AGWA's Hiring - Water Resilience Tracker Senior Policy Advisor
Title: Senior Policy Advisor, Water Resilience Tracker for National Climate Planning
Reports to: Deputy Executive Director
Term: Two-year contract with option to extend
Organizational Background
The Alliance for Global Water Adaptation (AGWA) is an international members-based NGO working to develop, support, and mainstream climate resilience through the medium of water resources via both technical programs and policy processes. AGWA is made up of over 2500 members, largely professionals from the water and climate communities representing utilities, academia, development banks, NGOs, government agencies, financial institutions, and the private sector. A small secretariat runs the daily operations of AGWA, while many of its initiatives are crowd-sourced across the network. AGWA’s headquarters are based in Oregon, USA, but activities occur globally.
AGWA’s work culture is dynamic and fast moving and requires an independent, self-motivated and self-directed approach, with the flexibility to work across time zones, levels of formality, and culture. Every day is a trust fall at AGWA – we are a small but hard-working, innovative, and deeply collaborative team, and our organization punches well over its weight. We may have more in common with a high-tech startup in our work culture than a more traditional NGO or think tank. You will leverage and enhance your own network of resources and partners over the course of this project. We expect staff to communicate progress, problems, and solutions early and often in a deeply collaborative, practical, and (if possible) humble and even humorous way. We find that investigation, creativity, and learning are critical for successful outcomes for most of our projects. AGWA will stretch you! We hope you will stretch us in turn. Given our small size, the ability to troubleshoot is essential. So is the ability to ask for and receive help.
Job Summary
As the Senior Policy Advisor for the Water Resilience Tracker for National Climate Planning (WRT), you will lead our external policy engagement strategy, working with the WRT Director, AGWA Deputy Director, and our external project partners to ensure the project’s continued relevance and compatibility with international policy processes such as the Paris Agreement and the SDGs. You will engage directly with government representatives, UN agencies, IFIs, the private sector, and other WRT stakeholders. This includes presenting the WRT to high profile audiences in formal political, diplomatic, and funding settings.
In this role you will also identify new WRT entry points and stakeholders, utilizing your skills and experience in global policy development to advise the WRT Director on how best to share our work with new audiences and potential funders. This will include gaining a good understanding of the policy landscape in the countries where we are implementing the WRT, and making connections to other relevant stakeholders or regional policy frameworks when applicable, such as the European Green Deal or the Pacific Community.
The WRT Senior Policy Advisor will review and contribute to all WRT country reports and provide recommendations regarding updates to national water and climate plans or policies. You will also work with the WRT Director and wider AGWA Policy team to write synthesis publications looking across WRT countries and noting trends, strengths, and opportunities for stronger national water and climate planning, as well as how those policies might be reflected in global processes.
The WRT Senior Policy Advisor will also contribute to AGWA’s broader Policy Engagement agenda, expanding our presence in spaces like the UN High Level Political Forum (HLPF) and following ongoing processes like the UN Water Action Decade, as appropriate. The WRT Senior Policy Advisor would lead the planning and execution of high level events and workshops at these fora, where appropriate, and participate on AGWA’s behalf. Due to the global nature of this work, and the need to engage face-to-face with partners, some international travel (30%) is anticipated.
The position requires a strong background at the Master’s level or above in water management and/or policy issues and a familiarity with climate policy (especially with emphasis on adaptation and resilience and on water issues).
Comfort with effective public speaking and representing and negotiating on behalf of AGWA will be important on a regular basis. Communications, publicity, and outreach will be led by others, but input to communications strategy and implementation are necessary and critical to the WRT’s success; support to communications delivery is also expected.
Please note, renewal of this position beyond the project end date is contingent on securing additional funding that will be negotiated in 2028.
Job Responsibilities
Programme Management
Lead strategic policy direction of the WRT initiative, including coordination with policy leads within the other WRT partners, Just Transition for Water Security consortium members, and project donors.
Support the WRT Director in the technical execution of a four-year, multi-institution grant agreement that includes the deployment of the Water Resilience Tracker for National Climate Planning for countries to use in assessing the current level of integration of water into national climate planning.
Support AGWA’s broader policy agenda, leading the expansion of our engagement with new / expanded global policy processes such as the UN2026 Water Conference, High-Level Political Forum, and the Convention on Biological Diversity.
Contribute to written materials related to AGWA’s policy work, including but not limited to the Water Resilience Tracker.
At this time, it is not anticipated that this position will directly manage any staff, but it is possible that they will manage external consultants, so willingness and ability to delegate tasks and collaborate when necessary will be essential.
External Engagement
Serve as a Water Resilience Tracker “policy ambassador” to external partners, donors, country representatives, and other relevant parties.
Liaise with external project partners to coordinate country engagement and meeting preparation.
Attend and participate in international meetings and conferences such as the UN2026 Water Conference, Regional Climate Weeks, UNFCCC Adaptation Committee Meetings, Stockholm Water Weeks, and annual COP events. All travel will be discussed and agreed to in advance.
Progress Tracking / Reporting
Support preparation of quarterly and final donor progress reports for multiple donors, as requested and relevant to the role of WRT Senior Policy Advisor. While this process will be led by AGWA’s Grants Manager, in cooperation with the WRT Director, it is expected that relevant sections of the reporting will be authored by the WRT Senior Policy Advisor.
Meeting / Conference Support
In coordination with AGWA’s comms and admin teams, lead the organization and execution of project events and meetings at international events, including but not limited to the High-Level Political Forum, Stockholm World Water Week, Regional Climate Weeks, and annual COP events.
Qualifications
Master's degree or equivalent experience in a relevant field related to water resources management, international development, and/or climate policy
Minimum of 5 years of relevant, full time work experience related to water policy is required, ideally at the national or global level. Climate policy experience appreciated.
Minimum of 2 years of experience working in international development or other relevant international contexts, particularly with the public sector
Ability to effectively communicate with high-level political representatives as well as technical experts
Candidate must be self-motivated with an ability to handle multiple priorities and work under tight deadlines
Ability to work effectively in a remote setting
Ability and willingness to travel internationally to attend workshops and conferences
Strong writing and oral presentation skills in English are essential; fluency in other languages an advantage.
Location
This position can be carried out remotely but will require close coordination with some members of the AGWA Secretariat based on the East and West Coasts of the U.S.
Benefits
The position will come with a competitive salary commensurate with experience along with a generous benefits package.
Deadline
AGWA will accept applications through 31 October 2024.
How to Apply
Please submit a cover letter with a resume to mluzell [at] alliance4water.org.