Head of Business Development and Partnerships

Head of Business Development and Partnerships

Contract type: Fixed, Renewable based on performance and funding

Location: Kampala, Uganda

Salary and Benefits: Competitive salaries with excellent benefits

About WaterAid

We are a global federation driven by one vision: a world where everyone, everywhere has clean water, sanitation and hygiene by 2030. Powered by our values of Respect, Accountability, Courage, Collaboration, Integrity and Innovation, we work alongside communities, partners and supporters to make change happen.

About the Team

WaterAid wants to use your skills in Uganda to play a vital role in making clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene for everyone everywhere?

We need passionate, creative and dedicated people. In return, we will encourage and empower you to be yourself at your very best. Together, we will make a bigger difference.

Join WaterAid as Head of Business Development and Partnerships to change the normal for millions of people, helping them unlock their potential, break free from poverty, and change their lives for good.

About the Role

As our Head of Business Development and Partnerships, you will report to the Country Director. You will be a member of the Senior Management Team (SMT) and will supervise the Business Development Officer.

You will have a close working relationship with members of the Senior Management Team, as well as relevant technical and operational teams across the organisation, such as Heads of other units, Project Coordinators, and Officers and any other staff and consultants that may be hired in WAU

The department also works closely with external stakeholders such as WAU Partners, East Africa Regional team, UK office, Donors, Government Officials – Local and National, Line Ministries, Civil Society Organisations, and other I/NNGO’s

In this role, you will:

• Lead, develop and implement a Country Programme (CP) funding strategy and annual business development plan.
• Use market intelligence, donor trends and competitor analysis to shape investment and funding decisions.
• Provide leadership to strengthen fundraising culture and donor literacy across the CP, monitoring and tracking pipeline performance against fundraising goals.
• Actively shape the future pipeline through donor mapping, prospecting and relationship development before opportunities are released. Ensure intelligence is regularly shared and gathered from CP key staff.
• Lead proactive donor and partnership engagement to position Country Programme’s as the ‘go to’ agency for WASH Programming through strong communications of its priorities, capabilities and track record.
• Maintain a diversified funding portfolio and identify underdeveloped donor segments and underfunded aims.
• Lead bid/no-bid decisions and challenge opportunities that are not strategically, operationally or financially viable.
• Maintain accurate pipeline data, forecasts, conversion metrics and management information in WAPS.
• Lead and coordinate concept notes, EOIs, proposals and pitches.
• Mobilise technical, programme, finance, grants and policy expertise to produce competitive submissions.
• Ensure strong understanding of winning bid components (e.g. win themes, compliance requirements) while not acting solely as a proposal writer.
• Lead contract negotiations on behalf of the CP including co-financing arrangements, risk allocation and donor terms and conditions with relevant WAUK and fundraising stakeholders.
• Coordinate external engagement, briefings, debriefings and follow-up actions across teams.
• Champion WaterAid policies and maintain personal compliance with the Global Code of Conduct and associated policies.
• Champion WaterAid’s commitments to equity, inclusion and safeguarding

To be successful in this role, you will need:

• A degree qualification in Project/ Programme Management, social sciences, Development studies, Business Administration, Public Health or equivalent professional experience. A master’s degree is an added advantage.
• Minimum of 7 years’ related experience in raising funds from donors such as the EU, DFID, SIDA, NORAD, DANIDA etc and managing the funds.
• Extensive experience raising and mobilising significant funding (e.g. multi-million contracts) from institutional, corporate, philanthropic and private sector donors.
• Demonstrated success shaping, positioning and securing complex funding opportunities and partnerships.
• Experience of consortium building, donor engagement, contract negotiation and co-financing arrangements.
• Experience working across country, regional and global teams to deliver a joined-up business development approach.

Although not essential, we’d prefer you to have:

• A proactive and entrepreneurial mindset with ability to create opportunities and influence outcomes.
• Excellent networking, relationship management and negotiation skills.
• Strong analytical, strategic thinking and market intelligence capabilities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent time management skills with proven ability to handle pressure and meet deadlines.
• Ability to assess strategic fit, risk, full cost recovery and financial sustainability and to lead difficult discussions.
• Strong coordination and leadership skills across multidisciplinary teams.
• Commitment to WaterAid values and collaborative ways of working.
• Strong IT fluency and use of emerging technological options.

View full job description here

Closing Date: Applications will close 12:00 GMT Time on Friday 06 November 2026.

How to Apply: Click ‘Apply’ to complete the pre-screening questions and upload your CV and an essential cover letter which should also be in English.

Can I use Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology in my application? At WaterAid, we strongly advise against using AI technology at any stage of the recruitment process. Our goal is to ensure a fair and transparent process that provides every applicant with an equal opportunity to succeed. We value hearing about your unique experiences and perspectives in your application, and, if shortlisted, during the interview as well.

Pre-employment screening:

To apply for this post, you must be able to demonstrate your eligibility to work in Uganda. All pre-employment checks will be carried out according to the Ugandan laws.

Our Benefits:

As an organisation WaterAid is committed to creating an environment where you can thrive and be yourself at your very best. So, in addition to our inspiring global mission and engaging work environment, we have a generous benefit package to help you take care of your health, happiness and wellbeing.

Our Global Commitment:

Our People Promise:

We will work with passion and focus to ensure safe and sustainable water, toilets and hygiene are available to everyone, everywhere. WaterAid is a place of purpose – where people have a real commitment and shared responsibility for the impact we have. We are a global community with diverse backgrounds and perspectives, motivated by inspiring, stimulating work. We are determined to put the wellbeing of our people first, to be a place where people feel safe and able to contribute their voice and truly live our values.

Equal opportunities:

We are an equal opportunity, disability-confident employer and are dedicated to achieving the highest standards of diversity, equity and inclusion. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, beliefs, customs, traditions and ways of life. This includes, but is not limited to, race, gender, disability, age, sexual orientation, religion, national or social origin, health status, and economic or social situation.

Safeguarding:

We are also committed to protecting everyone we come into contact with. We have a zero-tolerance approach to abuse of power, privilege or trust across our global work, and any form of inappropriate behaviour, discrimination, abuse, bullying, harassment, or exploitation. Safeguarding the people and communities we work with, our staff, volunteers and anyone working on our behalf is our top priority, and we take our responsibilities extremely seriously. As a safeguarding measure, WaterAid conducts background checks on all potential employees. This is done following the conclusion of recruitment and prior to assuming full employment.