Research and Advocacy Officer

Research and Advocacy Officer

Contract type: Fixed Term

Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Salary: Competitive with excellent benefits

Change starts with water. Change starts with you.

Every day, millions of people live without clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene. WaterAid exists to change that – for everyone, everywhere. Join us, and your energy will help unlock people’s potential and create a fairer future.

About WaterAid

We’re 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

You will be part of the Addis Ababa and North Mecha team to advance evidence bases advocacy, research and influencing within the Country Program and be part of the broader organization dedicated to advancing WaterAid’s mission—to ensure that everyone, everywhere has access to clean water and safe sanitation.

About the role

The Advocacy and Research Officer will lead the implementation of evidence-based advocacy, research, and influencing initiatives under the Tap to Policy Project and the CLIMB Project, with the overall objective of strengthening national and sub-national policies, increasing prioritization and financing of WASH and climate-resilient services, and promoting systems-strengthening approaches for sustainable and inclusive position will also ensure that programme learning, research findings, innovations, and evidence from both projects are effectively documented, communicated, and leveraged to influence decision-makers and amplify impact at national, regional, and global levelswater resource management.

The post holder will generate, synthesize, and translate evidence into actionable policy messages, facilitate multi-stakeholder engagement, and support strategic advocacy efforts targeting government institutions, civil society organizations, development partners, private sector actors, and other key influencers. The role will contribute to shaping policy and financing decisions related to climate-resilient WASH, water security, post-construction management, private sector engagement, and the integration of WASH and water resource management within national climate and development frameworks, including Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and National Adaptation Plans (NAPs).

Under the CLIMB Project, the position will support advocacy and evidence-generation efforts that advance climate-resilient and inclusive water governance, strengthen partnerships, and promote policies and investments that enhance the resilience of vulnerable communities to climate-related water risks.

As a global organisation, WaterAid is committed to creating an environment where you can thrive and be yourself at your very best. Alongside our inspiring mission and meaningful work, we offer a range of benefits tailored to each country’s context and policies.

Our People Promise

We will work with passion and focus to make sure everyone everywhere has clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene. 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 be a place where people feel safe and able to contribute their voice and truly live our values.

Equal Opportunities

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, beliefs, customs, traditions, ways of life and status. This includes, but is not limited to, race, ethnicity, caste, colour, gender, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth, disability status, neurodiversity, age, marital and family status, sexual orientation and gender identity, health status, place of residence, economic and social situation.

Safeguarding

We are 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 to 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. All offers of employment are subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks (which can include counterterrorism, safeguarding and criminal records checks).

Together, we’ll change the world through water.

Join us and be part of the change!