Cowater International is Seeking a Project Director for International Development

Location: London, UK | Full-Time | Permanent Role
Only candidates with the right to work in the UK will be considered.

Cowater International, a global leader in international development consulting, is seeking an experienced and dynamic Project Director to join its UK team in London. This position offers a unique opportunity for a senior-level professional to lead impactful international programmes and contribute meaningfully to Cowater’s expanding portfolio of development initiatives.

About Cowater International

With over 35 years of experience, Cowater International has successfully implemented more than 800 projects across 80+ countries. The firm works across diverse sectors, including public financial management, tax reform, trade and investment, inclusive economic growth, conflict and security, sustainable infrastructure, social services, and climate resilience. Cowater partners with a wide array of global donors such as the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), Global Affairs Canada (GAC), the European Union (EU), the World Bank, and others.

Operating from headquarters in Ottawa, Canada, and with corporate offices across Europe, Africa, and Asia, Cowater maintains a strong reputation for delivering sustainable and inclusive solutions that create lasting impact.

About the Role

The Project Director will provide leadership on active programmes and contribute to strategic business development. Initially, the successful candidate will oversee the Programme d’Appui à la Redevabilité et l’Inclusion (PARI) – a £9.55 million FCDO-funded initiative supporting accountability and civil society in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The role requires a balance of programme implementation and strategic proposal development.

This is an exciting opportunity for a professional with a strong background in areas such as public financial management (PFM), tax, governance, accountability, or conflict and stabilisation.

Key Responsibilities

Programme Implementation

• Lead and manage the effective delivery of development programmes, ensuring high-quality implementation in line with donor requirements and project objectives.
• Serve as Cowater’s senior representative, maintaining strong relationships with clients, partners, government stakeholders, and project teams.
• Oversee multidisciplinary teams in the UK and abroad, ensuring compliance, performance, and risk management across all project components.
• Drive adaptive and context-sensitive project delivery, regularly reviewing and adjusting strategies to remain aligned with evolving priorities.
• Ensure operational compliance with donor and local legal frameworks, as well as Cowater’s ethical policies and duty of care standards.
• Manage financial performance, ensuring adherence to commercial targets and internal controls.
• Provide regular updates to Cowater’s Head of Programme Delivery, proactively addressing challenges and risks.

Business Development

• Identify new opportunities aligned with Cowater’s technical strengths and strategic objectives.
• Lead or contribute to technical proposal development, including writing, methodology design, and competitive positioning.
• Coordinate bid processes, including team formation, budgeting, partner engagement, and donor compliance.
• Contribute to long-term business development planning by conducting market analysis and building strategic partnerships.
• Represent Cowater at donor, sector, and partner events to promote the organisation’s thought leadership and capabilities.

The role is expected to involve a 50/50 split between project implementation and business development, though this may vary based on organisational needs.

Candidate Profile

Qualifications

• Master’s degree or equivalent professional experience in a relevant field.

Experience and Competencies

• 8–10 years of professional experience in international development consulting.
• Expertise in areas such as PFM, tax, governance, accountability, or conflict and stabilisation.
• Proven track record managing multi-million-pound donor-funded programmes, especially for FCDO.
• Strong leadership skills and experience managing international teams in complex environments.
• Demonstrated success in business development, including proposal writing and bid management.
• Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage stakeholders across cultures and sectors.
• Commercial acumen, including budget management and contract negotiation.
• Ability to work under pressure, manage competing priorities, and deliver results.

Desirable

• Working proficiency in French.
• Field experience in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in the DRC.

Terms and Conditions

• Full-time, permanent position based in London, UK.
• Candidates must have the legal right to work in the UK.
• International travel may be required.

Application Process

Interested applicants should submit a CV (maximum 2 pages) and a cover letter clearly outlining their suitability for the role. Applications must be submitted no later than Friday, 11 July 2025, using the following naming convention:
Last Name, First Name, Date, Project Director

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. For further details visit Cowater International official website.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Cowater International is committed to employment equity. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply regardless of race, religion, gender, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law. Recruitment decisions are based solely on merit and alignment with position requirements.

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Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the hiring organization. For any inquiries, please contact the hiring organization directly. Please do not send your applications to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.