Communications Specialist

Communications Specialist
Contract type: Long term | Full time – 37.5 hours per week
Location: WaterAid Bangladesh Country Office, Dhaka.
Salary: Monthly gross salary BDT 130,000/- with excellent benefits (Flexible for deserving candidates with strong track record and demonstrated credentials)

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

The Technical Services Department at WaterAid Bangladesh serves as the central hub for advancing technical excellence, strategic communication, and evidence-based research across the organisation’s WASH initiatives. Comprising three key portfolios: Technical, Communications, and Research, the department drives innovation, ensures quality assurance, and fosters learning to support impactful and inclusive programme delivery. It plays a critical role in developing climate-resilient solutions, amplifying WaterAid’s voice and visibility, and generating knowledge to influence policy and practice. Guided by the leadership of the Director of Technical Services, the department works collaboratively across teams and with external partners to achieve WaterAid’s mission of transforming lives through sustainable and safe water, sanitation, and hygiene.

About the role

The Communications Specialist will oversee the strategic planning, coordination, and execution of WaterAid Bangladesh’s communications efforts and activities to amplify its mission and programme impact. This role is central to crafting and implementing communication strategies that align with the evolving needs of the Bangladesh country programme.

The incumbent will ensure consistency with WaterAid’s brand across all internal and external publications, media, marketing materials, and digital platforms. By producing high-quality written and visual content and enhancing the creative expressions across all platforms, the Communication Specialist will support WaterAid’s brand visibility and audience engagement. Additionally, the role involves managing effective relationships with internal teams and external stakeholders to maintain and enhance WaterAid’s public profile.

In this role, you will:

1. Strategic Communications & Brand Guardianship Design and execute communication strategies that directly support WaterAid Bangladesh’s program goals. Act as the primary custodian of the brand, ensuring all external materials—visual and written—meet strict quality and identity guidelines.

2. Media Relations & Advocacy Build and maintain robust networks with journalists, editors, and influencers to secure high-impact coverage across print, broadcast, and digital media. You will proactively pitch stories, manage media partnerships, and equip the Country Director and Senior Management with technical briefs and talking points for public engagements.

3. Editorial & Storytelling Excellence Lead the narrative by developing high-quality, bilingual content (English and Bangla) for campaigns, donor reports, and press releases. You will strengthen WaterAid’s storytelling by curating impact stories and case studies that adhere to "people-centered" language guides.

4. Creative Direction & Production Oversee the end-to-end production workflow for publications and campaigns. You will manage the design, layout, and printing processes to ensure visual consistency and timely delivery of creative assets across all platforms.

5. Digital Presence & Social Media Management Drive digital engagement by ideating strategic content for social media and the official website. You will monitor trends, moderate online communities, and ensure WaterAid’s digital footprint is vibrant and relevant.

6. Compliance, Collaboration & Ethics Ensure all communication outputs strictly adhere to WaterAid’s safeguarding and ethical policies. You will collaborate seamlessly with global and regional teams to meet annual targets and support organizational needs.

These responsibilities will be reviewed with the line manager from time to time.

To be successful, you will need:

Education: Masters or equivalent degree, preferably in communications, public relations, marketing, social sciences, or a relevant subject from any recognised university.

Experience: Minimum 05 (five) years’ demonstrable experience in the relevant communications field along with managing complex communications strategies across different programmes, projects and areas. Background in the INGO or development sector is highly desirable, particularly within WASH, climate change, or social advocacy will be preffered.

Skill, Knowledge and Competencies:

• Proven track record in designing, managing, and implementing strategic communications that drive organizational goals.

• Strong experience in pitching stories and securing coverage, with an established network of relationships with editors and journalists.
• Exceptional writing and editing capabilities in both Bangla and English, with the ability to produce clear, engaging, and high-quality content across various formats.
• Demonstrated ability to oversee design and publication workflows, ensuring visual quality, brand consistency, and timely delivery of assets.
• Understanding of visual communication principles; familiarity with creative tools (e.g., Adobe Creative Cloud) or the ability to effectively supervise design teams and external agencies.
• Competence in planning and delivering impactful events, media briefings, and public campaigns.
• Strong leadership and problem-solving skills, with a proactive approach to team building and the ability to work independently under pressure.
• Excellent ability to prioritize tasks, manage multiple deadlines, and maintain integrity in a fast-paced environment.

View the full job description here

Closing date: Applications close 05:00 PM BD time on 10 March 2026. Interviews may be scheduled on a rolling basis, and the role may close earlier if a suitable candidate is found.

How to apply: Click Apply to answer the Pre-screening questions and upload your CV only.

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.

Our benefits
Festival bonus, provident fund, gratuity, life insurance for self, health insurance for self, spouse and children, cell phone allowances etc. are applicable as per policy provision.

Our Global Commitment:

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!