Head of Business Development

Head of Business Development

Contract: 2 years Fixed term, Renewable based on performance and funding

Location: Kampala, Uganda

Salary and Benefits:  Competitive salaries 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 is an international organization whose vision is that of a world where everyone has access to safe water, hygiene, and sanitation. WaterAid works to transform lives by improving access to safe water and good hygiene and sanitation conditions among the poorest and most marginalized populations in the world. In the implementation of its strategic plan for 2023-2028, WaterAid Uganda places particular emphasis on Health, also on increasing the quantity and quality of the WASH sector financing in Uganda, mobilizing resources, establishing multi-stakeholder partnerships, utilizing action research and innovation, while drawing on the lessons learned from previous strategies. In this process, WaterAid Uganda is seeking a qualified and motivated individual candidate to fill the position of Head of Business Development based at the Kampala Office in Uganda.

About the Role

The Head of Business Development will have the primary responsibility for identifying new funding opportunities, developing concept notes and proposals to raise funds from potential donors, and maintaining strong relationships with donors. S/He will work closely with the Program, Policy and Advocacy, Grants and Finance teams whenever required. The position holder will be accountable to the Country Director with a close working relationship with the Senior Management Team (SMT), Directors/ Heads of units, staff, consultants, WAU Partners, East Africa Regional team, UK office, Donors, Government Officials – Local and National, Line Ministries, Civil Society Organisations and other INGOs.

In this role, You'll:

• Lead, develop and implement a fundraising strategy for increasing resource mobilisation from potential donors and assess supplier markets. 
• Work closely with WAU’s Senior Management Team in development and implementation of the Country Programmes (CPs) Funding Strategy
• Develop and implement annual fundraising plan of the organization
• Lead the approach to ensuring that the CP has integrated rights, gender, equity and inclusion into its work as well as being a diverse and inclusive place to work.
• Ensure WAU is well positioned within the donor and supplier markets as a ‘go to’ agency for long term WASH programming
• Grow a pipeline of funding opportunities for the country programme
• In collaboration with SMT/CD, hold, manage and track in-country Business Development relationships and influence key donors (Institutional donors, corporate, Trust and foundations, INGO, etc.) and Commercial Suppliers and research partners/competitors as well as cultivate and facilitate global donor HQ relationships when necessary.
• Provide country staff/programmes with up-to-date intelligence on prioritised donors, their key funding partners, funding opportunities and donor terms and conditions. 
• Enable effective formation of strong consortium around specific funding opportunities prior to bid development.
• Ensure effective contract negotiation for strategic, high value opportunities as well as maintain standard negotiating positions for donor contract terms and conditions
• Facilitate and provide capacity building trainings for relevant staff in fundraising, funding planning process and Restricted Income Systems
• Create and maintain an environment which upholds WaterAid’s Global Code of Conduct and associated safeguarding and child protection policies.
• Create and maintain an environment which consistently upholds WaterAid’s Health, Safety & Security Policy.
• Ensure that partners that WaterAid works with are adopting the same health, safety and security standards (as defined in any applicable WaterAid health, safety and security policies), and arrange for capacity building support where gaps or weaknesses are identified.
• Understand and put into practice the responsibilities under Safeguarding, Child Protection and Gender policies and Code of Conduct (CoC)

To be successful, you’ll need: 

• A master’s degree in Project/Programme Management, Social Sciences, Development Studies, Business Management/Administration, International Development, Public Health or related field.
• Minimum of 7 years’ related experience in raising funds from donors such as the EU, DFID, SIDA, NORAD, DANIDA etc and managing the funds.
• Significant experience in fundraising/ writing winning proposals, grants management and donor reporting within an NGO environment and working with Governments.
• Proven ability to identify new business opportunities and create successful partnerships.
• In-depth knowledge of the fundraising industry and its current events
• Broad knowledge of a range of bilateral and multilateral institutional donors and CSR of corporate bodies.
• Experience of consortia partnerships management.
• Excellent networking, engagement and negotiating skills and proven ability to initiate and maintain strategic partnerships
• Excellent verbal, writing and analytical skills in the English language
• Ability to effectively coordinate with the WaterAid Federation and global country programmes
• Strong skills in proposal and report writing from experience of working with international donors

View full job description here

Closing Date: Applications will close 12:00 GMT on Friday, 20th February 2026.

How to Apply: Click ‘Apply’ to complete the pre-screening questions and upload your CV and an essential cover letter which should also be in English.

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 post, you must be able to demonstrate your eligibility to work in Uganda. All pre-employment checks will be carried out according to the Ugandan laws.

As an organisation WaterAid is committed to creating an environment where you can thrive and be yourself at your very best. So, in addition to our inspiring global mission and engaging work environment, we have a generous benefit package to help you take care of your health, happiness and wellbeing.

Our Global Commitment:

Our People Promise:

We will work with passion and focus to ensure safe and sustainable water, toilets and hygiene are available to everyone, everywhere. 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 put the wellbeing of our people first, 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 also 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 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. As a safeguarding measure, WaterAid conducts background checks on all potential employees. This is done following the conclusion of recruitment and prior to assuming full employment.

Together, we’ll change the world through water.

Join us and be part of the change!