Welcome from our Chief Executive
Sometimes I am asked what is it that makes WaterAid such a successful organisation. I have two responses to this question. One is our clear, focussed mission. That has been true since we began and is something we carefully preserve.
The second is our people culture. Countless times I have talked to colleagues who have recently joined WaterAid who remark on this. The lack of politics, the way people are with each other, the levels of trust and respect, the collaboration. It’s something I noticed from the outside before I joined the organisation, and I have cherished it every day since I joined over nine years ago.
These two things don’t make WaterAid perfect. But they do enable us to excel in many ways.
Having a culture that enables us all to be the very best versions of ourselves at work, combined with a very clear focus, are two magic ingredients that contribute to our programmes, policy and influencing being world class in the area of water, sanitation and hygiene – seeking long lasting solutions for some of the poorest people in the world. The largest global player and acknowledged sector leader. Our communications and fundraising are incredibly successful in an incredibly tough environment. And we have fabulous enabling functions around finance, planning, IT, legal and, of course, our People Team.
This role – Executive Director for People at WaterAid UK, and our Global Lead for People within the wider WaterAid federation, is the global champion and leader of this fantastic culture.
So this job is much more than a leader of a department – this person is the lead of one of our two most prized possessions.
It should not be any surprise that this role sits with the Executive Leadership Team of WaterAid UK, and the Global Executive of the whole WaterAid federation.
If you want a job with real meaning, for a fabulous cause, working with wonderful people, where everyone values the people culture we have and will do everything to preserve and enhance it. Then don’t hesitate, just apply!
Tim Wainwright
Chief Executive of WaterAid UK
A note from the current Global Executive Director, People
It’s exciting for me to be thinking about who might be reading this and who I might eventually pass this wonderful role on to!
WaterAid is a special organisation. Our mission is simple and inspires us all, every day. Water, sanitation and hygiene are essential for health, dignity and a better quality of life and we work alongside incredible communities and partners around the world to help create lasting change.
It’s a huge joy and privilege to work with WaterAiders from so many different countries, cultures and backgrounds. WaterAid is a global community of passionate, skilled people who care deeply about each other, the communities we work with and the impact we can achieve together.
We have a people-centred culture because we know our mission is achieved through our people. Championing and developing that culture to enable talented people to do their best work is at the heart of this role. We continue to prioritise investment in our people – whether that’s through our leadership development programmes; diversity, equity and inclusion work or our focus on safeguarding. This is an organisation where you will feel empowered and supported to help WaterAid to realise its full potential though our people.
I’ll be leaving after 20 years leading our people strategy and teams. The role has developed and grown a lot of course and there’s always been a new, exciting and positive challenge to take on and more to learn. I can honestly say I’ve enjoyed and been energised by every day, hence my long tenure! Making the decision to move on has been the hardest of my career but I’m ready for some new opportunities and experiences – knowing I have a fantastic team in place, that we have great people leaders across the organisation and confident that my successor will enjoy the role as much as I do and take things from strength to strength.
I hope this encourages you and wish you well as you consider this opportunity.
Rachel Westcott
Global Executive Director, People