Deputy Director of the Child Protection Alliance, Global

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, and the Child Protection Alliance is a global inter‑agency network of more than 370 organizations committed to protecting children from abuse, neglect, exploitation, and violence in humanitarian contexts.

Position Overview

The IRC appoints the part‑time Deputy Director of the Child Protection Alliance to provide strategic and operational leadership in support of the Alliance Director.

Length of Assignment: End date March 31, 2027; 32 hours/week; may become full‑time and extended longer term pending additional funding approval.

Location: UK or Kenya. Remote position open to candidates who are national or permanent residents in either location.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership and Governance: Develop, implement, and review the Alliance Strategy and workplans, ensure relevance, results‑orientation, cost‑effectiveness, and clear performance measurement. Lead designated Alliance workstreams aligned with strategic priorities.
• Management, Coordination, and Convening: Ensure coherence and complementarity across Working Groups, Task Forces, and Initiatives; facilitate information flow and collaboration; lead planning and delivery of the Annual Meeting for Child Protection in Humanitarian Action; support governance, planning, review, and fundraising meetings.
• Technical Leadership and Quality Assurance: Provide technical oversight to selected Working Groups, Task Forces, and Initiatives; support identification of sector‑wide technical gaps, priorities, and areas for improvement; oversee review and sign‑off processes for Alliance technical and advocacy products.
• Partnerships, Advocacy, and External Engagement: Support the Alliance Director in building strategic partnerships with UN agencies, donors, NGOs, academic institutions, peer alliances, and the private sector; contribute to global and regional advocacy; support communication and engagement strategies.
• Research, Learning, & Multisectoral Engagement: Contribute to research and learning agendas; promote dissemination, uptake, and application of Alliance guidance and evidence; share cross‑context learning within IRC forums.
• Resource Mobilization and Financial Coordination: Identify and support joint fundraising opportunities; engage with Alliance co‑hosts and partners on financial and operational coordination.

Professional Profile

The Deputy Director must have substantial experience leading complex, multi‑stakeholder initiatives at the global level, with advanced expertise in strategic leadership, humanitarian action, coordination, and child protection.

Leadership and Management Experience

• Minimum 10 years of professional experience, including at least 5 years in a senior management or deputy leadership role.
• Demonstrated experience deputizing for an Executive Director or equivalent.
• Proven ability to lead, collaborate, and foster cohesion within diverse, multicultural teams across time zones.
• Strong track record in building, managing, and sustaining complex partnerships and balancing institutional interests.
• Experience engaging with governance bodies such as steering committees, boards, advisory groups, or member assemblies.
• Ability to represent the Alliance credibly at high‑level global and regional fora.
• Experience contributing to or leading development and implementation of strategic plans, results frameworks, and theories of change.
• Judgment, discretion, and cultural sensitivity in politically complex or high‑risk environments.
• Commitment to the Alliance’s mission, values, and principles (equity, inclusion, partnership).

Skills and Competencies

• Work effectively with senior internal and external stakeholders across sectors and geographies.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Highly developed organizational and time‑management skills, able to prioritize and deliver independently.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to synthesize complex information for diverse audiences.
• Effectiveness in navigating matrixed, cross‑functional global structures within large international networks.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Strong ability to motivate volunteers to contribute to a collective goal.
• Ability to lead and adapt through change with a proactive, solution‑oriented approach.

Education

Master’s degree in social sciences, child rights, development studies, social work, or a relevant field required.

Language Skills

Excellent spoken and written English; working proficiency in an additional IRC language (Arabic, French, Spanish) is desired.

Working Environment

Standard office environment; remote and up to 20% international travel.

Compensation

UK Pay Range: £58,736 - £68,256. Exact offers based on location, experience and skills.

Professional Standards

All IRC workers must adhere to the core values and principles outlined in IRC Way – Standards for Professional Conduct. IRC enforces policies on safeguarding, conflicts of interest, fiscal integrity, and protection from retaliation.