Blended Finance & Private Sector Investment Specialist

Location: GWPO Global Water Investment Technical Support Hub

Reports to: Global Technical Lead Blended Finance & Private Sector Investment

Technical Oversight:Global Head Blended Finance & Private Sector Investment

Team:Programme Development & Delivery Water Investment Theme

Duty Station: Panama and Cape Town South Africa

Job Grade Range: P2 - P3

Application Deadline: 15 May 2026

EXTERNAL RECRUITMENT - TWO (2) POSITIONS

BACKGROUND

The Global Water Partnership (GWP) is an international institution comprising the intergovernmental Global Water Partnership Organisation (GWPO) and a global network of more than 2800 partner organisations operating in over 180 countries.

GWP was established in 1996 with support from the World Bank UNDP and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) to promote integrated water resources management and strengthen global cooperation on water 2002 the Global Water Partnership Organisation (GWPO) was established as an intergovernmental organisation serving as the global secretariat of the GWP Network.

Over the past two decades GWP has supported countries worldwide in strengthening water governance improving water management systems and developing investment programmes for water security.

In 2025 GWPO and its global network launched a Global Transformation Agenda on Water Investments to accelerate the mobilisation of finance for water security and climate- resilient development. Under the GWP Strategy GWPO is implementing institutional reforms aimed at:

• 
  accelerating mobilisation of finance for water investments
• 
  strengthening climate-resilient water governance
• 
  improving management of water resources for sustainable development
• 
  strengthening cooperation on transboundary waters
• 
  promoting inclusion gender equality and data-driven water management.

This transformation includes:

• 
  establishment of GWPO Dual Global Headquarters anchored in the Global South
• 
  development of global thematic programmes supporting water investments
• 
  strengthened partnerships with G20 governments multilateral development banks and climate finance institutions
• 
  implementation of the One GWP joint delivery model integrating global regional and national operations.

Water security investments remain significantly underfunded globally. Mobilising finance for water infrastructure climate resilience and water governance requires stronger collaboration between governments development finance institutions and private sector investors.

The Blended Finance & Private Sector Investment Theme leads development of innovative project financing models combining public finance development finance and private capital to accelerate water investments. Through the GWP Network GWPO works with governments investors development partners and private sector actors to strengthen investment pipelines and mobilise financing for water security initiatives.

Programme Architecture and Coordination

The Global Water Partnership Organisation implements its programmes through a thematic programme architecture under the Programme Development & 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 Regional Water Partnerships on programme development and technical delivery
• 
  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.

Role of Regional Water Partnerships in Programme Delivery

Regional Water Partnerships remain the primary institutions responsible for programme implementation stakeholder engagement and regional coordination.

The Blended Finance & Private Sector Investment Specialist provides technical support and programme development assistance to Regional Water Partnerships while respecting their governance mandates and leadership roles within their respective regions.

All programme implementation activities are undertaken in partnership with and through Regional Water Partnerships and Country Water Partnerships.

BLENDED FINANCE & PRIVATE SECTOR INVESTMENT SPECIALIST

The Blended Finance & Private Sector Investment Specialist leads development of financial models for programmes and investment initiatives aimed at mobilising public and private finance for water security. The role contributes to preparation of investment proposals development of financing mechanisms and strengthening partnerships with investors and development finance institutions.

The Specialist contributes to the Global Water Investment Delivery System of the GWP Network by supporting preparation of bankable investment projects and strengthening regional water investment pipelines.

The position supports GWPO and the GWP Network in advancing:

• 
  mobilisation of finance for water infrastructure and water security initiatives
• 
  development of blended finance mechanisms combining public and private investment
• 
  strengthening private sector participation in water investments
• 
  development of bankable water investment projects
• 
  preparation of investment pipelines aligned with the Global Water Investment Platform
• 
  strengthening collaboration with development finance institutions investors and private sector partners
• 
  integration of climate resilience considerations into water investment programmes

PROGRAMME DEVELOPMENT AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT

Responsibilities include:

• 
  development of programme concepts and proposals addressing blended water investment and financing
• 
  preparation of bankable investment proposals for water infrastructure and climate- resilient water systems
• 
  development of regional water investment pipelines
• 
  preparation of blended finance structures for water investment initiatives
• 
  engagement with development finance institutions and private investors assisting Regional Water Partnerships in identifying investment opportunities aligned with national water priorities

• 
  preparation of investment proposals for international climate and development finance institutions.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Programme Development and Investment Proposal Preparation

• Preparation of investment programme proposals
• Development of bankable project concepts
• Preparation of funding proposals for international financing institutions
• Development of innovative financing approaches for water security investments.

Development of Water Investment Pipelines

• Identify priority water investment opportunities
• Development of pre-feasibility concepts
• Preparation of investment programmes aligned with investor requirements
• Development of regional and global water investment pipelines.

Blended Finance Mechanisms

• Design of blended finance mechanisms combining public and private capital
• Development of public-private partnership investment models
• Development of risk mitigation and guarantee mechanisms
• Engagement with climate finance facilities and development banks.

Private Sector Engagement

• Identify potential private sector partners
• Participate in dialogue between governments and investors
• Strengthen partnerships with infrastructure investors and financial institutions
• Engagement with technology providers and water service companies.

Knowledge Management and Capacity Development

• Development of knowledge products on water investment and blended finance
• Development of investment guidance for water projects
• 
  Leadership as resource intraining and capacity development programmes
• Dissemination of lessons learned across regions on blended finance models

Network Coordination and Joint Delivery

• Facilitate collaboration between Regional Water Partnerships
• Facilitate knowledge exchange on water investment approaches
• Support integration of global investment initiatives into regional programmes.

Investment Structuring and Investor Engagement

• Structuring of blended finance mechanisms combining public finance development finance and private investment
• Preparation of investment transactions and financial structuring processes required to bring water investment projects to financial close
• Preparation of investment-ready project packages
• Engagement with multilateral development banks climate funds and sovereign wealth funds
• Development of water investment platforms and financing facilities.

Capital Mobilisation and Strategic Partnerships

• Mobilisation of capital for water security investments
• Coordinatwith Regional Water Partnerships to identify investment-ready projects and integrate regional water investment pipelines into the Global Water Investment Platform
• Facilitating engagement with the Global Water Investment Platform Hub and international financing partners.
• Development of partnerships with infrastructure investors and institutional investors
• Coordination with development finance institutions and climate finance institutions
• Development of financing partnerships supporting water security investments.

EXPECTED RESULTS

• 
  Development of bankable water investment programmes
• 
  Strengthened water investment pipelines
• 
  Increased private sector participation in water investments
• 
  Improved access to financing for water infrastructure
• 
  Strengthened collaboration between governments investors and development partners.

IMPACT OF RESULTS

Effective performance of the Blended Finance & Private Sector Investment Specialist will contribute to accelerated mobilisation of finance for water security initiatives.

The role will lead development of innovative financing models that leverage public finance to mobilise private capital for water investments.

The Specialist will also contribute to the development of the Global Water Investment Platform coordinated by GWPO supporting mobilisation of finance for water security initiatives and strengthening collaboration with the Global Water Investment Platform Hub as a global platform for water investment partnerships.

MANAGEMENT AND COLLABORATION

The Specialist reports to the Global Technical Lead Blended Finance & Private Sector Investment.

The role collaborates with:

• 
  Global Head Blended Finance & Private Sector Investment
• 
  Regional Water Partnerships and Country Water Partnerships
• Development finance institutions
• Private sector investors
• Multilateral development banks
• International development

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

• Number of investment proposals developed
• Number of bankable project concepts prepared
• Value of water investment opportunities supported
• Number of partnerships established with investors
• Development of regional water investment pipelines
• Knowledge products produced on water finance.

CORE VALUES AND COMPETENCIES

Core Values

• 
  Integrity
• 
  Professionalism
• 
  Respect for Diversity

Core Competencies

• 
  Communication
• 
  Teamwork
• 
  Planning and Organising
• 
  Accountability
• 
  Client Orientation
• 
  Continuous Learning

Managerial Competencies

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

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• 
  Advanced university degree in finance economics water resources management or related field
• 
  At least 7 years professional experience in infrastructure finance blended finance or investment programme development
• Experience preparing funding proposals for development finance institutions
• Knowledge of public-private partnerships and blended finance mechanisms
• Experience working with governments investors and development partners
• Fluency in English required; additional languages desirable.

Required Experience:

IC