Head of Region - West Africa

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 the position of ‘Head of Region – West Africa’ on a fixed-term basis for 24 months, to join its dynamic team based out of its offices in Birmingham, UK. The organisation is operating to a hybrid working model.

The purpose of the role is to ensure IR countries in the region develop and deliver quality programmes in line with agreed strategies. Represent IR to influence and advocate to donors and potential funders in line with agreed plans.

The successful candidate must have:

• Post graduate degree or equivalent in social economics / development studies / social sciences.
• 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. This includes risk management approaches.
• Knowledge and experience of working successfully with senior managers to deliver major change.
• Skills in advocating to external organisations in order 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 (especially CHS) to drive quality
• Fluent written and spoken English
• Work experience and proven track record of working with an International NGO as a senior manager.
• Demonstrated experience of effective representation at senior level
• Substantial experience and knowledge of effective budgetary control and grant management at regional level.
• Experience of building personal external networks at senior level, resulting in securing significant funding
• 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 piece of work that are publishable and usable by non-specialists.
• Experience and exposure of working and visiting overseas related to INGO work.

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.

For more information on the excellent company benefits we offer our employees, please visit: 

https://www.islamic-relief.org/work-with-us/what-we-offer/

PLEASE NOTE: Interviews are expected to take place on an ongoing basis until a suitable appointment is made. We therefore may close the advert sooner than the advertised date.

Pre-employment Checks:

Any employment with Islamic Relief will be subject to the following checks:

• screening clearance
• proof of eligibility to live and work within the UK
• receipt of satisfactory references

Please note, for UK-based roles, we are only able to accept applications from candidates who are eligible to work in the UK. We are unable to progress applications which would require sponsorship.

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 his/her understanding of these recruitment procedures.

Islamic Relief is an equal opportunities employer