About Water.org1 in 4 people around the world lack access to safe water and 2 in 5 people don't have access to a safe toilet. We are working every day to change this. We are Water.org. We're here to bring water and sanitation to the world. We want to make it safe, accessible, and cost-effective because we believe that water is the way to empower a bright future that we can all share in, worldwide. We are an international nonprofit organization based in Kansas City, Missouri that has positively transformed millions of lives around the world through access to safe water and sanitation. Founded by Gary White and Matt Damon, we pioneer market-driven financial solutions to the global water crisis. For more than 30 years, we've been providing women hope, children health and families a bright future.Join Water.org as a Compliance Specialist and help build impactful partnerships that drive transformative change in water and sanitation.What You'll DoAs Compliance Specialist, you will play a central role in building and strengthening the systems that allow Water.org to operate with integrity across the globe — because the financial partnerships and institutional relationships that bring safe water and sanitation to millions of families depend on a compliance foundation that earns trust at every level. You'll work across legal entities, countries, and teams to keep Water.org's governance, data privacy, and third-party due diligence programs running with rigor and care.Multi-Jurisdictional Compliance Ownership: Manage compliance program activities across Water.org's global footprint, supporting corporate governance, entity registrations, and good-standing requirements across multiple countries and legal entities.Data Privacy Program Management: Support and strengthen Water.org's data privacy practices — including handling data subject requests and navigating multi-jurisdiction privacy frameworks — so that partners and program participants can trust how their information is handled.Counterparty Due Diligence and Sanctions Screening: Run counterparty due diligence and sanctions screening processes (including OFAC and anti-bribery compliance) that protect Water.org's partnerships and ensure responsible engagement with every organization we work with.Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work as a trusted partner — not an enforcer — alongside Legal, Finance, HR, and regional country teams to embed compliance practices into day-to-day operations across a diverse, global organization.Program Building and Process Maturation: Help shape a compliance program that is still growing, bringing structure, documentation discipline, and independent ownership to workstreams that need someone who can lead without waiting to be directed.RequirementsWhat Makes You FitBachelor's degree or equivalent experience required; degree in Legal Studies, Business, Compliance, or a related field preferred.5+ years of experience in compliance, legal operations, risk management, or process-focused roles, preferably supporting global or multi-jurisdictional programs within an international nonprofit, NGO, or mission-driven organization.Working knowledge of data privacy, third-party due diligence, and sanctions/anti-bribery compliance is a plus.Strong organizational, process management, stakeholder engagement, and communication skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a global, multicultural environment.Proficient in written and spoken English and committed to Water.org's mission, values, and ethical standards.An Ideal Candidate BringsCorporate, multi-jurisdictional compliance experience across multiple legal entities; this is valued as much as, or more than, nonprofit-sector experience specifically, given Water.org's multi-country structure and operations.A self-starter mindset: comfortable owning compliance processes end to end with minimal day-to-day direction, and reporting outcomes rather than needing close oversight.Experience building or significantly maturing a compliance program, not just administering an established one, along with comfort partnering across Legal, Finance, HR, and regional teams as a collaborative advisor rather than an enforcer.Why Water.org?At Water.org, we're dedicated to breaking barriers to safe water access for everyone, everywhere. When you join us, you'll be part of a purpose-driven team committed to sustainability, diversity of thoughts, ideas and experiences, and making a lasting impact. We offer growth opportunities, a collaborative culture, and the chance to drive global change. Discover What Makes Water.org a Great Place to WorkReady to make a difference? Apply today and join a team that's transforming lives through partnerships!Travel: Up to 5% of domestic and international travel.BenefitsSalary/Benefits This position offers country-specific benefits and market-based, competitive salary as well as periodic review for merit and incentive pay based on organizational and personal achievement.Water.org is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing an inclusive environment. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender expression, gender identity, age, national origin, ancestry, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, pregnancy status, military and veteran status, genetic information, and any other status protected by law. We provide qualified applicants and employees reasonable accommodation, when necessary, to enable individuals to complete the application process and/or perform the essential functions of the job. We believe social change happens when people with a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, and identities come together with a common purpose. We strive to build and maintain an inclusive team that will advance our mission and work and encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply. Water.org participates in E-Verify.
About Water.org
1 in 4 people around the world lack access to safe water and 2 in 5 people don't have access to a safe toilet. We are working every day to change this. We are Water.org. We're here to bring water and sanitation to the world. We want to make it safe, accessible, and cost-effective because we believe that water is the way to empower a bright future that we can all share in, worldwide. We are an international nonprofit organization based in Kansas City, Missouri that has positively transformed millions of lives around the world through access to safe water and sanitation. Founded by Gary White and Matt Damon, we pioneer market-driven financial solutions to the global water crisis. For more than 30 years, we've been providing women hope, children health and families a bright future.
Join Water.org as a Compliance Specialist and help build impactful partnerships that drive transformative change in water and sanitation.
What You'll Do
As Compliance Specialist, you will play a central role in building and strengthening the systems that allow Water.org to operate with integrity across the globe — because the financial partnerships and institutional relationships that bring safe water and sanitation to millions of families depend on a compliance foundation that earns trust at every level. You'll work across legal entities, countries, and teams to keep Water.org's governance, data privacy, and third-party due diligence programs running with rigor and care.
- Multi-Jurisdictional Compliance Ownership: Manage compliance program activities across Water.org's global footprint, supporting corporate governance, entity registrations, and good-standing requirements across multiple countries and legal entities.
- Data Privacy Program Management: Support and strengthen Water.org's data privacy practices — including handling data subject requests and navigating multi-jurisdiction privacy frameworks — so that partners and program participants can trust how their information is handled.
- Counterparty Due Diligence and Sanctions Screening: Run counterparty due diligence and sanctions screening processes (including OFAC and anti-bribery compliance) that protect Water.org's partnerships and ensure responsible engagement with every organization we work with.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work as a trusted partner — not an enforcer — alongside Legal, Finance, HR, and regional country teams to embed compliance practices into day-to-day operations across a diverse, global organization.
- Program Building and Process Maturation: Help shape a compliance program that is still growing, bringing structure, documentation discipline, and independent ownership to workstreams that need someone who can lead without waiting to be directed.
Requirements
What Makes You Fit
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience required; degree in Legal Studies, Business, Compliance, or a related field preferred.
- 5+ years of experience in compliance, legal operations, risk management, or process-focused roles, preferably supporting global or multi-jurisdictional programs within an international nonprofit, NGO, or mission-driven organization.
- Working knowledge of data privacy, third-party due diligence, and sanctions/anti-bribery compliance is a plus.
- Strong organizational, process management, stakeholder engagement, and communication skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a global, multicultural environment.
- Proficient in written and spoken English and committed to Water.org's mission, values, and ethical standards.
An Ideal Candidate Brings
- Corporate, multi-jurisdictional compliance experience across multiple legal entities; this is valued as much as, or more than, nonprofit-sector experience specifically, given Water.org's multi-country structure and operations.
- A self-starter mindset: comfortable owning compliance processes end to end with minimal day-to-day direction, and reporting outcomes rather than needing close oversight.
- Experience building or significantly maturing a compliance program, not just administering an established one, along with comfort partnering across Legal, Finance, HR, and regional teams as a collaborative advisor rather than an enforcer.
Why Water.org?
At Water.org, we're dedicated to breaking barriers to safe water access for everyone, everywhere. When you join us, you'll be part of a purpose-driven team committed to sustainability, diversity of thoughts, ideas and experiences, and making a lasting impact. We offer growth opportunities, a collaborative culture, and the chance to drive global change. Discover What Makes Water.org a Great Place to Work
Ready to make a difference? Apply today and join a team that's transforming lives through partnerships!
Travel: Up to 5% of domestic and international travel.
Benefits
Salary/Benefits
This position offers country-specific benefits and market-based, competitive salary as well as periodic review for merit and incentive pay based on organizational and personal achievement.
Water.org is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing an inclusive environment. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender expression, gender identity, age, national origin, ancestry, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, pregnancy status, military and veteran status, genetic information, and any other status protected by law. We provide qualified applicants and employees reasonable accommodation, when necessary, to enable individuals to complete the application process and/or perform the essential functions of the job. We believe social change happens when people with a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, and identities come together with a common purpose. We strive to build and maintain an inclusive team that will advance our mission and work and encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply. Water.org participates in E-Verify.
Join us and change the worldWe are Water.org. Our mission is to bring safe water and sanitation to the world. We believe that water is the way to empowering a bright future that we can all share in, worldwide. Join us in our work to break down the barriers between people and access to safe water and sanitation.Life at Water.orgWe are a results-driven team of thinkers and doers that believe in the power of water to unlock opportunity for the people we empower. We stand for people, progress and possibility. When you join our team, you're doing more than starting a new job, you're setting a course to make a difference in the world. And like you, we think that's a great way to live and work.It all starts in Kansas CityWe have offices and staff members in 7 countries and our headquarters are located in Kansas City, Missouri. If you are from here, you get it. If you aren't, let us explain. We're located in the heart of Kansas City's growing Crossroads district, known for its art galleries, restaurants, lofts and vibrant urban culture. Kansas City consistently makes Top 10 best cities lists based on affordability, schools, cultural attractions and our sports teams. Our contemporary space is purposefully designed to encourage collaboration.
Join us and change the world
We are Water.org. Our mission is to bring safe water and sanitation to the world. We believe that water is the way to empowering a bright future that we can all share in, worldwide. Join us in our work to break down the barriers between people and access to safe water and sanitation.
Life at Water.org
We are a results-driven team of thinkers and doers that believe in the power of water to unlock opportunity for the people we empower. We stand for people, progress and possibility. When you join our team, you're doing more than starting a new job, you're setting a course to make a difference in the world. And like you, we think that's a great way to live and work.
It all starts in Kansas City
We have offices and staff members in 7 countries and our headquarters are located in Kansas City, Missouri. If you are from here, you get it. If you aren't, let us explain. We're located in the heart of Kansas City's growing Crossroads district, known for its art galleries, restaurants, lofts and vibrant urban culture. Kansas City consistently makes Top 10 best cities lists based on affordability, schools, cultural attractions and our sports teams. Our contemporary space is purposefully designed to encourage collaboration.
