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- Tasks: Lead a humanitarian advisory team to shape UK responses to global crises.
- Company: Join Palladium, a leader in humanitarian operations and advisory services.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and opportunities for impactful work.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in humanitarian efforts while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Strong leadership experience in humanitarian contexts and ability to manage diverse teams.
- Other info: Opportunity to work in high-pressure environments and travel to field locations.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Are you a humanitarian leader with strong operational expertise and strategic acumen to navigate the realities of working inside a major donor? Palladium is seeking an exceptional Advisory Team Leader to lead the humanitarian advisory function within the Humanitarian and Stabilisation Operations Team (HSOT), which delivers the HEROS programme on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). This is a high-impact role at the heart of UK Government, offering the opportunity to shape how the UK responds to crises and contributes to global humanitarian reform. Previous experience of working with FCDO/DFID, UN agencies and roster management will be preferable.
About The Role
The Advisory Team Leader provides strategic leadership to the humanitarian advisory function within HSOT, ensuring it delivers high-quality, deployable expertise that supports FCDO’s humanitarian objectives in sudden-onset disasters, protracted crises, and complex emergencies. This role provides strategic humanitarian advice and guidance to the team and client counterpart and ensures the advisory function is agile, scalable, and aligned with FCDO’s evolving priorities, including Localisation, preparedness, and system reform. The Team Leader is responsible for maintaining a high-performing core team, strengthening the humanitarian roster, and ensuring advisory support is responsive, technically sound, and strategically positioned to deliver value in a resource-constrained environment.
Project Overview
The Humanitarian and Stabilisation Operations Team (HSOT) is contracted by Palladium to deliver the Humanitarian Emergency Response Operations and Stabilisation Programme (HEROS), working with FCDO’s Humanitarian Crisis Response Department (HCRD) and the Migration and Conflict Directorate (MCD), as well as multiple UK Government teams and partners in 130 countries. The team provides operational and advisory support to meet humanitarian needs and restore stability in sudden-onset disasters, protracted crises and complex emergencies.
Primary Duties And Responsibilities
- Strategic Leadership and Team Management
- Provide thought leadership and quality assurance to the HSOT Surge Humanitarian Advisor (HA) function.
- Acting as an ambassador for the HA function and producing flagship advisory products.
- Lead and manage the HA function, fostering a culture of excellence, adaptability, and continuous improvement.
- Support the continuous professional development of HSOT’s HAs.
- Continuously review the generalist and specialist skills that the advisory function requires, adapting them in response to FCDO’s evolving priorities and global humanitarian trends.
- Lead the Advisory function in strengthening engagement on Standby Partnership (SBP) and UNDAC strategy and operations.
- Deployment of Advisors
- Oversee the technical aspects of the deployment of core team and roster advisors, ensuring the right expertise is deployed at the right time.
- Ensure all deployed advisors provide high-quality, context-sensitive advice that aligns with FCDO priorities and standards.
- Create and roll out frameworks for quality assuring advisory work produced by core team and roster advisors.
- Training, Mentoring, and Roster Development
- Design and deliver technical training and mentoring for core team and roster advisors.
- Support the Deputy Director of Advisory & Surge to build a diverse, high-quality roster.
- Preparedness and Response
- Oversee the development and continuous refinement of the HEROS advisory toolbox.
- Lead cross-contract simulations, training and other preparedness and readiness exercises.
- Localisation and System Strengthening
- Identify and advance opportunities for locally-led response.
- Field Support and Representation
- Deploy to field locations, including high-risk environments, to provide direct advisory support.
- Collaboration
- Work constructively with colleagues to achieve shared goals.
- Risk Management
- Be aware of potential risks to effective and responsible programme management.
- Other Duties
- Willingness and ability to deploy to field locations, including hostile environments, at short notice.
- Participate in Duty Officer system rotation.
Required Qualifications:
- Strong hands-on leadership skills, with proven experience of leading humanitarian advisory teams or functions in complex, high-pressure environments.
- Proven ability to support professional development through on-the-job coaching.
- Strong experience of designing and delivering training and capacity-building initiatives.
- Experience of managing surge deployments, rosters and/or performance systems for deployable personnel.
- Demonstrated expertise in humanitarian response, preparedness, and Localisation.
- Ability to work across disciplines and with diverse stakeholders.
Candidates must hold the Right to work in the UK. Closing date for the advert is 25th January 2026.
Team Leader -Advisory and Surge employer: Palladium: Make It Possible
Contact Detail:
Palladium: Make It Possible Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Team Leader -Advisory and Surge
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the humanitarian sector, especially those who have worked with FCDO or similar organisations. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings and even referrals.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the latest trends in humanitarian response and FCDO's priorities. Show us you’re not just a candidate but a thought leader ready to contribute to strategic discussions.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to articulate how your experience aligns with the role of Team Leader. We want to hear how you can lead and inspire a high-performing team in challenging environments.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Team Leader -Advisory and Surge
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience in humanitarian leadership and operational expertise. We want to see how your skills align with the role of Team Leader in our Advisory function.
Showcase Your Strategic Acumen: In your written application, emphasise your strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities. Share examples of how you've navigated complex situations in previous roles, especially in high-pressure environments.
Highlight Relevant Experience: If you've worked with FCDO, UN agencies, or have experience in roster management, make sure to mention it! We love seeing candidates who understand the landscape of humanitarian operations.
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 this exciting opportunity.
How to prepare for a job interview at Palladium: Make It Possible
✨Know Your Humanitarian Landscape
Before the interview, brush up on current humanitarian issues and FCDO's priorities. Being able to discuss recent crises and how they relate to the role will show your strategic acumen and operational expertise.
✨Showcase Leadership Experience
Prepare specific examples of your leadership in high-pressure environments. Highlight how you've managed teams or projects, especially in humanitarian contexts, to demonstrate your ability to lead the Advisory function effectively.
✨Understand the Role of Localisation
Familiarise yourself with the concept of Localisation in humanitarian response. Be ready to discuss how you can advance locally-led initiatives and support national actors, as this is a key focus for the role.
✨Engage with the Interviewers
During the interview, ask insightful questions about the team dynamics and the challenges they face. This shows your interest in collaboration and your willingness to contribute positively to the team culture.
