Manager, Global Partnerships (Maternity leave coverage, 1 year fixed-term)

CAWST is a Canadian charity and licensed not-for-profit professional engineering consultancy teaching people how to bring safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene in their homes, schools and clinics, using simple, affordable technologies.

At the heart of everything we do is our belief that when people have their basic water and sanitation needs met, they have the opportunity to succeed. This is what drives our dedicated team to work with a global network of more than 1,500 clients and partners. Together, we have reached over 70 million people since our inception in 2001.

Collectively, we are making a difference at a scale beyond what any of us could do individually. But our job isn’t done yet and we need you to help us expand our reach.

Job Description

At CAWST, our global work in water, sanitation, and hygiene is powered by trusted relationships with institutional funders, collaborators, and partners around the world. We’re looking for a Manager, Global Partnerships (1-year maternity leave coverage) who knows how to turn shared purpose into long-term support.

This role sits at the heart of how CAWST grows its impact. You will lead our Institutional Funding function, steward critical grant relationships, and guide the development of proposals and partnerships that make our work possible across dozens of countries. You’ll work across teams, translate complex ideas into compelling cases for support, and ensure our partners feel deeply connected to the outcomes they help enable.

If you’re equally comfortable building strategy, managing complex grants, coaching team members, and crafting proposals that bring together technical expertise, global context, and shared value, this is a unique opportunity to step into a high-impact role where your work directly supports life-changing impact worldwide.

Position start date: As soon as possible

Reports To: Senior Director, Finance

Application due date: February 17, 2026

Please note: This is a temporary, fixed-term contract opportunity for maternity leave coverage. Candidates must be located in Canada, and we will only consider those with valid work authorization for the full contract term (i.e. Canadian open work permit, PR, or citizenship).

Specific Areas of Responsibility

1. Team Management

Lead, mentor, and develop a team of at least one staff member.

2. Strategic Partnership Development

Identify, evaluate, and prioritize potential global partners that align with CAWST’s strategic goals. Develop and execute partnership strategies to enhance revenue growth and market expansion.

3. Grant Management

• Oversight and grant management of all existing CAWST grants and funding agreements.
• Insuring adherence to new and existing grant reporting requirements, qualifications, and commitments.
• Primary lead in renewing key funding contracts and agreements.
• Supervision and management of grant managers activities and performance.

4.  Prospect Research, Cultivation and Stewardship

• Understand and interpret funding guidelines and determine whether CAWST is eligible for and aligned with prospective funders.
• Examine and assess prospective funders to identify their key messages, investment priorities, business objectives, and areas of shared value.
• Maintain a system to track and prioritize potential funding opportunities and communicate these to various CAWST staff.
• Prepare briefing notes by researching and synthesizing background on potential collaborators or funders for meetings, conferences, presentations, and events.
• Develop and steward relationships with prospective and secured collaborators and funders.

5.  Proposal Development and Investor Reporting

• Drive the grant proposal process, including collection and analysis of relevant information from CAWST departments to form the basis of proposals, grant applications, and funder stewardship reports.
• Understand CAWST’s model, business, and operational plans by actively connecting with staff and CAWST partners.
• Draft concept notes, letters of intent and other communication materials used to reach out to and engage potential funders.
• Develop timelines and coordinate cross-functional teams involved in the proposal development process, ensuring that proposals are on track and that all key players understand their role. Ensure deadlines are met.
• Articulate CAWST’s key messages to capture and reflect shared value with the prospect’s investment objectives.

6. Support Fund Development and Earned Revenue Development Activities

• Provide fund development support to CAWST field staff (Global Services) as they engage in business and fund development activities.
• Produce activity, revenue forecasts and lead generation reporting for CAWST Sr. Leadership, Board, partners, and funders, with support from other departments.
• Supports business development for conferences Provide support to the leadership team, staff, and volunteers with key messages for prospective funders where appropriate.
• Develop marketing tools, working with the marketing and communications team, to support strategies as required.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

• Undergraduate degree in economics, public policy, business or related field
• 5+ years writing grants and proposals
• 5+ years of business development and/or project management experience
• 5+ years of managing a large institutional grant
• Experience or a strong interest in international development
• Experience working for nonprofits, NGO’s and/or Government
• Experience working with large institutional funders (i.e. Global Affairs Canada, International Financial Institutions) is strongly preferred.

Languages:

Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English; written and verbal fluency in Spanish would be an asset.

Desired Skills and Abilities:

• Strong proficiency in MS Office and CRM Systems
• Organized, self-directed, and able to work independently
• Service-oriented; consistently seeks to provide a high level of professional service to clients and colleagues
• Easily and quickly establishes credibility with clients and other stakeholders
• Professional and diplomatic approach; works well independently, within teams, and across teams
• Able to manage cross-cultural and cross-lingual relationships and situations

Additional Information

Work Environment:

Hybrid work environment: In-office (Monday – Wednesday) & Remote (Thursday – Friday, when possible), with flexibility for in-person meetings and events. Please note that this role may require more than three days per week in-office on a regular basis, so remote days are not guaranteed.

Benefits of Working at CAWST:

• Work that directly improves lives through safe water and sanitation.
• A culture that values creativity, collaboration, and inclusion.
• Flexible work environment and professional growth opportunities.
• Global experiences and meaningful travel that contribute to improved WASH outcomes worldwide.

How to Apply:

A cover letter that tells us more about you past what we can see on your resume, and why you are excited to work with CAWST. We will not consider your application unless this is included.

Please note: Your application will be read by real humans on our team, not an AI bot.

CAWST values equitable opportunities, sustainable solutions, and collaborative and inclusive processes. CAWST recognizes and accepts differences in cultural, religious, and political processes and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation, or age.

Apply here!