Global Humanitarian Manager- Middle East

About us

More than half the world lives in poverty. Poverty is an outrage against humanity. It robs people of dignity, freedom and hope, of power over their own lives. Christian Aid has a vision – eradicating extreme poverty, dismantling its root causes across the world, and enabling the voice and agency of the poor and marginalised to be fully realised – and we believe that this vision can become a reality. We are striving to bring lasting change to the lives of the poorest and marginalised communities. We work wherever there is great need, helping people to find their own solutions to the problems they face, irrespective of their religion, caste or creed.

Humanitarian work is central to Christian Aid’s mission. Responding to the urgent needs of crisis-affected communities and giving them the means to stand on their own feet is exactly why Christian Aid was created. Programmes and modalities will be dependent on context. But the foundation of our work will not differ. We place the people directly affected at the centre of our decision-making processes, our project design and programme strategies and we focus on nurturing their agency and dignity.

Our history is also marked by being there before, during and after an emergency to save lives. We have been committed to locally led response. In recent years, this way of working has been recognised across the sector as critical to responding effectively to humanitarian crises. The leading role we have played, in the ACT Alliance and other humanitarian forums, is the most recent manifestation of this commitment. We have been at the forefront of developing innovative ways of working in emergencies and assisting communities by improving their emergency preparedness. We have played a leading role in the development of accountability to affected populations over the past 10 years; this is central to our belief in putting the agency of people at the centre of our work

Christian Aid has been working in Asia and Middle East region for over 50 years, supporting partners tackling injustice, human rights violations and inequalities, and responding to medium and large-scale emergencies, in countries including India, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Myanmar, Syria, IOPT, Iraq and Lebanon.

About the role

The Global Humanitarian Manager will play the lead role setting up and managing new and managing existing Christian Aid emergency responses in various parts of the globe but with a focus on an agreed set of countries in Asia and Middle East region. The post holder will dedicate 50% of her/ his time for supporting Middle East Programme and rest towards global programmes as directed by HD leadership The post holder will work with the Regional/Country Teams and partners to develop humanitarian programmes ensuring appropriate funding is in place and that Core Humanitarian Standards for quality and accountability are met.

The role is part of the Humanitarian Division in Christian Aid but works alongside colleagues across the International department. They work closely with senior staff in country programmes. The Global Humanitarian Manger will play the lead role in specific responses at the direction of the Head of Global Humanitarian Response and Senior Global Humanitarian Manager-AME In addition, they will provide management and other technical support to existing emergency responses and keep a watching brief on potential future emergencies. The work can be high pressured and high profile both internally and externally during major emergency responses. When it is feasible, the post holder needs to be willing and able to travel at short notice for up to 75 days per year, not normally for a period of much more than a month at a time except when a new major emergency so demands

External: Works with key humanitarian actors and donors including the DEC, ECHO, UN, FCDO, Irish Aid and ACT agencies for funding and coordination purposes. Represents Christian Aid at relevant fora including UN Clusters at a country / emergency response level and may need to do so at a global level. Will need to build excellent relationships with government, I/NNGOs, the UN and other humanitarian entities at a country level and build excellent relationships with ACT members.

Internal: Works with Regional/Country Teams and staff across the international department. Works closely with fundraising and media teams. Works closely with relevant staff in Corporate Service Department (CSD) ensuring CA systems are adhered to and working. Reports to the Senior Global Humanitarian Manager – Asia and Middle East. Line management responsibility is variable depending on the emergency she/he manages.

About you

Makes decisions to ensure response to emergency and associated programmes are led and managed effectively. Decisions are made to manage a team from recruitment to managing or matrix managing staff so that they can effectively implement humanitarian or risk reduction programmes. You will often be working in isolation and will need to make decisions without reference to others which may have a significant impact on Christian Aids humanitarian work in the region. You will need to make recommendations to partners and command their respect. You will represent Christian Aid in national and international humanitarian fora and will need to make decisions accordingly

If and when line management responsibilities are required, the post holder will be directly responsible for supporting the professional development of the people that they line manage. In addition, you need to be in a position to support and influence development staff working on emergency response but who you do not directly line manage. You need to provide specialist skills and understanding as well as being able to encourage excellent performance in areas where they do not have specific skills. During times of rapid scale up they need to be supporting all staff, both existing and newly recruited to meet the high standards expected of them and how to uphold Christian Aid’s staff code of conduct

Essential

• University Graduate or equivalent qualification
• Significant knowledge of humanitarian issues and best practice in humanitarian action.
• Experience leading both rapid response and chronic emergencies or managing programmes to build resilient communities.
• Excellent understanding of the CHS, SPHERE and other humanitarian standards.
• Multi-country humanitarian programme support experience. Experience in ME will be an advantage
• Professional fluency in written and spoken English.
• A proven ability to equip and encourage staff to take responsibility and promote an empowered working.
• Proven ability to contribute to and work successfully as part of management and cross organisational teams with excellent time management and the ability to work with challenging deadlines and to multi tasks.
• Self-motivated, with personal resilience and the ability to sustain performance.
• High level of written and oral communication skills.
• Proven ability to develop and maintain successful working relationships with a range of colleagues and contacts at senior and more junior levels.
• Strong personal commitment to Christian Aid’s agenda of putting affected populations at the centre of their own response and recovery and empowering local organisations to take a stronger role.
• Experience of emergency programme cycle management from needs assessment, through funding applications, management, review and evaluation.

Desirable

• Competent facilitator of learning and change processes.
• Management qualification.
• Experience of working with an NGO that works through local partners
• Specific knowledge of at least one of the key humanitarian cluster areas.
• Proven ability to negotiate with, influence and persuade others.

Further information

This role requires applicants to have the right to work in the country where this position is based.

From 1 July 2021, the process for completing right to work checks has changed and we can no longer accept EU passports or ID cards as valid proof of right to work, with the exception of Irish citizens.

There are now two types of right to work checks: a manual check and an online check. A manual check can be completed against relevant documentation as outlined by the Home Office. An online check can be completed if you hold digital proof of your immigration status in the UK. We will require your share code and date of birth to carry out this check. Please see Government website for more information on acceptable documents.

All successful candidates will require either a Basic or Enhanced Disclosure Barring Service certificate (DBS) and a Counter Terrorism Sanction check as part of your clearance for commencing your role with us. Information will be forwarded to you by the HR team with your offer.

We value diversity and aspire to reflect this in its workforce. We welcome applications from people from all sections of the community, irrespective of race, colour, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, religion or belief.

Christian Aid is committed to providing a safe and trusted environment for every person connected to the work we do; and to preventing any type of unwanted behaviour including sexual harassment and exploitation, abuse, and financial misconduct. Any candidate offered a job with Christian Aid is expected to share and demonstrate our values and adhere to Christian Aid’s Safeguarding policy and sign Christian Aid’s Code of Conduct.

You can expect a wide range of rewards and benefits, including a generous holiday allowance, a season ticket loan, and flexibility that will ensure you enjoy a good work/life balance.

Competency questions

As part of your application you will be asked to demonstrate your suitability by giving answers to the following questions:

Competency 1: Steward Resources

Give an example of a time when you found ways to achieve more effective outcomes by using existing resources in a new or different way – explain the context, your task, your actions and the impact of your actions

Competency 2: Deliver Results

Give an example of a time when you adapted or amended your original decision because it did not produce the expected or desired result- Explain the context, your actions and the outcome of your actions.

Competency 3 : Communicate effectively

Give an example of a time when you had adapted your style, approach, and delivery method to communicate effectively with a particular audience – What was the situation? What did you have to communicate and how did you adapt to meet the needs of the particular audience, what did you do differently and what was the result?