Global Head of Assurance

Global Head of Assurance (WaterAid International)

Contract type: Permanent, Full-time

Location: London, UK or Stockholm, Sweden

In the UK, we enjoy Hybrid working: a minimum of 40 % of working time is spent face-to-face (London office, external meetings or travel). 60/40 hybrid working at WaterAid means roughly three days wherever you work best and two days together in person

Salary:

• GBP £73,964 per annum starting salary with excellent benefits*
• SEK 52,000 – 70,000 per month with excellent benefits*

*We offer competitive, market-aligned salaries based on the grade and scope of each role. Roles are offered at the advertised starting salary, with any exceptions considered only in exceptional circumstances.

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 our Leaders

A WaterAid Ready Leader embodies WaterAid's Leading Together with PACE behaviours. Leaders who create clarity and purpose, have agility and resourcefulness and can build accountability, champion collaboration, and empower others to perform at their best. At WaterAid, leadership isn’t about title or position. It’s about action that creates positive change and impact.

About the team

WaterAid international is a separate legal entity within the WaterAid federation which has oversight of the global organisation. It comprises the Board of Trustees and a small secretariat, based in London and led by the Global Director. WAi was created to support the development of our global organisation and to facilitate global decision making, global standards and co-ordination of global activities.

It supports the members in their work to deliver our strategic aims and mission and realise our vision. WAi owns the WaterAid name and logo and is responsible for establishing WaterAid member organisations in new countries.

About the role

The Global Head of Assurance is a WaterAid Ready Leader who plays a critical role in strengthening confidence in WaterAid's governance, risk management and control environment. Responsible for developing and coordinating the global assurance framework, the role provides independent assurance to management and the WaterAid International Board on the adequacy and effectiveness of key organisational systems and controls.

Working across a complex international organisation, the postholder will bring objective insight and constructive challenge, helping to identify risks, improve processes and support effective decision-making. Through collaboration with colleagues and stakeholders across the federation, they will help ensure WaterAid delivers its mission with integrity, accountability and impact.

In this role, you will;

Assurance

• Work with each Member Country and the WAi Secretariat to support the development of appropriate and proportionate assurance frameworks.
• Provide periodic updates and an annual opinion to the WAi Global Director and WAi Board on the adequacy and effectiveness of internal controls, governance and risk management across the federation.

Audit

• Assess and support member countries in developing and strengthening the adequacy and effectiveness of audit and assurance mechanisms across the federation.
• Develop a WAi Audit Plan, informed by global risks, a global assurance framework and input from the Global Executive, for approval by the WAi Global Director and the WAi Board.

Accreditation

• Work with colleagues to deliver a rigorous and effective accreditation process, and conduct regular and ad-hoc accreditation reviews of federation Member Countries. 

Risk management

• Support the further development and embedding of the WAi risk management process.
• Promote and support best practise in risk management across the federation.

Fraud and financial crime (excluding WaterAid UK)

• Assist Member Countries with the management of cases of fraud, bribery and other financial irregularities and crimes.
• Support Member Countries in developing fraud risk assessments, advising on preventive and detective measures, and conducting fraud awareness activities.

To be successful, you will need:

• Qualified member of a major accounting body (ICAEW, ICAS, ACCA, CIMA) or an Internal Auditor qualification
• Comprehensive understanding of the Global Internal Audit Standards and leading internal audit practices
• Experienced in managing and developing audit and assurance functions
• Experienced in working across cultures
• Practical experience of fraud investigations
• Experienced working with Microsoft applications
• Be a WaterAid Ready Leader: A proven ability to create clarity and purpose, adapt with agility and resourcefulness, build accountability, champion collaboration and empower others to perform at their best, in line with WaterAid's Leading Together with PACE behaviours.

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

• Language skills in French, Portuguese or languages in countries where WaterAid works.
• Experience working for a charity or not-for-profit organisation
• Experience in working in an international organisation

View the full job description here

Closing date: Applications close at 12:00 PM UK time on 9 October 2026. Interviews are expected to take place the week commencing 19 October 2026.

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

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. All UK based roles require a basic Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Our benefits

Our 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!