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.

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

Digital communications and online engagement play a critical role in strengthening global visibility of water challenges, promoting programme results, and mobilising partnerships and investment for climate-resilient water systems.

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION 

The Digital & Social Media Specialist supports implementation of GWPO’s digital communications strategy and strengthens the organisation’s online visibility and engagement across global audiences.

The role contributes to:

• Strengthening GWPO-GWP digital communication platforms
• Promoting programme results and knowledge products across the GWP Network
• Enhancing global engagement on water security and climate-resilient water investments
• Supporting visibility of global initiatives including the Global Water Investment Platform
  

The position plays a key role in managing GWPO’s digital communication channels and producing multimedia content that supports GWP Regional institutional communications and programme visibility.

ROLE IN THE GWPO ARCHITECTURE 

The Digital & Social Media Specialist supports implementation of the global communications strategy under the leadership of the Head of Strategic Communications, Advocacy & Partnerships.

The role works closely with the Communications & Stakeholder Engagement Specialist to strengthen digital communication of programme results, policy initiatives and investment opportunities emerging from the GWP Network.

The Digital & Social Media Specialist collaborates with thematic teams under the Programme Development & Delivery Directorate to strengthen visibility of initiatives related to:

• climate resilience
• transboundary water cooperation
• innovation and knowledge development
• water investment mobilisation. 

Through digital communications and online engagement, the role contributes to promoting programme results and investment pipelines emerging from GWPO programmes and the Global Water Investment Platform.

The role also supports communications that highlight GWPO’s global institutional architecture, including:

• the Windhoek headquarters providing global leadership and governance
• the Cape Town global water investment hub supporting the Global Water Investment Platform
• the 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 and messaging
• the Communications Specialist leads operational communications delivery
• the Digital & Social Media Specialist leads digital engagement, multimedia storytelling and online outreach across the GWP Network.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES 

Digital Communications Strategy Implementation

• Support implementation of GWPO’s digital communications strategy aligned with the GWP Strategy 2026–2030.
• Develop and implement digital marketing plans for GWP knowledge products, programmes and events.
• Strengthen GWPO’s digital visibility and engagement across global audiences. 

 

Social Media Management

• Manage GWPO’s global social media platforms including LinkedIn, X (Twitter), YouTube and other relevant digital channels.
• Develop social media campaigns supporting global advocacy and programme visibility. 
• Manage day-to-day social media posting and engagement with global audiences. 
• Monitor digital engagement and analytics to optimise social media performance. 

 

Digital Content Production

• Produce visual assets for digital outreach including graphics, infographics, images and short videos.
• Develop digital storytelling content highlighting programme results and knowledge products. 
• Support development of multimedia communication materials promoting GWPO initiatives.

 

Digital Marketing and Analytics

• Analyse digital engagement metrics and optimise communication strategies accordingly. 
• Support search engine optimisation (SEO) and digital outreach strategies. 
• Monitor performance of online campaigns and report on communication impact. 

 

Website Management

• Support management and continuous improvement of the GWPO website
• Publish programme news, blogs and updates across digital platforms.
• Work with programme teams to ensure timely updates of website content.

 

Programme and Event Communications

• Support digital communication activities for GWPO thematic programmes.
• Promote visibility of global initiatives including the Global Water Investment Platform.
• Support digital communications for international events, conferences and leadership platforms.

 

Email Marketing and Newsletters

• Support preparation and distribution of GWPO newsletters and partner communications. 
• Develop digital marketing briefs for email outreach to the GWP Network and partners. 
• Contribute to communication campaigns promoting knowledge products and programme outputs.

 

Communications Support to Global Initiatives

• Support digital communications related to the Global Water Investment Platform, Africa Water Investment Programme (AIP) and other similar iniriarives in LAC, Asia-Pacific
• Promote online visibility of leadership platforms including the Global Outlook Council on Water Investments.
• Support communications and digital outreach for investment mobilisation events including the Water Investment Summit.
• Promote investment pipelines emerging from GWP programmes and regional initiatives. 

MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES 

The Digital & Social Media Specialist will:

• work under the supervision of the Head of Strategic Communications
• collaborate with communications specialists across global support hubs
• support coordination with consultants supporting digital communications activities
• work closely with programme teams and Regional Water Partnerships to strengthen digital communications capacity.

EXPECTED RESULTS 

• Strengthened global digital visibility of GWPO and the GWP Network
• Increased engagement across GWPO’s social media platforms
• Improved digital communication of programme results and knowledge products
• Stronger online visibility of water investment opportunities emerging from the GWP Network
• Enhanced digital outreach supporting GWPO advocacy and partnership mobilisation. 
  

CORE VALUES AND COMPETENCIES 

Core Values

• Integrity
• Professionalism
• Respect for Diversity

 

Core Competencies

• Digital Communications
• Strategic Communication
• Multimedia Content Production
• Social Media Engagement
• Planning and Organising
• Teamwork

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE 

• Advanced university degree in communications, digital marketing, journalism, media studies or related field.
• Minimum 5–8 years of experience in digital communications, digital marketing or social media management.
• Experience working with international organisations or development institutions is desirable. 
• Demonstrated experience in digital content production, social media strategy and website management.
• Strong analytical skills for digital communications metrics and performance monitoring.
• Open for Nationals of Namibia or Permanent Residents within Namibia
• Fluency in English required; knowledge of French or Spanish is desirable.