WASH & Water Resource Management Advisor

Welthungerhilfe; Bonn; On-site; EUR 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fair Compensation

Work-Life Balance

Modern & Agile Work Environment

Personal & Professional Growth

Team

Job summary

Welthungerhilfe is seeking a WASH Advisor to lead WHH’s WASH/WRM portfolio development, driving system-transformative programming and linking to WEFE and nutrition. You will coordinate country-office support, engage donors, and build strategic partnerships to advance WHH’s ambition for Zero Hunger.

The role requires a university degree or equivalent experience, English fluency, and strong advisory skills across international teams.

Qualifications

• University degree in a relevant field or equivalent professional experience.
• Sound knowledge of WASH; experience or skills in WASH engineering is a plus.
• Strong systems-thinking with linkages to food and health systems.
• Demonstrated advisory and strategic capabilities for a global portfolio.
• Strong networking and partnership-building skills.
• Excellent communication, influencing, and negotiation skills.
• Intercultural competence and ability to work in international environments.
• Fluency in English; German or French is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Development and sharpening of a WASH / WRM strategy and bridging service gaps toward system transformation.
• Engage in business development with Donor Unit and Marketing Department for consortia and bids.
• Engage with global actors, advocate WHH strategy, and liaise with policy colleagues.
• Collaborate with technical advisors to deepen cross-themed programming across WASH, Food, and Health.
• Coordinate capacity strengthening and advisory support for country offices and field visits.

Skills

Stakeholder engagement

Strategic advisory

WASH systems

Networking

Project coordination

Education

University degree in a relevant field

Job description

Are you looking for a meaningful job where you can invest your skills, passion, and time in an impactful way? Do you want to work for an organization that is dynamic, goal-driven, and dedicated to making a difference? Welcome to Welthungerhilfe!

Welthungerhilfe (WHH) is one of Germany’s largest private aid organizations. Politically and religiously independent, we work toward a world without hunger.

Together with national and international partners, we respond to humanitarian crises and support long-term solutions that improve the living conditions for the most vulnerable people. We change and shape food systems, we are locally-led and globally connected. As an impact-oriented and human-centered organization, we use innovation, evidence and data-informed decision-making to continuously improve our work and contribute to #Zero Hunger.

Our vision: "Zero Hunger on a Healthy Planet." Join us in creating a world where everyone has access to food while ensuring a sustainable future for our planet. If you are ready to make an impact, we look forward to receiving your application!

in Bonn / Berlin or one of the WHH country offices

The position is to be filled by January 1, 2027, with a contract duration of two years. There are very good prospects for an extension. Employment location will be Bonn / Berlin or one of the WHH country offices

Candidates employed in their home country will be subject to the respective national terms and employment conditions.

The WASH Advisor is responsible for leading the development of WHH’s WASH/Water Resource Management (WRM) portfolio in line with WHH’s global strategic ambition for a deep‑seated, self‑reinforcing transformation towards Zero Hunger. The WASH Advisor will drive the shift from service delivery to system‑transformative WASH/WRM programming, taking into account global trends and sector developments. Key priorities include advancing innovative financing approaches and new roles for WHH in quality assurance, blended finance facilitation and fund management; promoting evidence‑based approaches to strengthen local and national WASH systems; and adapting programming to challenges such as climate change and economic shocks. The WASH Advisor will also strengthen linkages with market systems, youth economic opportunities, nutrition, agriculture and the WEFE Nexus, and gender transformation, while building strategic partnerships to promote thematic exchange, collective action and the visibility of WHH’s WASH/WRM portfolio.

Your responsibilities

• Development and constant sharpening of a WASH / WRM strategy which includes identification of evidently impactful approaches to bridge service gaps and achieve the strategic ambition of WASH system transformation. Identification of research gaps and coordination of research collaborations together with the Research Coordinator.
• Active engagement in business development in collaboration with the Donor Unit and Marketing Department through early positioning with potential consortia partners, donors and international stakeholders. This can be in the form of “big bets”, i.e. identifying programmatic solutions for underfunded levers and building funding alliances or “big bids”, i.e. successful application in competitive high volume calls for proposals.
• Proactive exchange with global key actors in WASH / WRM via network building and participation in international events. This includes active positioning of WHH’s WASH program strategy as well as advocacy messaging to political stakeholders (Germany and abroad) in collaboration with colleagues from the Policy and External Relations department.
• Close collaboration with other technical advisors and Emergency Response Team experts to deepen cross‑themantic programming to strengthen the complementarities and interconnections between WASH / WRM, Food, and Health Systems in contributing to zero hunger. Of specific importance will be the Water‑Energy‑Food‑Environment (WEFE) nexus and Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM). Other topics include WASH‑related labor markets for youth, WASH in Emergencies, etc.
• Coordinate capacity strengthening and technical advisory support for country offices to ensure WASH/WRM programming meets technical and systemic standards. This includes support throughout the project cycle, country strategy development, recruitment and field visits, as well as developing technical tools and guidance materials to address systemic gaps. Continuous data assessment and analysis of the global WASH / WRM portfolio via WHH’s data collection systems to enable evidence based advisory services for executive management, key stakeholder groups and leadership in strategic and thematic matters.

Your profile

• University degree in a relevant field or equivalent professional experience, combined with at least 3–5 years of relevant work experience.
• Sound technical knowledge of WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene); experience or skills in WASH engineering are an asset but not a requirement.
• Strong systems‑thinking mindset, with a good understanding of strategic and thematic linkages between WASH and adjacent areas, particularly food systems and health systems.
• Demonstrated advisory and strategic competencies, with the ability to develop, manage, and provide guidance on a global portfolio.
• Strong networking and partnership‑building skills, with the ability to bring relevant networks into the organization and the potential to shape and guide networks or consortia.
• Excellent communication, influencing, and negotiation skills, with the ability to identify leverage points, build alliances, and engage diverse stakeholders effectively.
• Strong interpersonal and teamwork skills, with the ability to collaborate constructively and purposefully across different teams, functions, and professional backgrounds.
• High level of intercultural competence and the ability to work effectively in diverse, international and multicultural environments.
• You recognize the growing value of data in your field and are eager to build your awareness and skills to incorporate data‑informed approaches into your work
• Fluency in English is required; proficiency in German and/or French is an asset

What we offer

• Fair Compensation: A fair and equal remuneration based on a transparent salary scale.
• Work-Life Balance: Enjoy flexible working arrangements to support a balanced lifestyle.
• Modern & Agile Work Environment: Be part of a forward thinking organization that fully embraces digitalization and innovation across all areas.
• Personal & Professional Growth: Access diverse learning and development opportunities to advance your career.
• Team: Join our dedicated and diverse teams, where passion, expertise, and joy come together to create a better world.

In addition, Welthungerhilfe offers numerous other benefits, which are listed under Our benefits .

Your contact person is Ina Stepka. Welthungerhilfe is committed to fighting terrorism in all its activities. Accordingly, any applicant who is offered employment will be screened against lists of known and suspected terrorists.

* Welthungerhilfe values diversity and ensures an inclusive, non‑discriminatory working environment. We welcome applications from suitably qualified people from all sections of the community.