Head of Conflict Hub

International Alert has a stimulating and exciting new opportunity for a dynamic, collaborative leader. The individual will lead and financially grow the Conflict Hub, a new entity within our Peacebuilding Advisory Unit (PAU).

You will ensure Alert delivers high-quality and innovative gender and conflict analysis and gender and conflict-sensitivity guidance and practice across multiple settings to diverse partners and stakeholders. You will continue to establish the Conflict Hub as a go-to actor for key strategic partnerships both institutional and commercial. You will manage and grow a team of staff and consultants.

You will have proven entrepreneurial drive and be closely connected to relevant peer practice and policy networks and communities. You will ensure Alert remains at the cutting edge of these practice areas and represent our work externally as part of the organisation’s policy influencing agenda.

We believe that to be successful in this job you will be able to combine strategic high-level thinking with business nous that can mobilise peace-relevant resources. You will be able to build and nurture collaborative productive relations within and across teams to ensure high quality outputs and supportive donor relations. You will be able to communicate to diverse audiences with authority and empathy about conflict and gender sensitivity.

The above are just some of the requirements for the role. For the full job requirements (the person specification section of which will form the basis of short-listing), please click here.

Role duties and responsibilities:

1. Lead strategic and business development, growth and outreach for Alert’s new Conflict Hub

• Lead the ongoing development of the Conflict Hub aimed at influencing the policies and practices of target stakeholders, and to inform Alert’s own peacebuilding practice, drawing in expertise across the organisation and beyond.
• Implement a the Hub strategy, linked to the strategic goals of PAU, and support colleagues to implement it.
• Represent International Alert and be a spokesperson for the organisation at relevant conferences, seminars and other meetings. Keeping abreast of sectoral policy discussions and prioritises where and when Alert engages to maximise influence and profile.
• Ensure financial sustainability of the Conflict Hub by effective resource planning and budget management, as well as its income generating capacity for Alert.
• Design attendant annual work plans for the Conflict Hub, working collaboratively with colleagues across PAU and regional programmes and elsewhere in Alert to assess needs and opportunities.
• Lead and implement a marketing and fundraising strategy for Alert’s gender and conflict analysis and sensitivity offer which positions us to seize strategic opportunities with donor governments, EU, World Bank, UN, governments, humanitarian and development agencies, commercial sector development actors, companies etc.
• Outreach to and network with other organisations to share strategies, identify synergies and promote collaboration and quality in these approaches.

2. Design and deliver Conflict Hub technical services and accompaniment across a range of internal and external stakeholders.

• Identify, develop and provide specialist advice and services internally and externally. Internally to Alert’s country and project teams, and others within the organisation. Externally to government, UN agencies, donors, international and local peacebuilding, humanitarian and development organisations and companies.
• Lead on Alert’s conflict sensitivity, gender sensitivity, and conflict analysis work as linked to Alert’s strategic goals, and support colleagues in these areas.
• Lead the design of innovative and practical approaches to delivering Conflict Hub assignments particularly in the era of increased digital engagement.
• Develop learning mechanisms across Alert to build understanding and knowledge across programmes on concepts, methods and topics such as peacebuilding, conflict and peace analysis, gender and conflict-sensitivity.
• Collaborate with Advocacy and Communications team, Impact and Learning Team in gathering and communicating for influence lessons arising from this work
• Generate ideas and understanding in new areas e.g. conflict-climate sensitive approaches.

3. Manage and coordinate staff, consultants and other resources for effective operationalisation of Conflict Hub

• Grow and maintain a vibrant community of practice working globally to advance Alert’s gender and conflict analysis and sensitivity expertise and providing accountability for quality in these areas at scale.
• Manage, recruit and supervise staff as required.
• Activate, as an immediate priority, grow and manage database of qualified Alert Associates able to amplify scale of impact through available draw-down capacity in key signature practice areas, ensuring close collaboration and sharing of lessons from Associates’ assignments are drawn back into Alert.
• Manage an annual working budget and monitor financial performance, actively contributing to overall financial planning and delivery.
• Manage donor funds in compliance with Alert and donor / client requirements.
• Actively drive and develop relationships with current/potential donors, clients and partners to ensure good relationships and mutual support. Actively develop and drive relationships with donors and clients.
• Deliver timely external and internal financial and narrative reports as required.

4. Contribute to Alert’s Strategic Development and Impact

• Contribute to the development of Alert through engagement in organisational strategy, policy development and staff development etc.
• Provide leadership on staff professional development around core areas of Conflict Hub.
• Lead the development of learning opportunities around Conflict Hub specialist areas to Alert teams and partners promoting coherence and the deepening of capacities.