Global Humanitarian Response Lead

Islamic Relief Worldwide (IRW) is a faith-based humanitarian relief and development organisation working to save and transform the lives of some of the world’s most vulnerable people. Established in 1984, with an active presence in over 45 countries, we strive to make the world a better and fairer place for those affected by poverty, conflict and natural disasters.

IRW’s International Programmes Division is recruiting for its Disaster Risk Management Department. The organisation is seeking the position of ‘Global Humanitarian Response Lead’ on a permanent, full-time basis to be based anywhere globally, where IR has a country office. The post holder will play a pivotal role in the delivery of effective and high-quality humanitarian assistance to new and ongoing crises. He/she will lead a Disaster Response Team during any deployment and oversee humanitarian response projects implemented by local partners in non-Islamic Relief presence countries. The post holder is expected to spend 60% of their time in the field.

The successful candidate must have:

• Knowledge and experience of management and developing a large team of international professional staff in different locations, demonstrating significant and measurable improvement in results.
• Knowledge and experience of managing a major crisis requiring sudden and major change in priorities and rapid management action to respond, including risk management approaches.
• Knowledge and experience of working successfully with senior managers to deliver major change.
• Skills in advocating to external organisations in order to influence policies or priorities and identifying new opportunities for the organisation.
• Knowledge and understanding of key trends in international development, and of the evolving role of international NGOs.
• Demonstrated knowledge of using international standards (esp., CHS) to drive quality.
• Fluent written and spoken English.
• Proven track record of responding to category 1 and category 2 emergency responses with an International NGO in different contexts.
• Demonstrated experience in emergency project management and of managing emergency response programmes in an NGO context.
• Sound understanding and experience of engaging with humanitarian aid architecture.
• Knowledge and experience of having worked in one of the following sectors: Education, WASH, Food Security and Livelihood, or Programme Management.
• Substantial experience and knowledge of effective budgetary control and grant management at regional or global level.
• Experience of writing comprehensive, high-quality narrative reports for donors.
• Experience of and commitment to participatory management and maintaining a supportive, open environment to ensure the learning and development of all staff.
• Good interpersonal skills including the ability to listen, sensitivity to others’ views and perspectives, and conflict resolution.
• Strong and well-developed analytical skills coupled with experience of writing quality pieces of work that are publishable and usable by non-specialists.

For more information, please click on the Documents tab above to view the full Job Description.

If you are talented, reliable, service-minded, resilient and a highly motivated professional looking for a meaningful career, with a strong commitment to IRW’s mission and values of sincerity, excellence, compassion, social justice and custodianship, please apply by completing our online application form.

PLEASE NOTE: Interviews are expected to take place on or around 7th July 2025.

Pre-employment Checks:

• Any employment with Islamic Relief will be subject to screening clearance and receipt of satisfactory references.

Our values and commitment to safeguarding:

IRW is committed to preventing any type of unwanted behaviour at work including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, lack of integrity and financial misconduct; and committed to promoting the welfare of children, young people, adults and beneficiaries with whom IRW engages. IRW expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment through our code of conduct. We place a high priority on ensuring that only those who share and demonstrate our values are recruited to work for us.

The post holder will undertake the appropriate level of training and is responsible for ensuring that they understand and work within the safeguarding policies of the organisation. All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records checks. IRW also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this Scheme, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.

Islamic Relief is an equal opportunities employer.

The Company:

Islamic Relief is a faith-inspired humanitarian aid and development agency working to save and transform the lives of some of the world’s most vulnerable people. We work in over 45 countries, assist people of all faiths and none according to need and do not discriminate in any way. Our proximity means we can often respond swiftly to emergencies and work in areas that other organisations cannot access.

We are the only UK-based Muslim faith-inspired charity to have been certified against the Core Humanitarian Standard on Quality and Accountability (CHS), which is designed to ensure that charities best meet the needs of the communities they serve. Islamic Relief is a member of the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC), we have Consultative Status with the UN Economic and Social Council, and we are a signatory to the Code of Conduct for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.

What We Offer:

Islamic Relief Worldwide recognises our staff is our biggest asset, and so we offer a range of benefits designed to support their professional development, mental and physical health, and work/life balance.

• Personal learning and development opportunities
• Annual leave and additional leave
• Charity volunteering
• Maternity and paternity leave and pay
• Employee assistance support
• Field visits

Our Values:

• Sincerity: We are driven and motivated by sincerity to God and our duty to humanity.
• Excellence: A commitment to excellence is a hallmark of our operations, programmes and conduct towards the vulnerable people we serve.
• Compassion: Every life is precious, so we join other humanitarian actors in easing the suffering caused by disasters, poverty and injustice.
• Social Justice: We empower poor and vulnerable people to have their rights fulfilled and to achieve their God-given potential.
• Custodianship: We value and protect the Earth and its resources, including its people, and we aim to honour the trust people place in us to be transparent and accountable.