Introduction

WaterAid’s vision is of a world where everyone has access to safe water and sanitation. Our mission is to transform lives by improving access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) in the world’s poorest communities. WaterAid works with partners to maximise its impacts for policy change/influence.

WaterAid has been operating in Papua New Guinea (PNG) since 2004, working with local partners and the government to increase access to gender sensitive, socially inclusive and climate resilient water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services. WaterAid PNG’s geographic focus is on the National Capital District, and Central Province in the Southern Region and East Sepik Province.

WaterAid works through supporting local organisations and government authorities to design and demonstrate appropriate and sustainable WASH programs. WaterAid also seeks to influence policy change through government and other key sector actors to secure and protect the right of poor people to safe, affordable water and sanitation services.

Everything we do is shaped by our six values:

• Integrity
• Respect
• Collaboration
• Courage
• Accountability
• Innovation

WaterAid is a child safe organisation. We recognise that we must meet community expectations, and the trust placed in our personnel to maintain the highest standards of conduct with children. Therefore, all positions within WaterAid are required to comply with our Child Safeguarding Policy and Code of Conduct.

WaterAid is committed to protection from sexual exploitation and abuse in everything we do. The values and standards we uphold are highlighted in our Global Code of Conduct. All positions within WaterAid are required to comply with our Global Code of Conduct.

WaterAid passionately believes everyone in the organisation has a role to play in innovation, encourages curiosity about the world and empowering everyone to act. We recognise that both big and small changes can have positive impacts on our roles, our team and our mission.

Position Summary

The purpose of the GEDSI Officer role is to support WaterAid and local partner organisations to Lead menstrual health advocacy, influence and practice across diverse actors in PNG & Support WaterAid’s gender equality and social inclusion efforts through WASH systems.

The GEDSI Officer will play a critical role in ensuring the project’s interventions are inclusive and equitable, supporting the long-term empowerment of marginalized groups in climate resilience and WASH governance. Their work will contribute to strengthening gender-sensitive policy frameworks and ensuring participatory adaptation measures across PNG’s WASH sector.

Key Performance Areas/Accountabilities

• Conduct Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) surveys on GEDSI within freshwater resource management and climate adaptation.
• Work with government officers and LLG project teams in Rabaul District to analyse GEDSI considerations in community-led WRM initiatives.
• Contribute to the development of a standalone KAP survey report, ensuring findings inform inclusive climate adaptation strategies.
• Ensure WASH and Water Resource Management (WRM) baseline data captures gender, equity, disability, and social inclusion (GEDSI) perspectives.
• Support key informant interviews, focus group discussions, household surveys, and participatory rural appraisals to evaluate water security, resilience, and adaptation strategies for vulnerable groups.
• Conduct Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) surveys on GEDSI within freshwater resource management and climate adaptation.
• Collaborate with East New Britain Provincial Administration to ensure gender-sensitive climate adaptation and water security are embedded in the ENB Provincial Development Strategy.
• Comply with all WaterAid’s policies and procedures.

Qualification, Skills & Attributes

• Bachelor’s degree in Social work, Gender Studies, Anthropology, Development Studies, Public Health or related field.
• Prior work experience with WASH, health or community development is desirable
• Work or voluntary experience with government or NGOs is desirable.
• Ability to support and mentor staff.
• Proficient with the use of Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with a proven ability to influence a variety of stakeholders.
• Confidence working with both government and non-government stakeholders.

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• A positive ‘can do’ attitude
• Attention to detail.

Level of contact with children

The position will be required to maintain WaterAid child safeguarding principles and

standards always.

To Apply:

Please submit an application to [email protected] by 20 June, 2025.

Applications for this position must include a resume and a cover letter addressing the above Qualification, Skills and Selection Criteria.

Applicants must have the right to work in Papua New Guinea