GISF Programme & Research Manager

Fixed term contract for 12 months (with possibility of extension)

Full time: working 37.5 hours per week

Salary: £40,416

Location: London (flexibility of working from home)

Role Context

GISF is an independent NGO peer support network established in 2006 to provide a platform for global security focal points to share experiences, knowledge and learning. GISF is dedicated to improving the protection of aid workers and operations, to achieve sustainable access to populations in need.

Recognising that NGOs need to develop expertise in security risk management in order to deliver aid effectively in unpredictable operating environments, GISF’s vision is to continue to grow as a global hub for humanitarian security risk management for NGOs and other stakeholders that impact on security risk management in the humanitarian space.

The forum currently represents over 140 aid agencies operating internationally, its members including development, human rights and humanitarian organisations. Over the past 14 years, GISF has created a centre of excellence that gathers and disseminates good practice in security risk management (SRM) to improve policy and practice. GISF collaborate with a range of experts within and beyond the sector to ensure a coordinated approach and maximise gain for the whole sector. GISF crafts innovative research, hosts original training and events, and maintains a ‘one-stop-shop’ for security risk management in the humanitarian sector through its online hub.

GISF acts as a resource for the humanitarian sector and other stakeholders, including donors, academics and the private sector to improve good practice and build capacity on humanitarian security risk management.

GISF is supported by its membership and is funded by the US and UK governments. The Forum is not a registered organisation, but an independently run entity, hosted by a Member Organisation, currently Mines Advisory Group (MAG).

GISF Vision: Aid workers and operations are safe and secure to achieve sustainable access for populations in need

GISF Mission: GISF drives positive change in security risk management across the humanitarian sector through original research, collaboration and events.

GISF Values:

• GISF operates according to the fundamentals of the humanitarian principles, i.e. humanity, impartiality, neutrality and independence.
• GISF takes a professional, member driven and collaborative approach to its’ work.
• GISF aims to remain relevant to its’ members and the broader sector through continuous innovation and added value.
• GISF champions inclusivity across security risk management and operates in a transparent, accessible and open manner.

For more information, visit: www.gisf.ngo

The Job

This is a newly elevated position is intended to play a key middle management role in GISF as we continue to grow. We are seeking someone ready to lead our research team, while also bringing broad project management experience to oversee our range of smaller projects and grants. These range from research partnerships to GISF’s participation in partnerships and consortia, to bespoke initiatives.

The ideal candidate will have proven research experience relevant to security risk management and the aid sector and have experience managing multiple small grants concurrently. You will have the opportunity to lead and contribute global conversations on the future of the aid sector.

To be successful in this role you will likely come from the humanitarian or human rights sectors, or possibly a think tank or academia. You should be able to demonstrate your proficiency in managing and delivering on research projects, have experience managing budgets and leading small teams. Any qualification in a project methodology and using relevant PM software would be a bonus.

We are a flexible employer and open to discussing hours and working arrangements for the right candidate.

Please note that as part of GISF/MAG’s commitment to safeguarding, this post is subject to background checks before an offer of employment is confirmed. For more information on MAG’s approach to background checks, please click here. You can also find more information in the candidate information pack, available through the link below.

GISF/MAG is committed to the principles of diversity, equality and inclusion. If you think you would be suited to one of our roles we would welcome your application regardless of your background. We strive to provide an inclusive and supportive working environment where all employees feel respected and supported in fulfilling their potential.

Job Description

Programme Management

• Oversee the entire lifecycle of GISF’s research projects, small grants and other projects
• Work with the leadership team to identify grant funding opportunities
• Lead on proposal development for small funding opportunities, and contribute to proposal development on larger institutional donor opportunities
• Ensure compliance with reporting on small grants
• Improve and monitor project management implementation standards within GISF
• Ensure the quality of GISF’s monitoring & evaluation activities
• Oversee the recruitment, contracting and management of consultants to deliver research projects and other small grants and projects.

Research Management

• Lead GISF’s team to produce relevant and original research papers and best practice guides.
• Identify opportunities for participating in and leading joint research and collaborative learning projects with NGOs, policy bodies and academic institutions.
• Establish and implement an overall research strategy for GISF
• Lead production of relevant research Terms of Reference for consultants and coordinate tender process
• Coordinate the capture of research priorities, by working with staff in the membership team and proactively monitoring the aid sector and global debates on humanitarian security risk management
• Track third-party SRM-related data sets
• Deliver the annual flagship research project
• Establish working groups and peer review groups to support research projects
• Deliver smaller products (such as short blog pieces) and long reads
• Oversee production of technical guides
• Ensure the quality of published products
• Work with the team to ensure GISF resources are accessible and inclusive
• Management of the research budget

Team Management

• Direct line management of two staff, and dotted line responsibility for research activities of a US-based staff member
• Track and allocate staff time to ensure successful delivery of small grants and projects

Knowledge Dissemination

• Contribute to topic and speaker selection for GISF’s major bi-annual events
• Represent GISF at relevant international forums and events, presenting GISF projects to a wider audience.
• Promote informed dialogue on security risk management issues in the humanitarian sector as a whole.
• Identify opportunities for the dissemination of GISF projects to the broader humanitarian community.

All UK staff are expected to undertake the following general duties;

• Work within the framework of MAG’s core values, promoting its ethos and mission statement.
• Work towards achieving programme and/or department business plan objectives
• Ensure familiarity with and adhere to all MAG policies and procedures and keep informed of MAG activities
• Undertake and apply learning from appropriate training and development programmes.
• Travel overseas, sometimes to developing countries and areas in conflict, as and when required.
• Undertake the role in a manner appropriate to the cultural context and within the local legal framework.
• Understand and uphold the standards outlined in MAG’s Safeguarding Framework, acting with due care and attention to safeguard the wellbeing of anyone that comes into contact with MAG’s work and reporting concerns if they do arise.

This is a non-contractual document that can be varied from time to time as circumstances dictate. This job description is intended to summarise the main duties and responsibilities of the post; this is not intended to be a full and exhaustive list of tasks. Staff are expected to demonstrate flexibility and willingness to perform appropriate tasks when the need arises.

Person Specification

Essential Experience

• Experience in the humanitarian, human rights sectors, think tanks or academia
• Demonstrable experience managing or delivering research projects on behalf of organisations
• Demonstrable experience of project management, managing a budget, delivering to agreed outcomes, and monitoring and evaluating success.
• Master’s degree or equivalent professional experience in international affairs, politics, conflict, development or other relevant area.

Essential Skills and Knowledge

• Awareness of key security issues affecting the humanitarian and development sectors.
• Excellent written English. Able to communicate complex topics to a range of audiences
• Demonstrated ability to manage a small team

Essential Aptitude

• Ability to operate and grow professionally with minimal oversight
• Ability to align research priorities with overall organisational strategy and external inputs (from members)

Desirable

• Project management experience in an INGO
• Qualification in recognised Project Management methodology
• Experience utilising project management software