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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead rapid humanitarian response efforts and manage large, multi-disciplinary teams.
- Company: Join a key programme within the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, impactful work, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in global crises and enhance your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Extensive experience in humanitarian programming and team management required.
- Other info: Dynamic role with a focus on strategic oversight and operational agility.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
Overview
The HEROS 2 Programme is one of the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office’s (FCDO) largest and most strategically significant programmes. It is designed to deliver rapid, high-quality humanitarian and stabilisation support in response to global crises, often within hours or days.
At its core, HEROS 2 provides five critical capabilities:
- Early Warning and Risk Analysis (EWAR): Continuous monitoring and analysis of emerging risks, producing timely insights and bespoke reports to inform FCDO decision-making and crisis planning.
- Humanitarian Deployments: Rapid mobilisation of technical experts and operational teams to support emergency response, ensuring readiness for surge deployments under severe time constraints.
- Conflict and Security Deployments: Provision of stabilisation expertise and operational support in fragile and conflict-affected contexts, aligned with FCDO’s conflict programming priorities.
- Humanitarian Procurement and Logistics: Fast-track procurement and delivery of essential goods and services, maintaining compliance and quality assurance while meeting urgent operational needs. Also, warehouse management.
- Deployments into UN Systems: Placement of UK-funded specialists within UN agencies to strengthen multilateral humanitarian response and coordination.
HEROS 2 will work closely with FCDO’s Humanitarian & Migration and Conflict departments, ensuring joined-up delivery across policy and operational priorities. The programme is underpinned by robust governance, risk management, and performance frameworks, while leveraging technology and innovation to enhance efficiency and value for money. Its ability to respond rapidly to crises, combined with strategic oversight of large-scale operations, makes HEROS 2 a cornerstone of the UK’s global humanitarian and stabilisation capability.
Role Purpose
Lead one of FCDO’s largest humanitarian and conflict programmes (c. £200m), ensuring rapid, high-quality delivery across multiple components. The role demands strategic oversight, operational agility, and strong stakeholder engagement with FCDO’s Humanitarian & Migration and Conflict departments. The Team Leader will ensure readiness to respond to emergencies within hours or days, while maintaining compliance and performance standards.
Key Responsibilities
- Stakeholder Engagement: Act as primary interface with FCDO, ensuring timely reporting and responsiveness.
- Team Management: Lead large, multi-disciplinary teams across thematic areas, fostering collaboration and performance under pressure. Provide overall management and accountability for HEROS 2 delivery, including financial oversight. Ensure alignment with FCDO objectives and contractual obligations.
- Rapid Response Coordination: Oversight of surge deployments and emergency procurement/logistics under severe time constraints.
- Strategic Planning & Risk Management: Oversee EWAR outputs, conflict/security deployments, and humanitarian advisory services. Maintain robust risk frameworks and compliance with HMG guidance. Support continuous improvement.
Essential Requirements
- At least SC and preferably DV-cleared
- British citizen/passport
- Experience of FCDO humanitarian programming including leadership positions
- Experience leading large teams for delivery of major programmes (e.g. £30m+)
- Deep understanding of humanitarian deployments, procurement, and surge logistics.
- Familiarity with conflict programming and early warning analysis.
- Excellent interpersonal, negotiation, and management skills.
- At least 15 years of directly relevant work experience
Desirable Experience
- Experience as a team leader of FCDO major programmes on a commercial contract
- Substantial experience of FCDO conflict programming
- Former FCDO staff member or comparable role
- Experience of managing surge deployment teams
- Experience of oversight of research or early warning analysis teams
- Prior experience with HSOT or similar mechanism
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
Programme Lead, Rapid Humanitarian Response employer: Adam Smith International
Contact Detail:
Adam Smith International Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Programme Lead, Rapid Humanitarian Response
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your contacts in the humanitarian sector and let them know you're on the lookout for opportunities. You never know who might have the inside scoop on a role that’s perfect for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the FCDO and their recent projects. Show them you’re not just another candidate; you’re genuinely interested in their mission and how you can contribute to their rapid response efforts.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience aligns with the role of Programme Lead. Highlight your leadership skills and your ability to manage teams under pressure, as this is crucial for the job.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Programme Lead, Rapid Humanitarian Response
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in humanitarian programming and team leadership. We want to see how your skills align with the role of Programme Lead, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant achievements!
Showcase Your Experience: When detailing your work history, focus on your experience with large-scale programmes and rapid response coordination. We’re looking for someone who can demonstrate their ability to manage complex projects under pressure, so be specific about your past roles and responsibilities.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon where possible. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see your qualifications and fit for the role.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the Programme Lead position. Plus, it helps us keep everything organised!
How to prepare for a job interview at Adam Smith International
✨Know Your Programme Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the HEROS 2 Programme and its objectives. Understand the key components like Early Warning and Risk Analysis, and how they align with FCDO’s goals. This knowledge will help you demonstrate your genuine interest and expertise in humanitarian response.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare to discuss your experience leading large teams and managing complex programmes. Use specific examples that highlight your ability to foster collaboration under pressure. This is crucial for a role that demands operational agility and stakeholder engagement.
✨Be Ready for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills in high-pressure situations. Think of past experiences where you had to make quick decisions or manage logistics under tight deadlines. Practising these scenarios will help you articulate your thought process clearly.
✨Highlight Your Compliance and Risk Management Knowledge
Since the role involves oversight of compliance and risk frameworks, be prepared to discuss your understanding of these areas. Share examples of how you've maintained compliance in previous roles, especially in humanitarian contexts, to show you can uphold FCDO standards.