Head of People

Job Details

Contract type: Fixed Term – 3 years

Location: Dar Es Salaam – Tanzania.

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

WaterAid Tanzania is a leading WASH organization that works with government and partners to improve access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene. Guided by its national and global strategies, the team focuses on expanding sustainable WASH services, strengthening systems, influencing policy, promoting innovation, and advancing gender equality and inclusion to achieve lasting impact across Tanzania.

About the role

As a member of the Senior Management Team (SMT) the Head of People is responsible for delivering people plans which enable the country programme to achieve its strategy and goals. With a deep understanding of the country programme strategy and context, the Head of People will lead and manage the team and manage the implementation of human resources policies, plans and priorities.

In this role, you will:

• Lead and implement the People Strategy to support WaterAid Tanzania's strategic objectives and organizational growth.

• Provide strategic people leadership and advice to the Country Director and Senior Management Team on workforce planning, talent management, and organizational effectiveness.

• Oversee all people management functions, including recruitment, performance management, learning and development, employee relations, reward, engagement, and succession planning.

• Build organizational and leadership capability through capacity development, change management, and a high-performance culture.

• Ensure compliance with safeguarding, labour laws, policies, safety, and risk management standards while fostering an inclusive and supportive workplace.

• Manage the People Department budget, people systems, and reporting to support effective decision-making and operational excellence.

Requirements

To be successful, you will need:

• Master’s degree in Human Resources, Organisational Psychology, Leadership & Capability Development, or a related field, with a recognised HR professional qualification.

• Significant senior-level HR experience, including leadership of a People/HR function, ideally within an international development or NGO environment.

• Strong expertise in talent acquisition, employee relations, reward, performance management, organisational development, learning and development, and employment legislation.

• Proven ability to partner with senior leaders and influence decision-making at a strategic level.

• Experience in workforce planning, change management, organisational design, and capacity building.

• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret people data and produce actionable insights.

• Excellent communication, relationship-building, and stakeholder management skills.

• Demonstrated leadership capability, with the ability to coach, influence, and develop others.

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• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, safeguarding, and organisational values.

• High levels of integrity, professionalism, adaptability, and cultural awareness.

Although not essential, we’d prefer you to have:

• Strategic and results driven.

• Strong leadership and teamwork skills.

• Excellent relationship-building, networking, and influencing abilities.

• Effective communication and stakeholder management skills.

• Adaptable, analytical, and solution oriented.

• High integrity and commitment to inclusion, gender.

View the full job description here

Application Details

Closing date: Applications close 05:00 PM East Africa time on 04th September 2026. Interviews are expected to take place week commencing 07th September 2026.

How to apply

Click Apply to upload your CV only and Cover Letter.

Can I use Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology in my application?

At WaterAid, we strongly advise against using AI technology at any stage of the recruitment process. Our goal is to ensure a fair and transparent process that provides every applicant with an equal opportunity to succeed. We value hearing about your unique experiences and perspectives in your application, and, if shortlisted, during the interview as well.

Pre-employment screening

To apply for this role, you must be able to demonstrate your eligibility to work in the respective country. All pre-employment checks will be carried out according to local law and WaterAid’s Safer Recruitment policy.

Benefits

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. These will be shared during the process.

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!