ShelterBox is searching for a senior humanitarian leader with significant programme management experience to lead our agile and effective International Programmes Department. Reporting to the Chief Executive, this is a transformational and impactful role. The successful candidate will manage urgent priority activities and oversee all international programmes/projects, ensuring we deliver high quality, impactful outcomes at speed and scale for the people we support. The role will take on the work we are doing to be climate responsible in our supply chain as well supporting how we communicate the impact and influence of climate change on the displacements we respond to.
As Director of International Programmes, you will lead and oversee the work of the International Programmes Department, providing direct line management to staff in the UK, developing workplan priorities and overseeing management of response team volunteers and overseas staff. The Department has recently completed an operational review, which will form the basis of strategic and departmental changes for growth, building on a significant increase in programme size in 2020. The Director of International Programmes will be expected to lead and deliver greater scale in our programmes supported by the wider organisation.
The International Programmes Director is a member of the Executive Team. This is ShelterBox’s most senior management team, with overall responsibility for leading, planning and managing the work and development of ShelterBox. They will be accountable for the delivery of 2021/2022 plans, as well as the implementation and development of longer-term strategy, and for ensuring that the wider organisational strategy delivers for both displaced people and supporters.
This role will also report to the Board of Trustees on a regular basis on Programme delivery performance. The International Programmes Director also works closely with our Fundraising /Finance teams and larger affiliates (particularly ShelterBox USA) to ensure an aligned approach to fundable opportunities.
The role will also encompass high-level relationship building and advocacy with partner organisations to consolidate the reputation and position of ShelterBox within the humanitarian sector.
The successful candidate will be joining a fast-paced organisation realigning itself for further growth in the face of mounting humanitarian needs. We look forward to welcoming candidates who share our passion and teamwork to achieve this.
Duties will include but not be limited to:
- Responsibility for a broad and growing portfolio of reactive and protracted programmes/projects in line with the organisational strategy. Ensuring quality, timely, impactful, and on-budget programme/project implementation.
- Ensuring ShelterBox has the appropriate infrastructure to respond in a timely, effective way to humanitarian emergencies.
- Overseeing effective decision-making with respect to ShelterBox’s deployments, including how/where ShelterBox will deploy, safety & security assessments, and legal/best practice compliance.
- Actively encouraging ShelterBox’s fundraising and communications activities. Providing support to and actively engaging in the creation and support of fundable and fundraising opportunities. Prioritising quality communications with ShelterBox’s donors and partners to highlight programme impact.
- Responsibility for identifying and developing key partnerships that will enhance ShelterBox’s programme effectiveness. Strategically positioning ShelterBox by fostering innovation, and in identifying new opportunities and partnerships.
- Account for the best use of financial resources within the Programmes & Projects team, ensuring all budget and procurement processes are effective and efficiently implemented. Liaising with the Finance Director to conduct regular reviews of programme cost rates, exceptional item expenditure, and forecasting/budgeting processes.
- Prioritising ‘do no harm’ principles. Ensuring those who encounter ShelterBox as a result of our activities are safeguarded from deliberate or inadvertent actions and failings which place them at risk of abuse, sexual exploitation, injury, and any other harm.
- Maintain exacting standards in all aspects of ShelterBox’s activities so that the reputation of the organisation is protected in the view of donors, partners & the people we support.
- Leading a culture which actively promotes improvements in its practices, processes, and outcomes, across all aspects of its work, seeking feedback from all stakeholders.
- Provide timely updates to CEO/Board of Trustees on all aspects of ShelterBox’s programme/project delivery and impact.
As well as these specific responsibilities, as Director you will:
- Contribute to the formulation of ShelterBox’s strategic plans.
- Work with your team to turn strategic objectives into operational plans and manage their delivery.
- Foster collaborative working with other managers and teams.
- Coach and mentor, your team and advance their training and personal development.
Person Specification
Educational qualifications
A Master’s degree in a relevant field or a bachelor’s degree and commensurate experience
Experience/ knowledge
- Extensive experience in the development and/or humanitarian sector including direct management of country programmes or equivalent.
- Experience in leading complex emergency responses
- Experience of networking with major humanitarian and development actors.
- Demonstrated success in building consensus among diverse stakeholders and working with virtual teams.
- Experience of managing change to deliver business improvement
- Strong knowledge of humanitarian and development principles, trends and standards.
- Training in safeguarding investigation management
- Proven understanding of, commitment to, and actions taken to promote equality, diversity, and Inclusion.
Skills/personal requirements
- Highly organised, with an ability to focus on detail and quality assurance.
- Ability to motivate teams and encourage learning and development opportunities.
- Ability to work under pressure and to meet challenging deadlines.
- Demonstrable ability to develop networks and influence key stakeholders both internally and externally.
- A collaborative approach, with strong influencing skills
- Ability to think strategically and analytically.
- Ability to analyse complex organisational challenges and present innovative solutions.
- Excellent Communication/IT Skills
- Fluency in a second language (French, Arabic or Spanish)