Head of Operations

REDRESS is recruiting a Head of Operations to support the professional running of the charity. We are seeking applications from individuals with significant experience working in the charitable sector, preferably with UK-based NGOs working globally, and who will be able to play a key role in the management of REDRESS.

We want someone with a commitment to working in the charitable sector, and with a keen interest in the issues that REDRESS works on. REDRESS has a strong reputation for expertise, and we are looking for a candidate who will support our recent growth to ensure that we have equally strong operations to deliver our strategy.

The Head of Operations will be a member of the Management Team of REDRESS, which currently consists of the Director, the Head of Finance, and the Head of Law. The Management Team delivers the effective operation of the charity, and deals with a variety of issues relating to strategy, finance, fundraising, human resources, governance, risk, and substance.

The Head of Operations is a new role, and the position will take on work that is currently delivered by the Director and other members of the management team. With the growth of REDRESS, there is now a need to enhance the Management Team with a specific role for operations.

Position Profile

The main responsibilities of the role are:

• Support the leadership of REDRESS and the key management and strategy decisions that need to be made for the effective operation of the charity.
• Human Resources. Lead the human resources functions for both the UK and Netherlands including recruitment, remuneration, induction, probation, staff training and development, staff appraisals and mid-year appraisals, dealing with concerns and performance plans, and contracts. Manage staff well-being, all-staff meetings twice a year, staff surveys, the employment assistance programme, and the provision of direct counselling for staff. Deliver specific human resources projects, such as developing job descriptions and staff handbooks for London and the Hague.
• Policies. Ensure the quality and effective operation of internal policies, including keeping our 16 core policies up to date, developing new policies, organising the review of existing policies twice a year, organising training on policies as part of the induction of staff and trustees, as well as ongoing training, and producing public facing versions of policies for partners and the website. Keep the operations manual up to date for the day-to-day procedures of the charity.
• Risk Management. Maintain the risk register and deliver priority activities to mitigate risk. Organise meetings of the risk committee of the Board. Produce risk assessments for individual projects and for donors.
• Governance. Support the Director to engage with the three REDRESS Boards in the UK, USA, and The Netherlands. Prepare documents for board meetings; liaise with trustees to fix dates and meetings; support the effective operation of Board Committees; develop proposals for trustee engagement; take minutes of board meetings and follow-up on action points; support the recruitment of new trustees to the Boards.
• Support the Director and other members of the Management Team to produce annual delivery plans, mid-year and end of year reviews, and to develop and deliver the 2030 Strategy Process.
• Office Management. Oversee the Operations team for all elements of the office environment in both London and the Hague, including rental agreements, our IT system and providers (including digital security), supply of materials (photocopier, computers, etc), other suppliers of goods and services (insurance, translations), maintain databases, ensure compliance with relevant rules and regulations.
• Subject to experience, the Head of Operations will also provide support and backup to other senior staff in areas such as monitoring and evaluation, fundraising, finance, maintaining pro bono relationships, and ensuring the provision of medical and psycho-social support to REDRESS clients.

The position is also expected to carry out such further duties as may reasonably be required from time to time by REDRESS.

Person Specification

We are seeking applications from senior managers with significant experience working in the operations of NGOs, and who want to have a key part in further strengthening the running of REDRESS.

Essential Competencies

The successful candidate will need to have the following essential competencies:

• Advanced qualification in management, administration, human resources, finance, or other relevant subject.
• 15 years relevant experience working in a similar or relevant role with progressively increased responsibility.
• Experience working in the charitable sector, including in an international or multicultural setting.
• Experience in human resources, preferably in the UK, including application of the legal framework.
• Experience developing policies and with handling risk management.
• Experience engaging with NGO boards.
• Demonstrated proficiency in writing and editing for a professional audience.
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically, and to contribute to plans for effective delivery of strategic goals.
• Demonstrated proficiency in managing teams.
• Fluency in written and oral English.

Desirable Competencies

A strong candidate will also have other desirable competencies:

• Experience working in the Netherlands.
• Knowledge of international human rights.
• Experience working with NGOs and other stakeholders globally.
• Experience in monitoring and evaluation, fundraising, finance, and financial partnerships or grant-making.
• Working ability in a second language, particularly Dutch, French, Spanish or Arabic.

Personal Attributes

To work for Redress, the candidate should have the following personal attributes:

• Happy to work collaboratively as part of a small and energetic team with a wide range of personalities.
• Highly efficient and organised, with an ability to multi-task, show initiative, solve problems, and take a hands-on role when necessary.
• Able to think and work strategically, creatively, and under pressure.
• Able to understand and support the aims, objectives and values of REDRESS and reflect them in all aspects of work.
• Able to work with victims of human rights abuse with a range of specific needs.

Terms

Reporting. The position is part of the Management team, and will report to the Director.

Hours. This is a full-time position at 35 hours a week. Evening and weekend work may be required from time to time.

Location. The position is based at the REDRESS office in London.

Flexible Working. REDRESS is an “in-person” organisation and we value team work, but we have a flexible working policy which allows for working from home. Staff are currently required to be in the office at least two days a week.

Salary. REDRESS has fixed salary scales, with annual cost of living increases, and the possibility of step increases with strong performance. This is a senior management position, and the salary is either at D1 (£50,088) for those who meet the experience requirement, or potentially at D2 (£57,249) for those who have more experience.

Duration. This is a permanent contract.

Start date. The position would start in early 2024.

Probation. There is a six-month probationary period.

Pension. REDRESS offers a pension contribution of 10% of salary.

Holiday. There are 25 days of holiday per year, in addition to UK public holidays. The office is also closed between Christmas and New Year.

Status. The candidate must have the right to live and work in the UK. Where necessary, REDRESS will apply for a work visa for the United Kingdom for the successful candidate. REDRESS is not able to fund a full relocation package, but may be able to assist with some limited expenses.

REDRESS has a diverse team from different backgrounds and with different experiences, including those with lived experience of torture. Under our Equality Policy, we welcome applications from people of colour, LGBTQI+ people, and people with disabilities, who are currently under-represented. We will use positive action under the Equality Act 2010 to appoint from these groups if two candidates are equally qualified. We are also trying to recruit globally where UK immigration law permits it.