Join the team at AWP

The Australian Water Partnership (AWP) is seeking a senior regional professional to lead program and partnership development, stakeholder coordination and early activity scoping across South Asia. 

The successful consultant will be based in South Asia, preferably Nepal. Applicants based elsewhere in South Asia will also be considered. The engagement will involve regular regional travel. 

Applications close:

12 October 2026, Australian Eastern Daylight Time (UTC+11) 

About AWP 

AWP is funded by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and managed by eWater Limited. AWP mobilises Australian water-sector expertise to help partners strengthen sustainable and climate-resilient water resource management in South Asia, Southeast Asia and the Pacific. 

AWP works through trusted partnerships with governments, regional and multilateral organisations, civil society, research institutions and the private sector. Its work responds to partner demand and Australian Government priorities and integrates climate resilience, gender equality, disability and social inclusion, localisation, safeguarding and learning. 

About the role:

The South Asia Regional Coordinator will provide AWP with an on-the-ground regional presence, connecting stakeholder priorities with AWP’s strategy, technical capability and delivery systems. 

The role will strengthen relationships, maintain a qualified opportunity pipeline, and coordinate selected opportunities through early design and handover for approval and implementation. 

For this role, program and partnership development involves building strategically aligned partnerships and shaping well-defined program opportunities. The Coordinator will not make financial, contractual or policy commitments on behalf of AWP, eWater or DFAT without written authority. 

Key responsibilities:

• Contribute regional intelligence and advice to AWP’s South Asia strategy, annual planning and portfolio prioritisation; 

• Maintain a stakeholder map, regional engagement plan and qualified opportunity pipeline with clear decisions, risks, owners and next actions; 

• Identify and qualify opportunities with DFAT Posts, partner governments, regional and multilateral organisations, and Australian water-sector partners; 

• Coordinate or draft partner briefs, concept notes, options papers, activity scoping documents and Terms of Reference for opportunities approved for development; 

• Convene the South Asia Regional Working Group and coordinate stakeholder meetings, consultations, events, workshops and field visits; 

• Represent AWP at approved forums and maintain accurate records of decisions, commitments and relationship intelligence; 

• Coordinate early co-design and apply relevant AWP frameworks and strategies, including climate resilience, gender equality, disability and social inclusion, localisation, safeguarding, monitoring and evaluation, risk management, communications and knowledge management; 

• Support due diligence, mobilisation and orderly handover of approved activities to the responsible AWP manager; and 

• Provide concise monthly and quarterly updates and escalate material delivery, reputational, safeguarding, political-economy or partnership risks promptly. 

Key deliverables:

• An inception plan within 20 working days of commencement: a 90-day work plan, stakeholder map, regional engagement plan and prioritised opportunity pipeline; 

• Monthly briefs highlighting updates on the opportunity pipeline and stakeholder engagement record, together with design of development products and activities for approval 

• Quarterly reports against the agreed work plan and performance measures; 

• An end-of-term handover pack covering relationships, opportunities, activity status, outstanding decisions and next actions. 

Working arrangements:

The Coordinator will be contracted by eWater Limited to support AWP and will report to the AWP Program Lead. The engagement is expected to be part-time, up to 140 days per annum, generally scheduled at approximately three days per week, subject to the final contract. The Coordinator will work closely with AWP’s Strategy and Operations Lead, Technical Lead, Program Manager, Program Officers and broader team. 

The role will commence as soon as possible and will be for an initial six month term, with possible extension dependent on future funding. 

Remuneration will be negotiated based on experience and within AWP’s approved budget. Approved travel and expenses will be managed under the contract. 

APPLICATION PROCEDURE:

Submit your EOI through HR@ewater.org.au by 12 October 2026, Australian Eastern Daylight Time (UTC+11). 

Your EOI must include a cover letter of no more than two pages that addresses the essential selection criteria with specific examples, and a current curriculum vitae that states your location, work rights and availability and includes contact details for two referees. 

AWP may shortlist and interview applicants, check referees, undertake any other required screening, and seek clarification before selecting a preferred candidate. 

Selection criteria: 

EOIs will be assessed against the following criteria. Applicants should address each essential criterion directly. 

Essential Criteria:

• Relevant tertiary qualifications or equivalent experience in water resources, international development, public policy, international relations, business development or another relevant discipline. 

• Demonstrated experience developing and qualifying partnerships or program opportunities, including translating stakeholder needs into decision-ready concepts, scopes or proposals. 

• Demonstrated experience building and maintaining senior stakeholder relationships across South Asian governments, DFAT or other diplomatic missions, regional or multilateral organisations, research institutions, civil society and/or the private sector. 

• Demonstrated program or project coordination experience, including managing multiple priorities, dependencies, risks and follow-up actions across dispersed teams. 

• Sound judgement and political awareness, including the ability to represent an organisation within an approved mandate and recognise when to escalate. 

• Strong analytical and writing skills, with evidence of producing clear briefs, concept notes, Terms of Reference, reports or similar products for mixed technical and executive audiences. 

• Excellent written and spoken English, high-level facilitation and cross-cultural communication skills, and the ability to work autonomously while contributing as part of a remote team. 

• Ability to work flexible hours and travel regularly within South Asia. As eWater cannot sponsor visas, applicants must be resident in, or have the right to work in, a South Asian country. 

Desirable criteria:

• Water-resource management knowledge and familiarity with climate-resilient development in South Asia. 

• Experience with Australian development cooperation, DFAT investment requirements or Australian water-sector expertise. 

• Practical understanding of monitoring, evaluation and learning; gender equality, disability and social inclusion; localisation; safeguarding; and development risk management. 

• Experience working with multilateral development banks, UN agencies, regional organisations or cross-border water initiatives. 

Special Requirements:

• The appointed person must comply with applicable DFAT, eWater and AWP policies and cooperate with all required due diligence and screening processes, including those relating to child protection, safeguarding, fraud and corruption. 

• The appointed person must disclose actual or potential conflicts of interest, protect confidential information, and act only within written delegations and approved organisational positions. 

• Travel will remain subject to AWP approval, security advice, visa requirements and available budget. 

Contact:

For questions, contact Rohan Kent, AWP Program Lead (rohan.kent@waterpartnership.org.au).  

AWP reserves the right not to proceed with this call and is not liable for costs incurred in preparing an EOI.