Head of People at WaterAid, August 2026

Job Overview

Organisation: WaterAid Tanzania
Position: Head of People
Location: Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Contract Type: Fixed-term – 3 years
Employment Type: Full-time
Salary: Competitive with excellent benefits
Application Deadline: 4 September 2026 at 5:00 PM East Africa Time
Expected Interviews: Week commencing 7 September 2026

About WaterAid

WaterAid is a global federation working toward a world where everyone, everywhere has access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene by 2030.

WaterAid Tanzania works with the government and partners to improve access to sustainable water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services, strengthen systems, influence policy, promote innovation, and advance gender equality and inclusion.

About the Role

The Head of People will be a member of WaterAid Tanzania’s Senior Management Team (SMT) and will lead the organisation’s people and human resources function.

The role is responsible for developing and implementing people strategies that support WaterAid Tanzania’s strategic objectives, organisational growth, and effectiveness.

The successful candidate will provide strategic HR advice to the Country Director and Senior Management Team while leading the People Department.

Key Responsibilities

People Strategy & Leadership

• Lead and implement the People Strategy in support of WaterAid Tanzania’s strategic objectives.
• Provide strategic people leadership and advice to the Country Director and Senior Management Team.
• Support workforce planning, talent management, and organisational effectiveness.
• Lead the People/HR function and manage the People team.

People Management

Oversee key people management functions, including:

• Recruitment and talent acquisition.
• Performance management.
• Learning and development.
• Employee relations.
• Reward and compensation.
• Employee engagement.
• Succession planning.
• Organisational development.

Organisational Development

• Build organisational and leadership capability.
• Support capacity development initiatives.
• Lead change management activities.
• Promote a high-performance organisational culture.
• Support organisational design and workforce planning.

Compliance, Safeguarding & Risk

• Ensure compliance with employment and labour laws.
• Ensure adherence to safeguarding requirements and organisational policies.
• Support workplace safety and risk management.
• Foster an inclusive, safe, and supportive working environment.

Budget, Systems & Reporting

• Manage the People Department budget.
• Oversee people management systems.
• Produce and analyse people-related reports.
• Use people data and insights to support effective decision-making and operational excellence.

Qualifications & Experience

To be successful, candidates should have:

• Master’s degree in Human Resources, Organisational Psychology, Leadership & Capability Development, or a related field.
• A recognised professional HR qualification.
• Significant senior-level HR experience, including leadership of a People/HR function.
• Experience within an international development or NGO environment is highly desirable.
• Strong expertise in:
  • Talent acquisition
  • Employee relations
  • Reward
  • Performance management
  • Organisational development
  • Learning and development
  • Employment legislation
• Proven ability to advise and influence senior leaders.
• Experience in workforce planning, change management, organisational design, and capacity building.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to interpret people data.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong leadership, coaching, and people-development abilities.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, safeguarding, and organisational values.
• High integrity, professionalism, adaptability, and cultural awareness.

Preferred Attributes

WaterAid would particularly value candidates who are:

• Strategic and results-driven.
• Strong leaders and team players.
• Excellent at relationship building, networking, and influencing.
• Strong communicators.
• Adaptable and analytical.
• Solution-oriented.
• Highly committed to integrity and inclusion.

AI Use in the Application

Important: WaterAid states that it strongly advises against using AI technology at any stage of the recruitment process.

The organisation wants applicants to demonstrate their own experiences, perspectives, and abilities during the application and interview process.

Application Requirements

Applicants should submit:

• CV
• Cover Letter

Applicants must also be able to demonstrate their eligibility to work in Tanzania.

Pre-Employment Screening

WaterAid will conduct pre-employment checks in accordance with local law and its Safer Recruitment Policy.

Employment offers are subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which may include safeguarding and other relevant checks.

Equal Opportunities & Safeguarding

WaterAid welcomes applications from people from diverse backgrounds and is committed to creating an inclusive workplace.

The organisation has a zero-tolerance approach to abuse of power, discrimination, bullying, harassment, exploitation, and other inappropriate behaviour.

Safeguarding staff, volunteers, communities, and others involved in its work is a key priority.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should use the Apply option on the WaterAid vacancy page and upload their CV and cover letter.

Application Deadline

4 September 2026 at 5:00 PM EAT

Contract: Fixed-term, 3 years
Location: Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Organisation: WaterAid Tanzania
Position: Head of People

CLICK HERE TO APPLY