Global Head – Blended Finance and Private Sector Investments

Reports to: Director Programme Development & Delivery

Team: Programme Development & Delivery

Supervises: Global Thematic Technical Leads Hub Specialists Programme Experts

Job Grade Range: P4 - P5

Application Deadline: 15 May 2026

EXTERNAL RECRUITMENT

BACKGROUND

The Global Water Partnership (GWP) is an international institution with a unique model comprising an intergovernmental organisation the Global Water Partnership Organisation (GWPO) and a global network of more than 2800 partner organisations. GWP was founded in 1996 with the support of the World Bank the United Nations Development Programme and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency with a mission to support countries in the sustainable development and management of water resources at all levels.

In 2002 the Global Water Partnership Organisation (GWPO) was established as an intergovernmental organisation with a mandate to serve as the global secretariat of GWP to support and work with the world-wide GWP Network in pursuit of its mission and vision of a water secure world.

For more than two decades GWPO and the GWP Network have been at the forefront of promoting integrated water resources management and strengthening water governance globally. GWP comprises 13 Regional Water Partnerships and 77 Country Water Partnerships operating in more than 180 countries. Since 2014 GWP has directly and indirectly supported investments and strengthened water governance and policy frameworks in more than 90 countries.

In 2025 GWPO and its GWP Network launched a Global Transformation Agenda on Water Investments. Under the GWP Strategy GWPO is undertaking a profound institutional transformation to accelerate the mobilization and deployment finance at scale strengthen water governance and management of water resources for sustainable climate resilient and equitable development. This bold new chapter includes strengthened partnerships with G20 countries MDBs global climate finance institutions the private sector and regional financial and economic institutions among others to scale up impact. It also includes establishment of GWPOs innovative Dual Headquarters anchored in the Global South while offering an opportunity to visionary States and governments around the world to join the organization-a historic opportunity to renew global water cooperation and be part of the worlds first Global South anchored Intergovernmental architecture on water investments.

This transformation includes:

• the establishment of an innovative GWPO Dual Global Headquarters anchored in the Global South with decentralised GWPO Technical Support Hubs
• strengthened partnerships with G20 governments multilateral development banks global climate funds sovereign wealth funds and private sector actors
• a One GWP joint delivery model integrating global regional and national operations.

Achieving global water security requires dramatically increasing investment in water infrastructure water governance systems and climate-resilient water services. The global water sector faces a significant investment gap requiring innovative financing mechanisms and stronger collaboration between public and private sector actors.

Within this transformation blended finance and private sector engagement are critical instruments for mobilising capital at scale for water investments.

Blended finance combines public funding concessional finance and private capital to reduce investment risks and unlock financing for sustainable development projects.

The Global Head Blended Finance and Private Sector Investments leads GWPOs global work on mobilising finance for water investments and strengthening partnerships with private sector actors investors and financial institutions.

Programme Architecture and Coordination

The Global Water Partnership Organisation implements its programmes through a thematic programme architecture under the Programme Development and Delivery Directorate.

Each thematic programme is led by a Global Head supported by a Global Technical Lead and implemented through a team of thematic specialists working in collaboration with Regional Water Partnerships and Country Water Partnerships.

Within this structure:

• the Global Head provides global strategic leadership and policy direction for the thematic programme
• the Global Technical Lead coordinates support to RWPs on programme development technical delivery and joint implementation across regions
• thematic specialists provide technical expertise programme development support and knowledge services across the GWP Network
• Regional Water Partnerships and Country Water Partnerships lead programme implementation and stakeholder engagement at regional and national levels.

This architecture ensures that global thematic expertise is mobilised across the network while maintaining the principle that programme implementation is undertaken through Regional Water Partnerships under the One GWP joint delivery model.

The Global Head works in close collaboration with Regional Coordinators and Technical Hub specialists to ensure coherent implementation of the One GWP joint-delivery model while maintaining alignment with the strategic priorities of the GWP Strategy .

GLOBAL HEAD - BLENDED FINANCE AND PRIVATE SECTOR INVESTMENTS

Global Strategic Leadership for Water Investment and Blended Finance

The Global Head provides global strategic leadership for GWPOs work on water investment mobilisation blended finance mechanisms and private sector engagement.

The position is responsible for developing and leading GWPOs global thematic portfolio on water investment finance advancing financing frameworks and investment approaches that enable:

• mobilisation of private capital for water investments
• development of blended finance instruments and financing platforms
• strengthening public-private partnerships (PPPs) in the water sector
• development of bankable water investment pipelines and a global portfolio of investment-ready projects
• mobilisation of large-scale capital for climate-resilient water infrastructure.

The Global Head also provides strategic leadership in structuring investment-ready water infrastructure initiatives facilitating engagement with public and private investors and supporting governments and Regional Water Partnerships in developing sustainable water financing frameworks.

The Global Head leads the development and coordination of GWPs Global Water Investment Delivery System which integrates strategic leadership programme development and investment pipeline preparation across the GWP Network.

The role positions GWPO and its global Network as a global platform for mobilising finance for water security supporting engagement with development finance institutions climate funds and private investors.

GWP Network and Collaboration with Regional Water Partnerships

Under the One GWP joint-delivery model implementation of programmes and initiatives is undertaken through the GWP Network particularly the Regional Water Partnerships (RWPs) and Country Water Partnerships (CWPs).

The Global Head provides global thematic leadership technical guidance partnership development and investment support to the GWP Network while working in close collaboration with RWPs.

Regional Water Partnerships retain responsibility for regional programme leadership stakeholder engagement and implementation of activities within their regions.

The Global Head works collaboratively with RWPs to:

• support development of regional programmes aligned with the GWP Strategy
• provide technical expertise and global partnerships to strengthen programme impact
• support development of bankable water investment pipelines
• facilitate cross-regional collaboration and investment partnerships

The Global Head does not exercise line management authority over RWPs.

STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP AND GLOBAL POLICY ROLE

The Global Head serves as GWPOs senior global authority on water investment mobilisation blended finance and private sector engagement.

The position will:

• shape GWPOs global policy agenda on water investment and financing mechanisms
• represent GWPO in international investment and infrastructure finance platforms
• strengthen partnerships with RWPs financial institutions and regional organisations
• advance financing solutions supporting water investment and sustainable development

The Global Head will work closely with RWPs in engaging with:

• governments and ministers responsible for water finance and infrastructure
• national investment and infrastructure agencies
• regional economic communities
• project preparation facilities and infrastructure finance platforms
• multilateral development banks
• global climate finance institutions
• private investors and financial institutions
• infrastructure investment funds and sovereign wealth funds
• UN agencies and global development initiatives.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Leadership of the Global Water Investment Portfolio

Working closely with GWP regions:

• Lead the global strategic direction of GWPs work on blended finance and water investment across all GWP regions.
• Translate the GWP Strategy into scalable investment programmes.
• Develop and manage the GWP global thematic portfolio on blended finance and private sector investment.
• Ensure alignment between water investment initiatives and GWPOs broader water security agenda.

Development of Bankable Water Investment Pipelines

Working closely with GWP regions to:

• Lead development of the Global Water Investment Platform as a global mechanism for aggregating investment pipelines across GWP regions and facilitating engagement with international financing partners
• Support governments in preparing bankable water investment projects
• Strengthen investment readiness in water infrastructure programmes
• Develop regional and global portfolios of investment-ready water projects aligned with regional priorities
• Support development of project preparation facilities and investment platforms for water infrastructure.

Blended Finance and Innovative Financing Mechanisms

Working closely with GWP regions to:

• Develop blended finance instruments for water investments
• Structure financing packages combining public concessional and private capital
• Strengthen risk mitigation mechanisms for water investments
• Support development of blended finance vehicles guarantee mechanisms and credit enhancement instruments
• Support development of transaction-ready public-private partnership projects.

Private Sector Engagement and Partnerships

Working closely with GWP regions to:

• Strengthen engagement with private sector actors in the water sector
• Promote public-private partnerships in water infrastructure
• Facilitate dialogue between governments and private investors
• Support collaboration with infrastructure investors and technology providers
• Strengthen partnerships with institutional investors including pension funds sovereign wealth funds and infrastructure investment funds.

Technical Hub Leadership and One-GWP Coordination

• Lead the GWPO Blended Finance and Water Investment Technical Support Hub
• Supervise technical specialists and programme experts supporting investment initiatives
• Coordinate thematic support across Regional Water Partnerships and global technical hubs
• Ensure consistent application of investment methodologies across regions.

Knowledge Leadership and Innovation

• Lead global knowledge generation on water investment and financing mechanisms
• Develop analytical reports policy guidance and global investment frameworks
• Promote innovation and best practices in water financing.

Strategic Partnerships and Resource Mobilisation

• Support development of bankable water investment programmes
• Contribute to mobilising international financing for water infrastructure
• Work with RWPs to build strategic partnerships with financial institutions and investors
• Support engagement with multilateral development banks and global investors
• Contribute to resource mobilisation for GWPO and the GWP Network.

Monitoring Accountability and Investment Tracking

• Strengthen monitoring frameworks for water investment outcomes
• Promote investment tracking systems across the GWP Network
• Support alignment with SDG 6 financing frameworks and global water investment tracking systems.

EXPECTED RESULTS

The Global Head will deliver:

• Strengthened global water investment pipelines across GWP regions
• Increased private sector participation in water investments
• Expanded partnerships with financial institutions and investors
• Increased mobilisation of finance for water infrastructure and governance systems
• Enhanced global recognition of GWPO as a leader in water investment mobilisation.

MANAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES

Participation in the GWPO Global Thematic Leadership Team

The Global Head is a member of the GWPO Global Thematic Leadership Team chaired by the Director Programme Development & Delivery.

The Global Thematic Leadership Team brings together the Global Heads responsible for the organisations four global thematic portfolios:

• Climate Resilience and Water Security
• Transboundary Water Governance
• Blended Finance and Private Sector Investments
• Innovation Knowledge & Capacity Development.

The Global Thematic Leadership Team provides collective strategic leadership for the implementation of the GWP Strategy ensuring coherence across thematic programmes and alignment with the One GWP joint-delivery model.

Members of the Global Thematic Leadership Team work collaboratively to:

• Ensure strategic coherence across GWP thematic portfolios
• Coordinate cross-thematic initiatives and programme development
• Support integration of thematic expertise into regional programmes and investment pipelines
• Strengthen partnerships with international organisations development partners and financial institutions
• Contribute to the development and delivery of the GWP global programme portfolio.

The Global Thematic Leadership Team operates as a collaborative leadership mechanism and does not alter the governance structure of the GWP Network or the operational leadership responsibilities of Regional Water Partnerships.

Global Thematic Management and Leadership

The Global Head will:

• Lead the GWPO Blended Finance and Private Sector Investments Technical Hub
• Supervise technical specialists and programme experts
• Coordinate thematic delivery across RWPs and GWPO hubs
• Promote a One GWP culture of collaboration and joint delivery
• Mentor and strengthen capacity within the global network.

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

Performance will be measured against:

• Number and value of bankable water investment projects developed
• Value of investment pipelines supported across the GWP Network
• Ratio of private capital leveraged through blended finance structures
• Mobilisation of finance for water investment initiatives
• Effectiveness of technical hub coordination and thematic delivery
• Influence in global water investment policy processes
• Partnerships established with financial institutions and investors
• Knowledge products and policy contributions delivered
• Partner satisfaction and programme delivery performance.

CORE VALUES AND COMPETENCIES

Core Values

• Integrity
• Professionalism
• Respect for Diversity

Core Competencies

• Communication
• Teamwork
• Planning & Organizing
• Accountability
• Creativity
• Client Partner Orientation
• Commitment to Continuous Learning
• Technological Awareness

Managerial Competencies

• Leadership
• Vision
• Empowering Others
• Building Trust
• Managing Performance
• Judgement Agile Decision Making

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Advanced university degree in finance economics infrastructure finance water resources management or related field.
• Minimum 15 years of professional experience in infrastructure finance investment banking development finance or water sector investment.
• Demonstrated experience working with governments financial institutions and international organisations.
• Experience structuring blended finance instruments and investment platforms.
• Experience engaging with multilateral development banks climate finance mechanismsinfrastructure funds and private investors.

• Strong strategic leadership and stakeholder engagement skills
• Fluency in English required; knowledge of French and/or Spanish is
• Programme Leadership
• Investment and Financial Structuring Expertise.