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 – to 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 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.
Integrating disaster risk analysis, preparedness and response, including resilient livelihoods, are core to all Africa programmes, particularly in complex conflict and disaster-affected environments. Disaster Risk Management, Survivor/Community Led Response (SCLR), Accountability, Safeguarding, Protection and Inclusion approaches are guide all humanitarian actions and capacity building processes in Africa.
Africa programs are committed to promoting the new ways of working, supporting the triple nexus, interlinkages between humanitarian, development and peace innovation actions. Country teams seek to capitalize on the comparative advantages of each sector to reduce need, risk and vulnerability following the recommendations of the World Humanitarian Summit (WHS).
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 West and Central Africa. The post holder will work with 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 Manager will play the lead role in specific responses at the direction of the Head of Humanitarian response. 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 3 months per year, usually assignments are for between 2 and six weeks.
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 the government, I/NNGOs, the UN and other humanitarian entities at a country level and build excellent relationships with ACT members.
Internal: Works with Country Teams and staff across the international department. Works closely with fundraising and media teams. Works closely with relevant staff in CSD ensuring CA systems are adhered to and working. Reports to the Head of Global Humanitarian Response, no line management responsibility is associate to this position now, it could change depending on emergency response.
About you
Makes decisions to ensure the 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. They 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. They will need to make recommendations to partners and command their respect. They represent Christian Aid in national and international humanitarian fora and will need to make decisions accordingly
Some problems or issues encountered in work are likely to be complex. Looks beyond and challenges data/information to generate recommendations/outcomes that re not readily apparent from the data/information alone; seek for and initiates new and diverse sources of information to test solutions and direction. Detailed risk assessment may be required.
The post holder is directly responsible for supporting the professional development of staff working on emergency response. They 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 practices in humanitarian action.
- 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 leading both rapid response and chronic emergencies or managing programmes to build resilient communities.
- Excellent understanding of the CHS, SPHERE and other humanitarian standards.
- Professional fluency in written and spoken English and French.
- 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-task.
- 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.
- Experience in 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.
Salary & Currency: The Salary and Currency for this role will be aligned to Band B Low of the Country PayScale where the role will be based and will be offered as appropriate based on the ranges for that country.
Christian Aid values diversity and aspires 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.
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.
How to apply
How to Apply
To apply for this post, please visit this link: https://jobs.christianaid.org.uk/vacancy/global-humanitarian-manager—west–central-africa-3409-jabi-district/3427/description/
